Council tightens event permitting, drops 250-person cap and adds boat-ramp closure fee

The City of Saint Cloud voted Nov. 12 to revise its Special Event Ordinance and associated fee schedule, consolidating "major" and "minor" event categories into one "special event" classification and removing the prior 250-person attendance cap.

City staff said the changes allow staff to review any event that could affect city services (police, fire, parks and public works) regardless of a fixed attendance threshold. Stephanie, the staff presenter, told council that reoccurring events (for example, the downtown monthly market) are now explicitly allowed and that events held on the water will require permitting because additional approvals may be necessary.

The fee-schedule update adds a closure fee for the lakefront boat-ramp parking lot: staff calculated a per-day closure cost of $2,282 (46 spaces at $6 each). The deputy mayor and other council members discussed the Lantern Lighting event (estimated by a councilor at 3,0005,000 attendees) and urged city staff to look for ways to steer attendees to downtown businesses (shuttles/trolleys were suggested).

Council also questioned vendor insurance requirements. Staff said the city currently requires vendor waivers and that the city carries insurance but is exploring an umbrella policy to reduce the cost burden on low-risk vendors.

The council approved the ordinance and the fee resolution in separate votes; both motions passed unanimously.