Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/16/2021 - Special

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desired or expected. EDA Events (Business Expo, Golf Tournament & Business Networking Event: The EDA will begin detailed event planning in the coming months. Broad Council direction is helpful to set general parameters and expectations. The Council has delegated event planning responsibilities for these events to the EDA, but the Council still has general oversight. EDA Business Expo: This event is typically held in April and consists of hundreds of attendees and dozens of vendors in an indoor venue. The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic. Due to forecasted COVID-19 levels in 2021 and the lead-time needed for event planning, Staff is recommending that the 2021 event be shifted to October. This will allow for public health measures and vaccinations to catch up and allow for larger events as well as avoid conflicts with Happy Days planning. Related, Staff recommends some sort of spring business spotlight. In 2020, this spotlight was a special insert for the Ramsey Resident and waiver of ad fees for Ramsey Businesses. Other ideas include, but are not limited to 'passport' events and other events that encourage Residents and Businesses to patronize local businesses. EDA Business Appreciation Day/Golf Tournament: The EDA was able to host a modified version of the Golf Tournament in 2020 and would plan to do so again. In 2020, the EDA hosted a golf tournament with a staggered start. The awards dinner was canceled. Current Executive Orders allow for this type of recreation event and a golf format allows for adequate social distancing. Staff will plan on some form of modified Awards Ceremony/Dinner for the time being, but it is anticipated that pandemic rules will still necessitate reduced capacity. This is still an improvement to the 2020 event, but pandemic restrictions still remain in place. If pandemic restrictions allow for a full, normal event, Staff will plan on doing so. There is sufficient lead time to plan for changes as we get closer to the event. Staff will simply remain flexible if capacity needs to be reduced as the event draws near. EDA Business Networking Event: This event was canceled for 2020 and a virtual webinar was held in its place. This event is typically held in November (or December). Staff has ample time to plan for this event and is planning a return to a normal format unless restrictions at the time necessitate a change. At minimum, it appears that a reduced capacity in person event is possible. A decision is not needed today. Timeframe: 20 minutes (high-level direction only) Funding Source: Public Works; Parks & Recreation Operations budget allocations (with Summer Concert Series funded by the Lawful Gambling Fund, and potential Ramsey Foundation contributions) EDA - Business Expo, Business Appreciation Day/Golf Tournament, Business Networking Breakfast Happy Days Fund - Happy Days Responsible Party(ies): Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Mark Riverblood Deputy City Administrator Tim Gladhill and Economic Development Manager Sean Sullivan Communications and Events Coordinator Megan Thorstad Outcome: To provide direction to staff in terms of how to commence in the planning of upcoming City events including: the Summer Concert Series, EDA events, the Happy Days Festival, and the tree lighting/Christmas winter event..