Anyone who attended this week’s Tama City council meeting was witness to a show. In the beginning, the first four items on this week’s agenda were tabled for another time as no one pertaining to the proposed lien waivers was present. However, once the involved parties showed, the agenda items were back up for discussion. There was just one problem: the property owners spoke only Spanish, and the council spoke only English.

Jimmy Hicklin and Amanda Morris with Tama EMS flew in to bridge this verbal divide. Using a device that is available in all Tama ambulances, Morris started to translate. She placed an earpiece in the property owner’s ear, then one in her own, as the two spoke back and forth, a cell phone translated the words into the earpieces. Morris stated that the device was simple to use and pressed Tama City Clerk Jill Apfel to give it a try. Apfel was reluctant and pushed it off on city attorney and avid cowboy boot wearer Thomas Hillers.

Hillers started to place the device in his ear and asked how it worked. That is when Apfel took the opportunity to explain that the property owner didn’t speak English. Hillers then replied that he understood that part of it. The discussion of the properties then commenced with only slight hiccups as the translation device was prone to delay. When it was realized that the property owner’s intent was to clean up and live on the properties, Hillers translated one council member’s comment of, “Good luck,” as the properties aren’t in the best shape. The liens were waived on all four properties with a two year limit allowing for the owners to clean up the properties.

The council approved a resolution to close 3rd Street for an event at the Eagles on Aug. 2.

The council discussed with STC Activities Director Chelsea Ahrens the 28 E agreement they have with the STC Rec Board. Among the topics discussed were filling two open seats on the rec board and the possibility of opening that up to someone who lives in the district, not just someone who lives in town. The council approved rewording the 28E.

The council approved modifying a lease agreement with Dunn. The council approved moving forward with publishing a notice of intent to enter into a guaranteed maximum price contract project for the library.

Darin Blocker was approved for a dollar pay raise after graduating from skeeter school and now being able to spray for mosquitoes.

The council approved an increase in the fire township contracts and agreed to review the contract every year. The contract hadn’t been reviewed for 30 years. The contract was for .40 cents per thousand and will increase in 2027 to .43 cents.

Approximately $26,000 was approved to be transferred in the EMS quarterly transfer.

The council approved Hicklin to buy a Stryker Power cot that he budgeted for.

The council also approved for him to go ahead with getting Medic One, the Tama EMS new runner car, to get wrapped and get a brush guard.

EMS reported that they are 57 calls ahead of last year.

The Fire Department reported that they are going forward with the firefighter one class once an issue with the books is sorted out.

Public works reported that everything is working, and 5th Street is open.