Tampa City Council: Trash carts pondered
Contributing writer
Hank Yoder of Stutzman Refuse Service appeared at the Tampa City Council meeting Nov. 4 to discuss the option of changing to trash carts furnished by the company in 2003.
"This might be a good time to make the change, because we are taking off $6.25," Yoder said. "That's what we were paying the transfer station."
Since the transfer station has been taken over by the county, all residents will be assessed for the dumping fee on their taxes starting Jan. 1. Stutzman's fees for trash pickup under the present system would be $6.50 per month in 2003 and $6.75 in 2004. If all customers use carts furnished by the company, fees in 2003 would be $7.25 for a 95-gallon cart or $7.50 for a 65-gallon cart.
Tom Leihy asked about residents who are gone several months out of the year. Yoder said they could cancel their refuse service without being charged for the cart during those months.
There was some discussion of a citywide cleanup day. Yoder said this could be managed as last year with a large trash trailer brought to town for several days. The city paid an extra fee for the trailer. Another option would be to have one day when you can put everything at the curb for pickup with no extra charge. This would include furniture or appliances, anything except hazardous waste.
After considerable discussion of the cart system, Wilbert Backhus said, "I think it would be a better deal. I move we go ahead with it."
Yoder said an announcement to customers should specify one size to be furnished automatically and ask them to notify the company if they want the other size. After some discussion, Backhus clarified his motion by adding customers would get the smaller size unless they specify otherwise. Reuben Kerbs seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The council instructed Yoder to send a letter to current customers, notifying them of the change.
Leihy asked about the certificates of deposit containing funds for protection of fire fighters. If the county will pay bills for the new fire district, they will have no authority to disperse funds not included in the budget. If the fire board decides to buy added insurance with this money, how could it be accessed? The council discussed the difficulty, but did not decide on a solution.
Mayor Jim Clemmer said Fire Chief Jesse Brunner had told him that materials for fire safety programs for children, which the department had sponsored last year and this year, had been obtained from the Lincolnville Fire Department. Brunner had suggested giving them $50 to reimburse them for the expense. Paul Backhus moved to pay the Lincolnville Fire Department $50. On a second from Kerbs, the motion carried.
The mayor announced that Bill Morris, architect, and Rose Mary Saunders, grant coordinator, will be at Tampa at 2 p.m. Nov. 18 for the pre-bid meeting on the demolition project.
Clemmer said Brunner had informed him that the roof of the fire station could be repaired with no labor cost by someone doing community service for the court. After some discussion, the consensus of the council seemed to be that no harm could come from accepting this option.
Wilbert Backhus reported that he had found door closers, which could be used at the senior center, priced at $38 each. Clemmer said he would discuss with the senior citizens the possibility of their bearing part of the cost. "Whoever pays for them, the city or the senior citizens, I think we ought to get them," said Paul Backhus. Leihy moved to buy the closers, and Paul Backhus second the motion, which passed.
The mayor informed the council that the roof on the senior center had been repaired, and the cost of repairs turned over to the insurance company.
Clemmer brought up a couple of issues concerning the ball field. Pepsi-Cola has offered to buy an electric score board in return for the Lions Club selling their products in the concession stand. He showed the council a catalog showing possible choices, and there was some discussion of where it should be located and how it could be wired.
One ball player had talked to the mayor, objecting to the proposed action of putting "no alcohol" signs in the dugout at the field. Clemmer asked the council whether he should go ahead and order the signs. Leihy said the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the dugouts was league policy, and all involved should know that. He suggested having someone emphasize this policy at league meetings in the spring and not put up the signs. The council concurred.
Bills approved for payment included $1,178.01 for repairs to the roof at the senior center, $61.28 to Dalke Construction for hauling rock, $103.41 to Martin-Marietta for rock, $185 to the Department of Health and Environment for a waste water permit and various routine bills.
