WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER BRIEFS March 24, 2004: Wednesday evening in addition to the Kids City and Louis Cappelli buzz, the Common Council agreed to raise Parking Rates, Water Rates, (details to come in future stories) and approved Bensidoun USA as the operator of the French Market at $1,000 a year, with no futher financial details disclosed. The Council also agreed to raise the amount of the Downtown Business Improvement Association assessment of member businesses from $400,000 to $450,000, raising the BID Budget overall to $500,000. John Martin said the BID receives the extra $50,000 in donations.

The Council said it was reviewing the Draft Findings Statement on the Cappelli Hotel Project.

Mr. Cappelli updated the Council on the status of the City Center South Tower, saying he would begin construction again Monday and complete the South Tower building and the Loft Condominum by June 1, 2005.  He said he would be opening a sales office for the condominums next to sales office in the North Tower. He said his crews had been laying power under the City Center Garage to deliver the power to run his construction crane to proceed with the South Tower the last week.

The Council wrapped up the action at 11:40 P.M., after Joseph Nicoletti advised the council that the city spent $300,000 over their snow budget ($500,000) this winter. Half of the $300,000 was for salt, another $100,000 for overtime, and the balance asphalt and chemicals. They postponed their Executive Session until another day.