Review Community and Business Event Participation

Purpose:  To review the community and business events City Council may be interested in participating in.

Background:    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.  Annually, the City Council and key City staff participate in various breakfast, gala and golf events in support of community and business organizations.

Events anticipated for 2014 include the following:

Anoka Area Chamber Gala
Anoka/Ramsey Rotary Events
Achieve Services, Inc. Annual Dinner
Boy Scout Breakfast
Hope Gala (Alexandra House)
Mayors' Prayer Breakfast
Youth First Community of Promise

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

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.   The budget and member participation is approved by the board annually.

The Legacy Christian Academy Scramble for Students was approved in the past, however, given that the role of this organization has diminished in Ramsey, it is recommended that it not be included in 2014.  Staff has removed them, however, if Council determines they should remain in the list, they will be listed again for formal approval. 

Approximately $3,068 was spent on these community and business events in 2011, approximately $1,083 was spent in 2012, and approximately $885 was spent in 2013. 

Staff is recommending that Council review the list of events provided by staff.  If there are some events the Council feels should be omitted, or any events Council would like to add, staff will update the list accordingly, and bring it for formal approval to the April 8, 2014 City Council meeting - via consent agenda.  Just because an event is listed, does not mean that the City will participate.  The level of participation is governed by the budget limits and the availability of people willing and able to participate.

Approximately 10 minutes.

The amount budgeted for 2014 for participation in community and business events is $3,000.  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.

City Administrator
City Clerk

In accordance with policy, to receive direction from Council with regard to the events they may wish to participate in so the list can be brought forward for formal approval to the April 8, 2014 City Council meeting - Consent Agenda.