It appears another summer will pass without a major festival in downtown Stillwater, but not for lack of debate.
The City Council remains divided on just how to replace Lumberjack Days, the regional festival that saw its last run in 2011 after a spate of public complaints about unpaid bills. The promoter, David Eckberg, makes another court appearance in late May.
City Council members haven't decided the city's role in future festivals, but they asked City Administrator Larry Hansen to gather information about city-employed event coordinators and how much they are paid.
St. Paul, Minneapolis and Woodbury have such city jobs, but Hanson also has polled smaller cities.
"We're looking for something a little more germane to our size in Stillwater," he said.
Hansen also has asked the city attorney to review potential liability if the city enters the event business.
"There's been no decision made about how we're going to do this," he said.
kevin giles
