Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/28/2014

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CITY OF RAMSEY Description of Community Programs and Donations Environmental Expo This event is intended to introduce, encourage and educate residents on environmentally relevant topics and sustainability. The event is free for attendees and exhibitors. Topics include wildlife (typically have live raptors and/or reptiles as part of the event), recycling, water conservation, sustainable cleaning products, information on outdoor activities (e.g. geocaching), rocks and fossils, and energy. Note that in 2013, the Expo event was incorporated into Happy Days which likely increased the number of attendees. EDA Business Expo The Business Expo is hosted locally, annually. This event is well received by local retailers. Local retailers find the value in the event by reaching their target audience. Typically, around 60 booths are secured with 200-300 attendees. This event runs roughly from mid -morning to early afternoon. A similar expo, but much larger in scale, is held at Happy Days. This event creates and fosters a buy local atmosphere for residents and businesses. EDA Business Appreciation Golf Tournament The EDA Business Appreciation Golf Tournament is a longtime event the EDA has hosted for years. It is very well attended with 100-144 golfers. Substantial prizes are donated from local businesses. This event serves as the EDA's way of saying "thank you" to our businesses for their investment in Ramsey. A typical crowd at the event is prominent businesses with a large footprint in the community. This is a well -received event by the business community. LATE SUMMER EVENT. EDA Business Networking Event The EDA Business Networking Event provides a welcoming atmosphere for our local businesses to network. A free breakfast is provided to attendees. Typically, a local business leader speaks along with Staff and Elected Officials providing updates on Ramsey developments. This is an excellent venue that facilitates cohesion amongst our businesses, opens lines of communication and affords the City an opportunity to seek feedback on how the community is doing —constructive feedback on our services, support, projects, etc. This event is well attended with 30-50 businesses attending. FALL EVENT. Farmers Market AND Draw Park Summer Concert Series The Draw Summer Event Series is the example of successful collaboration between the Ramsey Foundation and the City in the delivery of FREE recreation for residents (concerts paid for by sponsors) — and building sense of community. Additionally, by having the Farmer's Market at the same venue, it provides both an opportunity for residents to obtain healthy, locally grown foods — all -the -while supporting small businesses that sponsor the events, the concessionaire, the growers and vendors at the market, as well as the performers. Further, the concert and companion market encourages people to keep more of their purchases local (and locally grown) — and builds familiarity with The COR and those businesses... While about 10% of concert attendees' bike or walk to the events, most do not. In 2013, Staff took traffic counts (of autos) on a 'normal' weekday and also on Thursday around The Draw. Approximately 968 more vehicles were tallied coming into The Draw area of The COR as a result of the market and concert. Extrapolating to an average of 2 persons per vehicle + bicyclists' and pedestrians results in a minimum of 2,000 plus park patrons for programmed Thursdays (in 2013)... This, is an example of park facilities functioning not only as a place to recreate, but also as an element of sustainable economic development. Page 6