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NILES — Three upcoming community events got the go-ahead Monday night from the Niles City Council.

Council members approved the Hero Run scheduled for April 20, the Niles Renaissance Faire set for May 18-19 and the Niles Burn Run scheduled for July 26-28.

The Hero Run is sponsored by LifePlan which is located at 527 E. Main and is a fundraising event for the organization. The time for the April 20 event is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will start out from Riverfront Park.

Organizers asked for and received approval of three requests: the closure of Sycamore Street into the park at the beginning of the race, access to electricity at the park for amplified sound and monitoring of the event and traffic control. The cost for all three requests is expected to be $882.80.

The Hero Run was approved on a 6-1 vote with Michael Thompson voting no and John DiCostanzo absent. Thompson said he opposed using taxpayer dollars to help a nonprofit.

The Renaissance Faire was approved on a unanimous vote as Thompson said he thought it was “awesome” that organizers aren’t asking for any city funds.

The Renaissance Faire is scheduled for May 18-19 at Plym Park on the city’s north side. It will feature costumed reenactors performing historical demonstrations, jousting and theatrical shows, music and dancing. Vendors will also offer items for sale and food and drink will be available.

The council’s approval means that the park is reserved for the faire with set up starting the prior Thursday as some participants will be camping in the park. A fence will run along the front of the faire, along Marmont and along the side that abuts the golf course.

A faire organizer spoke during public comments and said it was the sixth year for the gathering. She said last year’s event drew almost 3,000 people which was an increase from previous years.

The last event to gain council approval was the 23rd annual Niles Burn Run. It was approved on a 6-1 vote with Thompson voting no. He said that it was a great cause but he had to vote no because he is against using taxpayer funds.

The festival will be held in Riverfront Park beginning July 26 and running through July 28. The festival concludes with a 50-mile motorcycle ride through Southwest Michigan and all proceeds go to fund summer camp for children who have injured or impacted by fire. Last year, the Burn Run was able to donate $38,000 to the Great Lakes Burn Camp.

The weekend’s activities will include vendor booths, children’s activities, a car, bike and truck show and music. The city will provide services including traffic control, signage and exclusive use of the amphitheater and park.

In other action, council members approved purchases for city departments.

City Hall will be getting a new video intercom system for the third floor and replacement condenser/coil and head unit for the server room. The winning bid of $3,600 for the video intercom system came from FSS Technologies of Ypsilanti. It will provide for greater security and monitoring of visitors to City Hall for after hour meetings.

The replacement condenser/coil and head unit will be purchased from A-1 Refrigeration of Kalamazoo for $5,926.50. It is needed since the server room requires year-round air conditioning due to the heat produced by the equipment in the room.

The police department’s Emergency Operations Center will get new equipment costing $3,481.01 from Adams Remco of South Bend. The old projector in the training room will be replaced with new touchscreen tv that allows for webinar and collaborative features.

New tablets for the Police Department and Utilities Manager will be purchased from SHI of Somerset, New Jersey for $44,157.79. The city is expected to save money by being able to use existing docks, accessories and hardware.

Council members approved appointing Ruth Slater to a three-year term on the Niles Public Art Commission and Jamie Bennett to a three-year term on the Planning Commission.