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<br />Ms. Sykes stated that she is the non-profit end and has worked for General Mills for 26 years. <br />She stated that one of her co-worker's daughters had to have a heart transplant and she was asked <br />to help find a way to help that family raise money. She stated that they talked about this event <br />helping to raise money for this family, other organ donation funds or others such as Veterans. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated that it is tough to know how many people to expect because this <br />event/concept is so unique. He stated that the closest thing that he has been able to find was four <br />schools that got together in Joliet, Illinois. He stated that this is a different concept than the usual <br />, class reunion and it was difficult to find a place to hold it. He stated that they are guessing 2,000 <br />to 4,000 people but it depends on who they are able to line up, as far as music groups. He noted <br />that if someone is already on tour and you can piggy back on that, it is cheaper to get big name <br />talent. He would like to have someone like Elton John, Nickelback, Black Eyed Peas, and some <br />great gospel and country groups. He stated that if there is just one headliner, there would <br />probably be 2,500 people. He stated that if they could get Vince Gill and a good strong country <br />roster, there could be 8,000 or as many as 10,000. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked what schools he is looking at. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated that they would look at schools from the whole Twin Cities area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that this since this would be open to everybody, he asked why it <br />was being marketed as a high school reunion type event. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated that they have contacted six schools that like the idea. He noted that with <br />more people, you can get better talent and you can section off areas for specific schools and even <br />have special speakers lined up during the day. <br /> <br />Ms. Sykes confirmed that it is an open event and she is hoping that when it is advertised, others <br />will come too, but the main event will be the high school reunion. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson reiterated that this is a new event and are hoping that Central Park in Ramsey could <br />be the home for this event. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that she sees he has been involved in other shows in other cities. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated that they were rock and roll and a different format. He stated that the one in <br />Rochester was the Great Western Barbeque, which had the whole City behind it and noted that <br />they had record beer sales. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that alcohol will be served on Saturday, but not Sunday. He asked <br />Police Chief Way about how that is handled, if he feels this is the right spot for the event, and <br />whether 5,000 to 10,000 people can be handled there. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way stated that the Council can grant permission to have alcohol there, but they <br />would need a liquor license or to hire someone like Well's Catering who can serve alcohol. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / October 21, 2008 <br />Page 2 of 11 <br />