Title
Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to spend up to $1,000 for food and beverages for staff working the 2016 Lao Family July 4 Festival.
Body
WHEREAS, the 2016 Lao Family July 4 Festival is an annual event held at McMurray fields in Saint Paul on July 2 and July 3, with an additional clean up day on July 4; and
WHEREAS, the event requires a large number 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 have and consume plenty of fluids to sustain themselves; and
WHEREAS, due to the nature of the event, break times are not scheduled in advance and staff stop to grab a bite to eat and something to drink and continue working; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has historically spent $1,000 to purchase and provide beverages, fruit, and lunch or dinner for the employees assigned to work the event; and
WHEREAS, the cost for the employee food and beverages is added to the overall fee incurred to the permit holder for running the event; and
WHEREAS, the Lao Family of Minnesota, Inc. will reimburse the City up to $60,000 in 2016 toward the costs incurred with the event; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there is a public purpose for the expenditure of money for food and beverages for staff as it allows the event to proceed efficiently; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Department of Parks and Recreation is authorized to spend up to $1,000 for the purchase of food and refreshments for employees assigned to work the 2016 Lao Family July 4 Festival.