WORTHINGTON -- A foam party will take place in August at the Long Branch Saloon, but only if it is approved by the City of Worthington's director of engineering, decided the Worthington City Council Monday.
"It's something different, something entertaining," said Erick Benavides, owner of the Long Branch Saloon, referring to a foam party, in which gallons of bubbly foam would be produced by a machine for people to play in.
Environmental concerns about whether the soapy, bubbly foam would end up in Lake Okabena dominated the discussion. The foam, Benavides said, is composed of soap and water only, with no chemicals that could hurt a sewer system, clothing or people's skin.
If the foam is phosphorus-based, like many soaps, and ends up in the lake, it could potentially cause algae blooms, which reduce the amount of oxygen in the water for plants and animals and lead to an increase in those organisms' death rates.
Due to concerns about the lake, the council unanimously agreed to allow the foam party only pending the approval of Dwayne Haffield, the city's director of engineering.
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The alley behind the Long Branch would be closed off for the event, which would take place between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. on a night yet to be determined.
Music would be played during the event, but the council and Mike Cumiskey, the Worthington director of public safety, agreed the volume could be turned down if noise became a problem. Alcohol would not be permitted outside the Long Branch's building.
Benavides said he would ensure the alley was cleaned up the day after the party.
"In a couple hours, it disappears and melts," Benavides said.
Alderman Lyle Ten Haken cautioned Benavides to keep the party under control to prevent fights and lewd behavior, noting "If it's not kept under control, it'll be the last time I support (a foam party)."
In other news Monday, the council:
- Learned from Interim Administrator Gary Hoffman that 10 applications have been received for the city administrator position. Aug. 15 is the deadline for applications.
Appointed election judges and designated polling places for the general election. First Ward polling places are: First Baptist Church, first precinct; Farmers Room, Nobles County Administrative Building, second and third precincts; and American Reformed Church, fourth and fifth precincts.
Second Ward polling places are: Minnesota West Community and Technical College, first precinct; Nobles County Public Works Building, second and third precincts; and Solid Rock Assembly church, fourth and fifth precincts.
- Designated Alderman Mike Kuhle as the council's official delegate to Cuero, Texas, for Turkeyfest.
Approved a request to transfer $12,000 from the fire department revolving equipment fund to the general fund to be utilized for purchasing 20 new pagers. The pagers were scheduled to be replaced in 2009, but purchasing them in 2008 will result in a savings of $1,500.
Learned that Worthington Police Officer Randy Liepold and Canine Laika were recertified in the Regional K-9 Trials. Laika finished in first place in suspect find and second place in agility. The council was also updated on the WPD's fundraising progress for its second canine unit. So far they have raised $15,000, about half of their goal of $30,000 to $35,000.
