Common Council Moves Forward With Redevelopment Authority
Yesterday evening the Warsaw Common Council met for its regular monthly meeting to discuss numerous topics including the establishment of the Warsaw Redevelopment Authority, approval of additional land appropriation for the Warsaw Municipal Airport and several vacation requests.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer explained ordinance 2015-04-01 would establish a redevelopment authority with the purpose of financing, constructing and leasing of local public improvements. The authority would be comprised of three members, appointed by the council, to serve three year terms.
The authority is said to essentially function the same mechanically as building authorities for school corporations. Councilman Charles Smith noted that the authority would act as a vehicle to allow the city to move forward and would only have the authority granted by the City Council and Redevelopment Commission.
The second reading of the ordinance was passed unanimously following a motion to approve from Councilman Mike Klondaris.
Former Mayor Ernie Wiggins approached the board to request the support of ordinance 2015-04-02, which would allow for the temporary appropriation of funds to purchase 65 acres of land east of the airport, the total cost of which is estimated at $615,000.
Wiggins noted the amount will be reimbursed 90 percent by the federal government, 5 percent by the state, leaving the city with only 5 percent of the cost. The full amount borrowed from the city’s rainy day fund, which is set at $380,000 will be repaid, according to Thallemer, within two months time. The city will only be responsible for 5 percent of the $165,000 requested from the aviation depreciation fund.
In other business, the council heard petitions from both 1st Source Bank and David and Linda Fulton for alley vacations.
According to Warsaw City Planner Jeremy Skinner, 1st Source Bank is requesting a 16.5 foot wide alley between lots 284 and 285. The alley is perpendicular to Lake Street between Jefferson Street and Winona Avenue. According to Skinner, the city does not have any public improvements in the alley and vacation of the alley would allow for the lots to become one property.
Michael Hardy, attorney for 1st Source Bank, noted that the alley does not affect any other property owners other than 1st Source Bank. Skinner affirmed that the alley does not serve any purpose to adjoining properties. Skinner also noted the north-south alley will still be accessible. A public hearing on the vacation will occur at the next Common Council meeting.
The second vacation request came from David and Linda Fulton of Lake Street. The couple is requesting the vacation of an alley running from the right-of-way of Lake Street to the shoreline of Center Lake.
Stephen R. Snyder, of Snyder Morgan LLP represented the Fultons’ request, noting that Alfred and Marjorie Dorell, neighbors on the other side of the alley, have no qualms to the vacation of the alley. Snyder noted no other property or public place will be impaired. Skinner noted that though a city storm line runs along the lake side of the adjoining properties, a 20-foot easement running parallel to the storm line would solve access issues.
The issue was moved to an immediate vote following a request from councilwoman Diane Quance and was approved unanimously by the board.
Other business:
- The council heard a presentation from Nate Bosch of Kosciusko County Lakes and Streams who noted water conditions are normal in accordance with recent testing of Winona Lake.
- Thallemer established April 21 as international Kiwanis Day in Warsaw.
- Warsaw Police Department Lt. Kip Shuter proposed the addition of stop signs in or near Helser subdivision as well as a no parking zone on the east side of Colfax Street north of Center Street.