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Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 95F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 67F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

From left are, Alderman Alan Leffler (Ward 3,) Alderman Kim Nagel (Ward 2,) Alderman Tyler McLaughlin (Ward 1,) Julie Haack, City Clerk, Mike Heisler, Mayor, Carissa Bryant, Esq. City Attorney’s Office, Alderman Priscilla Blecha (Ward 1,) Alderman David Krum (Ward 2) and Alderman Jeff Brookhart.

From left are, Alderman Alan Leffler (Ward 3,) Alderman Kim Nagel (Ward 2,) Alderman Tyler McLaughlin (Ward 1,) Julie Haack, City Clerk, Mike Heisler, Mayor, Carissa Bryant, Esq. City Attorney’s Office, Alderman Priscilla Blecha (Ward 1,) Alderman David Krum (Ward 2) and Alderman Jeff Brookhart.

Warsaw City Hall had a full house this past Wednesday, May 25 when it held its regularly scheduled City Council meeting. David Krum was sworn in as Alderman by Julie Haack, City Clerk, to take his seat filling the vacancy that was left in Ward 2 by the departure of Dawn Lawrence. Before Krum was sworn in, however, Council took a moment to approve his appointment, with Mayor Heisler saying then following all “ayes” in favor that the final decision was then unanimous. Present at the Warsaw City Council meeting of May 25 were Alderman Alan Leffler (Ward 3), Alderman Kim Nagel (Ward 2), Alderman Tyler Mclaughlin (Ward 1), City Clerk, Julie Haack, Mayor Mike Heisler, City Attorney’s Office Carissa Bryant, Esq., Alderman Priscilla Blecha (Ward 1), Alderman David Krum (Ward 2), and Alderman Jeff Brookhart (Ward 3). Also present were Treasurer, Jennifer Brinkschroeder, Public Utilities Director, Gary Huston, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff’s Kolton Johnson, and Ben Schweizer, and several members of the public.

Three committee meetings had taken place since the last council meeting in April – one on April 27, one on May 11, and one on May 23. The May 23 meeting had been a Zoning Board of Appeals Committee meeting.

Present at the May 23 meeting were Ed Buford, Hugh Ferguson, Gary Jones, Jessie Woods, Pam Korn, Melisha Thomas, Mayor Heisler and the resident making the request. The meeting minutes stated that the Zoning Board had met to discuss and take action on a “building permit in the 600 Block of N 4th Street [for the] construction of two prefabricated metal buildings.” The resident making the request “explained the building purpose would be to house his son’s fishing equipment, to warehouse his own equipment, and to build a portion of the structure to lease for boat and RV rentals.”

The minutes then state that “the two issues facing the committee were building a structure on a lot without a dwelling per city ordinance and building a commercial facility in a residential zone. The city code book was reviewed for approved uses in a residential zone.”

Following the committee’s discussion of both issues, “a motion was made by Hugh Ferguson and seconded by Melisha Thomas to allow a variance to [the resident who made the request] to build a storage building where no dwelling exists, with a portion of the building to be used for boat and RV rentals.” Subsequently, the matter came forward at the council meeting, with a motion being made by Mclaughlin and seconded by Leffler to approve a building permit for the two buildings in the amount of $96,000. The resident who had made the request was also in attendance at the council meeting and was able to leave the meeting with all “ayes” in favor and the approval needed to proceed with his building permit plans.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) gave updates on crime data occurring throughout Hancock County and Deputy Sheriff Kolton Johnson gave report alerting that burglary and thefts were “currently ticking upward” with the swath of occurrences he said having appeared to indicate a trend “moving this way” and advised that residents keep vigilant and take the time to secure their properties by locking their doors when not at home. Johnson lamented that it was unfortunate that these trends were impacting areas but stated that HSCO will be there to fight these crimes, giving one example that happened recently this past month in Warsaw with the tracking and subsequent arrest stemming from a stolen ATV incident. Johnson assured that the HCSO is actively enforcing city ordinance violations but did say that when he has had to address city ordinance issues when they reach his level, he is often, on the first call, issuing a warning, over a citation, in effort to see if there is opportunity to enforce the demands being made without escalation.

Perhaps the most exciting agenda item at the May 25 meeting was then the roll-out of the proposed Freedom Fest event being spearheaded by Alderman Mclaughlin. Intending for this to be a City of Warsaw Inaugural Freedom Festival event approval was given for the proposed schedule of events with a parade from 7th and Main St. to 2nd and Main St. starting at 10 a.m. being sponsored by the Warsaw Community Women’s Club, followed by a Poker Run at 11 a.m., a 2 p.m. [evening fireworks] Event Kick-off to include children’s games and activities along the Riverfront, with entertainment including a DJ from 2-6 p.m. from Topp Dogg Productions, wine tasting from 3–6 p.m. brought by Lake Hill Winery, and Stumptown band to play from 6-9 p.m. Concession will be offered through Murphy’s Concessions, Repete Coffee and Candle Bar, and many others that are in the planning. The fireworks then, provided by Thomas Bell and the Thump Junkie Crew will commence at 9:30 p.m.

A contingency plan is in place in the event of flooding, but hopefully, the City of Warsaw will prevail with the Riverfront location and its first ever inaugural Freedom Festival event.

Warsaw City Council meetings are open to the public and residents with issues and or concerns they would like to present to City Council are asked to sign in 24 hours in advance. If you have any questions or need to contact Warsaw City Hall, you may reach them at 217-256-3214 during normal business hours.

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Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 95F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 67F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Mostly sunny skies. High 94F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

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