Mayor Hits On Pandemic Struggles And City’s Accomplishments In State Of The City
March 2, 2021 at 3:34 a.m.
Mayor Hits On Pandemic Struggles And City’s Accomplishments In State Of The City
By David [email protected]
“Preparing for this year’s State of the City address has understandably been much different than in the past,” he said in his 35-minute state-mandated address to the City Council and public. “This year, the usual questions, ‘Where have we been?’ and ‘Where are we going?’ require a little closer look.”
Before a pause for a moment to remember those affected by the virus and their loved ones, Thallemer pointed out that over 662,000 Hoosiers have been infected so far, accounting for 12,142 deaths; while in Kosciusko County, 8,562 county residents battled COVID, resulting in 110 deaths.
He acknowledged those on the front lines of the health crisis, as well as local businesses and industries that were forced to endure sacrifices and hardships from the pandemic. “As consumers, please support our merchants and businesses any way you can on the road back,” he asked.
Local decision-making was guided by public health data and information, he said, which changed by the day as “officials tried to keep up with emerging reality of what was actually happening.” As COVID-19 was “new to the planet,” he said there was no handbook to consult. “Real time, emerging public health data was and still is the critical element to guide our response.”
While the state’s and county’s responses to the pandemic may not have been perfect, Thallemer said he believed “our public health officials, who had a monumental unenviable task, kept their focus and as a result, the community benefitted. Unfortunately, public health statistics couldn’t measure the impact COVID had on our behavior and mental wellbeing.”
Keeping the community informed became a key priority of the city, so the city of Warsaw teamed with the Kosciusko County Health Department and County Commissioners to livestream a weekly press conference from City Hall, he said. (The weekly press conference evolved into a biweekly one.)
Thallemer noted how from the beginning of the pandemic, community partners “immediately began to reach out to those in need.” County school systems increased their meal programs to address food insecurity. Charitable foundations and nonprofits responded with financial resources to assist with rent and utility payments. Churches and other organizations addressed the emotional needs of people. Community action groups sewed masks and gowns and went door to door with bilingual COVID testing and public health information to communities impacted disproportionately by the virus.
Testing became a challenge early, but the city partnered with the county to use CARES Act stimulus dollars to support it. As testing demand increased, a drive-thru clinic was established at Central Park. The state eventually provided funds and materials to establish more permanent testing sites, and the city, county and Bowen Center helped fund a drive-thru site at the fairgrounds.
Now that the pandemic is at the vaccination stage, Thallemer encouraged everyone to get theirs when their time comes as it “represents the best way out of this dreadful pandemic.” He twice mentioned the COVID vaccination registration hotline of 574-347-4256 for those with language or technology challenges.
As for how the pandemic affected the city’s business specifically, Thallemer said the city started out the year by bringing its elected officials and department heads together for a strategic planning session. The results “demonstrated a continued focus on infrastructure improvement, quality of life and community and economic development in the our city,” he said.
Two new goals included the development of a comprehensive housing strategy and the confirmation of the need for an operational review to improve city efficiencies.
A thorough evaluation of processes and interviews resulted in a priority list of 10 objectives, designed to improve service, efficiency, communication and technology for the community’s benefit. Among the top priorities was to realign the Building and Plan Department by adding a Department of Community and Economic Development. City Planner Jeremy Skinner was named the community and economic development director, while Senior Planner Justin Taylor became the city planner, effective Jan. 1.
Another high priority was formalizing the IT governance within the city and develop a coordinated IT strategy to meet the communication and technology needs of the city’s departments.
Thallemer discussed the 2020 Census, including that the city anticipates that when the statistics for the Census are released, it will reveal continued steady population growth for Warsaw.
The city’s housing strategy is underway, he stated. He highlighted the 802 Center senior apartments on East Center Street and the planned unit development, Gateway Grove, on Union Street where Madison Elementary used to be.
