TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Brian W. Caputo, Chief Operating Officer
DATE: April 27, 2026
SUBJECT:title
A Discussion Regarding a Proposed City Policy on Special Attractions at Community Events.
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PURPOSE:
To facilitate a discussion with the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee on a proposed policy on special attractions at community events.
BACKGROUND:
In January of 2026, the Administration established a library of policies to guide the operations of the city government. To support the library, the Administration has created a standardized methodology for developing, evaluating, approving, and disseminating these administrative policies. Examples of the policies now include:
1. Policy 2026-1002-001, City Policies (establishing the policy system).
2. Policy 2026-1802-001, Administrative Search Warrants
3. Policy 2026-2502-001, Travel and Business Expense Reimbursement
4. Policy 2026-8000-001, Risk Transfer in Contracts
Given that these policies are administrative in nature, pursuant to City Code Section 2-44(b), the Mayor has been the approver of these policies.
DISCUSSION:
In the past few months, several questions have arisen concerning the permissibility of the city contracting for the provision of certain special attractions at community events. The term "special attractions" refers to bounce houses, carnival rides, dunk tanks, mechanical bulls, paintballing, rock-climbing walls, trampolines, exotic animals, horses, petting zoos, pony rides, fireworks, and similar attractions. The term "community events" refers to ward meetings, ward events, neighborhood meetings, block parties, neighborhood events, National Night Out, community meetings, youth activities, parades, and similar events.
Attached to this item is a draft policy on special attractions at community events. The draft policy proposes what special attractions will be permissible and what attractions will be prohibited at community events. Events not specified would be reviewed and authorized, as appropriate based upon an assessment of risks, by the Chief Operating Officer/Risk Manager. A fundamental principle of the draft policy is that the vendor of the special attraction would be responsible for directly supervising its operation.
Because requests for special events can be initiated by alderpeople, the Administration thought it prudent to discuss the proposed policy with the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee and receive feedback on its contents.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
It is expected that a discussion with the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee on the proposed policy will promote understanding and alignment on the policy.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee provide feedback on the proposed policy on special attractions at community events.
cc: Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee