Common Council Hears Multiple Presentations
WARSAW — Six informational presentations were given during the Warsaw Common Council meeting held on Monday, July 17. These topics included a Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams update, the multi-hazard mitigation plan, a watershed grant presentation, downtown revitalization plan, stormwater utility quality management plan and sexually oriented business report.
Leigh Groninger, an intern for the Warsaw Building and Planning Department, gave the presentation on the downtown revitalization plan. The presentation focused on alley activation and parklet projects, both which provide benefits to pedestrian traffic and local businesses.
She outlined a few possible future locations for projects including locations near Mad Anthony’s, RUA and Three Crowns Coffee. The success of the current alley project will be measured before any future plans are made.
Nate Bosch was present to give an update on the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams. The city has invested in funding for the center in the past and Bosch hopes the funding will continue. He explained that the center helps the city with Center, Pike and Winona lakes. He explained that the total economic impact of the lakes is $313,000,000 annually.
The center assists with chemical spills, fish kills, E. Coli, algae toxins and logjams. They also assist in recording and preserving the history of the lakes along with partnering with other organizations in the community to make a greater impact.
When the meeting turned to public comment, Chad Zartman came forward with accusations of voting by email instead of in a public meeting. Zartman provided email evidence he obtained through a public information request to back up his accusations. In an email response, Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt stated that the issue is a red flag.
Zartman continued by saying a complaint has been made to the State Board of Accounts about the issue. Mayor Joe Thallemer had little to say about the accusations besides that the city would appreciate looking at any documentation Zartman has before replying.
In other news:
- Patrick Jennings, an intern for the Warsaw Building and Planning Department, gave his presentation on sexually oriented businesses. The presentation was the same as given to the Board of Works.
- Ed Rock presented the multi-hazard mitigation plan. The plan was previously presented to the county commissioners.
- A presentation was given on the Watershed Foundation grant, a 2 1/2 year grant for watershed management. The grant is currently being used to target critical subwatersheds that are a concern to the condition of Pike Lake.
- A draft of a stormwater utility quality management plan ordinance was presented. The current ordinance hasn’t been updated since 2005. No actions were made, this was merely educational for council members. An official ordinance revision will be presented at a later date.