Posted 3/15/01 North Branch Midsummer festival plans already underway By Jason Sileo The North Branch City Council gave approval to two park rehabilitation projects and set the stage for the cityís Midsummer festival at its regular meeting Monday night, March 12. Grant allocations for replacement of childrenís outdoor play equipment at Harder Park, and for a parking lot resurfacing project at Country View Park were both approved by the council following discussion. The council approved assorted motions relating to the cityís Midsummer celebration June 13 through 17, including authorization for sidewalk sales, street dances, concession stands and carnival rides, and a temporary liquor license for outdoor beer sales during the event. Also approved was a transient merchant license for Evers Flowers for flower sales during Midsummer. Denied was a request that a ěpeace poleî be placed inside the cityís Central Park. The council, on a recommendation from the city park commission, voted unanimously to deny the placement of the pole. A similar pole is apparently already located roughly two blocks from the proposed site, at St. Gregoryís Catholic Church. Arguments against the placement ranged from bad precedent to increased congestion at the cityís parks. While the council was in some disagreement as to whether or not peace poles should be placed on city property at all, it was clear the councilors did not want the item at Central Park for the time being. The council approved a bid from Terryís Disposal service for the removal of waste refuse from the the cityís municipal structures. ©Post Review