Numerous requests made May 1 at Tampa City Council meeting
Public meeting is Monday to hear about sewer project
Contributing writer
A number of people came May 1 to present business at the Tampa City Council meeting.
Ron Mueller, fire chief, and Greg Berens, representing the fire district board, talked about a system to activate the fire or tornado siren through a telephone hookup. Berens had talked with someone at Tri-County Telephone, who estimated that installing the phone would cost around $50 with a monthly fee thereafter. Mueller said the equipment to remotely activate the siren would probably be under $100 instead of the $1,500 to $1,800 for a system using a radio.
"It sounds like a pretty good deal to me," said Wilbert Backhus.
"What do you want from us?" asked Mayor Jim Clemmer.
Berens replied he only came to place the matter before the council and learn their reaction. "Do you think it is our responsibility, or yours, or both?"
"I think the city should do something," Paul Backhus said. "It will benefit the city."
The mayor asked them to get exact cost figures for the council to consider. Berens said he would do that and get back to them to agree on how the cost should be divided.
Don Zaideman, who is planning an addition to his house, asked the council if he could rent the city's tractor to move earth. Paul Backhus moved and Tom Moldenhauer seconded to allow Zaideman to used the tractor for $25 per hour. The motion carried.
Zaideman also asked whether the fence at the ball field could be extended a few feet to lessen the chances of balls landing in his yard. "I enjoy watching the games from my porch," Zaideman said. "I just don't want the balls hitting my house, especially since I'm planning a large window in the new addition."
There was a brief discussion of whether or not it was feasible to prevent high flies from being hit out of the field, but Wilbert Backhus did tell Zaideman, "We'll look into that fence business."
Chad Luce of Westar Energy brought a proposal to renew that company's franchise agreement with the city. Wilbert Backhus moved to approve the agreement. Willis Herbel seconded the motion, which carried.
Dan Holub, county commissioner, informed the council they would receive an invitation to a budget hearing for the county. The commission believes input from other government entities, such as city councils and school boards, will encourage cooperation and help in a fair allocation of funds. He also mentioned the commission is trying to find a way of recycling to reduce tonnage at the transfer station and lessen the expense of trash disposal.
The mayor told the council they needed to adopt a resolution approving an agreement with the Kansas League of Municipalities for workmen's compensation coverage. Wilbert Backhus moved, and Paul Backhus seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion carried.
In a related matter the city must agree to the bylaws of the Kansas Municipal Insurance Trust. Herbel moved and Moldenhauer seconded to approve said bylaws. The motion carried.
Agri Producers Inc. personnel informed council their project to reduce runoff from their property west of the city had cost $17,000. "They don't want us to pay for it," said Clemmer. "They want us to open up Fourth Street."
Opening Fourth Street will require moving personal property which is blocking the previously unused street. John Cole had agreed to move the property, but asked whether someone from the city or the elevator could help him. Paul Backhus said he had talked to Agri Producers Inc. management, and they are willing to help.
Clemmer said, "The elevator also asked if we'd pay half for millings on the access road to the elevator."
Paul Backhus moved, and Wilbert Backhus seconded to pay half that expense. The motion carried.
The mayor told the council he had consulted the Kansas revolving fund and the Kansas Development Block Grant, who would provide funding for sewer improvements under a grant for which the city has applied. Both said the city would have to use an engineer for the project, and others experienced in such matters had agreed. Some of the council thought the inspector who had mandated the work to be done had not indicated the necessity of an engineer. There also was some discussion of sources for rock for the sewer project. Clemmer talked about different methods for repairing a stretch of damaged sewer line, and Wilbert Backhus brought in an advertisement he had seen for a company doing that kind of work.
Among the bills approved for payment were $97.92 for warning signs at the sewer lagoon and $36.75 for publishing a notice of a public meeting May 15 on the sewer project.
