Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/26/2020

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CC Work Session 2. 1. Meeting Date: 05/26/2020 Information Title: Discussion Regarding the Planning of Future City Events Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to gather Council feedback and to provide direction to staff in terms of how to commence in the planning of upcoming City events including: the Summer Concert Series, the Business Expo and EDA Golf Tournament and the Happy Days Festival. Happy Days Festival: An Special Meeting of the Happy Days Committee was called on Thursday, May 14. The purpose of the meeting was for the committee to provide a recommendation to the City Council as to whether the annual Happy Days festival be canceled, modified or commence as usual. City staff provided an update on COVID-19, shared a message from State Fair officials, presented research regarding what other Counties and Cities are doing in regards to their fairs and festivals, reviewed what a modified version of Happy Days could look like and provided a recommendation to the Committee. Staffs recommendation was to cancel the 2020 Happy Days Festival for the following reasons: 1. Budget 2. Staffing (Discuss Administrative Intern & One FT Employee Leave of Absence [LOA]) 3. Sponsorships 4. Volunteers 5. Governor's most recent recommendations Committee members provided feedback on staffs presentation. The minutes of the May 14 meeting are attached to this case. Also attached to this ase are Staffs presentation/notes. EDA Events (Business Expo & Golf Tournament): 2020 Business Expo: Staff has evaluated this event and has determined that it cannot meet social distancing requirements and guarantee safety for vendors and residents. Staff tried to contemplate what a virtual event would look like to takes its place but could not find a satisfactory alternative. On May 14, Staff communicated to the EDA that the event has been canceled for 2020. Staff feels that re -allocating resources this year to support advertising in the July -August Ramsey Resident for impacted businesses is a way to help our businesses advertise to residents in another way this year. Staff looks forward to resuming this event in 2021 Business Appreciation Day: Staff is optimistic that a plan can be developed that with to allow the Business Appreciation Day Event to happen in a different manner. The proposed event will have a much different look and feel that other years. Planning Goals include, but are not limited to • Networking with other Community Businesses through socially distanced golfing, which is already a recreational opportunity already allowed by the State of Minnesota • Networking between Community Businesses and City Officials . Celebrate the success of the Ramsey business community The In Person Awards Dinner presents the largest logistical challenge for the traditional event. Staff does not believe there is a safe way to maintain social distancing and provide meal service to a group of this size. Staff