Homer May
County Reporter
In new business Wednesday eve, Warsaw Aldermen approved an ordinance granting a franchise to Co-Mo Electric Co. to "construct, acquire, operate, and maintain electric facilities in the city" for a period of 20 years and to furnish electricity to the city and its inhabitants. A board member commented that this approval does not prohibit other firms from seeking similar status. Co-Mo is presently installing an internet operating system in the city.
The meeting opened at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, October 4, with Aldermen Rob Coskey, Lou Breshears, Adam Howe, Doug Hedrick present. Aldermen Reba Slavens and Eric Flores were absent. Mayor Eddie Simons presided, City Clerk Jessica Kendall recorded.
First actions by the group were to approve a revised agenda and minutes of its September 6 meeting, then okay payment of September 2 to October 2 bills submitted against the city.
In early session, Mac Vorce discussed a recently completed September 2 NICA bike racing event for 6th thru 12th graders, which brought to this area about 530 children, plus about 2,940 other attendees.
David Lopez followed with information about a Donny Keele Cornhole Tournament to be held on Saturday, October 14. He added that the event will involve closure of Benton Street, in front of Nix Horseshoe Bar, from Main Street and extending to Washington Street, and will feature sales of alcohol in a beer garden. All funds received will go to military veterans. The group approved his proposal.
The group also okayed an ordinance relating to action allowed upon three unexcused absences of aldermen from City Council meetings; and approved a resolution between Warsaw Bike Share Program and Compass Willow, LLC, dba Warsaw Adventures, allowing bike rentals in the Drake Harbor area. When Luke Johnson, owner of Warsaw Adventures, had completed his talk, he also introduced another guest, Pamela Burnham. the new Director of the Warsaw Area Chamber of Commerce.
In late session City Administrator Randy Pogue presented two bids received from contractors wishing to build a deck on the backside of the city offices. He said one bid, submitted by Rolling Perfection, was $5,640. The second bid was $12,500. The group selected the 1st bid.
City Administrator Pogue then discussed an October 10 kick-off for a RAISE Grant start-up meeting; also talked about recent census information which projects that Benton County will become a "high growth area" in the near future. He added that he was preparing a "needs list" for the city for the next three years, much of which will be available for budget discussions when the group enters those meetings this fall. Pogue then concluded that the FAA requires periodic updating of the city's designation of its Municipal Airport engineering firm. The group decided that the firm of Burns and McDonell should remain the city's airport engineering firm.
The group went into executive session about 6:50 PM. Visitors are welcome at the city's open meetings, which are usually held on 1st and 3rd Monday eves.
