Contributing writer
About a dozen citizens attended the Tampa City Council meeting Oct. 5. Since there was not a quorum of council members present at the usual starting time, the meeting was delayed for half an hour.
Citizens present included Angie Schwerdfeger, Tri-County Telephone Association; Teresa Huffman, Marion County Economic Development Director; Sandra Fruit, Central Kansas Community Foundation; Jamie Goering, engineer on the sewer project; Mark Heiser; Jesse Brunner; Bob and Tammy Ware; and Gary and Carole Spohn.
Schwerdfeger announced that Tri-County Telephone would like to have a public meeting Oct. 28. A light supper will be furnished and they will talk about Tri-County’s Community Development Initiative and about affiliation with the Central Kansas Community Foundation. The council approved the scheduling of the meeting.
Fruit explained the concept of community foundations and the advantages of even a small community establishing one. Area cities that already have such foundations include Hillsboro, Peabody, and Hesston. They have generated very significant amounts of funds to meet community needs. Such a foundation provides a place for people to give to the community or leave a legacy in their estate. Fruit offered Bird City as an example. Since establishing a foundation, the city has accumulated about a $10 million endowment. This gave them resources to rescue the town’s only grocery store. When it was about to close, the foundation bought the building and offered the operators a more favorable lease agreement. Although it is difficult for a small community to establish a foundation on its own, affiliation with CKCF will provide help in obtaining tax exemptions, applying for grants, etc.
Bentz brought brochures on Leadership Marion County. The deadline for applications is Nov. 20 and the class is limited to ten, she said.
Goering brought two bids for the sewer project. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is requiring the removal of sludge from one of the lagoon ponds. An $87,444 bid from Reid-Dozing does not include sludge removal. Apac’s bid of $108,205 is for the entire project including removal of the sludge.
Paul Backhus moved to accept Apac’s bid. On a second from Don Zaideman the motion passed unanimously.
Jesse Brunner brought up what he perceives as a problem with alcohol consumption at the ball diamond. The rest of those present were there to discuss this issue as well.
Brunner stated he was there as a citizen and not a representative of the school board.
However, he had consulted the attorney for the state association of school boards about the Kansas laws concerning drinking on public property and brought a printed copy of one of the relevant statutes. The statute stated that state law forbids the consumption of alcohol on public property unless the city has granted an exception for a specific event and issued a permit. Of course, there is a long list of exceptions to that ban.
After some discussion, Mayor Jim Clemmer tabled the discussion and said the council would look over the statute.
In other business, the mayor sought the council’s approval for a $14,400 fee for the engineer on the sewer project and a $2,000 fee for Rose Mary Saunders, grant coordinator. The engineer’s fee will be paid out of the loan or grant funds. Willis Herbel moved and Backhus seconded to approve the fees, and the motion carried.
Clemmer informed the council that they needed to approve a civil rights and fair housing policy. Backhus moved and Tim Svoboda seconded a motion to approve such a policy.
Bills approved for payment included $491.50 for Satu-Rock, $185 for a sewer permit, $141 to Hoch publishing for the publication of legal notices, and a $106.43 water bill to Rural Water District No.1. In explanation of the larger-than-usual water bill, Clemmer said that 10,000 gallons of water ran through the public restrooms, which indicated there must be a leak or a stool running.
This brought up a problem of a leaky roof at the restrooms. Zaideman volunteered to look at the roof and fix it if he is able and to check the valves on the stools.