WARSAW — Details of the 2016 Walk-N-Wander event and a presentation by the Clean Waters Partnership were part of the bi-monthly meeting of the Warsaw Common Council. The presentations were given Monday evening, May 16.

Suzie Light and Paulette Davis gave the Warsaw Public Arts Commission presentation on the upcoming Walk-N-Wander 2016. Davis, coordinator, announced Walk-N-Wander 2016 will be unveiled on the courthouse lawn Friday, June 3, in conjunction with First Friday. Additionally, she announced there will be 20 sculptures from the corner of Lake and Market to Center Street. Brochures will be available at businesses and on the city’s website.

Davis announced the exhibit is through the donations of individuals, businesses and funds with no tax dollars being used.

Light stated the 2014 sculptures was a success and drew tourists from four states including busloads of individuals. She noted the commission is comprised of individuals from Warsaw Community Schools, Lakeland Arts Association, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts and Warsaw Community Development Corporation (Related: New Fund Established To Support The Arts)

Lyn Crighton, executive director of The Watershed Foundation, gave the CWP presentation. She introduced Theresa Sailor as the Clean Waters Partnership watershed coordinator. The presentation focused on the future of the lakes and rivers of the area and the role of CWP, an extension of The Watershed Foundation with strong support from the city of Warsaw.

Crighton explained how lakes and waters enhance the community economically and socially as a place to live, work and play, bolstering property values, enhances quality of life, stabilizes the tax base and protects public health. She noted receipt of an Indiana Department of Environmental Management grant of $200,000 to address water quality issues downstream of Lake Tippecanoe. This area includes major businesses, government offices and organizations. This money will be used by CWP to cover cost of researching water quality issues.

Crighton also presented the success TWF has had with its projects in improving water quality in the Tippecanoe River – Grassy Creek Watershed. This information included the fact TWF and its partners, during the last three years, have prevented more than 556 million pounds of weeds and algae from growing in the lakes.

Ordinances Approved

During new business council members approved:

• Vacating an undeveloped street in North Lake Addition at the request of Harvey and Lillie Hayes. The platted street runs between Lake and Warren streets. The vacated request includes allowing a 20-foot easement for utilities.
• Establishing a one-time special distribution fund, required by the state, to place funds which will soon be distributed from the county option income tax and county economic development income tax, totaling $768,178.31. Lynne Christiansen, clerk-treasurer, stated 75 percent of that money has to go into the special fund and can only be used for road improvements. The remaining funds can be placed in any fund the city desires.
• Approved two resolutions relating to ADA coordinator and grievance procedures and Title VI coordinator and grievance procedures – per state requirements to receive state and federal funds for projects.
• Approved continued tax abatements for Dalton Corporation and Redwood IT.