A room full of concerned citizens filled the Warsaw City Council chambers on December 2 as several issues were brought to the attention of the Board of Aldermen.
Mayor Eddie Simons called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Aldermen James White, Eric Flores, Rob Coskey, Adam Howe, and Alderwomen Reba Slavens and Lou Breshears were all in attendance.
City Clerk Jessica Kendall recorded the meeting.
Following the approval of a consent agenda and payment of bills presented, City Administrator Randy Pogue formally presented the city's proposed budget for FY 2025 with hopes and an anticipated passage date of December 16.
Benton County landowner Doug Gayman spoke to the elected officials about his property on Jackson Street being annexed into Warsaw without his consent.
“I bought property outside of the Warsaw city limits with the plan to move here and establish a small farm,” said Gayman. “Now I am being forced to hire an architect to turn my property into a residential area.”
According to Gayman, there are 100 empty lots in Warsaw that could be used for development without reaching outside of the city limits for residential developments.
“If the city wants to buy my property, then they can make me an offer, but I refuse to allow them to steal my property,” said Gayman.
The property is located near the old city golf course.
Cathy Menninga spoke to the Warsaw City Council about animal abuse and the lack of an animal shelter.
“I recently observed a white dog that was tethered to a tree near downtown Warsaw and I was concerned that it was not being cared for so I took water and food and discovered that the dog was in need of medical attention,” said Menninga.
Menninga reported this to the Warsaw Police Department. When the dog continued to be chained to the tree, she contacted the local veterinarians to see if the dog had been treated. Neither of them knew of the dog.
Menninga suggested to the Warsaw Board of Aldermen that they investigate the matter and form a committee to research the possibilities of applying for grants to help Warsaw build an animal shelter.
Solutions offered by Menninga included: dog emergency fostering until placement or transport to an accepting shelter; mutual aid agreements with police agencies; agreement with shelters; plead for money from outside sources and form a non-profit.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM as the council went into executive session.
Warsaw City Council meetings are held on the first and third Monday each month in the Community Building Council Chambers. Meetings are open to the public.
