WPD Receives Grant To Promote Crime Victims' Rights Week
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
The Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety approved a grant stemming the Victims of Crime Act during its meeting Friday not to exceed $5,000 for the police department to use for its National Crime Victims' Rights Week program. The Warsaw Police Department's Victim Assistance Program received news of the grant Jan. 29. The grant expires July 31.
The grant will be used by the local program to purchase promotional items and a speaker's fee for National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 22-28.
The theme for this year's victims' rights week is "Victims' Rights: Every Victim, Every Time," which recognizes victims of crime deserve support and services to cope with the aftermath.
Warsaw's program was selected for funding for 2007 from the more than 250 applications that were submitted.
Jennifer Whitaker, the city's human resources director, said WPD Chief Steve Foster will retire from the department Dec. 31 and applications for patrol officer positions will be accepted until March 16.
Foster has been chief since June 1, 1999, and held other positions at the department.
Whitaker said a new police chief will be appointed by Mayor Ernie Wiggins, and applications for the position will be sent out in June.
Whitaker announced Warsaw Fire Department Capt. Tim Hood will retire Feb. 21 after serving the department for 21 years.
Mike Wilson, chief of inspections for the WFD, informed board members there have been six house fires at residential areas along Washington, Columbia and West streets in the past 45 days. Wilson is asking the public to contact the WFD or WPD if they suspect suspicious fire activity.
The board also:
n Approved two new hires, including Kelly Geiger to serve as records clerk for the WPD effective Feb. 5, and a change in start date for Mary Lou Plummer to serve as the city's sewage collection manager effective Jan. 29.
n Approved five travel requests for the street, fire and police departments, and Mayor Ernie Wiggins to attend an Indiana Association of Cities and Towns legislative conference in Indianapolis.
n Approved a contract between SEJ Consulting, Lafayette, and the Warsaw Wastewater Treatment Utility facility for on-site permit required confined space entry training.
n Approved a $5,000 grant from the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission that was awarded to the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Jan. 26. The grant will support advertising for the park department's classic rock concert. The board also approved four contracts for parks department activities for 2007.
n Approved a contract between Ikon and the clerk-treasurer's office for a monthly lease payment for a new copy machine at $87.50 a month.
n Approved a contract between Griffin Real Estate Services for insurance valuation of all city buildings for $6,500.
n Approved a contract for 2007 rates for John Kimpel & Associates Inc.
n Approved a request for Oakwood Cemetery sexton Duane Ronk to receive a take-home vehicle.
n Approved a contract between Genesis Management Services and the city for bloodborne pathogens training for city employees for $320 plus $3.57 per participant.
n Approved a contract between the Waste Water Treatment Utility department and USA Mobility for a standby pager to be used by the department's employees.
n Approved a contract between the WFD and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. for $1,953.50 for yearly testing of ground ladders and aerial devices.
n Approved a release of lien for DeWayne and Becky Busz at 321 N. Union St.
n Approved a contract between the Warsaw Planning Department and Sands Office Equipment for a maintenance agreement for a Canon copier for $1,026.
n Approved a supplemental agreement with Paul I. Cripe Inc. for construction engineering for the Lake City Greenway Chinworth Bridge Trail portion of the project.
n Approved two change orders for the Chinworth Bridge Trail portion of the Lake City Greenway. Community Development Coordinator Gisele Cox said there were overruns of materials due to poor soil conditions and items were omitted in the original bid. The overruns of materials were eight additional bollards and the sidewalk, which runs from the parking lot at the City-County Athletic Complex to the trail. The total for the change order is $95,954.44.
The other change order is for resetting a fence along Zimmer Road. The existing fence needs to be relocated to the west as the fence posts are too close to the excavation. The total cost for the change order is $5,400.18. The total of the two change orders is $101,354.62 and the city's match will be $20,270.92.
n Approved an agreement for 2007 between the city and hearing officer Lawrence J. Clifford for Clifford to provide code hearing services for city meetings at $900 per each hearing.
