06.f The Ozark Tavern Special Event Permit
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: July 15, 2025
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Re: The Ozark Tavern Special Event Permit for a Momento Mori Law Enforcement Motorcycle
Club Benefit
Background:
John Stahnke, owner of The Ozark Taven, has applied for a Special Event Permit for a benefit
event being held on August 16, 2025 under the provisions of Scandia’s Code of Ordinances,
Section 93.2.
Issue:
Should the Council approve a Special Event Permit for The Ozark Tavern’s Momento Mori Law
Enforcement Motorcycle Club benefit event on August 16, 2025?
Proposal Details:
The Ozark Tavern is hosting the “5th Anniversary Ride for the Joes Fundraiser” organized by
Momento Mori Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club USA. Memento Mori Law Enforcement
Motorcycle Club is a registered non-profit charity organization comprised of Law Enforcement
and Military, both active and retired, with a mission to serve its communities.
“Ride For the Joes” was created to honor the lives of Officer Joseph Gomm, and Officer Joseph
Parise of the Stillwater and Oak Park Heights prisons that were killed in the line of duty in 2018.
Every year the Club rides to honor their memory and for the benefit of a chosen law
enforcement, military, or First Responder individual who has suffered a recent tragedy.
The application describes the event beginning at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 11:00 p.m. Outdoor
music, raffles and vendors will be set up as shown on the attached site plan. The organizer
anticipates 150-200 attendees.
A stage will be set up in the grass lot on the north side of the establishment with amplified music
playing from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If the City’s noise ordinance is violated, a recommended
condition has been provided to address that possibility.
Multiple trash receptacles will be provided. Sanitary facilities are located within the restaurant’s
interior bathrooms.
2
The Club’s “Road Guards” will oversee parking, traffic control and crowd management.
As part of the application, John Stahnke has signed the Release and Indemnification Agreement
in which the permit holder agrees to defend, indemnify and hold the City harmless from any
liability, claim, damages, costs, judgements or expenses arising for any reason by the conduct of
the activities authorized by the Special Event Permit.
Fiscal Impact:
The $25 permit fee has been paid.
Options:
1) Approve the Special Event Permit for The Ozark Tavern’s “Ride for the Joes 2025”
fundraiser for August 16, 2025 with the following conditions:
• The event shall be held as described in the application received on July 9, 2025
• Sale of alcoholic beverages shall be limited to The Ozark Tavern’s premises.
• Any vendors present on the site shall possess a sales and use tax permit if required by
Minnesota law.
• In the event that there are noise complaints, the applicant shall comply with the direction
of law enforcement to reduce the volume of amplified music or voices.
2) Add conditions to approval.
3) Do not approve.
Recommendation:
Option 1.