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Warsaw city councilmen approved an economic development target area of the old Wal-Mart store, 3660 Commerce Drive, during Tuesday's meeting.
City planner Jeff Noffsinger said he, city councilman Joe Thallemer and county councilman John Kinsey met at 6:30 p.m. to convene an economic development commission meeting. The commissioners approved the building and grounds as such an area.
A Big R store has been proposed to occupy the building, according to Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins. This company originates in central Illinois.
Big R representatives have inquired about tax abatements for improvements and hiring employees. Establishing the property as an economic development target area "sets the stage" for a formal abatement application, Wiggins said.
A resolution to designate land owned by Symmetry Medical and Othy from CR 350N to the Tippecanoe River was criticized by city attorney Mike Valentine for not having "even a simple legal description." A surveyor's plat map was attached to the document.
Valentine said a mere map was not sufficient for the resolution and that he did not approve the paperwork.
Noffsinger, who introduced this item too, said Valentine's partner Bill Fawley had approved the paperwork.
"Then put his name on it, not mine," Valentine said.
The resolution was approved pending the inclusion of a proper land description.
The board also:
• Approved Ordinance 2004-02-04 to take the Public Works Administrative Assistant salary funds from the general fund. This salary amount was split equally between the general fund and the sewage operating fund.
• Approved a transfer from the machinery and equipment fund to repairs and maintenance in the amount of $10,000 as requested by the parks department. The money will be used to make repairs to the Pete Thorn Youth Center while the gymnasium floor is installed.
City councilmen are George Clemens, Jeff Grose, Bob Morrison, Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, Charlie Smith and Joe Thallemer.
