Tama City Attorney Dan Rathjen points to an internet aerial view of downtown Tama as city council members Doug Ray, Mike Carnahan and Kenny McAdoo and downtown building owner Ed Hardon (standing, right) look on. Hardon asked the council to take action on the condition of some downtown Tama property during the Sept. 21 council meeting. News-Herald/John Speer

Concern about the condition of several business buildings had downtown Tama property owner Ed Hardon before the city council Monday night. “I am here at your mercy,” he told city council members in calling for enforcement or implementation of an ordinance to ensure buildings are maintained .

Mayor Dan Zimmerman and council members said the situation would be referred to Building and Zoning Administrator Aaron Yuska.

Of immediate importance to Hardon is a one-story building at 106 West 4th Street. He said his building to the east shares a common wall with it and a portion of the adjoining building’s roof has collapsed. Hardon and his wife live in an apartment in their building.

Hardon said “water ran into my bedroom” during a recent rain. He said damage included “pulling rafters from the common wall.” He said he talked to the W. 4th Street building owner and made an offer which he said was apparently not acceptable but said the deal remains “negotiable.”

The Tama County Auditor’s website identifies the owner of the buildings at 106 and 108 West 4th St. as American B & P LLC.

Hardon charged “water runs out the front door” of the vacant storefront during a rain storm.

Hardon said he recently purchased and had a downtown building next to one he owns on West 3rd Street razed. He said it cost $27,000 for the demolition and $11,000 to fix the walls.

Hardon cited other downtown properties which he said had issues as well.

Council members approved two facade grants totaling $7,000 each for Hardon for properties at 109 and 113 West 3rd Street. The grants are made under the Tama Economic Development and Revitalization Program.

Voting in favor were members Kenny McAdoo, Mike Carnahan and Doug Ray. Members Crystal Kaufman and Steve Baier were absent.

Compensation Time For City Employees

It Was reported to the council nine city employees have accumulated a total of 623 hours worked which falls under compensatory time at present. As a result the employees are due pay for this time if not used if they leave city employment.

It was noted some of the time would be paid at a rate higher than the time worked as it accumulates over a period of years.

A resulting proposal to limit comp time carry-over from year-to-year anniversary date of employment was tabled Monday night.

Council members said they recognized in particular the police department has been short-staffed and officers must fill all time slots making comp time unavoidable.

In other business the council:

tabled a decision on whether to allow a variance or partial variance to the Meskwaki Celebration Assembly of God Church on a request to waive property tax on a building purchased on East 5th Street. The Tama County Board of Supervisors agreed to waive a portion of the county’s share of property taxes last week. Church Pastor Kenny Mervin earlier had explained to the council there was a misunderstanding concerning the church tax exemption when the property was bought in 2014.

set Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. as the date for the annual joint meeting with the Toledo City Council and Tama-Toledo Family Aquatic Center Board of Directors.

approved city employee health insurance premiums which will increase 11.2 percent to $23,281 monthly beginning Dec. 1.

approved payment of $400 for views of Tama made by Shawn Upah using a drone.

declined a request to waive a lien of $150 for snow removal done by the city for his property at 503 Siegel St.