Tampa City Council: City signs contract with refuse company
Contributing writer
Hank Yoder of Stutzman Refuse Company attended the Tampa City Council meeting Dec. 6 to present a new trash-hauling contract. The present three-year contract expires at the end of this year.
"We're asking for a 50-cent per month increase next year and a 25-cent increase the second and third years," Yoder said. "Fuel costs have risen dramatically. I brought a three-year contract like you had before. If you want me to, I can show you a contract for one or five years."
Yoder advised against going for a one-year contract. "While gas prices will go up and down some, I don't foresee them dropping permanently. If I were you, I'd get these rates locked in."
Paul Backhus moved to accept the three-year contract. On a second from Reuben Kerbs, the motion carried.
Dan Holub, who will take office as county commissioner in January, came to listen to the council's concerns. Mayor Jim Clemmer told him the county had assessed the condemned building on Main Street a fee for the transfer station, although it has been sitting empty and generating no refuse. Holub said he would talk to the appropriate authorities and try to get the fee rescinded.
Holub asked for input concerning a proposed neighborhood revitalization program which would give tax breaks to people and businesses investing in buildings and improvements. The purpose would be to encourage investments that would help the economy and/or build a stronger tax base for the future. Some portion of the taxes on a new building or addition could be deferred while construction costs were being paid off.
There also was some discussion of road conditions, particularly the sad state of repair on the roads from Tampa to K-15 and to the Durham-Lincolnville Road.
Clemmer informed the council that Centre school district has asked the city to pay part of the electric bill at the ball diamond. Clemmer had pointed out to the superintendent that the district is receiving a much larger income from increases in assessed valuation than the city, so perhaps it is better able to fund the lighting.
Clemmer reported the Lions Club is paying half the cost of treats distributed to children at the recent Christmas festival, and Tampa Community Association will pay half of the fee for Santa Claus. Kerbs moved to pay half the cost of the treat sacks ($55), and Paul Backhus seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Tom Leihy moved to contribute $25 to the fee for Santa. Wilbert Backhus seconded that motion, which also carried.
The linoleum in the restrooms at the senior center is beginning to stick up along the seam. Paul Backhus moved to have the floor-covering repaired. On a second from Leihy, the motion carried.
Among bills approved for payment were $18.99 for plugs for Christmas lights, $92.86 for tractor repair, $150 to send Byron Noeth to Leadership Marion County and $92.75 for repairs to tables in the park.
