Contracts with entertainment for the Warsaw Parks Department’s concert series and a step towards a chance to be a part of the state’s Stellar Communities Program were among approvals this morning at the Warsaw Board of Public Works & Safety meeting.

Contracts were approved with Duke Tumatoe and the Elwood Splinters Band for the July 10 concert and Made In America concert on July 24, featuring Wade Hayes, Bryan White and Mark Wills. The Tumatoe/Elwood Splinters Band contract totals $4,350. The Made In America contract totals $22,850.

A contract for entertainment for the classic Rock ‘N Roll night is expected to be presented at the March Board of Public Works & Safety meeting.

Approval was also given for the parks and recreation department to apply for an Indiana Arts Commission matching grant of $5,000, to help with costs of this year’s nine-week Summer Central Park Concert Series. The department has received grant funds from IAC in the past. The application deadline is March 2.

Stellar Community Program

Mayor Joe Thallemer and Jeff Grose, board members, voted to sign an agreement with CWC Latitudes LLC to complete the project development and submit a letter of interest for the Indiana Stellar Communities Program. The cost of the contract is not to exceed $30,000.

Thallemer explained the Stellar Community Program application began several years ago with the city’s comprehensive plan to meet the program’s stringent time line. The letter of intent is due in March. Finalist will be announced shortly thereafter, with the recipient announced during the Indiana State Fair.

It was noted the city will be partnering with Winona Lake on the program. Up to $5 million in funds are available.

Funds would be used for a project from Market Street to Argonne Road going into Winona Lake. The city’s planning department will be working with CWC to help keep costs low.

Jeremy Skinner, city planner, explained program eligibility, which was established by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann’s office. Warsaw qualifies as it is not an entitlement community. “It’s in the best interest,” Skinner and Thallemer stated regarding partnering with Winona Lake on the project. Thallemer stated Argonne Road is the entrance into Winona Lake and enhancement of that area will benefit both communities.

During other business the commission approved:

• Release of the mortgage at 1716 S. West Point Drive to Randall and Lisa Riley, through the Warsaw Housing Authority.
• One-year service agreement with Cardinal Tracking Inc. for its TickeTrak software license and customer support, a cost of $1,942.20 annually. This is used to track parking tickets.
• Service agreement with Quine Freeman Heating & Air Conditioning for the four heating units at Warsaw Police Department, a cost of $620 per year.
• A three-year motorcycle lease with Harley-Davidson Leasing for the police department at an annual cost of $2,702.76.
• Hourly rates for John Kimpel & Associates for surveying related work if needed.
• A&Z Engineering LLC, pay application for engineering services for the Husky Trail Project, at a cost of $6,534.60. This is an 80/20 grant through the state. Design approval has been received. Skinner stated construction will begin in either the spring of next year or at the latest the fall.
• An $850 contract with A&Z Engineering for copies and filing fees on the Market Street project
• A contract with Wessler Engineering Inc., for a collections system inflow/infiltration reduction program and 2015 rates, at a cost of $25,000.
• Travel requests for street department employees for schooling, mayor to attend a mayor’s meeting, training and certification classes for police department.