Pam Kennedy represented both the Housing Opportunities of Warsaw and the Warsaw Housing Authority during a city council meeting Tuesday.

She reported on both organizations' financial status and requested $50,000 in funds from the 2006 city budget to keep both programs "afloat."

After experiencing two major cuts in federal funding, including voucher monies collected, Kennedy said 2005 had been a "difficult year" for the programs. Financial matters aside, Kennedy stressed the importance of the programs during the nation's current crisis situation.

"We have a real opportunity currently," Kennedy said. "Transitional housing is the perfect situation for people affected by the flood."

In the proposed 2006 budget, the city assigned WHA $25,000 for operating expenses. Kennedy's request Tuesday was for an additional $25,000 to go to HOW, monies the city reserved for a matching grant program for the organization.

Kennedy requested to receive the funds, though no grant monies for HOW will be applied for.

In other business, Steve Jungbauer, chief executive officer of the YMCA, informed the council of the Y's plans for expansion into a larger facility.

Jungbauer said 7,600 members currently visit the Y building on Smith Street, which is estimated to house a maximum of 5,000 attendants.

The recent acquisition of the racquetball center and surrounding properties on Ind. 15 sparked the Y's interest in the possibility of constructing a new building in the area.

"Warsaw should have a showcase facility," Jungbauer said. "This area seems to be a great location to open a corridor for our community and those of Leesburg and Milford."

Jungbauer said the Smith Street location will stay open regardless of whether a new facility is constructed.

In efforts to better understand the city's current deer situation, Mayor Ernie Wiggins assigned councilmen Jeff Grose, Joe Thallemer and Bob Morrison to head a deer task force.

The task force will meet with Indiana's state biologist and weigh various options for deer removal and/or relocation.

"It's important to let everyone know the city is moving forward and taking action," Thallemer said. "But this will be a lengthy process, and we must work with the DNR or none of this will make sense."

The board also:

• Approved a request from the Warsaw Police Department to transfer $9,000 into the machinery and equipment fund for the purchase of a new squad car.

• Approved the Parks Department's request to transfer $8,000 into operating supplies to compensate for rising fuel costs.

• Approved a salary ordinance to create a new position for the Street Department for a garage and central supply supervisor. The board suspended rules and voted for final approval on the matter.

• Heard a report from Wiggins regarding actions taken by WPD last week to begin to enforce the massage ordinance recently instated.

Officers reported to every massage establishment to clarify new responsibilities for businesses.

Enforcement of the ordinance will begin within the next 30 days. [[In-content Ad]]