Warsaw City Council Tuesday approved a parking ordinance.
An ordinance that would prohibit truck engine brakes is awaiting approval on second reading.
Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission, at its Feb. 4 meeting, approved submitting the ordinances to the city council for approval.Warsaw Traffic Safety Commissioner Kip Shuter said the parking ordinance has been developed to further improve traffic safety and reduce traffic accidents on city streets.
The parking ordinance allows the city to tow illegally parked vehicles or deploy wheel locks for violators with outstanding and overdue parking violations.
The ordinance states any illegally parked vehicle where there are three or more outstanding, unpaid and overdue parking tickets for a period of more than 90 days or more may be immobilized through the use of wheel locks. Any vehicle that has been immobilized through the use of a wheel locks is to remain immobilized until fees and penalties related to all outstanding parking tickets and penalties owed to the city are paid in full.
The compression brake ordinance was approved Tuesday on first reading and prohibits the use of engine braking, unless necessary for health, safety, welfare or emergency purposes.
The ordinance states a person who is found to have violated the compression engine brake ordinance will receive a $100 penalty.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the proposed engine compression brake ordinance will need to be approved on second reading because there is a proposed fine in the ordinance. He said the proposed engine brake ordinance will be reviewed for second reading at the council's meeting Tuesday.
Shuter said the ordinance is a result of numerous complaints from residents, businesses and health care facilities within the city on the sound and usage of the brakes. Engine compression brakes are often used by semi trucks and result in loud explosive noises.
Shuter said residents from Normandy Lane and the residential areas along Ind. 15S have expressed concerns about noise coming from the compression release engine brakes.
Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter said the primary points of interest concerning the compression brake issue are at the areas at Parker Street, U.S. 30 and Ind. 15S.
In other business, the council:
n Approved a Warsaw Fire Department activity report for January with 91 responses.
n Approved an ordinance request from Warsaw Police Department that will allow the department to use the proceeds from legal seizure of money.
The money applies to that received from the seizure of property, voluntary surrender fees, reimbursement for restitution, and other law enforcement-related fees recovered by the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney or WPD.
The money collected and placed in the Warsaw Police Forfeiture Fund will be used for law enforcement equipment and activities under the direction of the police chief.
n Approved a 10-year tax abatement for real and personal property for Whimet Inc., 2100 N. Detroit St., Warsaw. The business will purchase $844,764 in new equipment and $764,971 in building improvements.
n Tabled approving a 10-year tax abatement for Mayken Industries, 4000 E. Corridor Drive.
The council will hold a special meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at city hall to discuss establishing a fire territory with Wayne Township.
