CCWS 08-23-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION AUGUST 23, 2004 2 . The St. Paul Foundation would charge the City a 1.4% administrative fee to pay for the cost associated with starting a ncw foundation program. The community foundation would create its own by-laws, committees, and fund distribution policies. It is important that the foundation remains flexible in order to adapt to on-going changes that periodically occur in society. The community foundation would be a separate entity from the City. Most boards do not have a government representative that serves on the foundation committee. The amount the City could withdraw in a single year would be five percent. Council Members believe that the community foundation idea would allow local rcsidents the opportunity to give back to their community. Community funds are great opportunities and ean be used to fund a number of important eivic programs (schools, churches, local government). Mayor Aplikowski polled the audience to see if people would fina11cially support a foundation program. The majority of thosc in attcndancc would support a formdation program. The Mayor and members of the City Council would like to consider a feasibility study to explore the foundation option further. Celebratine Arden Hills Re-cap Michelle Olson provided a financial recap of the celebrating Arden Hills festival. The activities were well attended. The City reeeived $15,000 from local business owners and residents. . Additional rcvcnue was brought-in through table and spacc rental and t-shirt sales. A majority of the festival events were free to the public. Staff would like to receive dircction from the City Council regarding future events and whether or not the City should explore other revenue options for this event. This year, the City spent more money on catering, tents, and beverages then in past yeaTS. Members ofthc City Council felt that a catered barbeque dincr was a big part of this event. It is an opportunity for people to meet and gather even i I' the weather is poor. Olson stated that one of the problems with catering meals is projecting the number ofpcople that will be eating at an event of this size. It is difficult and unpredictable to come up with a number of attendees. A second concern is the number of complimentary tickets that are distributed. A number of tickets are not being used and it would be beneficial for the City to rcdcem those tickets and sell them to people who are attending the celebration but do not have tickets. Olson also mentioned that the City could reduce the number of beverages that are available to the public. Members of the City Council raised concerns pertaining to the number of tickets sold. The caterer would not allow more than 400 people in the food line. In the end there was plenty of food left over and a number of people were not allowed to eat. Council would like to see this situation improved in the futurc. . An option for next yeaT would be for the City to pay an up-front cost and try to adjust the ticket costs accordingly.