“Further residential construction will begin this spring on North Buffalo Street. Three townhouse units have been built with a seven-unit, two-story mews slated to (begin construction) this spring,” Thallemer said. “Also, on North Buffalo, a four-story, multi-use apartment building is scheduled to begin construction later this year.”
The city is working to finalize control of the former Owens grocery store site on West Market Street for residential development. The city intends to partner with a private developer to create a mix of rental housing, with retail space and an option for a parking garage, Thallemer said.
The city continues to seek grocery opportunities to meet the void created with the loss of the Marsh supermarket and Owen’s on Market Street.
The mayor then segued to the continued interest in economic development opportunities for Warsaw.
The Warsaw Technology Park recently was recertified by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to attract skilled manufacturing. The Warsaw Redevelopment Corporation has incentivized the construction of two shell buildings, the first occupied by Patrick Industries in 2018. The second is a 60,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Polk Drive and Silveus Crossing.
Razor Medical Instruments Inc. announced less than two weeks ago that it decided to call Warsaw home. This past year, Nextremity Solutions announced their intention to expand into manufacturing by acquiring Lakeland Technologies, and will occupy the second shell building in the Tech Park later this summer.
The city will be collaborating with Westhill Development on a concept for a third shell building for the Tech Park.
With the addition of city sewer and road improvements in the Airport Industrial Park, Thallemer said the recently annexed area is already attracting new jobs and investment. As an example, Instrumental Machine and Development is in the process of finishing up a 26,000-square-foot expansion on their current campus. He also noted that Wishbone Medical is moving its global headquarters to a larger facility on Capital Drive.
He talked about how the Indiana Department of Transportation was going to study the U.S. 30 corridor to evaluate the option of converting it to a freeway. More public meetings are being planned locally to discuss U.S. 30 options.
In his conclusion on the city’s economics, budget and taxes, Thallemer said, ”As we enter into 2021, I can say proudly that we balanced our budget. We kept our low city tax rate steady. We met our self-imposed cash reserve requirements and maintained low debt limits. Growth has benefitted us all, but our revenue concerns need to be addressed.”
He then took a look at the accomplishments of each city department. The airport had a comprehensive rehabilitation of the north-south runway, and much effort was spent preparing for a multi-million dollar powerline lowering project set to begin this year. At Oakwood Cemetery, the construction of a new road will create an additional 1,100 new spaces for burial use. The Building and Plan Department was busy overseeing many projects, like the North Buffalo Street plaza and new senior housing project. The clerk-treasurer’s office adapted to the fiscal and procedural challenges of the pandemic, while the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory continues to see significant response call volumes.
The Parks and Recreation Department’s plans for a new, combined relocated park offices and maintenance building, at the corner of Indiana and Fort Wayne streets, are in the final stages, Thallemer said. Construction is expected to begin sometime in the summer.
Evaluating “use of force” and other policies became a priority in 2020, Thallemer said, precipitated by nationwide instances of police abuse of power brought to a head by George Floyd’s death.
“Also impacted by the national conversation, attracting qualified candidates to replace retirements and resignations has proven to be quite a challenge ... Facing a shortage of several sworn officers, I will be conferring with the Common Council to immediately address the problem,” Thallemer said regarding the Warsaw Police Department.
At the street department, Superintendent Dustin Dillon will be evaluating the preliminary needs for expansion and replacement of the street maintenance building facility. The current building has “significant structural problems,” among other problems, he said.
Thallemer didn’t shy away about how “minority communities across the nation have been disproportionately marginalized, the result of longstanding bias. Removing those barriers takes time. Conversations are necessary to improve commitment for meaningful change that fosters social equity in our community. The city is having those conversations to develop and better understand implicit bias,” he said, adding that the WPD is in the process of “independently reviewing and rewriting our policing policies to assure they meet state and national standards and also conform to best practices.” Those will be submitted to the Board of Works later this spring for approval.
“Welcoming all who come into our community is a true reflection of what we aspire to be as a community,” Thallemer said. “... Simply acknowledging that everyone has unique qualities and perspectives gives our community strength and creates opportunity for all and allows us to thrive even more as a welcoming community!”
