06-19-2001Several ordinances were approved by the city council Monday, including one defining tattoo parlors.
As recommended by the plan commission last week, the council voted 4 to 1 in favor, with Trish Brown voting no to the text amendment.
Referring to the process as cosmetic correction or enhancement of natural features, tattooing is allowed as long as no designs, letters, scrolls, figures or symbols are rendered (Warsaw City Code, Appendix B, Section 11.0).
Brown said there already is a process through the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception to operate a tattoo parlor.
“Why do we have to change the rules to make it sound a little better?” she asked.
She pointed out that Think Young Styling Studio and Salon is already zoned to offer tattooing. And now anyone could come to the central downtown business district and operate a permanent makeup business.
“How do you say no then? What if they aren’t as ethical?” Brown asked. “Now anyone can have it.”
“Permanent makeup” is applied to eyebrows, eyelids, lips and breast reconstruction.
Waunita Young, owner of Think Young, said she didn’t realize that she needed a special exception.
“I don’t want to be aligned with tattoo parlors. You’re right, it is done with needles and dye. We’re a full-service salon,” she said. “Not being able to offer this would hurt us.”
Assistant city planner Kristy Mehlberg said the language was drafted to accommodate Young’s wishes.
Councilman George Clemens said, “I know people who have had it and you can’t tell.”
“How do you make them stick to cosmetic treatment?” Brown asked. “Quite frankly, you can argue what cosmetic enhancement is and this will open it wide open.”
Four more ordinances also were approved Monday.
Creation of an administrative law judge position was approved, with Larry Clifford of South Bend presently the code enforcement hearing officer named for the position.
The judge will hear and decide municipal code enforcement on issues such as weeds, junk, abandoned vehicles and other community nuisance violations.
Also officially adopted into city code was language pertaining to directional signs for real estate for sale.
The signs, usually located on the street corner nearest to the property for sale, may not contain any advertising of any kind. They may contain only the street address and common phrases including the words “for sale,” “for lease” or “for rent.”
Signs giving the real estate salesperson’s company affiliation and other information may be placed on the property being sold.
The directional signs are to be on private property with permission of the property owner, not in the city’s right of way.
In other business the council:
• Accepted insurance reimbursements for the parks department in the amount of $3,739.18 for damages to a 1994 Ford truck, which was involved in an accident Dec. 15; and a total of $7,047.50 in reimbursements for three damaged police department vehicles.
• Heard from Indiana Housing finance authority development manager Sheryl Sharpe that Housing Opportunities of Warsaw Inc. is applying for $92,000 for a transitional housing project, to be called the Upson House after Lucy E. Upson, the first woman attorney in Kosciusko County; and for $145,000 for Home Rxemedies, a countywide owner-occupied rehabilitation program.
• Reviewed the fire department’s report prepared by Matt Warren, fire chief. The fire department had 72 runs in May.
Training burns will be June 24 and June 30.
• Heard from Bill Rhoades that NIPSCO representative Paul Johnson does not return his inquiries.
“In 18 months I’ve received one return,” he said. “It’s becoming a problem.”
Rhoades takes requests for and deals with maintenance of city street lights. The utility company would respond to maintenance problems.
Council members are Trish Brown, Jeff Grose, Charlie Smith, George Clemens and Bill Rhoades. Joe Thallemer and Jerry Patterson were absent.