Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A change of staff and a change of philosophy has led to a change of contract for Code Enforcement Hearing Officer Lawrence Clifford of South Bend, according to city planner Jeff Noffsinger, who appeared before the Warsaw Board of Works Friday.
Noffsinger said Clifford's need to come to Warsaw and hold monthly hearings has altered since hearings will be scheduled on a quarterly basis for the rest of the year: in July and October.
Prior hearings were held Monday and in January.
Clifford's contract is for $750 a month. BOW members Mayor Ernie Wiggins, Jerry Patterson and Charles Smith, agreed to Clifford's suggestion that he be paid $1,000 for each city hearing and $250 for each month he does not hold hearings here, a savings of $3,200.
In 2002 hearings will be held every other month.
Wiggins said there are three applicants for building commissioner and that position should be filled soon. The last commissioner, Art Heredia, resigned March 31.
Street superintendent Lacy Francis reminded the board Buffalo Street will be closed from Market Street south to the railroad tracks Monday through June 29. The project includes installation of new infrastructure, sidewalks, curbing and resurfacing.
The board signed an in-lieu-of-annexation contract with Tamra Arnett-Vetor, who owns a home on Hepler Drive. The agreement allows for hook-up to the city sanitary sewer line on Tippecanoe Drive, with Arnett-Vetor agreeing to pay twice the monthly rate and a sewer tap fee of $1,500.
The tap is being allowed as an emergency for health reasons.
In other business the board:
• Heard from parks director Larry Plummer Jr. regarding the trade-in of two 1990 Ford F250 trucks and the purchase of two 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 models at a cost of $32,000 from Petro's GM Showplace. An estimate for two similar vehicles was obtained from Lakeside Chevrolet at a cost of $33,785.
Several entertainment contracts for the day-long Cinco de Mayo celebration in Central Park May 6 were approved. Included were: Grupo Escorpion, Grupo Vizion and Banda Lobo, as well as Jorge Aguayo, sound engineer, and Frank Perales for sound reinforcement.
Other approved contracts were with Issac Tyson for Tons of Turtles June 19 and July 9 as part of the Lunchtime Funnies program; with Brian Fravel, Pro Audio Services, July 14 and with the Roving Chef, May 9, for catering during the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association Conference.
Park superintendent Jon Garber said Warsaw belongs to the northern region of the association and 40 to 60 members will attend. The day includes a business meeting, social hour and tour of the park's facilities.
Heard that Gisele Cox has been named planning and building office manager and Christie Mehlberg assistant city planner.
Re-hires for the parks department include: Joshua Denlinger, Brian Becknell, Laura Noggle, Cory Gackenheimer, Jill Adang, Peter Wiley, Jerry Bechtel and Jesse Ritter.
Heard of the promotion of parking control officer Doreen Montel following her sixth month of employment with the police department. Her pay will be raised half way between the beginning pay rate and full pay rate.
The board of works members are Wiggins, Patterson and Smith. They meet in council chambers the first and third Fridays of each month at 10:30 p.m.
