Holiday Events Update

The purpose of this case is to update the Council regarding Winter holiday events. City staff is planning on a tree lighting ceremony at City Hall's plaza similar to what has been done in previous years, on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021.  However, instead of cutting down and transporting a live tree and assembling/lighting in house with the help of Connexus Energy, staff is planning to purchase an artificial, pre-lit 'pop up' tree in the amount of $6,295 (plus shipping). This tree stands 25’ tall, with 427 LED bulbs and comes with a 36” tree topper star.  The holiday tree lighting evening will again include an polymer clay ornament class, pictures with Santa and horse drawn carriage rides.

City staff also is organizing, and will be promoting a 'holiday lights contest' as indicated in the Strategic Plan. Registration will be hosted through our CivicRec platform and there is no cost to participate.  Registration will be open from October 1 - December 3. Upon registration close, staff will create a map indicated all registered addresses so that residents might conduct a self-guided tour through Ramsey.  (All participating addresses must be within Ramsey.)  A first, second and third place overall winner will be awarded. Judging for the lighting contest will take place the week of December 13 - 17 and winners will be announced via social media and on the City's website (the judging will take place after the Jan/Feb Ramsey Resident has gone to the printer).

Staff also plans to string holiday lights around City Hall generally from the elevator tower (southern boundary) to Sunwood Drive (northern boundary) and from Sapphire street (eastern boundary) to the parking ramp (western boundary). Lights will be displayed from December through the start of January.  This labor component would  likely be contracted out.

10 minutes

Funding for the 25' artificial tree is proposed to be from City Council's contingency line item (for services and purchases) which has an unencumbered balance of $15,000. 

Funding for the contracted cost of stringing the holiday lights around the Municipal Center would come from the Park & Recreation General Fund budget for contracted services.  The art class to be scheduled on November 30th is funded largely by participant fees.

Expenses for Santa, the horse drawn trolley, cookies and coffee are anticipated to be less than $1,200 and funded by Administrative Services General Fund allocations.

Mark Riverblood - Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent  
Kayleigh Sonterre - Recreation Specialist
Megan Thorstad - Communications & Events Coordinator

To provide Council with an update regarding holiday events.