Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/26/2020

Home

continues to explore a modified event as follows: 1. Split Course Event utilizing Rum River Hills Golf Course and the Links at Northfork. This provides an opportunity to maximize social distancing in a variety of ways. It also provides a unique opportunity to utilize Rum River Hills Golf Course that normally is unable to accommodate the size of this event. 2. Change the Awards Dinner to a 'Grab and Go' Dinner. Staff would recommend that the event provide Gift Cards from full service restaurants in Ramsey. This would not only provide an alternative to the traditional meal, it would also support our local restaurants also impacted by the pandemic. 3. Change the Awards Ceremony to a Virtual or Streaming Event. This would likely occur at a later date. This could be live streamed or taped in advance. Staff believes we can work with QCTV and/or current staff to get footage from the event and weave into an event summary of the day at the two courses. It could include the teams, hole sponsors, City Council, EDA and recognition of Panther Precision as the 2020 Business of the Year. A link to a video or a PDF would be provided after the event. Within a week would be ideal. 4. Tournament Champions and Other Award Winners. Winners from each course will be determined and recognized for their achievement. Complete Tournament standings will be posted by team and score and could be included in the virtual event ceremony. 5. A participant list could be created and shared with all hole sponsors and teams so they can contact each other outside of the event. A random draw could be done for door prizes but more thought would have to go into this process. 6. Prize Giveaway. Typically we have an event giveaway for participants. Staff believes we need to get a "green light" to hold this event ASAP. The event is currently scheduled for August 18, 2020. However, Staff would be open to alternative dates if needed. Staff would like to bring the Event to EDA for consideration/approval on June 11, 2020. Summer Concert Series: It may be noted here here that this popular outdoor event is 'ready to go' with the bands secured for the 2020 concert season scheduled to commence on June 18th. However, no down payments with the bands or promoters has occurred, and no final contracts are in place. Additionally of note, is this is the Ten Year Anniversary of performances at The Draw. With the uncertainties surrounding all community events, Recreation Specialist Abby Proulx has been communicating with the performers, with each of them expressing an understanding of the situation, and also comfortable 'standing by' until a determination can be made as to the status of any performances at the park. Two alternatives appear to exist at this time relative to the concert season; 1. Simply canceling the season and perhaps signing the same bands for the 2021 season. 2. Or, perhaps canceling the June performances, and evaluating the feasibility of July/August concerts in mid -June if restrictions on gatherings 'loosen' somewhat, together with stringent seating separation and one-way movement on the steps and walks within the amphitheater. In this scenario, if food and beverages are are not provided for sale, this could provide for assembly for the 90 minute event, with an understanding that concert goers are to remain seated except for limited movement to access the restroom etc. However, for this to be realistic and tenable, children (and pets) may have to be restricted from the amphitheater area proper. In e-mail correspondence with the Ramsey Foundation membership, most felt that managing or being responsible for appropriate distancing was not achievable nor realistic. Staff does not have a recommendation at this time, and seeks Council consensus on whether to cancel the season, or develop a plan that may allow the later season concerts to continue with stringent protocols in place that allow the public to feel safe, and also, not be incongruent with other events in the community that do need to be canceled for 2020. Timeframe: Funding Source: