Warsaw City Council will review possible additional deer reduction zones in two weeks.
At the council's Oct. 5 meeting, the Warsaw Deer Task Force will request archers hunt in additional proposed reduction zones.
The proposed zones include Logan Street, north of Rozella Ford Golf Course; the area west of Country Club Road; and Hidden Lake behind Smith Tire along Ind. 15N.
The city will need to approve the zones as nuisance and reduction zones before archers are allowed to hunt in the zones, according to Warsaw Deer Task Force chair Jeff Grose.
The council, at its Sept. 8 meeting, approved task force members hunting in reduction zones in Spring Hill Addition and the area around Kosciusko Community Hospital.
The archers have hunted in the zones since Sept. 15. The hunt will continue until Dec. 18. Archers hunt weekdays from dusk to dawn. They do not hunt on weekends or holidays.
During Monday night's city council meeting, Grose presented the council with a letter that is being submitted to adjacent property owners where additional reduction zones will be proposed in two weeks. The letter requests homeowners submit guidelines and restrictions that they would like to be placed on their properties if the reduction zones are approved.
Grose said state and local officials have determined that deer overpopulation inside the city limits has become a public nuisance.
There were 70 archers who completed mandatory training for the reduction efforts Aug. 22 at Warsaw Police Department. There were 62 archers who successfully qualified to hunt in reduction zones and were notified Sept. 2 they qualified for the reduction efforts.
Councilman Joe Thallemer said Monday he hopes the council provides scrutiny for the proposed reduction zones in two weeks as provided to the other reduction zones that have been approved.
"I know our initial vote was based on safety, and that is my ultimate concern," Thallemer said.
Bruce Barton, a Shady Lane resident who lives off County Club Road, attended Monday's meeting and said he wants the council to realize that there is a deer problem along Country Club Road.
"I have had deer on my front porch eating my plants, and want the council to realize the deer are more than just a danger to vehicles," Barton said.
Gary Parker, Warsaw, suggested the council consider archers hunting in the Kelly Park area between Rozella Ford Golf Course and Country Club area.
In other business, the council heard concerns from Don Kollman, 1630 Lilac Lane, Warsaw, stating he thinks the city should terminate its lockout program. He said he has been concerned with 911 lines being tied up with lockout calls, instead of the lines being open for emergency calls.
Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter said he supports the city's lockout program.
"Lockouts are one of the things we can do as public servants to the community," Hunter said.
Hunter said he has no intentions to change the lockout program. He said if budgetary issues arise or enough personnel are not available to cover the lockout calls, the lockout service will be looked at.
Also during the meeting, Thallemer encouraged citizens and the council to contact their legislatures opposing the Baucus Bill. The bill proposes taxing orthopaedic companies.
The council also:
n Approved an ordinance amending the city code's traffic control signals.
Kip Shuter, WPD traffic administrator, wrote in a letter to the council that an engineering traffic study has determined that a traffic signal is warranted at the intersection of Argonne Road and Jefferson Street.
n Approved a resolution to allow Anderson airport to purchase the automated weather observing station for $3,500 from Warsaw Municipal Airport.
n Approved final readings of a 2010 employee salary ordinance; 2010 fire territory salary ordinance; and 2010 elected officials salary ordinance.
n Approved a voluntary petition for annexation from James Miner and Nancy Miller for property at 3800N Ind. 15.
n Approved a conflict of interest statement between Warsaw Building Commissioner Todd Slabaugh and Mark Slabaugh, doing business as A Cut Above Lawn Service.
n Approved the building and planning department transferring $40,000 from capital projects to capital outlays land to purchase Heartline Pregnancy property, 337-339 N. Buffalo St., for $78,000 for a parking lot.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said the public hearing for the city's 2010 budget is Sept. 28 at city hall.
