Title
Establishing the Festivals and Events Security Credit.
Body
WHEREAS, in response to concerns from event organizers about rising security costs, the Saint Paul City Council allocated $155,000 in the 2026 budget to help subsidize security expenses for a limited number of festivals and events; and
WHEREAS, community festivals and events play a vital role in strengthening social bonds by bringing residents together across diverse backgrounds, while also contributing to the local economy by attracting visitors, supporting small businesses, and creating temporary employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, such events serve as important expressions of cultural heritage, celebrating the unique traditions and identities within communities, while fostering civic pride and enhancing the city's reputation by showcasing its creativity, diversity, and community spirit; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council recognizes both the benefits and associated costs of activating public spaces through festivals and events, and seeks to offset a portion of these expenses for a limited number of eligible organizers through a security credit; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby takes the following action:
1. Transfer the allocated $155,000 to the Saint Paul Police Special Fund to be applied directly to eligible festivals and events until the allocated funds are fully expended.
2. Authorize the Chief or the Chief’s designee in the Special Operations Unit to allocate a security credit of up to $7,000 or half of an event’s security cost, whichever is lower, to events that meet the following criteria;
a. Host organization must be based in Saint Paul, and the festival or event must take place within city limits; and
b. The festival or event must be free and open to the public, and free to all participants; and
c. The festival or event must:
i. have been held in St. Paul for at least five years total (the five years do not need to be cumulative), OR
ii. take place in an area of concentrated poverty; and
d. The festival or event must not be organized in support of a political candidate or political party; and
e. The host organization of the festival or event must not have outstanding balances or payments owed to the city.
3. Direct the Chief or the Chief’s designee in the Special Operations Unit to provide written notification to the City Council on a quarterly basis, that includes the amount awarded, and the remaining balance of the Festivals and Events Security Credit fund until the allocated funds are fully expended.
4. The Chief or the Chief’s designee in the Special Operations Unit are further directed and authorized to take all actions necessary to implement this Resolution.
Financial Analysis
See attachment.