Warsaw City Council Monday reviewed a proposed ordinance that would increase cemetery burial lot and grave opening fees at Oakwood Cemetery.
The council approved the ordinance on first reading that proposes to increase lot fees by $50, cremation burial fees by $25 and an increase of 5 cents per square inch for foundations.
The council will need to approve the ordinance on second reading at its August meeting, according to Mayor Ernie Wiggins.
The cemetery has not increased its fees since 2001.
"We don't want to increase cemetery fees, but it is something we need to do to help support our cemetery budget," said cemetery sexton Hal Heagy.
He requested the fee increase go into effect Sept. 1.
The ordinance also proposes there be no charge for a grave opening in Babyland or Garden of Angels. There also will be no charge for foundations anywhere in the cemetery for children 2 years of age or younger.
Any non-resident who owns property within the city limits is considered a resident for the purpose of determining fees according to this schedule.
The ordinance proposes there will be a $25 charge per hour for miscellaneous requested work, with a $25 minimum charge per project.
In other business, councilman and streetlight liaison Bill Rhoades said he has been discussing with NIPSCO a request by Bruce Woodward, Woodward Realty, to install lights at the entrance of Eastgate Apartments.
Rhoades said there currently are 12-inch globe lights in the driveway, but are not lit. He said he has spoken with the apartment complex's manager about lighting the globe lights before considering new lights be installed at the apartment's entrance.
The council also:
n Approved a Warsaw Fire Department report for June.
n Approved an ordinance on second reading to restrict parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on either side of High Street from Market Street north to the first intersection with the east-west alley.
The ordinance also states parking is prohibited on both sides of Logan Street from Eagle Street and Rozella Road.
Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission recommended the ordinance to the council.
The council approved the ordinance on first reading at its July 7 meeting.
n Approved an annexation fiscal plan on property owned by James and Nancy Miner on the east side of Ind. 15N.
A public hearing for the annexation was during the council's July 7 meeting.
The property previously was zoned agricultural, and the council approved zoning the property rural residential.
