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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 11, 2020 Page 6 1 Ms. Julianne Hunter thought Ms. Solomon could partner with VillageFest because they are a 2 501C3 Organization and have insurance that can cover the City. If it does not work for this 3 weekend because of the insurance than maybe it could be rescheduled for another weekend. Ms. 4 Solomon explained if this does not get approved today then the event would not be able to 5 happen until the next Council meeting. Mr. Casey indicated that was correct unless the Council 6 so wishes to work with VillageFest at acceptable minimal levels than the Council could give 7 someone on staff the authority to move forward with it if it meets the minimal levels. 8 9 Ms. Solomon explained she was not told that she needed insurance when she proposed this to the 10 City so she did not feel that insurance should be required. Councilmember Randle explained he 11 understood where Ms. Solomon is coming from but at the same point, this was pointed out to 12 him that this festival was being advertised in the newspaper before it even came before the City 13 Council for approval. It was apparent that someone knew what was going on and it was apparent 14 that someone knew what their intentions was. He was not saying it was Ms. Solomon but 15 someone was aware that this was going to happen because it was in the paper before it even 16 came before the Council. 17 18 Councilmember Walker stated the point made from Councilmember Randle is that any approval 19 by the Council should have taken place a month ago, pending these kinds of scenarios where Ms. 20 Solomon would not be caught in the middle. Councilmember Randle agreed. Mr. Casey 21 indicated he would take full responsibility for not informing Ms. Solomon about the need for 22 insurance. The request came forward last week. 23 24 Motion by Councilmember Webster, seconded by Councilmember Walker, to approve the 25 request of the use of upper Central Park Parking Lot by Black Village Festival on Saturday, 26 August 15, 2020 with the understanding that there will be cooperation with the VillageFest 27 Organization for potential insurance coverage and attempts to receive insurance certificates from 28 all of the vendors. 29 30 Councilmember Randle stated as things stand right now, he cannot approve this during the 31 middle of a pandemic. In his opinion it is reckless and irresponsible at this particular point in 32 time because the City is not having VillageFest right now and there are not any other festivals 33 going on right now and in case anyone is paying attention to what is going on in the community, 34 COVID-19 has been rising in the community and is the reason why he is home and not in the 35 Council Chambers. He indicated he disagrees with this. 36 37 Councilmember Walker explained he is hearing what Councilmember Randle is saying but the 38 City is not hosting the festival. He thought the point is well taken. Councilmember Randle 39 indicated the City is still responsible and liable for this, which is his point. 40 41 Mayor Stille indicated his expectations are in adherence with the Minnesota Department of 42 Health Guidelines with regard to social events, and it should all be in the motion as well which 43 means there is a preparation plan and it talks about masks and face coverings and managing 44 occupancy which is 250 or less. These guidelines are here for a reason and he thought the City 45 can take this time to reiterate that these are their expectations here and that the guidelines are 46 6