Warsaw City Council Monday night approved a resolution to create an economic revitalization area for a new orthopedic office and manufacturing facility.
The economic revitalization area is for Iconacy Orthopedic Implants LLC.
Councilwoman Diane Quance made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by councilwoman Cindy Dobbins. Councilmen Charlie Smith, Jerry Frush and Jeff Grose also voted in favor of the resolution.
Council President Elaine Call and councilman Mike Klondaris were absent during Monday’s meeting.
City Planner Jeremy Skinner said the business still needs to approve a declaratory resolution and statement of benefits form.
The business requested the city create an economic revitalization area at 4130 Corridor Drive so they may apply for tax abatements on real and personal property for a new orthopedic office and manufacturing facility.
They are looking to acquire a vacant manufacturing facility at the location.
The facility has been vacant for more than two years and will qualify for up to three years of real property taxes.
The business plans on spending $1.6 million in personal property over the next four years and hiring 50 employees over the next four to five years, according to Roy Hori, executive vice president of research and development for Iconacy Orthopedic Implants LLC.
Tom Allen, president and CEO of the business, also attended Monday night’s meeting.
Hori said the business plans to begin sales in September.
“We are a tiny Zimmer and would like to get bigger if we can,” Hori said.
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said he appreciated the business investing in Warsaw.
“We hope to partner with you and help your venture to continue,” Thallemer said.
In other business, the council approved amending the 2012 elected officials salary ordinance.
The ordinance was amended to include Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission members receiving $30 per meeting.
In other business, Thallemer informed the council the city has been approved by Indiana Economic Development Corp. to use property for a certified technology park.
The 110 acres of property is the Kerlin Property on the northeast side of CR 200W and U.S. 30, and the Cardinal Services property at the northwest corner of U.S. 30 and CR 200W.
The city in April approved annexing the properties into Warsaw.
Thallemer said the certified technology park will allow the city to capture payroll taxes to help develop the area and drive economic development in the community.
An agreement still needs to be signed between the city and IEDC for the technology park.
Also during the meeting, Thallemer informed the council that the city has been approved for an Indiana Department of Transportation road reconstruction project.
He said the city will receive a letter Friday from INDOT on more details of the project.
Jeff Smith, Serenity House residential manager, said a Meth Awareness meeting will be Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion for the community. He requested the city work to include a meeting that morning for area mayors and government officials.
Smith asked the city to support State Representative Rebecca Kubacki’s efforts to make pseudoephedrine a drug that can only be purchased with a prescription.
Dobbins said the parking committee has received 500 completed parking surveys.
“Our committee will go over the parking surveys and provide recommendations to the city,” Dobbins said.
Thallemer said the city will hold a sign ordinance meeting at the Plan Commission’s Monday meeting.
“We are working to draft an ordinance that will work for everyone, and I pledge to you we will take as much time as we need to do it right,” Thallemer said.
He said the plan commission has been working on the sign ordinance and said community input is needed.
Thallemer said the city will hold a bike-walk master plan meeting July 26 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion.
