Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Mayor and City Council 8.2 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />General Business June 15, 2020 Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Elk RiverFest 2020 Cancellation Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Approve, by motion, cancellation of Elk RiverFest 2020. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br /> <br />At the May 18City Council work session, the Council discussed possible modifications to Elk RiverFest <br />due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the consensus was to move the event to Labor <br />Day weekend but keep the fireworks show on July 4 as planned. <br /> <br />Due to the complexity and lead-time needed to successfully plan an event on the scale of Elk RiverFest, it <br />is prudent to decide on this year’s event. Staff is recommending the cancellation of this year’s Elk <br />RiverFest for the following reasons: <br /> The current Emergency Executive State order 20-74 states “In outdoor settings, gatherings must <br />not exceed 250 individuals.” The Riverfront Concerts Series brought 5,000 visitors in 2018 and <br />7,000 and 2019. <br /> The downtown layout where Elk RiverFest is held would make social distancing challenging. <br /> Delaying the decision could jeopardize deposits. <br /> Many cities have made the difficult decision to cancel their community festivals. <br /> The 2020 Minnesota State Fair has cancelled. <br /> Number of craft, food, and Sips on Main vendors will be limited thus decreasing revenues. <br /> Staffing and event of this scale on Labor Day weekend will prove to be challenging. <br /> Concerns with image of holding large scale gathering event during pandemic. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />Variable by the direction chosen <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> N/A <br /> <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />