Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to spend up to $1,000 to supply food and beverage for those working the Hmong Freedom Festival and Sports Tournament.
Body
WHEREAS, the Hmong Freedom Festival and Sports Tournament is an annual event held in Saint Paul at the McMurray athletic fields in Como Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 event will be held on July 6th and July 7th, with an additional clean up day on July 8th; and
WHEREAS, the event requires a large amount of City staff to run and maintain the event site from 5:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and from 6:00 a.m. on Monday until the clean up is done; and
WHEREAS, traffic is very congested which makes it difficult for staff to leave the work site for lunch or dinner breaks, and return in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, the weather is historically very hot and humid and requires staff to consume extra fluids to sustain themselves; and
WHEREAS, due to the nature of the event, break times are not scheduled and staff eat and drink as they are able, in order to continue working the event; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has historically spent $1,000 to purchase and provide Gatorade, fruit, and lunch or dinner for the employees assigned to work the event; and
WHEREAS, the cost for the employee food and drink is added to the overall costs incurred for running the event; and
WHEREAS, the United Hmong Family inc. will reimburse the City up to $60,000 in 2019 toward the costs incurred from the event; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council finds that there is a public purpose for the expenditure of money for food and beverages for employees working at the 2019 Hmong Freedom Festival and Sports Tournament by increasing efficiency and ensuring a healthy work enviroment, and authorizes the Department of Parks and Recreation to spend up to $1,000 for the purchase of food and refreshments for employees assigned to work the event.