DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Thomas L. Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Authorization to Waive Temporary Food Permit Fees for Lemonade Day San Antonio
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) to waive the temporary food establishment permit requirement, including fees and required inspections, for local children and youth participating in Lemonade Day on May 3, 2015.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2007, the Prepared 4 Life organization in Houston, Texas initiated Lemonade Day, a community event to teach youth how to start and run their own businesses. Through this program, children learn the entrepreneurial skills necessary to successfully establish and operate a lemonade stand for one day. Lemonade Day is a strategic 14-step process that walks youth from a dream to a business plan, while teaching them the same principles required in starting any big company. This experience is meant to teach basic business skills that will equip the youngster to be successful in future endeavors.
Inspiring kids to work hard and make a profit, they are also taught to spend some, save some and share some by giving back to their community. The CE Group and Kids in Business Foundation (KIB) provided the following statistics and information from the 2014 San Antonio Lemonade Day event:
· 6,500 participants, which was an 5% increase from the previous year
· All participants were elementary school students between the ages of 6 and 12 from the Northside Independent School District - This year the event will be city wide.
· Nationally, the average stand was open for 5.0 hours
· Average profit nationally was $221.00
· HEB was a presenting sponsor and also hosted safe stand locations for kids on Lemonade Day.
Prepared 4 Life is requesting that the City waive the usual fees for temporary food booths and allow some of the participants to set up stands at local parks. Since 2007, Lemonade Day has grown from 2,700 kids in one city to over 150,000 kids in 36 cities across America and Canada. This year Lemonade Day has expanded to 24 new cities. With the help of partners like Google, Lemonade Day will bring this entrepreneurial experience to 1 million kids in 100 cities across America, sparking entrepreneurship and empowering youth in a way that's never been done to scale.
In response to this request, the Metro Health, Parks and Recreation, Development Services, and Center City Development Departments request authority for the following:
· To waive the temporary food establishment permit requirement including fees for children and youth participating in Lemonade Day on May 3, 2015;
· To waive the required inspection of the lemonade stands by Metro Health staff;
· To allow participants to operate lemonade stands on private property with the permission of the owner; and
· To support the Parks and Recreation and Center City Development Departments in allowing participants to set up lemonade stands in City parks.
Participants will be required to follow all health regulations pertaining to proper food handling and will need to be supervised by an adult. All participants will be provided written information outlining the health code requirements, permitted parks locations and safety tips. In addition, this information will be available on the City's website.
ISSUE:
The City has a longstanding record of supporting youth development activities. Lemonade Day has been a successful event in San Antonio since 2010 and in other Texas cities that foster the entrepreneurial spirit of children and youth. To encourage participation and make this experience more affordable, the event sponsors have asked the City to waive the temporary food establishment permit requirement. In addition, the City was asked to allow participants to set up in City parks. The Parks and Recreation Department has identified 40 parks throughout San Antonio where this can be accommodated. (See Attachment I.)
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not approved, anyone operating a lemonade stand on May 3, 2015 will be required to obtain a permit and will be subject to an inspection by Metro Health staff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Through this ordinance, the City will forgo the $30.90 fee normally charged for every temporary food establishment. However, City resources including health inspectors and other City personnel will not be required to support this event negating the need for fees to offset costs.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance authorizing the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District to waive the temporary food establishment permit requirement, including fees and required inspections, for local children and youth participating in Lemonade Day on May 3, 2015.