This week’s Tama City Council meeting started with the dogs. A public hearing was held for the dog park ordinance, an act that solidifies the rules of the newly established Tama Dog Park. After approving the ordinance, the council went on to waive the second and third readings.

Second up was an update and discussion on Insurance from Matt Zmolek. The council approved going with Zmolek’s recommendation of the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP).

The council approved entering into a contract with SCS Engineers for environmental testing of the paper mill’s landfill for approximately $1,700.

Also approved was the hiring of Bruce Mann for summer help at a wage of $16.50 an hour.

While on the topic of summer help, the council approved the hiring of a second public works summer help employee. This prospective employee would help out with a laundry list of items through the warmer months. The wage for this second employee would be $16 an hour.

The annual spring cleanup of yard waste items was scheduled for the week of April 21-25.

Neal Cooley was approved to be hired by the Tama Police Department. A certified officer, the council approved his wage at $30 an hour with a possible increase in 90 days.

The council accepted the resignation of Nuisance Official Jamie Youngbear.

A public hearing to place the nuisance official position under the Public Works department was scheduled for April 7.

It was also approved to advertise the hiring of a new nuisance official. The council approved a resolution to enter into a general obligation corporate purpose loan agreement and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $4,000,000. This loan is to cover three projects, the culvert project for $3.2 million, the fire truck for $450,000, and the library for $300,000.

EMS reported that the call volume remains the same. Interviews will be conducted on applicants for the full-time position. In May or June, a new piece of equipment will arrive. Grants will also start to be written and worked on.

The library director reported that numbers are down for the month, and a book sale was had. They are at goal for sponsors for the summer reading program. New humidifiers were installed. The library is now on the city’s phone system. A grant is being worked on for a possible library garden.

Everything is going well in the Public Works Department, and one of the pumps in the wastewater system will be put in in April.

The fire department has received its new truck and has also received a few calls recently. They have also received a new grant.