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<br />could move it forward to get the project moving with local and County funds and then it <br />would be the same situation as the Hanson overpass. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued relating to development in the Town Center and the transportation <br />corridor - rail station. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich announced that Representative Jim Abeler would be at the next <br />meeting to have a similar conversation with Council. <br /> <br />3) City Festival Funding <br /> <br />Management Intern Hendricks presented information on how other cities fund their <br />festivals. She detailed the labor costs and added that some cities are providing staff as in <br />kind donations. She noted that at the December 1 Council Work Session, the idea of <br />having a carnival at Happy Days was brought up. She stated that with our festival being <br />one day, it is unlikely that these carnival companies would be interested in participating <br />in our event. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wise stated that is his point. Why wouldn't we want to make it a two- <br />day event. We would get more outside interest to invest in this festival if it were two <br />days. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated he kind of echoes that, but one thing he thought'that was <br />really neat in Anoka was their gathering of various people who had pontoons and giving <br />rides for three hours up the river. We should promote our boat landing. He wished we <br />had more support from our Commissioner - there doesn't seem to be much interest in <br />Anoka County to get some access to waterways, etc. He stated he would like to see the <br />festival expanded. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that expanding puts more work on the Police, Fire, Public Works, <br />etc. That would make it more expensive but he supposes a carnival would help offset <br />that. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGlone suggested letting someone else do the festival. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that the problem with doing it privately is if it gets going <br />and the people are complaining that they do not have the opportunity to get in on it. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey suggested doing it like the County Fair - designating a carnival area. The <br />fairgrounds has that - and then they also have the livestock etc., which the Fair Ground <br />Committee runs - we could also have a dual entity. He stated we would still need staff <br />time - really all we are talking about doing is adding a for-profit entity. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated you could still do things that are City oriented and add car <br />shows and carnivals, etc. The opportunity is there and these entities will pay for <br />themselves but he felt it would have to go to a two-day event. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session - January 5, 2010 <br />Page 5 of9 <br />