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Councilmember Dehen recommended staff also discuss this with the City Attorney regarding the <br />City's discretional immunity with respect to parks and trails (M.S. Section 466) and obtain his <br />legal opinion. <br />6) Holiday Party <br />Management Intern Hendricks reviewed the staff report. <br />Councilmember Look asked if charitable gambling could pay for the performance. <br />City Administrator Ulrich responded that was not allowed. <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated he was not in favor of this. He noted the City has been laying <br />people off and reducing budgets and the funds for a party was not a good idea. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated he was in favor of this. He believed the reduction in staff was because <br />those staff people did not have enough to do. <br />Councilmember Wise asked what was spent on the dinners last year. <br />City Administrator Ulrich responded the costs were approximately $1,500 for the Volunteer <br />Appreciation and between $500 and $3,000 for the staff dinner. <br />Councilmember Wise stated he could go either way on this. On the support side, this was a nicer <br />event for the staff, Council, and the volunteers. <br />Councilmember Look stated combining everything into one evening saved some costs. He noted <br />this year has been a particularly tough year on staff with the layoffs. He believed this would be a <br />nice gesture for staff. He noted this was about a $2,100 difference and they were supporting the <br />local theater so he was in favor of it. <br />Councilmember Dehen stated he was not in favor of this. He believed it gave residents a poor <br />outlook on Council for spending this kind of money for a party. He stated he had contacted <br />Northfork to ask them what they charged for a party and their parties were $200-$300 for the <br />rental fee, plus whatever catering costs would be. He stated he was fine with last year's party <br />and it promoted people mingling. He did not believe a formal dinner with a play was conducive <br />to a holiday party. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he was also not in favor of this. He stated he was not excited about <br />sponsoring a particular group. He wondered if the City could do something a little more special <br />or different. He believed the catering fees were too high. He stated he was going to talk to <br />Famous Dave's to see what they could cater it for. He stated he did agree there should be some <br />type of a party however. <br />Councilmember Wise stated the negative about the holiday party was that the catering fees were <br />high. He believed the party could be made simpler. <br />City Council Work Session /November 17, 2009 <br />Page 6 of 8 <br />