Tampa City Council: Willis Herbel fills open city council position
Contributing writer
At the Tampa City Council meeting Aug. 1 Mayor Jim Clemmer raised the question of filling the council position left vacant by Tom Leihy's resignation. "Willis Herbel is willing to accept the office," the mayor said.
Paul Backhus moved to approve Herbel's appointment. On a second from Tom Moldenhauer, the motion carried unanimously.
Dan Holub, county commissioner, attended the meeting to offer information to the council and give them an opportunity to air their concerns. He announced the neighborhood revitalization program now is in place. Anyone planning a new building project is encouraged to apply for tax exemptions.
Holub also reported the county plans to tear up Roxbury Road and establish a good base before resurfacing. Another priority is to maintain roads running east and west out of Ramona to allow drivers to detour when trains block the Ramona crossing. Asked about missing directional signs pointing to Tampa from 290th and Quail Creek Road, Holub said they have been removed to be repaired and repainted.
Clemmer informed council he had received a letter from Westar Energy with notification that Russell Kerbs' dairy, the lift station, and the small building by the railroad are being deleted from the city's franchise.
Two other issues came up for discussion. One was clean-up of the senior center after events and whether or not a deposit should be collected before the hall is opened. Although this has been official policy, it seldom has been enforced. The council also talked about plans for digging up manhole covers before the upcoming sewer clearance.
