Remodeling work at the entrance of the Economy Inn is shown on Tuesday, May 14. InkFreeNews photo by Patrick Webb.

By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Work at the Economy Inn has finished, but communication with its owner was again a topic of discussion for Warsaw Code Enforcement.

During the Warsaw Code Enforcement’s Tuesday, May 14, hearing, leaders heard from Raj Patel, the owner of Shivpal LLC, about the Economy Inn, located at 3521 Lake City Highway, and his contractor.

Building Inspector Robert Hurford cited from the minutes of the last meeting Patel was to communicate with him and provide a financial statement within 10 days of the Tuesday, April 2 meeting. A copy of Patel’s financial statement, dated May 6, was not delivered until yesterday, code enforcement reported.

Patel stated he spoke with Building Commissioner Ray Behling and showed a copy of his financial statement from his phone while work was underway. Patel said he wasn’t aware of any changes in whom he needed to speak to.

Code enforcement explained that because Behling wasn’t present at the last code enforcement hearing, Patel was instructed to communicate with Hurford.

Hearing Commissioner Tom Earhart said they were in a “conundrum,” because the work was finished, but Patel did not provide a copy of the work progress to the board, communicate with Hurford or provide a financial statement within 10 days.

Earhart assigned Patel a $500 fine, in addition to a previous $1,000 fine from the last meeting. He also continued the case to the next hearing.

Code Enforcement Officer Dana Hewitt also shared that Patel needed to acquire a state business license through the county and state to operate the Economy Inn, which he researched with the Indiana secretary of state and Indiana Small Business Development Center.

Hewitt clarified that Warsaw doesn’t require or enforce state business licenses, which are handled by the state. He also clarified that multiple businesses, including motels and hotels, fall under the license. Hewitt shared he called local hotels, and they said they had a state business license.

“I’ve been doing business last 20 years in Indiana, Sir,” said Patel. “I did not know the state had a license for hospitality, that’s what I’m telling you. If you think there is one, I will get it.”

Patel requested multiple times the process to apply for a state business license, and Hewitt directed him to reach out to the Indiana Small Business Development Center.

Patel also requested a copy of the last meeting’s minutes.

The code hearing also discussed another of Patel’s properties, the Deluxe Inn at 2757 E. Center St. The property didn’t have a trash can at a time of inspection, and residents were piling trash near a fence. The property also had three cargo containers in violation of a local ordinance without a waiver.

Patel requested a list of other properties with a waiver and asked why code enforcement was only discussing his violation. Code enforcement clarified he could apply for a variance and instructed him to apply for one with the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals.

Code enforcement also discussed problems sending mail to Patel, which was discussed at the last meeting. Patel said it was a “personal issue.”

“You don’t really need to talk about it,” he said.

Hewitt said he sent a certified letter to Patel which was returned. Hewitt said he had to hand deliver the letter to Patel regarding the property at 2757 E. Center St.

Other matters for the Warsaw Code Enforcement hearing docket were:

• Heard an update from Norman and Raquel Hoyt regarding the property at 104 E. Prairie St.. They reported the siding was finished and were waiting on a legal issue with another property they were refinancing to be settled before starting indoor renovations. The case was continued to the next code hearing, with an exception to email an update to the code hearing office.
• Heard an update from Bobby Work on behalf of Cathy Jo Wade at 815 East Clark St. Wade, a semitrailer driver, was unable to attend the meeting. Power had been turned back on at the property, and drywall work was being done in the bathroom.
• Discussed a case regarding 602 Monroe St. Code enforcement heard from Mary Lou Shepherd. Speaking on behalf of her son, Kevin, Shepherd asked whether a visit by members of code enforcement counted as an inspection, which code enforcement said wasn’t. The board also instructed Kevin Shepherd to attend the next code enforcement hearing.

The next code enforcement hearing will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, at Warsaw City Hall.