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Proclamations Policy <br /> <br />Purpose <br />The purpose of this policy is to provide an avenue to encourage public awareness and recognition <br />for events, achievements, and activities significant to the community of Elk River through <br />recognition by the City Council. This policy also defines those types of events, achievements, and <br />activities that will not to be considered for recognition. Proclamations will be issued to acknowledge <br />the effort and commitment of the organization or individual but should not be interpreted as an <br />endorsement by either the Council or the City of Elk River. Conversely in making these <br />observances, the Council does not wish to offend or promote any other particular point of view. <br />Proclamations are strictly honorary and are issued as a courtesy. They are not legally binding. To <br />help assure proclamations are considered in this context, the following policy and procedure are <br />established. <br /> <br />Proclamations can be issued for: <br /> Public awareness. <br /> Charitable fundraising campaigns. <br /> Arts and cultural celebrations. <br /> School programs. <br /> Promotion of service clubs in their furtherance of benevolent programs. <br /> Special honors (on the recommendation of the Mayor). <br /> <br />Proclamations will not be issued for: <br /> Matters of political controversy, ideological or religious beliefs, or individual conviction <br /> Events or organizations with no direct relationship to the City of Elk River. <br /> Campaigns or events contrary to city policies. <br /> Causes supporting hatred, violence, or racism. <br /> Commercial purposes, such as the opening of a new business, a new product, or a new <br />professional service. This includes business anniversaries of less than 50 years. <br /> Proclamations will not be issued for deceased persons, non-city employee retirements, <br />birthdays, weddings, or family reunions. <br /> The city reserves the right to approve or reject any request for a proclamation, to modify the <br />text for any requested proclamation and to read a summarized version of the proclamation if <br />time constraints warrant. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Council also <br />reserves the right to vary from the exact provisions of this policy when it finds it to be in the <br />public interest to do so. <br /> <br />Other: <br /> An organization may request only one proclamation annually. <br /> An organization does not have exclusive rights to the day, week, or month of their <br />proclamation. <br /> At the Mayor’s discretion, a Certificate of Recognition or congratulatory letter is an <br />alternative where proclamation criteria are not met. <br /> The city will review all requests and make the final decision on whether the proclamation is <br />placed on the Council agenda, in accordance with this policy. <br /> If any Councilmember objects to the proclamation they should advise the Mayor in advance <br />of the meeting, then when the item is up for consideration request a vote on the <br />