Title
Authorizing the write off of Police staffing costs for qualifying free public cultural festivals and community events.
Body
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that free public cultural festivals and community events are a public benefit that generate economic activity, activate public space, and support neighborhood vitality; and
WHEREAS, police staffing and related public safety services required by the City for such events constitute a municipal cost incurred to protect public safety and the orderly use of public space; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that subsidizing certain public safety costs for qualifying cultural festivals and community events serves a valid public purpose by supporting continued public access to cultural programming and stabilizing neighborhood based events; and
WHEREAS, under current economic conditions and enforcement related disruptions, certain community organizations lack the financial capacity to absorb these public safety costs without jeopardizing the continuation of their events; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City Council, through this resolution, to authorize a one time public safety cost subsidy by writing off specified Accounts Receivable invoices associated with police staffing for qualifying events held in calendar year 2025.
WHEREAS, Chapter 96 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code governs the collection and write off of Accounts Receivable owed to the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, Section 96.05 of the Saint Paul Administrative Code authorizes the City Council to write off Accounts Receivable invoices by resolution when the action serves a clearly articulated public purpose and sets forth the factual basis for that determination; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has further exercised its authority to eliminate or write off library related fees and fines in recognition that access to public services, education, and community resources should not be restricted by financial barriers; and
WHEREAS, ...
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