Council approves tourism grant, parking ordinance, well rehab bid and three parade permits

New Richmond City Council approved several routine but budgetary and permitting items at its Jan. 1 meeting, including $31,105.84 for Fund Fest, adoption of an updated parking ordinance (No. 619), a low bid award for Well No. 5 rehabilitation, a preliminary special-assessment resolution and parade permits for 2025.

The council voted unanimously to approve $31,105.84 in third-quarter tourism funding for the 2024 Fund Fest after the Tourism Committee confirmed required proofs and logo usage had been submitted. City staff told the council the chamber supplied the outstanding invoices and the committee recommended funding once the application was complete.

The council then approved Ordinance No. 619, an update to parking requirements that adds a sentence clarifying how “residential uses” are treated under the city’s zoning ordinance; the text directs that residential uses identified in Table 3, Section J of the zoning ordinance “shall endeavor but are not required to provide 1.5 off-street parking stalls per dwelling unit.”

For the water utility, the council awarded the low bid for rehabilitation of Well No. 5 to Bergerson Caswell at a base bid of $24,315. City staff advised the council the base amount could change depending on what contractors find when the well is pulled and inspected.

Council also adopted Resolution 012501, a preliminary resolution to begin the special-assessment process for the Allie’s project; the resolution authorizes staff and sets the clerk to schedule the public hearing, which staff said is likely to occur at the next regular council meeting.

Finally, the council approved three parade permits for 2025 — the St. Patrick’s Day parade (Monday, March 17), the Fun Fest parade (Sunday, July 13 at noon) and the Hometown Holidays parade (Thursday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.). Permits were approved with conditions including payment of permit fees, submission of certificates of insurance, notification to affected residents and businesses, a required meeting between city staff and the chamber to review last year’s Hometown Holiday event and a reminder that parade participants may not consume alcohol on floats or while driving vehicles during the parade. The council also continued the practice of allowing bars and restaurants located directly on an approved route to have an extension of premise for open containers from one hour before parade start until one hour after conclusion.

Votes at a glance

- Third-quarter tourism funding (Fund Fest) — Approved; amount $31,105.84; vote: unanimous. - Ordinance No. 619 (parking requirements) — Adopted; vote: unanimous. - Well No. 5 rehabilitation (Bergerson Caswell, base bid $24,315) — Contract award approved; vote: unanimous. Staff noted final cost may change after inspection. - Resolution 012501 (preliminary special-assessment for Allie’s) — Approved; vote: unanimous. Council authorized staff to set the hearing date. - Parade permits (St. Patrick’s Day, Fun Fest, Hometown Holidays) — Approved with conditions; vote: unanimous.

The council handled these items quickly; several were recommended by advisory committees and described by staff as routine. Administrative follow-ups noted by staff include finalizing contract details for the well rehab, scheduling the special-assessment hearing and receiving complete Fun Fest street-closure paperwork before formal approval of the carnival and music permits.