“Preparing for this year’s State of the City address has understandably been much different than in the past,” he said in his 35-minute state-mandated address to the City Council and public. “This year, the usual questions, ‘Where have we been?’ and ‘Where are we going?’ require a little closer look.”
Before a pause for a moment to remember those affected by the virus and their loved ones, Thallemer pointed out that over 662,000 Hoosiers have been infected so far, accounting for 12,142 deaths; while in Kosciusko County, 8,562 county residents battled COVID, resulting in 110 deaths.
He acknowledged those on the front lines of the health crisis, as well as local businesses and industries that were forced to endure sacrifices and hardships from the pandemic. “As consumers, please support our merchants and businesses any way you can on the road back,” he asked.
Local decision-making was guided by public health data and information, he said, which changed by the day as “officials tried to keep up with emerging reality of what was actually happening.” As COVID-19 was “new to the planet,” he said there was no handbook to consult. “Real time, emerging public health data was and still is the critical element to guide our response.”
While the state’s and county’s responses to the pandemic may not have been perfect, Thallemer said he believed “our public health officials, who had a monumental unenviable task, kept their focus and as a result, the community benefitted. Unfortunately, public health statistics couldn’t measure the impact COVID had on our behavior and mental wellbeing.”
Keeping the community informed became a key priority of the city, so the city of Warsaw teamed with the Kosciusko County Health Department and County Commissioners to livestream a weekly press conference from City Hall, he said. (The weekly press conference evolved into a biweekly one.)
Thallemer noted how from the beginning of the pandemic, community partners “immediately began to reach out to those in need.” County school systems increased their meal programs to address food insecurity. Charitable foundations and nonprofits responded with financial resources to assist with rent and utility payments. Churches and other organizations addressed the emotional needs of people. Community action groups sewed masks and gowns and went door to door with bilingual COVID testing and public health information to communities impacted disproportionately by the virus.
Testing became a challenge early, but the city partnered with the county to use CARES Act stimulus dollars to support it. As testing demand increased, a drive-thru clinic was established at Central Park. The state eventually provided funds and materials to establish more permanent testing sites, and the city, county and Bowen Center helped fund a drive-thru site at the fairgrounds.
Now that the pandemic is at the vaccination stage, Thallemer encouraged everyone to get theirs when their time comes as it “represents the best way out of this dreadful pandemic.” He twice mentioned the COVID vaccination registration hotline of 574-347-4256 for those with language or technology challenges.
As for how the pandemic affected the city’s business specifically, Thallemer said the city started out the year by bringing its elected officials and department heads together for a strategic planning session. The results “demonstrated a continued focus on infrastructure improvement, quality of life and community and economic development in the our city,” he said.
Two new goals included the development of a comprehensive housing strategy and the confirmation of the need for an operational review to improve city efficiencies.
A thorough evaluation of processes and interviews resulted in a priority list of 10 objectives, designed to improve service, efficiency, communication and technology for the community’s benefit. Among the top priorities was to realign the Building and Plan Department by adding a Department of Community and Economic Development. City Planner Jeremy Skinner was named the community and economic development director, while Senior Planner Justin Taylor became the city planner, effective Jan. 1.
Another high priority was formalizing the IT governance within the city and develop a coordinated IT strategy to meet the communication and technology needs of the city’s departments.
Thallemer discussed the 2020 Census, including that the city anticipates that when the statistics for the Census are released, it will reveal continued steady population growth for Warsaw.
The city’s housing strategy is underway, he stated. He highlighted the 802 Center senior apartments on East Center Street and the planned unit development, Gateway Grove, on Union Street where Madison Elementary used to be.
“Further residential construction will begin this spring on North Buffalo Street. Three townhouse units have been built with a seven-unit, two-story mews slated to (begin construction) this spring,” Thallemer said. “Also, on North Buffalo, a four-story, multi-use apartment building is scheduled to begin construction later this year.”
