A new investigative section for the Tama Police Department and the need for additional city storage space prompted the Tama City Council to approve construction of a new building at their regular meeting Monday night, March 5.
The building will house space for Tama police vehicles, evidence and other city equipment.
It will be built west of the water treatment plant on vacant city land which has been used as the site of firefighters water fights over the years.
Simon Construction was awarded the bid for building the exterior shell of the structure and work in the laying of the concrete at a cost of $$27,930. Hrabak Lumber will supply the building exterior materials at a cost of $27,645 and Manatt's Inc. was awarded the concrete supply bid at a cost of $11,100.
The interior of the building will be finished by Tama city employees. No decision on heating and cooling was made Monday.
Tama Police Officer Kimberly Schwartz recently completed training in cyber-crime investigation and the police department will need space to house computer equipment and provide space for the investigative unit. Schwartz is one of two police officers in Iowa who completed a recent five-week-long course, officials said.
In other business Monday the council:
heard no objections to the proposed 2012-13 city budget which results in a property tax hike of 85 cents to $17,26 per $1,000 tax valuation.
approve purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe sports utility vehicle with police package at a cost of $31,400 from Thys Chevrolet, Toledo, which matched the state bid for the vehicle. It will replace a Ford patrol car.
heard Tama Mayor Dan Zimmerman appoint council members Steve Baier and Mike Carnahan to study the rental ordinance with an aim at possibly developing a property maintenance code.
learned April Farley has been appointed manager of the Tama-Toledo Family Aquatic Center and Marlys Upah will be in charge of concessions for the 2012 season.
discussed options for the proposed East 5th Street project including applying for Community Development Block Grant funding. Such an application would require an income survey of Tama residents and the findings would have to show 51 percent or more in the survey are below moderate income for the city to qualify.
approved liquor sales license renewals for the Tama-Toledo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6607 and Las dos Fuentes.
approve applications for Tama County community Foundation grants for 3rd Street Park equipment and GIS equipment in a joint application with Tama County.
approve attendance at the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers meeting in Des Moines on april 18-20 for City clerk Judy Welch and Assistant Clerk Nancy Carlson.
discussed paying for a fireworks display for part of the Tama Sesquicentennial Celebration but tabled action until the entire budget for the event is presented.
learned the application for Iowa Department of Transportation funding for replacement of a bridge on East 9th Street near Oak Hill Cemetery was made.