WARSAW — An amendment to the city’s new snow removal ordinance was tabled Tuesday evening, Jan. 19, by members of the Warsaw Common Council. Instead the council will be looking to rescind a portion of the ordinance.

Mayor Joe Thallemer asked council members to consider rescinding the section of the ordinance which relates to giving fines for snow on city sidewalks, streets and parking lots.

“The intent of this ordinance, which pertains to pushing snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots into city streets, was to aid the city workers and city equipment in the often monumental task of removing snow … in the fastest and most efficient manor,” stated Thallemer.

“The issue with snow being pushed out in the street interferes with the timely removal of snow for the entire community and poses safety hazards when independently deposited. The intent of the ordinance was to reduce interference on a very methodical process … not just the entire downtown, but the entire city as well.”

Thallemer stated he did not feel the ordinance, approved in November, was the best way to accomplish that task. “Tonight I am introducing an ordinance to rescind that portion of the ordinance that deals with discharging snow into the street. We have talked to the businesses. They understand that we have 210 lane miles of road to plow for over 14,000 residents,” Thallemer stated. “We have asked businesses to work with the street department in the city’s snow removal process.”

Thallemer stated businesses have been asked to put snow near the edge of the sidewalk, which will allow both clear pathways and the ability to facilitate snow removal.

“I don’t feel that we need fines and rules to accomplish this in our city. We have worked too hard to improve our downtown, improve our parking and encourage commercial and residential development. We need everyone to work together … If we can’t accomplish this without an ordinance, we may need to reexamine this at a later time,” stated Thallemer.

The four council members present agreed and tabled the amendment to allow for the entire council to take part in the discussion at the Feb. 1, meeting. The amended ordinance will include an omitted portion from the original — the listing of fines. The portion prohibiting driving through snow placed for removal will remain.

Other action by the council was approval of the first reading on two ordinances: designating parking restrictions for the city hall lot and increasing the traffic safety commission from seven to nine members.

The city hall parking ordinance creates permit-only parking for the lot during weekly business hours. The only exception is the row closest to Center Street, which will remain a free two-hour parking area. The permit parking is for city hall and OrthoWorx employees along with two spots for the attorney to the west of the lot. The attorney has allowed the city to place public restrooms in that building.

The increase in traffic safety commission, included adding the city plan department and street department superintendent as voting members.

Other business included council members having the opportunity to look at end of the year cash balances of funds and $2,499,212.47 in encumbered purchase orders from 2015. Encumbered funds are items which were approved for purchase in 2015, but no bill was received for payment. Most of the purchase orders will be paid within the next six months. Ninety-percent of the encumbered funds are for general monthly bills.