Approve Community and Business Event Participation

Purpose:  To formally approve the community and business event participation discussed at a work session on March 25, 2014.

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.  A list of anticipated events was brought to the City Council for discussion on Tuesday, March 25, in work session.  The following was approved:

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

Golf:
--  Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce
--  Anoka/Ramsey Rotary
--  Anoka Technical College
--  Bridge Link
--  North Metro Chamber Golf
--  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.

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.  It should be noted that just because an event is listed, it does not mean that the City will participate.  The level of participation is governed by the budget limits and the availability of people (staff, commission members, and Council) willing and able to participate.

The Council may revise this list as they deem appropriate.  Participation is limited by both budget and time commitments, so any modifications to the list should take that fact into consideration.

The amount budgeted for 2014 for participation in community and business events is $3,000.  That amount is designated under the miscellaneous operating and supplies (Mayor and Council) budget.  If additional funding is required, staff recommends designating funds from the Council Contingency Fund.

Staff recommends approving the list presented, as discussed at the 3/25/14 City Council Work Session.

Motion to approve participation in the the list of Community and Business Events.