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<br />Acting Mayor Riley stated that since he has seen cancelations for local and state events, he has <br />changed his original position and is unsure that the event could take place. <br /> <br />Councilmember Heinrich asked for details on how the event could be modified. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that the modified option could be holding different events <br />separately. He used the example of businesses and residents completing certain activities that <br />could be on display for people to drive around the city to view, similar to holiday lights. He noted <br />that fireworks were discussed but there are concerns on how that could be socially distanced. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated that he feels that with the closure of the State Fair and Armstrong <br />Game Fair, the City does not seem to have a choice but to also cancel Happy Days for 2020. <br /> <br />Councilmember Heinrich stated that she believes that the car show could be done honoring social <br />distance. She stated that if a full Happy Days Festival is not held, perhaps pieces of the event <br />could still take place. She stated that the State Fair and Anoka County Fair do not compare to <br />Happy Days in terms of size and community engagement. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that staff discussed those medium level activities such as the car <br />show, bike ride, and others. <br /> <br />Police Chief Katers stated that if there was a planned event and the dedicated staff resources from <br />the police were planned for, an event of that nature could be accommodated for. He explained that <br />community service officers are used for events and are supplemented with full-time officers. He <br />stated that he would prefer the activity be contained to a certain area, noting that a lot more <br />planning and officer time is needed for events like the bike ride. He stated that from a public safety <br />point of view, he would like to see a contained area and well-planned event if something moves <br />forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Menth stated that the idea of congregating people together seems to be against the <br />intent of social distancing. He stated that he would be afraid that the City would be creating the <br />problem and holding an event would be contrary to what the State is telling people to do. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked if trails are used for the bike ride. She stated that perhaps a ride <br />be done on the trail along the Mississippi and another route that travels along trails in a different <br />portion of the community. She stated that option would be outdoors and encourages people to be <br />outside. She stated that it seems that the police would need to do almost the same amount of work <br />for fewer activities. She hoped that the event could continue in some format but was unsure that <br />there would be enough buy in. <br /> <br />Communications and Events Coordinator Thorstad replied that there are two established routes for <br />the bike ride that are used each year. She confirmed that the trails are utilized but there is some <br />crossing of intersections. She stated that the car show itself could be done, but the challenge would <br />be managing the spectators. She stated that she does not want to speak for the public works and <br />parks and recreation departments but believed that staff could come together and find a way to do <br />City Council Work Session / May 26, 2020 <br />Page 2 of 7 <br /> <br />