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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Keis and Members of City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Heidi Heller, City Clerk <br /> DATE: July 8, 2020 <br /> RE: Canadian Days Fireworks <br /> <br />ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED <br />Continue the discussion regarding holding and funding a firework show in conjunction with modified <br />Canadian Days activities on Saturday, August 1, and potentially approve the 2020 fireworks contract <br />with RES Specialty Pyrotechnics, Inc. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, the Canadian Days Committee has canceled <br />most of the regular festival activities and instead are planning only a couple activities that would be <br />on Saturday, August 1. They would still like to include the same fireworks show as has been done in <br />the past at Spooner Park for a cost of $7,500. <br /> <br />All of the cities in the area that have festivals and/or fireworks scheduled in June and July have <br />canceled or postponed their events this year. Staff has considered that since there will only be a few <br />other fireworks shows held this summer in the metro area, if Little Canada were to proceed with a <br />firework show, it could draw a larger than usual crowd which could make it very difficult to maintain <br />social distancing between families. The state is currently in Phase 3 which allows outdoor events to <br />have up to 250 people, and there is no timeline for when the state would move to Phase 4, or what <br />allowances would change in that phase. The fireworks are launched from the baseball field behind <br />Little Canada Elementary School. Spooner Park, Pioneer Park or City Hall are other nearby options <br />for people to park/sit, although the trees around these areas may hinder viewing potential. As part of <br />the City’s agreement for law enforcement services, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department <br />provides special event traffic patrol and patrol services for community festivals or other special <br />events, so there are no additional costs for them. <br /> <br />Another Council consideration to a fireworks show is the $7,500 cost. The City has used the 10% <br />Fund which comes from charitable gambling funds. There is currently $64,000 in this fund, but due <br />to the COVID-19 closure of restaurants and bars which is where the charitable gambling occurs, that <br />fund will receive significantly less dollars in 2020 and potentially in 2021 also. <br /> <br />If the Council agrees to the firework show, the 2020 Canadian Days Fireworks contract with RES <br />Specialty Pyrotechnics, Inc. should be approved. RES will provide the City and Canadian Days with <br />a $5 million liability insurance policy. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff requests the Council decide whether to approve the fireworks contract for a show on August 1, <br />2020. If the Council chooses to move forward with the fireworks, City staff recommends approval <br />of the contract subject to submission of the proof of insurance.