By Rachel Kytonen
rachel.kytonen@ecm-inc.com

Watch for New Ventures Wagon Train to roll through Isanti Aug. 14-16 and set Sept. 12 aside for Isanti’s Fall Music Fest.

The Isanti City Council on Aug. 5 approved the two special event applications.

Pictured: Isanti Mayor George Wimmer presented the Great Yard Award for the month of July during the Aug. 5 council meeting. From left: Aaron Zdon from Startac Construction who provided funding for the second place award; Rebecca Shaughnessy from Landmark Community Bank who provided funding for the first place award; first place winner Andrew Moen (not pictured is his wife Jacquelyn); Wimmer; and Diana Gagnon from Northland Landscaping who provided funding for the third place award. Not pictured are second place winners Glen and Susan Lindell and third place winners, Jeff Strom and Brenda Stone.

Maynard and Jeanie Folstrom, on behalf of New Ventures, requested the wagon train move through the city with the use of a city police officer:

• Aug. 14: Crossing at 1st Ave. & Co. Rd. 5 at about 9:30 a.m. and 4-4:30 p.m.

• Aug. 15: Crossing Whiskey Road to Co. Rd. 5 at about 9:30 a.m. and 4-4:30 p.m.

• Aug. 16: Crossing Hwy. 65 at 301st Ave. at about 1 p.m.

New Ventures Wagon Train rides for the physically and mentally challenged. The camps involved are Friendship Venture, Camp New Hope and Edenwood Center.

Jan Peterson, executive director of the Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce, requested the use of Unity Park and city services for the Isanti Fall Music Fest scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, to be held in Unity Park and the rodeo grounds.

The chamber has already been granted use of the rodeo grounds by the Isanti Rodeo Association. The council allowed the chamber the following:

• Use of eight to 10 picnic tables from 10 a.m. to midnight

• Use of Unity Park north and east of the softball field from noon until midnight for a possible youth hockey association bingo from 2-5 p.m. and for preferred parking for Classic Car Cruise participants from 6 p.m. until midnight

• At a minimum, the presence of one police officer during the beer garden/performance hours of the event

• The presence of a police officer or reserve officer at the corners of Whiskey Road and Co. Rd. 5 and E. Dual Blvd. and Co. Rd. 5 to direct traffic during the car cruise between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m.

Waiving of fee

Peterson also asked the council to waive the $50 administrative permit application fee for the 2nd Annual Town Sidewalk Sales to be held Aug. 14-16.

Council Member Sue Larson said the sidewalk sales are a nice time to market the city, and the council should do anything it can to support the city.

Isanti Mayor George Wimmer noted even churches have had to pay the administrative fee, and if the council approves waiving the fee for this event, it could lead to similar requests in the future.

Peterson said she was just made aware of the administrative fee, and if the chamber had known about the fee it could have budgeted for it.

She said the chamber will budget for it next year.

In order to avoid setting a precedent, Wimmer said he’d pay the fee for the chamber, and then Council Member Jim Kennedy said he’d split the cost with Wimmer.

Budget update

In his finance committee report, Wimmer noted the city is working toward a 2010 preliminary budget that will reduce spending by 3 percent.

The next council budget work session is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 5:45 p.m.

The 2010 preliminary budget levy is scheduled for adoption at the Sept. 1 council meeting.