Pictured, from left, are American Legion Auxiliary Vice-President Susan Young, American Legion Auxiliary President Diana Snook and Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer as May 12 is proclaimed Poppy Day in Warsaw.

WARSAW — With a two hour meeting and a full agenda, the Warsaw Common Council covered a lot of ground during the meeting held last night, May 7.

The first large topic of discussion was the ordinance presented at the last meeting regarding requirements for discharges. The ordinance addresses how food service establishments handle discharges of fats, oils and grease. The ordinance outlines different requirements that food establishments need to comply with, including having and cleaning a grease traps or grease interceptor.

While previously presented, the ordinance was tabled at the last meeting so that council members could talk to local restaurants about the potential impacts of the ordinance.

Both Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer and Council Member Mike Klondaris said they had heard no complaints regarding the ordinance. Council Member Ron Shoemaker said that one local restaurant owner described the utility department as “aggressive and intimidating.”

The main concern about the ordinance was the associated costs. The installation of a grease trap or interceptor could range from $1,000 to $6,000. There is also a cleaning cost associated with grease interceptors while the grease trap can be cleaned by employees. It was noted that this cost could be a major hardship for some of the smaller restaurants.

Warsaw Utilities Manager Brian Davison explained that the majority of restaurants already have a system in place and that cleaning is the main problem the department wants to address. “Between the fats, oils and greases and the flushable wipes, we probably are addressing the lift system twice a week.” Each of these issues costs the department time and money. With the new ordinance, the department would have better knowledge of which restaurants are causing the issue and educate that restaurant on proper maintenance.

The council approved the ordinance on first reading with Shoemaker and Cindy Dobbins opposing.

City Planner Jeremy Skinner presented three different ordinances regarding annexations.

A public hearing was held for the Shadow Lakes annexation. No one was present to speak for or against the annexation. Skinner explained that this is a 100 percent annexation that has been planned for since the construction of the area. The council approved the Shadow Lakes annexation fiscal plan and the annexation ordinance will be presented at the next council meeting.

Two ordinances were presented regarding the Airport Industrial Park annexation. The annexation has to be done in two separate parcels due to one property on Anchorage Road being surrounded by city property on all sides. Council members approved both ordinances. The annexation will now be advertised and notices will be mailed to property owners. A 90 day remonstration period will take place.

City officials have been working together to create incentives for builders in the area due to the shortage of market-rate workforce housing. The council approved an amendment regarding connection fees for sewage work service. The amendment allows the fee to be amortized throughout a ten year period.

It was noted that this amendment would not solve the housing shortage but that it is one piece in a rather large puzzle. The city is continuing to look at other incentives to help out the local market.

In other news:

• May 12 was declared Poppy Day in Warsaw by Thallemer. American Legion Auxiliary President Diana Snook and American Legion Auxiliary Vice-President Susan Young were present for the proclamation. On May 12, poppies can be purchased at both Owens, Walmart and Big R to support veterans.
• A public hearing was held for the vacation of the alley by Lake City Bank. No one from the public spoke for or against the vacation. The vacation was approved.
• Additional appropriations were approved for the Northern TIF District.
• Tax abatements were approved for Flexaust, Tecomet and TTSO.
• A question from the traffic commission was presented to the council regarding residential hang tags in the downtown area. The commission wondered if the council would be interested in a pilot program that would allow residents to park longer than two hours. Downtown residents are invited to the next council meeting to discuss the idea.
• It was noted that due to the upcoming train track closures in July, much of Center Street’s traffic will be rerouted to Market Street for a period of time. It is possible that on-street parking will be temporarily eliminated from the narrow portions of Market Street during this time period to help with the additional traffic.