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Pipestone County approves courthouse grounds use for Water Tower Festival and renews no-charge parking lease with State DPS
Summary
The county board approved use of courthouse grounds for the annual Water Tower Festival (including contingencies for show-ring backup and overflow parking) and authorized renewing a no-fee parking lease with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for motorcycle testing.
Pipestone County commissioners on April 22 granted the Pipestone Chamber permission to use courthouse grounds for the Water Tower Festival, approved use of a tax-forfeited lot for overflow parking during the festival and authorized renewing a no-charge parking lease with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for motorcycle testing.
County staff said Tom Stepp, representing the Pipestone Chamber, requested use of the courthouse grounds for festival setup beginning June 26 with activity through June 29 and that organizers would remove tents and equipment the following Monday. As a contingency for bad weather, the group may use the fairgrounds show arena on Friday evening, June 27. Staff also said the tax‑forfeited lot west of the courthouse may be used for overflow parking during the Saturday car cruise.
Separately, staff recommended renewal of State of Minnesota Lease PS0221 to allow DPS motorcycle testing on county property at no charge; staff said the arrangement is a no-fee lease and that liability for the testing is on the state agency. The board approved both requests by voice vote.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether the show arena could host the street dance and whether alcohol or other event logistics might complicate the backup arrangement; staff responded that the arena is available and that organizers had not requested changes to the lease related to alcohol.
Ending: The county will issue written confirmation of the courthouse grounds permit and the no‑charge lease renewal to the state and festival organizers; staff will coordinate logistics and any contingency moves to the fairgrounds if needed.
