Thallemer Gives ‘State Of City’ During Downtown Luncheon
February 28, 2017 at 6:36 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Monday’s event was hosted by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
The difference in time and place went well with the theme of Mayor Thallemer’s speech – growth and change.
“A little over six months ago, I stood on this exact spot, representing the Warsaw and Winona Lake community. The purpose of my presentation that day was simple: To convince a group of state agency representatives of why our community is ‘Stellar.’ Something we have all known for a long time. Our message was clear. One, we are a community blessed with an abundance of opportunity, a skilled workforce and plentiful natural assets. Two, our history has shown undeniable growth and prosperity, the result of entrepreneurism, strong work ethic and fiscal responsibility. And three, our future will continue its trajectory of success leveraged by broad community vision and collaborative leadership,” he began.
While the state committee was looking for a community “that could move the needle,” Thallemer said, it found that Warsaw and Winona Lake was a community “that has been moving the needle. It is what has made us stellar and our future even moreso.”
Warsaw made the final three, but was not awarded the designation.
In his second year of his second term, Thallemer said it’s been a high honor to serve as mayor. He’s enjoyed the challenges in leading the community “forward as we navigate the reality of growth and change.”
After acknowledging all of the city’s elected officials, department heads and staff, he thanked the county’s elected officials “who continue to work toward a common purpose of improving the quality of life in our community.”
In the 1960 census, Thallemer said the city’s population was a little over 7,200. In the most recent estimate in July 2015, that has grown to over 14,400.
“In less than lifetime, our population has doubled. Growth and change is a consistent part of our story, and it will continue. Our challenge is to grow and change responsibly,” Thallemer said.
He then looked back on some of the changes in 2016 and how they will impact 2017.
From the private side, he listed Banner Medical, Winona PVD expansion, Owl Manor Medical, WishBone Medical and several others. Additionally, the city and county have given full support to AcceLINX, a medical device accelerator being developed by OrthoWorx, which will accelerate new growth along with the availability of shovel-ready lots, an expandable shell building and an expansion of the Tech Park.
“Our retail growth continues to provide our citizens with expanded shopping and restaurant experiences,” he said.
One of the more noticeable public improvements of 2016 was the reconstruction of Main Street, including curbs and gutters, he said.
Engineering continued last year on Husky Trail, North Buffalo, CR 300N and Phase II of Market Street and were prepared to go to construction this year, and 2018 in the case of Market Street.
“The city expects delays as construction season begins,” Thallemer said. “We will do everything we can to keep the public informed of closing and alternate routes.”
The Warsaw Street Department completed a local inventory of roads in 2016. As a result, it earned an increase in road maintenance funds. Thallemer said those funds will be used on a combination of maintenance techniques to extend the life of the roads.
In addition to local road projects, Thallemer said the city continues to be involved in regional transportation projects. The projects will address future safety, connectivity and logistics that could significantly impact the community and industries. Those include the transformation of U.S. 30 into a limited access freeway from the Indiana/Ohio border to Valparaiso and the proposed high-speed rail project from Columbus, Ohio, to Chicago.
Thallemer said the Federal Aviation Administration continues to look at options for the proposed east/west runway expansion at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.
“A longer runway would improve air transportation access for our industrial partners. Expect progress in 2017 to finalize construction and funding options with the FAA. Our goal is to minimize any disruption of traffic flow to our community along 100 East,” Thallemer said.
He then talked about the aging sanitary sewer lines exposed during the Main Street project in 2016. Those lines failed and were in need of repair.
“Similar crises at multiple locations has given a cause for concern to a network of original pre-1899 sewer pipes, most of which still serve a significant portion of our community,” Thallemer said, noting they were at the top of the city’s list of concerns. He said there are 49,000 feet of significant at-risk pipe that need to be relined as soon as possible to head off potential wash outs and road compromise.
“These out-of-sight underground repairs are considered high priority. We have no choice,” he stated.
Last year, the city also realized the waste water treatment plant that went online in November 2003 is running out of capacity. In 2013, all flow was redirected from the old Center Street plant to the new wastewater plant off CR 150W. Projected to last 20 years with a capacity of 3.9 million gallons per day, the new plant has only been online 13 years and it’s almost at 90 percent capacity as a result of residential, industrial and commercial growth and infiltration of stormwater into the treatment system as a result of aging pipes. At 90 percent capacity, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires the city to develop an expansion plant. The city is looking at expanding the 3.9 MGD to 12 MGD on the current site and changing to an anaerobic system from an aerobic one. Cost and engineering is being analyzed, he said.
“Revenue to support this project will come primarily from sewage revenue bonds supported by sewage utility fees. Utility rates will be affected,” Thallemer said, adding the city’s current $32-a-month residential sewer rate is well below the statewide average of $45.”
“We are exploring every revenue source possible to minimize the impact on rates,” he said.
Thallemer then reviewed projects and work done by each city department in 2016. Some of those included the change in trash removal by the street department, approval by the city council for a third fire station and the Warsaw Police Department’s efforts to fight drugs. He discussed changes to the downtown and emerging housing trends on Buffalo Street and at Little Crow.
Thallemer talked about important community partnerships, such as those between the local schools and social service agencies.
“Look where we are going. Growth and change will not stop. As your mayor, and on behalf of the clerk-treasurer and city council, we have a duty to nurture responsible growth. We are in as good a position as we have ever been and we will continue to move the needle. Move our city forward. Move together as a community,” Thallemer concluded.
The luncheon was sponsored by Indiana American Water Co., Old National Bank, Kosciusko Board of Realtors and Parkview Warsaw.
