Council approves grants, vehicle and park equipment purchases and adopts direct-seller/mobile-food ordinance

The New Richmond City Council took a series of votes on city grants, equipment purchases and a business-licensing ordinance during its most recent meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Tourism grants: Council approved the tourism committee's first-quarter grant recommendations, which staff described as totaling $2,444.06 in awards for events, promotions and marketing materials. The committee recommended support for the New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce (Cabin Fever event), MBL Promotions (spring promotional event) and production of window-cling marketing pieces for hotels and restaurants. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Aldermen Vries, Weinmeier, Gartner, Volker, Montello, Kittle and Breeze recorded as "yes." (Outcome: approved)

- Police detective vehicle purchase: Council approved a staff recommendation to purchase a nearly new Jeep Grand Cherokee to replace an aging detective vehicle for a purchase price listed in the staff memo as $29,091.91 (trade-in value noted as $9,000), plus a $1,000 maintenance package and up to $10,000 to outfit the vehicle. Alderman Montello recorded an abstention; other named aldermen voted yes. (Outcome: approved)

- Will's Playground fence replacement: Council…