Title
Authorizing City Firefighters to participate in the partnership between the International Association of Fire Firefighters and the Muscular Dystrophy Association by soliciting for donations during the 2024 "Fill the Boot" campaign.
Body
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute section 469.90 authorizes, notwithstanding any law or ordinance to the contrary, cities to permit on-duty firefighters to solicit charitable contributions from motorists provided:
1. The solicitation is for only one charitable organization annually;
2. The charitable organization is qualified under section 501 (cX3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is registered as a charity under state law;
3. The solicitation does not occur for more than three days, whether or not consecutively, in any calendar year; and
4. The charitable organization provides to the municipality proof of commercial general liability insurance against claims for bodily injury and property damage if the injury or damage occurs (i) on public streets, roads, or rights-of-way, or (ii) as a result of the solicitor's activities. The insurance must have a limit of not less than $1,500,000 per occurrence and an endorsement of the policy naming the municipality as an additional insured; and
WHEREAS, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is the labor organization that represents the Saint Paul Firefighter IAFF Local 21 firefighters who serve the public by saving lives and protecting property in the cities and governmental units throughout the United States and Canada; and
WHEREAS, the IAFF is the single largest national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA); and
WHEREAS, since 1954, when it first initiated its partnership with the MDA, IAFF members have raised over $700 million towards the worldwide research efforts of MDA to eradicate 40 neuromuscular diseases as well as help support MDA's summer camps for children, professional and public health education, and other programs; and
WHEREAS, each year firefighters raise millions of dollars nationwide through their Fill the Boot campaigns, in which firefighters collect donations of money to MDA in their fire boots; and
WHEREAS, several cities across the United States annually allow their firefighter crews to conduct the Fill the Boot campaign activities in a manner that leaves them available and responsible to responding to emergency calls; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Firefighters are active members of the IAFF Local 21 and have previously participated in the Fill the Boot campaign; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Firefighters intend to conduct their 2024 Fill the Boot activities on October 1, 2, and 3, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul supports the efforts of IAFF Local 21 and the MDA to find a cure for these terrible diseases; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul recognizes that participation by its firefighters in the nationwide MDA Fill the Boot campaign serves not only to raise money for the MDA but also benefits the City by greatly enhancing the image of its firefighters as dedicate public servants engaged in community through their employment and in service to charitable causes; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul Firefighters conduct their Fill the Boot activities with their assigned fire rigs such as to permit immediate response to any call for service; and now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul, that Saint Paul firefighter participation in the 2024 Fire the Boot campaign is hereby approved for the three days beginning October 1, 2024 and ending October 3, 2024, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul firefighter participation in the 2024 Fill the Boot campaign will neither interfere with nor preclude firefighters from the performance of their regular daily duties nor detract from other obligations to the public, and be it further
RESOLVED, the Saint Paul firefighter participation in the 2024 Fill the Boot campaign will be in the public interest and primarily serve as a public purpose, and be it further
RESOLVED, that City of Saint Paul firefighter participation in the 2024 Fill the Boot campaign contingent upon compliance with the conditions set forth in Minnesota Statutes Section 465.90 and be it further
RESOLVED, that City of Saint Paul Firefighters' participation in the 2024 Fill the Boot campaign is subject to reasonable conditions and limitations as may be established by the Fire Chief.