The city is working to finalize control of the former Owens grocery store site on West Market Street for residential development. The city intends to partner with a private developer to create a mix of rental housing, with retail space and an option for a parking garage, Thallemer said.
The city continues to seek grocery opportunities to meet the void created with the loss of the Marsh supermarket and Owen’s on Market Street.
The mayor then segued to the continued interest in economic development opportunities for Warsaw.
The Warsaw Technology Park recently was recertified by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to attract skilled manufacturing. The Warsaw Redevelopment Corporation has incentivized the construction of two shell buildings, the first occupied by Patrick Industries in 2018. The second is a 60,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Polk Drive and Silveus Crossing.
Razor Medical Instruments Inc. announced less than two weeks ago that it decided to call Warsaw home. This past year, Nextremity Solutions announced their intention to expand into manufacturing by acquiring Lakeland Technologies, and will occupy the second shell building in the Tech Park later this summer.
The city will be collaborating with Westhill Development on a concept for a third shell building for the Tech Park.
With the addition of city sewer and road improvements in the Airport Industrial Park, Thallemer said the recently annexed area is already attracting new jobs and investment. As an example, Instrumental Machine and Development is in the process of finishing up a 26,000-square-foot expansion on their current campus. He also noted that Wishbone Medical is moving its global headquarters to a larger facility on Capital Drive.
He talked about how the Indiana Department of Transportation was going to study the U.S. 30 corridor to evaluate the option of converting it to a freeway. More public meetings are being planned locally to discuss U.S. 30 options.
In his conclusion on the city’s economics, budget and taxes, Thallemer said, ”As we enter into 2021, I can say proudly that we balanced our budget. We kept our low city tax rate steady. We met our self-imposed cash reserve requirements and maintained low debt limits. Growth has benefitted us all, but our revenue concerns need to be addressed.”
He then took a look at the accomplishments of each city department. The airport had a comprehensive rehabilitation of the north-south runway, and much effort was spent preparing for a multi-million dollar powerline lowering project set to begin this year. At Oakwood Cemetery, the construction of a new road will create an additional 1,100 new spaces for burial use. The Building and Plan Department was busy overseeing many projects, like the North Buffalo Street plaza and new senior housing project. The clerk-treasurer’s office adapted to the fiscal and procedural challenges of the pandemic, while the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory continues to see significant response call volumes.
The Parks and Recreation Department’s plans for a new, combined relocated park offices and maintenance building, at the corner of Indiana and Fort Wayne streets, are in the final stages, Thallemer said. Construction is expected to begin sometime in the summer.
Evaluating “use of force” and other policies became a priority in 2020, Thallemer said, precipitated by nationwide instances of police abuse of power brought to a head by George Floyd’s death.
“Also impacted by the national conversation, attracting qualified candidates to replace retirements and resignations has proven to be quite a challenge ... Facing a shortage of several sworn officers, I will be conferring with the Common Council to immediately address the problem,” Thallemer said regarding the Warsaw Police Department.
At the street department, Superintendent Dustin Dillon will be evaluating the preliminary needs for expansion and replacement of the street maintenance building facility. The current building has “significant structural problems,” among other problems, he said.
Thallemer didn’t shy away about how “minority communities across the nation have been disproportionately marginalized, the result of longstanding bias. Removing those barriers takes time. Conversations are necessary to improve commitment for meaningful change that fosters social equity in our community. The city is having those conversations to develop and better understand implicit bias,” he said, adding that the WPD is in the process of “independently reviewing and rewriting our policing policies to assure they meet state and national standards and also conform to best practices.” Those will be submitted to the Board of Works later this spring for approval.
“Welcoming all who come into our community is a true reflection of what we aspire to be as a community,” Thallemer said. “... Simply acknowledging that everyone has unique qualities and perspectives gives our community strength and creates opportunity for all and allows us to thrive even more as a welcoming community!”
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