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Charlie Smith joined the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety Friday. Smith is replacing former board member Paul Siebenmorgen, who has taken a job out of the city.
Because of his new job, Siebenmorgen will not be able to attend the meetings which take place the first Friday of every month in the morning. Siebenmorgen will, however, maintain his position on the Warsaw City Council.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said Siebenmorgen will continue serving as a councilman unless he turns in his resignation.
"Charlie Smith is my new appointment," Mayor Ernie Wiggins said. "Thank you, Charlie, for serving."
In other business:
• Board members reviewed a bid for a project at Oakwood Cemetery.
"We do have a bid opening for the cemetery," Wiggins said. "This is for the chapel that is in the year 2000 budget."
The bid, from Ideal Construction, was ruled incomplete due to lack of a monetary amount.
"This is the only incomplete bid (we've received)," Wiggins said.
Oakwood Cemetery sexton David Shaw said the old price was $140,000.
"They (Ideal Construction) were a little careless," City Attorney Mike Valentine said. "We can't possibly assume that it's $140,000."
Valentine said important dates were omitted and it appeared as if the only item they did complete was the signature.
"So, we're going to have to re-bid it," Valentine said, "which means re-advertise."
• An agreement for professional services by Larry Long & Associates to redo the city sanitary sewer grid maps and boundaries was approved.
"(It's) everything I need down at the street (and sanitary sewer) department," street superintendent Lacy Francis said.
The agreement for $16,700 was approved and funds for the project will be deducted from both the street and sewer budgets.
• Mid-year wage increases for city employees also were discussed.
Wiggins said the city departments are allowed two wage increases: one at the beginning of the year and one in mid-year "as long as it fits in their budgets."
He also said 2-1/2 percent increases were given last year.
City Planner Jeff Noffsinger requested a $1 raise for two employees.
"I told him 50 cents was all that I would allow," Wiggins said, "no more than that."
"I'd rather see this one tabled for council," clerk-treasurer Elaine Call said.
The delay is due to the wording in the salary ordinance.
• A YMCA corporate membership agreement for city employees was accepted.
The agreement will give city employees "$3 to $4 a month savings," Wiggins said. "The employee gets the reduced monthly fee, of which the employee is responsible for."
Wiggins said there are approximately 150 employees eligible for this reduction.
"I think this is good," Smith said. He said he liked the idea of promoting health for city employees.
• The Kosciusko County Visitors Guide may feature a full-page display for the city of Warsaw.
"This is a publication that the Convention and Visitors Bureau distributes," Wiggins said.
He also said Warsaw has purchased a page in the past.
Cost for the page is $1,872. The guide puts out 66,000 copies and begins Jan. 15, 2001.
No decision has been made at this point. The display has only been "discussed."
• Board members approved two equipment trade-ins for Oakwood Cemetery.
A 1996 Toro 24HP mower and 60" deck will be traded in and the allowance for the equipment will be applied toward the purchase of a new riding mower and deck.
Shaw said the cemetery has "been getting (equipment) from Sellers and Sons out of Pierceton."
The reason, Shaw said, is because of the service.
"(When) we need parts, he (Sellers and Sons) gets them for us right away. They've been taking care of us."
• Winona Lake town coordinator Craig Allebach requested permission to tap into the Winona Lake sewer system on behalf of Ruby Horn, 1066 S 250E.
Allebach said there is a man hole cover in her front yard and to tap into the sewer system would be a "very simple process."
Wiggins said a letter is needed from Dave Van Dyke stating no adverse affect will occur.
"We're not going to act on it because that letter is not here,"Wiggins said.
Wiggins asked Francis to go out to Horn's property and "take a look at it."
The Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety includes: Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Charlie Smith and Jerry Patterson.
