7.a) Staff Report-Vinterfest 2016-Theme and Donation Guidelines
STAFF REPORT
Date of Meeting: June 1, 2015
To: Parks and Recreation Committee
From: Judi Negus, Office Assistant
Re: Vinterfest-Theme and Donation Guidelines
Background:
Chair Jinks asked Committee members for ideas for a theme for Vinterfest 2016 at the May 4,
2015 meeting. Some ideas shared included “Moose,” “Crayfish,” “Alfred Nobel,” “Selma,” and
events like ice sculpting and an ice bar with an overall “Ice” theme.
Jinks suggested soliciting additional ideas from the community and asked Negus to compose a
solicitation for theme ideas to post on the City website and Facebook page. Negus posted the
solicitation with a deadline to respond by May 27, 2015. Jinks also asked Committee members
to submit additional ideas to him prior to the June 1, 2015 meeting.
To date, one additional theme idea was submitted: “In Sweden there is a day called St. Lucy Day
/Festival of Lights. This celebrates the winter solstice and the returning of longer days. My suggestion
would be FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS."
Borg presented at the May 19, 2015 City Council meeting the recommendation from the
Committee on future Vinterfest donations made to support Lilleskogen and the Wojtowicz
Skating Park:
For-profit organizations: 50% of the proceeds
Scandia non-profits: $200 donation (option to sell Vinterfest buttons purchased at $2
apiece for a profit) or in-kind donation valued at $200
Other non-profits: Minimum $500 donation
PRC: no donation required
Administrator Handt questioned the button sales idea, as various groups could each sell the
buttons at a different price that they determine. Borg agreed this could be a concern and said
that the Committee should set a standardized sales price for the buttons. Council member
Ness suggested that “net proceeds” be stated in the guidelines. Borg said this wasn’t discussed
at the meeting, but agreed “net” should be designated.
Mayor Simonson offered a scenario in which the organization spent all their proceeds on the
event; it could happen that the city ends up wit h no donation. It was suggested that a
minimum donation amount be written into the guidelines. Simonson recommended that the
Parks and Recreation Committee continue to work on the guidelines at their June 1, 2015
meeting.
Schneider, seconded by Hegland, moved to refer the Vinterfest Donation Guidelines back to the
Parks and Recreation Committee for further discussion. The motion carried 5-0.
Issues:
1. What should be the theme for Vinterfest 2016?
2. What should be the standardized sales price for a Vinterfest button?
3. Should the Committee recommend a 50% of “net” proce eds for for-profit organization
donations and set a minimum donation amount?
Proposal Details:
1. Committee members should recommend a theme for Vinterfest 2016.
2. Staff recommends the price of a Vinterfest button should be consistent among
businesses and/or organizations selling them.
3. Staff recommends the clarification of net proceeds for for-profit Vinterfest donations to
support Lilleskogen and the Wojtowicz Skating Park with a minimum donation of $750.
Fiscal Impact:
Unknown at this time.
Options for Issue 1:
1. Recommend a theme for Vinterfest 2016.
2. Postpone recommending a theme for Vinterfest 2016.
3. Do not recommend a theme for Vinterfest 2016 .
Recommendation:
Option 1
Options Issues 2 and 3:
1. Recommend the donation guidelines as proposed by Staff.
2. Amend and then recommend the donation guidelines proposed by Staff.
3. Do not revise the original Vinterfest donation guidelines as presented to the City
Council.
Recommendation:
Option 1