Vere Shenefield returned to the city council Monday, asking again that something be done about the deer population in the city.

"There are 10 times more deer inside city limits than there are outside," he said, adding that he's spent $500 on an electric fence and guesses that $500,000 worth of plants are being destroyed in yards every year.

"I was here before (October 2002) and nothing's happened. Except for Bill [Rhoades] and Jerry [Patterson], the rest of you have sat on your hands."

The mayor and council took exception to those comments, with Mayor Ernie Wiggins reminding Shenefield that there is a ban on discharging firearms in the city.

City ordinance Article III - Sec. 54-61, prohibits the discharge of firearms, with the exception of police officers or members of the armed forces or National Guard engaging in official duties.

"I refuse to have a wounded deer wander into a 3-year-old's yard to die," Wiggins said of a possible controlled hunt.

Jeff Grose said, "We didn't sit on our hands, I visited your house. Maybe we can invite the Department of Natural Resources to the next council meeting."

The mayor said the urban deer problem was not unique to Warsaw.

"For everyone that has a problem with the deer, you're going to hear from people who love them," he said.

Bill Rhoades said he would not be in favor of lifting the firearms ban.

The council heard from several citizens during a public hearing to annex several properties, 125 acres, in and around Shadow Lakes Estates.

The property, north of Old Road 30, includes the Campbell, Beezley, Snyder, Jaynes, Mitchell, Silcox, Nguyen and Superior Developing land.

Lawyer Jack Birch, representing Kevin Silcox, pointed out several problems with the annexation, saying it was not contiguous to the city boundaries, that properties have been carved out, and include just half of Indiana Village and half of Shadow Lakes Estates.

"The purpose of annexation is to expand and to offer services," Birch said, adding that most of the properties are undeveloped. He said the fiscal plan does not include costs to extend the sanitary sewer lines to the area. Birch said there was no guarantee that the developer, Dale Custer of Superior Developing, will carry out his plans and build the subdivision.

"I don't think the fiscal plan will survive remonstrance," Birch said.

Dick Jaynes, Ed Campbell, Alice Beezley, Haun Nguyen, Don Snyder and Kevin Silcox all spoke against being annexed. They cited septic systems that were new or functioning well and said they didn't want the additional taxes.

Jaynes said he wasn't happy about the annexation "just so Dale Custer can develop a subdivision." He said the additional taxes, $1,068 per year plus sewer hookup at a cost of about $10,000, was a financial hardship and a burden. Neither did he like the proposed sewer system that would include a grinder pump and check valve system.

"Its not a matter of if the pump fails, it's when the pump fails and I'll have sewage in my basement."

Greg Mitchell, whose acres of undeveloped ground would be included in the annexation, spoke in favor of the proposal.

City lawyer Mike Valentine said he wanted to check the legal issues Birch addressed.

Street superintendent Lacy Francis said he was not familiar with the grinder pump sanitary sewer technology because it would be new to the area.

The annexation proposal must be approved or denied by the council within 60 days, but not before the next 30 days.

The council also tabled the Shadow Lakes fiscal plan. The only itemized departmental costs given were for the street department in the amount of $5,650. The plan states the developer will be responsible for sewer extensions but did not provide any guarantees. Additional annual tax revenue was estimated to be $8,100.

The council also:

• Unanimously approved a resolution to prohibit alcohol sales at convenience stores and gas stations.

• Approved the establishment of a planned unit development as recommended by the plan commission and requested by Ralph Biggs. The PUD is at CR 175N and CR 75E. A final plat will be presented to the plan commission and forwarded to the council for approval.

• Approved advertisement for an additional appropriation of $156,000 for engineering services to complete design work on the Argonne Road/Parker Street intersection.

To date U.S. Infrastructure, Fort Wayne, has been paid $94,700 for design work at that corner.

City council members are: Bill Rhoades, Jerry Patterson, George Clemens, Charlie Smith, Jeff Grose, Bob Morrison and Joe Thallemer. [[In-content Ad]]