5.e Special Event Permit for Fat Cat Triathlon
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: March 20, 2018
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk
Re: Special Event Permit for Fat Cat Triathlon
Background:
The Scandia Marine Lions Club Foundation is hosting the 5th annual St. Croix Fat Cat Triathlon
on July 14, 2018. They anticipate the event will attract 350 participants and approximately 100
spectators and 100 volunteers this year.
City Ordinance No. 119 requires a Special Event Permit for any “outdoor gathering of at least
100 individuals whether on public or private property, assembled with a common purpose for a
period of one hour or longer but may not exceed twelve hours in duration…” The City Council
may place conditions on the approval of the permit that may pertain to any of the following:
a) Location and hours during which the event may be held;
b) Sanitation/availability of potable water;
c) Security/crowd management;
d) Parking and traffic issues;
e) Emergency and medical services;
f) Clean-up of premises and surrounding area/trash disposal;
g) Insurance;
h) Lighting;
i) Fire service/safety;
j) Temporary construction, barricades/fencing;
k) Removal of advertising/promotional materials;
l) Noise levels;
m) Alcohol consumption;
n) Notification of residents or businesses;
o) Any other conditions which the Council deems necessary.
Issue:
Should the Council approve a Special Event Permit for the St. Croix Fat Cat Triathlon on July 14,
2018?
Proposal Details:
The Scandia-Marine Lions Club Foundation is sponsoring the St. Croix Fat Cat Triathlon, the fifth
year this race has been held. The race starts with a 3.8 mile paddle from Log House Landing to
William O’Brien State Park, and then continues with a 5.2 mile run on trails through the park
and local roads to the Scandia-Marine Lions Park. From there, participants will bike 11 miles on
two loops around Scandia. Music and announcements will occur at the finish line, making this
an amplified event. There will be no parking at the Log House Landing. All participants must
park at the field area near the Lions Park and ride the shuttle bus to the Scandia Log House
Landing on the St. Croix River unless they are being dropped off by a friend/relative. A copy of
their application for a special event permit is included in your packet. Additional information is
also available at their website http://www.stcroixfatcat.com .
The organizers will run the event in the same manner as the Council agreed to last year.
Among the requests the Council agreed on was to close the Log House Landing on Friday at
5pm until 10:30am on Saturday, July 14th. This will ease traffic congestion at the landing during
delivery and storage of the canoe and kayak equipment until the completion of the riverway
segment of the race. The landing must remain accessible for emergency vehicles. With
approval from Deputy Yetter, Old Marine Trail from Olin da Trail to Oxboro Avenue will be
closed to traffic on Saturday, July 14th for the safety of runners and bikers. Race organizers will
notify residents along the route of the road closure.
The organizers also request that the grassy trail exiting William O’Brien Park to Oxboro Avenue
is graded smooth prior to the event for the safety of the runners. Staff will direct Public Works
to use the skid steer to back drag this trail.
The application notes their intention to serve alcohol on July 14th at the Lion’s Hay Lake Shelter
site. Meister’s Bar & Grill has applied for a temporary Off-Premise Sales Liquor License to serve
beer at the Hay Lake Park site from 10am-6pm.
The Lions must provide the required Certificate of Insurance indemnifying the City for
conducting the event on city property. Washington County Public Works must approve a Right
of Way Permit for use of the County roadway. The County Health Department must approve a
food and beverage license for serving a catfish meal at the end of route. The Washington
County Sheriff’s Department will provide traffic control for crossings at County Road 3.
Fiscal Impact:
None
Options:
1) Approve the Special Event Permit with the following conditions:
• The event shall be held as described in the application received on March 2,
2018 as provided by the conditions of approval.
• The City authorizes that the Log House Landing be closed to the public from 5pm
on Friday, July 13th to 10:30am on Saturday, July 14th to accommodate the event.
• The City authorizes the closure of Old Marine Trail from Olinda Trail to Oxboro
Avenue from 6:00am to noon on Saturday, July 14th and that residents who live
along this road will receive written notice from the race organizers ahead of
time.
• Certificate of Insurance indemnifying the City for conducting the event on city
property must be provided by June 22, 2018.
• A right of way permit from Washington County Public Works must be approved
and a copy provided to the City.
• A food and beverage license from the Washington County Health Department
must be approved and a copy provided to the City.
• Any vendors present on the site shall possess a sales and use tax permit if
required by Minnesota law.
2) Amend the conditions and then approve the permit.
3) Do not approve the Special Event Permit
Recommendation:
Option 1.