Celebrations receive council approval

Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

At its Monday meeting the New Prague City Council unanimously approved requests concerning the Dozinky Festival, the city's Fourth of July fireworks and a celebration of the New Prague Fire Department's 125th anniversary.

Ron Rynda and Joe Wagner, representing the fire department, explained the celebration would be Saturday, Aug. 15, and have several activities. Among them would be a vintage baseball game at Foundry Hill Park, a bucket brigade and a dance in the fire station at the Emergency Services Center at 600 Fourth Ave. NW.

New Prague City Administrator Mike Johnson noted the dance would be from 8 p.m. to midnight, although the city has a no noise provision that takes effect at 10 p.m. The council was being asked to grant a waiver from 10 p.m. to midnight for the dance.

Johnson said city staff is also trying to schedule an open house and dedication for the new Emergency Services Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 15.

The council unanimously approved the waiver and the plans.

Dozinky

The council also unanimously approved a request for the closing of New Prague's Main Street for the Dozinky Festival.

Kristy Mach, executive director of the chamber of commerce, and Police Chief Mark Vosejpka presented the request. The street would be closed on Friday, Sept. 18, for Cruise Night and Saturday, Sept. 19, for Dozinky.

Johnson explained the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is allowing the city to request the closing of Main Street, which is also State Highways 19/13, for those two days in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, it will only allow the road to be closed for four hours each day.

Working with state representatives, the city presented a bill asking that New Prague close Main Street for the Dozinky Festival. However Johnson noted the bill was part of a larger one that was vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Councilmember Ken Betterton asked why Main Street is completely shut down on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mach explained it was due to safety as city crews are cleaning up both nights, and some vendors have their booths up from Friday night to Saturday evening.

Fourth of July

The council unanimously approved the closing of Scott County Road 37/Seventh Street NE between Central Avenue N and Columbus Avenue N for about one hour during the Fourth of July fireworks display on Saturday, July 4.

Chief Vosejpka presented the request explaining it was to help with crowd control. The police department will also be sending a request to Scott County.