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Department Approval l�'�, Jy REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date: March 23, 2009 Item No.: 7.g Acting City Manager Approval � .�: �� Item Description: Legislation that would allow Minnesota schools to open before Labor Day BACKGROUND This year Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7. Several school districts have lobbied to repeal the state law that prohibits schools from opening before Labor Day. Legislators in both the House and Senate have introduced two bills that would allow schools to open before Labor Day. One bill removes the prohibition permanently, and the other bill removes the prohibition for two years. The Roseville Visitors Association provided the City with information about why this change would be harmful to the community, and to the state as a whole. They request the City to oppose such legislation. The Minnesota State Fair reported that in 2004, the last year that schools were allowed to open before Labor Day, cumulative fair attendance during the three school days was down 58,000 over the previous four-year average. Sad weather followed the early start further reduced overall attendance by more then 100,000 from the previous year, and the fair operated at a loss for the first time in 24 years. Estimates are that the annual economic impact of the fair is nearly $200 million in the Twin Cities. Roseville is the closest hotel community, so our City would carry a large share of the loss. In addition to hotels, Roseville's restaurants, shopping centers, businesses and other amenities would likely see a reduction in the number of visitors over the week before Labor Day. Many of Roseville's businesses depend upon the money generated during the State Fair. Some businesses may be forced to lay off employees if businesses do not receive that additional income. FINANCIAL IMPACTS No direct impact. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Direct City Manager to contact Roseville's legislative delegation and express opposition to the proposed legislation. Page 1 of 2