Monday’s event was hosted by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
The difference in time and place went well with the theme of Mayor Thallemer’s speech – growth and change.
“A little over six months ago, I stood on this exact spot, representing the Warsaw and Winona Lake community. The purpose of my presentation that day was simple: To convince a group of state agency representatives of why our community is ‘Stellar.’ Something we have all known for a long time. Our message was clear. One, we are a community blessed with an abundance of opportunity, a skilled workforce and plentiful natural assets. Two, our history has shown undeniable growth and prosperity, the result of entrepreneurism, strong work ethic and fiscal responsibility. And three, our future will continue its trajectory of success leveraged by broad community vision and collaborative leadership,” he began.
While the state committee was looking for a community “that could move the needle,” Thallemer said, it found that Warsaw and Winona Lake was a community “that has been moving the needle. It is what has made us stellar and our future even moreso.”
Warsaw made the final three, but was not awarded the designation.
In his second year of his second term, Thallemer said it’s been a high honor to serve as mayor. He’s enjoyed the challenges in leading the community “forward as we navigate the reality of growth and change.”
After acknowledging all of the city’s elected officials, department heads and staff, he thanked the county’s elected officials “who continue to work toward a common purpose of improving the quality of life in our community.”
In the 1960 census, Thallemer said the city’s population was a little over 7,200. In the most recent estimate in July 2015, that has grown to over 14,400.
“In less than lifetime, our population has doubled. Growth and change is a consistent part of our story, and it will continue. Our challenge is to grow and change responsibly,” Thallemer said.
He then looked back on some of the changes in 2016 and how they will impact 2017.
From the private side, he listed Banner Medical, Winona PVD expansion, Owl Manor Medical, WishBone Medical and several others. Additionally, the city and county have given full support to AcceLINX, a medical device accelerator being developed by OrthoWorx, which will accelerate new growth along with the availability of shovel-ready lots, an expandable shell building and an expansion of the Tech Park.
“Our retail growth continues to provide our citizens with expanded shopping and restaurant experiences,” he said.
One of the more noticeable public improvements of 2016 was the reconstruction of Main Street, including curbs and gutters, he said.
Engineering continued last year on Husky Trail, North Buffalo, CR 300N and Phase II of Market Street and were prepared to go to construction this year, and 2018 in the case of Market Street.
“The city expects delays as construction season begins,” Thallemer said. “We will do everything we can to keep the public informed of closing and alternate routes.”
The Warsaw Street Department completed a local inventory of roads in 2016. As a result, it earned an increase in road maintenance funds. Thallemer said those funds will be used on a combination of maintenance techniques to extend the life of the roads.
In addition to local road projects, Thallemer said the city continues to be involved in regional transportation projects. The projects will address future safety, connectivity and logistics that could significantly impact the community and industries. Those include the transformation of U.S. 30 into a limited access freeway from the Indiana/Ohio border to Valparaiso and the proposed high-speed rail project from Columbus, Ohio, to Chicago.
Thallemer said the Federal Aviation Administration continues to look at options for the proposed east/west runway expansion at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.
“A longer runway would improve air transportation access for our industrial partners. Expect progress in 2017 to finalize construction and funding options with the FAA. Our goal is to minimize any disruption of traffic flow to our community along 100 East,” Thallemer said.
He then talked about the aging sanitary sewer lines exposed during the Main Street project in 2016. Those lines failed and were in need of repair.
“Similar crises at multiple locations has given a cause for concern to a network of original pre-1899 sewer pipes, most of which still serve a significant portion of our community,” Thallemer said, noting they were at the top of the city’s list of concerns. He said there are 49,000 feet of significant at-risk pipe that need to be relined as soon as possible to head off potential wash outs and road compromise.
“These out-of-sight underground repairs are considered high priority. We have no choice,” he stated.
Last year, the city also realized the waste water treatment plant that went online in November 2003 is running out of capacity. In 2013, all flow was redirected from the old Center Street plant to the new wastewater plant off CR 150W. Projected to last 20 years with a capacity of 3.9 million gallons per day, the new plant has only been online 13 years and it’s almost at 90 percent capacity as a result of residential, industrial and commercial growth and infiltration of stormwater into the treatment system as a result of aging pipes. At 90 percent capacity, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires the city to develop an expansion plant. The city is looking at expanding the 3.9 MGD to 12 MGD on the current site and changing to an anaerobic system from an aerobic one. Cost and engineering is being analyzed, he said.
“Revenue to support this project will come primarily from sewage revenue bonds supported by sewage utility fees. Utility rates will be affected,” Thallemer said, adding the city’s current $32-a-month residential sewer rate is well below the statewide average of $45.”
“We are exploring every revenue source possible to minimize the impact on rates,” he said.
Thallemer then reviewed projects and work done by each city department in 2016. Some of those included the change in trash removal by the street department, approval by the city council for a third fire station and the Warsaw Police Department’s efforts to fight drugs. He discussed changes to the downtown and emerging housing trends on Buffalo Street and at Little Crow.
Thallemer talked about important community partnerships, such as those between the local schools and social service agencies.
“Look where we are going. Growth and change will not stop. As your mayor, and on behalf of the clerk-treasurer and city council, we have a duty to nurture responsible growth. We are in as good a position as we have ever been and we will continue to move the needle. Move our city forward. Move together as a community,” Thallemer concluded.
The luncheon was sponsored by Indiana American Water Co., Old National Bank, Kosciusko Board of Realtors and Parkview Warsaw.
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