Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Clounie Landscaping, Huntington, was given notice to proceed with the Center Street improvement project by the Warsaw Board of Works Tuesday.
Clounie was the low bidder for the project, which is not to exceed $186,500 to install decorative plants, planters and pavers from High to Washington streets on Center Street. The work is to be complete May 15.
The improvements were recommended by the HyettPalma downtown action agenda in January 2002. According to the HyettPalma study, tree and shrubbery plantings is one of many ways to make the downtown seem more inviting and cosmopolitan.
In February 2003, the LandPlan Group's design for the "cityscape" was approved by the city council. Tuesday the architectural firm also was approved to oversee the project.
The greenery and improvements will be maintained by the city.
Samples of the project's masonry are on display in council chambers at city hall.
The board also:
• Approved two promotions, from patrolman to corporal, for Warsaw Police Department officers Joe Hawn, in the DARE division, and David Morales, school resource officer. Hawn's salary will be $1,705.42 bi-weekly and Morales' salary will be $1,691.22 bi-weekly.
• Approved a grant application for bulletproof vests for the WPD. The department has appropriated $6,000 for this equipment and will apply for a matching grant.
Bulletproof vests, degrade over time and need to be replaced, according to Capt. Perry Hunter.
• Heard from WPD Chief Foster that he has received reciprocal law enforcement aid agreements from seven of five county agencies. The agreements were requested by Alliance Municipal Insurance. Foster has not heard from Pierceton or Mentone. The Silver Lake, Syracuse, Milford and North Webster police departments as well as the sheriff's department responded to the request.
• Approved a contract with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. as requested by Warsaw Fire Chief Matt Warren to test ground ladders and the aerial platform.
The price to test ground ladders is $2.10 per foot. The platform test has increased $150 since 2000, to $850.
• Reviewed and accepted a letter of credit presented by Lake City Bank for an amount not to exceed $150,000 for Jackson Development Corp. The corporation agrees to duly construct the sewers, curbs and road improvements required for the Pheasant Ridge Subdivision, third addition.
• Agreed to send a team to the Warsaw Education Foundation Quiz Bowl March 23. Cost to participate is $200 per team.
• Approved a contract with Lawrence Clifford, code enforcement hearing officer, to preside at nine hearings during 2004 or as scheduled, at a cost of $850 each.
• Approved a number of entertainment-related and advertising contracts as requested by the parks department activity director Janelle Wilson.
They are: $600 for a Friday Evening Performing Art Series appearance by Route 7 June 4; $200 for a Friday concert by Chain O'Lakes Chorus July 16; $750 for a Friday concert by Biff and the Cruisers Aug. 13; $600 for a Friday concert by Tim Grimm Aug. 27; $700 with WRSW 107.3/ESPN 1480 for advertising and a live remote broadcast during the April 3 Easter egg hunt; $225 also with WRSW 107.3/ESPN 1480 to advertise the Kid's Fishing Derby June 5; $1,800 for advertising and a live remote broadcast for the Classic Rock Concert June 18 also with WRSW 107.3/ESPN 1480; $400, a 10 percent agent fee, with Kevin Roberts Entertainment for the Blues and BBQ appearance of Ronnie Baker Brooks; $4,000 for Ronnie Baker Brooks to perform during the Blues and BBQ July 2; $1,750 to Kevin Roberts Entertainment representing a 10 percent agent fee for the appearance of Davy Jones of the Monkees; and $17,500 to Paradise Artists Inc. for the appearance of Davy Jones of the Monkees.
• Approved membership with the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service Inc., at no cost to the city, as required by Indiana code.
IUPPS is coordinating the "Call Before You Dig" telephone number, one-call service to contractors to locate underground utility lines. The city will be charged 65 cents per inquiry.
• Approved a travel request for city planner Jeff Noffsinger to attend CDBG grants administrator training at Ball State University March 31, April 7 and April 28.
Board of works members are Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Jerry Patterson and Charlie Smith.
