HERMANN – One of Hermann’s leading businessmen recently week urged city officials to develop the community into a “destination city” for the end-of-year holiday season, capitalizing on the German tradition of the celebration of Christmas.

Jim Dierberg, former owner of First Bank branches and now developer of Hermann Farm educational attraction and Hermanhoff winery, was joined by son Michael at the Aug. 24 session of the Hermann Board of Aldermen (BOA) to urge city leaders to make the community a main focus for travelers and tourists during November and December.

Those months are important, Dierberg explained, because they are the slowest economically for his and other businesses after they enjoy a profitable Oktoberfest celebration.

“Hermann has always had the holiday spirit,” Dierberg told the board. “You have all the things you need to be a destination city,” he added.

The father and son presented a brief video presentation of Christkindlmarkt activities in a couple of German communities, crowded streets bright with lights, smiling faces and participants dressed in holiday costume. “You’re like the towns in Germany; they’re the real thing, too,” the elder Dierberg said.

Michael Dierberg echoed his father’s comments in speaking to the BOA. “I think people are looking for this closeness that you can get here in Hermann,” he said.

The board appeared receptive to the Dierbergs’ comments.

“I think it’s something we can look into,” said Mayor Bruce Cox, noting that a committee would be assembled to work on Dierbergs’ suggestion.

Jim Dierberg concluded his presentation by appealing for a unified effort in making the destination city goal a reality.

“Let’s all row the boat in the same direction,” he said.

In other matters at the board’s second regular session of the month, the mayor noted the recent death of former Mayor John Bartel, who served as the city’s chief executive from 1990-96.

City Administrator Patricia Heaney reported to the board that after an initial lack of response regarding the upcoming retirement of Street Department Foreman Todd Lensing, they more recently received several applications for the post. Lensing is scheduled to leave his position in early spring.

The aldermen also gave second-round and final approval to a bill setting the city’s property tax rate for this year’s tax bills. The total rate is $0.3835 per each $100 of assessed value. That total amount breaks down to $0.3637 for the General Fund; $0.0093 for the Parks Fund; and $0.0103 for the Municipal Bank Fund.

The board also approved a hold harmless and indemnity agreement with Scenic Regional Library District regarding efforts the district wants to take to prevent a future flood such as the one that forced the Hermann branch to close for several weeks.

According to the city Attorney David Politte, the library district wants to rework the drainage system to redirect the flow of water during flash flood events. The city’s engineering firm doesn’t necessarily agree with the plan put forth by the district’s consulting engineers, arguing that the proposed move likely won’t prevent another damaging flood such as the one that struck properties in the Bavarian Plaza last year. The agreement between the city and Scenic Regional Library means the district can’t hold the city liable for further flood damage if the new water-diversion system performs as intended.

The city attorney said because of the geography of the area, there might not be much that can be done to avoid damage in the event of a flash flood.

“It’s just a building prone to flooding,” he said, noting that ALCO, which previously occupied the building now home to the Hermann library, flooded more than once.

Also during the session, the aldermen approved the return of Katie Kolks to the City Hall staff as a full-time employee. Kolks took part-time status Jan. 1. The return to full-time status was effective Sept. 1.

Approval was granted to a bid from Precision Precast for $16,550 for stormwater structures for the West 6th Street project.

Caterers’ Permits were approved for Fernweh Distilling Company, Blacksmith Distillery and Wood Hat Spirits, LLC., for this year’s Smokefest set for Sept. 19 at the Amphitheater and for Fernweh Distilling Company for the Hermann Harvest Festival on Sept. 26 at the Amphitheater.

Festival Event Applications were approved for a variety of organizations: Herman Lions Club sales of kettlekorn, food and beverages during Oktoberfest on the side lot of Wurst Haus; St. George Church for its Fall Dinner at 128 W. 4th St. from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 11; A Touch of Hope for the Festival of Hope with vendors, live music, food trucks and children’s activities, along with street closure of East 5th Street from Schiller to Gutenberg from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 2.

A special event application was approved for Tin Mill Brewery for a 4 to 8 p.m. alley closure on Oct. 2 between East 1st and 2nd streets from Gutenberg to just past the city parking lot, for safety purposes of the public and the Black Shires.