Approve Community and Business Event Participation

Annually, the City Council and key City staff participate in various breakfast, gala and golf events in support of community and business organizations.  The City's Discretionary Expenditures Policy requires that annually, the City Administrator review upcoming events with the Council.  Additionally, the policy states that annually the Council will establish a maximum amount for community and business relation expenses.  A new event that Ramsey was invited to participate in for 2012 was the Legacy Christian Academy's Scramble for Students golf tournament.  Staff has added that event to the list for Council to review.  

Events anticipated for 2013 include the following:

Anoka Area Chamber Gala, February
Boy Scout Breakfast, February
Mayors Prayer Breakfast, March
Mercy Unity Foundation Crystal Ball, April

Golf Events (May - September):
Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce
Anoka/Ramsey Rotary
Anoka Technical College
Bridge Link
Mercy & Unity Hospitals
Ramsey Lions
North Metro Mayors Association
Golfing for Groceries - Village Bank
Youth First Community of Promise
Legacy Christian Academy Scramble for Students

It should be noted that annually, the EDA members budget for and participate in a  number of community and business events for business retention and expansion purposes.  Additionally, the HRA members and staff participate in events on behalf of the HRA.  The budget and member participation is approved by each of those boards annually.

Approximately $3,068 was spent on these community and business events in 2011 and approximately $1,083 was spent in 2012.

Staff recommends that the Council review the list of events provided by staff.  If there are some events that the Council feels should be omitted, or any events Council would like to add, this item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Agenda for further discussion and direction.  The suggested motion has been crafted to include primarily the same events as in past years. 

The amount budgeted for 2013 for participation in community and business events is $3,400.  That amount would come out of the miscellaneous operating and supplies (Mayor & Council) budget.  If additional funding is required, staff recommends designating funds from the Council Contingency Fund.

Motion to approve participation in the following events for 2013:

Anoka Area Chamber Gala, February
Boy Scout Breakfast, February
Mayors Prayer Breakfast, March
Mercy Unity Foundation Crystal Ball, April

Golf Events (May - September):
Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce
Anoka/Ramsey Rotary
Anoka Technical College
Bridge Link
Mercy & Unity Hospitals
Ramsey Lions
North Metro Mayors Association
Golfing for Groceries - Village Bank
Youth First Community of Promise
Legacy Christian Academy Scramble for Students