Warsaw Common Council Addresses Multiple Ordinances
WARSAW — The Warsaw Common Council heard three new ordinances and addressed another ordinance on second reading during the meeting held last night, April 16.
The first ordinance amended sewage works rates and charges to include a summer credit. The amended ordinance was first presented at the March 30 meeting. The amendment allows residents who apply to have their summer water consumption rates based off of winter months. This will allow residents to not pay for water that may be used to fill pools or water lawns.
The ordinance was originally presented to cover a four-month period from mid May through mid September. Warsaw resident Duane Huffer asked the council to extend the ordinance to cover five months, mid April through mid September. He explained that many people, including himself, start to fill their pools and water their lawns in the beginning of May.
The council agreed with Huffer and approved the ordinance with the five-month period. It was not yet clear how residents will apply for this credit except that the request would be made in writing. The request would only need to happen once per homeowner.
The next ordinance regarding requirements for discharges included a lengthy discussion. The ordinance addresses how food service establishments handle discharges of fats, oils and grease. The ordinance outlines different requirements that food establishments need to comply with.
If these discharges enter the sewer system they often cause clogs and sewer back ups for the establishment and possibly neighboring buildings. The requirements vary based on the food establishment’s needs and can range from a grease trap to an interceptor. The required cleaning of the equipment can also vary based on food establishment.
Brian Davison, utility manager, explained that the department has already been meeting with Warsaw’s food establishments to outline their specific requirements. According to Davison, the majority of food establishments already have the equipment in place and the main issue is proper cleaning and emptying of the equipment.
Council Member Ron Shoemaker expressed apprehension with the ordinance. He made a motion to table the ordinance so that council members would have time to consult with area food establishments. The council approved to table the ordinance to the May 7 meeting. It was noted that the council would appreciate if representatives from local food establishments were to attend the meeting to share their stance on the ordinance.
In other news:
- Kosciusko County Prosecutor Katy Hampton and Kosciusko County Victim’s Assistant Linda Giusti attended the meeting to share information on a new Start By Believing Campaign. The campaign provides public awareness regarding victims of physical and sexual violence. Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer named the first Wednesday of April Start By Believing Day.
- An amendment was approved to the current surcharge of ammonia received ordinance. The ordinance was not updated when the general sewer ordinance was updated in 2015. The rules were suspended and this was also approved on second reading.
- An ordinance regarding the vacation of Lake City Bank’s downtown alley’s was approved on first reading. This ordinance is the second phase of the original Lake City alley vacation that extends the vacation to include the whole area of both alleys. A public hearing of this ordinance will be held on May 7.