Approve Request for Special Events Permit; Case of The Penalty Box Bar & Grill, 14077 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Ramsey

Purpose:  To request approval of a Special Events Permit to allow a tent party which includes live music and bingo. 

Background:  The Penalty Box has submitted an application for a temporary Special Events Permit for outdoor live music and bingo in a tent in their parking lot at 14077 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Ramsey.   The event would be one night, Friday, September 23, 2016, beginning at 8:00 p.m. with the request to allow the band to play until midnight.  Similar requests have been granted to The Penalty Box as well as to other like businesses in the City, with the caveat that the amplifiers are turned down at 11:00 p.m.  The type of music would be either Maiden Dixie which is country or Rat Pack which is 70's music. 

The applicant is estimating about 200 people will attend.  The applicant will provide security guards throughout the tent and the parking lot along with hiring two licensed Ramsey Police Officers.  Parking will be in the parking lot and behind the building.  A production company will be hired to take care of lighting and sound.  ACE Solid Waste has been contracted with for 20 additional waste receptacles which will be placed around the area and will be emptied on Saturday.  The tent will be removed from the grounds Saturday morning.

Staff has worked with The Penalty Box in the past with regard to tent placement, most recently 2012,  and has been assured that the tent would be placed in the same location it was approved for then by Public Safety staff and the City Council.  The tent will measure 80 x 100.  As in the past, The Penalty Box will notify the other tenants in the mall of the event and have them sign off on the notification.  Staff will receive copies of such notifications.  Also, as in the past, two Ramsey officers will be assigned to work security at the party for the half hour before the band starts, during, and a half hour after the band stops playing.  The rate of pay is $81 per hour, per officer.  A $1,000 escrow account will be set up prior to the event.  If charges over $1,000 are incurred, Mr. McManus, owner of The Penalty Box, will be billed and if there is money remaining in the escrow account once everything has been taken care of, Mr. McManus will be issued a refund for the remainder. 

The Penalty Box staff will notify the other mall tenants in writing,  The tenants will be asked to sign the notifications and copies will be provided for City staff.

Staff is recommending the Council approve the request for the Special Events Permit for The Penalty Box, which also includes allowing the band to play until midnight with the criteria listed under Council action.

Motion to approve the Special Events Permit for The Penalty Box Bar & Grill, 14077 St. Francis Boulevard NW, contingent upon the following:

• The tent will be located in front of and as close as possible to the building. 
• The band will be allowed to play until midnight with the volume to be turned down at 11:00 p.m.
• The tent will be inspected by the Ramsey Fire Department, and must pass the inspection.
• $1,000 will be placed in escrow by Friday, September 16, to pay for the two licensed Ramsey Officers and any other expenses that may be incurred by the City, with the understanding that if the costs exceed $1,000, Mr. McManus will be billed for the remainder.  If the entire amount is not expended, Mr. McManus will be reimbursed the amount left.
• City staff will receive copies of the signed notifications to the other mall tenants by September 1.
• The tent will be removed from the grounds Saturday morning, September 24.