ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The City shall consider, without limitation, the following criteria when evaluating whether a sponsor or vendor is appropriate for a City event:
· The compatibility of the proposed sponsor or vendor’s mission and/or product or services with the City’s mission, vision, and values;
· The compatibility and appropriateness of the proposed sponsor or vendor’s mission and/or product or services with the City Produced Event;
· The proposed sponsor or vendor’s past record of involvement in the community and with City Produced Events or projects;
· The actual value, in cash or in-kind goods or services, of the sponsorship or vendor proposal in relation to the benefit of the City;
· Whether the proposed sponsor or vendor will establish, or will be perceived as establishing, an inappropriate association with the City;
· Whether the proposed sponsor or vendor manufactures products, takes positions, or otherwise engages in activity that is inconsistent with local, state, or federal law or the City’s mission, vision, and values; and
· Whether the proposed sponsor or vendor aligns with the City’s “No Place for Hate” Resolution.
In all cases, the City shall have the discretion to accept or reject any proposed sponsor or vendor, or any other form of participation in any City Produced Event, as such an event is a form of government speech. The City further reserves the right to decide its message and cannot be compelled to convey or endorse a message of private or non-City persons, entities, or organizations.
INELIGIBLE PERSONS, ENTITIES OR ORGANIZATIONS
The City shall not approve a sponsor or vendor proposal from a person, entity, or organization that is engaged in any of the following activities:
· Promotes the sale or consumption of illegal drugs.
· Promotes the sale or distribution of sexually explicit materials.
· Promotes or proselytizes a religious message (not including non-profit organizations that promote awareness or services available from a faith-based organization).
· Advocates, endorses, or campaigns for a political candidate, message, initiative, measure, or issues involving humanitarian issues.
The above list is illustrative only and is not intended in any way to limit the discretion of the City.
APPROVAL OF SPONSORS OR VENDORS
Approval of sponsors and vendors shall be made in the sole discretion of the City, acting by and through the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee. Potential sponsors and vendors may be required to complete the City’s event sponsor or vendor application form. Incomplete applications forms, if required, may not be accepted, and the City may require additional information as necessary to evaluate compliance with this Policy.
POLICY DEVIATIONS; REVOCATION OF SPONSORS OR VENDORS
The City reserves the right to deviate from this Policy and the criteria contained herein and/or revoke any approved sponsor or vendor at any time if, in the City’s sole discretion, it is in the best interests of the City.