Matt Zmolek talks to both councils on behalf of the Tama County Day Care Board. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

This last Monday was surely the night for council meetings. The evening started out with a double dipping of city councils as both the Tama and Toledo factions sat side by side in a rare joint meeting.

After a dual roll call, the meeting started with an STC Rec Board update from STC Activities Director Chelsea Ahrens. Next, they heard an update from Shayna Zmolek about the Aquatic Center. Finally, Matt Zmolek, on behalf of the Tama County Day Care Board. After all of both council’s questions were answered, and everyone was refreshed with information, the councils adjourned.

About 15 minutes later, Tama’s regular council meeting started. The issue on the agenda that loomed big and heavy this week was traffic cameras. This is not a new idea for Tama, but an issue that the city has been working on for some time.

A few months prior to last night’s meeting, the city of Tama went through a traffic camera test. Cameras were put in a few select places around Tama, simply to see if they would catch anything. The highest speed the cameras clocked was 96 miles per hour down by the golf course. The second highest speed was 76 miles per hour.

A handful of locals attended the council meeting to voice concerns over the cameras. One local wondered why the police simply can’t sit at high-trafficked areas and be on watch for speeders. The answer from the council and Chief Jason Bina was to the effect that when the officer is sitting there, there won’t be any speeding, but an officer can’t sit and patrol high-trafficked areas 24/7 like a camera can. The cameras will not, for lack of other words, “replace an officer,” but rather free officers up a little more to work on more high priority cases that may involve violence, drugs, or abuse.

Cory Kuzyk with Altumint Inc., the traffic camera company, was on hand to answer questions and explain things at the meeting. Mr. Kuzyk explained some of the finances of the cameras after one person’s accusation that they were simply a “money grab.” Kuzyk told how the cameras are all violator funded, meaning the money for the cameras will come from the speeders who are ticketed.

The money from every ticket will be split between the city of Tama and the company, with Tama keeping the majority share. Kuzyk gave a rough estimate of this split, saying around 72% would go back to Tama and 28% would go to the company.

Mr. Kuzyk also went on to tell a little bit about how the cameras would work. The cameras themselves would be simple black boxes attached to poles, easily moveable if the city deems it necessary. The cameras catch speeders in a range of 75 feet as they drive away. The camera does not take any pictures if the passing vehicle is anywhere under the set threshold.

The city of Tama tested five locations for the traffic cameras and decided on two main spots: 13th and Park, and 13th and Seymour. Interim City Attorney Michael Marquess approved the contract, but the cameras are not a done deal yet. A public hearing was set for the next council meeting on Dec. 4, during which it will be discussed to amend the current traffic ordinance and bring in the cameras.

Bina also said that just recently, the police department had been called out to two separate traffic accidents that ended in injury. Bina also informed the crowd that the sign on McClellan that informed passers by of their speed had been mowed down, which is thought to be intentional.

Another interesting issue on the agenda was the Tama Paper Mill contract. Marquess looked over the deal and had a few concerns. The first is that the contract is written in Georgia law because that is where the owners are based, but Marquess thinks it would be better to have it written in compliance with Iowa law so they don’t have any issues. The other thing that troubled Marquess about the contract was not having an environmental study done first. So the issue was tabled for the time being as Marquess will work to get these snafus addressed.

When it came to the shiny subjects of water and wastewater, two things got approved. Firstly, a contract with Snyder for the generator replacement, and secondly was for a new locator purchase as the current one has become troublesome and obsolete.

The Council approved a draw for work with Turbett Concrete. The Council also approved the Urban Renewal Report, the Annual Financial Report, and a transfer resolution.

A Snow Removal ad was approved as well. The last thing approved by the council for the night dealt with the floating holiday day and billing. After much discussion, they decided on Tuesday.

During updates, the Fire department talked about getting an anhydrous call and some new tires.

Jimmy Hicklin with EMS reported that they’ve received 833 calls this year, which is 100 more than the best year the department ever had. The department is also averaging over 20 transfers a month. With that, Hicklin has four new volunteers.

The city department reported that they are ready for winter — knock on wood. The water department reported that they had a leak they fixed.

Jaime Youngbear with the nuisance department reported that he cleaned up a few places that they’ve received letters on and is stuck in court limbo on another property. Chief Bina reported that between Oct. 9 and Nov. 20, the Tama Police Department received 307 calls to service.