Consider Request of the Ramsey Foundation for Lawful Gambling Funds for the Concert Series

Since around 2012, the City of Ramsey Foundation a 501(C)(3) has assisted the City with The Draw Summer Events Series—primarily with respect to fundraising and concert promotions. Each year the cost of the concerts was shared between the City and Foundation. In the early years, the Foundation covered most of the concert expenses through donations from Ramsey businesses.  Coinciding with improved programming (more expensive bands), the City provided a larger share of performer expenses. For 2016 this was $8,000, of the approximately $15,000 in payments to bands.

Within the City of Ramsey's 2017 General Fund line item budget is $5,000 for the Foundation for this Summer's Concert Series.  The purpose of this case is respond to the request of the Foundation for a $3,000 contribution from the Lawful Gambling Fund, to 'close the gap' in the anticipated funding for a total City share (two sources) of $8,000. 

Funding from the Lawful Gambling Fund is wholly appropriate, and the uses and restriction for this fund are detailed within the excerpt from the City Charter's Finance and Fund Policy, attached (under letter C 3) below.

The 2016 concert assessment from Intern Nathan Greenwald is attached for additional information.

Lawful Gambling Fund 9270

Staff recommends the appropriation of $3,000 to the City of Ramsey Foundation as this case discusses.

Motion to recommend that City Council allocate $3,000 to the City of Ramsey Foundation for The Draw Summer Event Series.