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Council adopts rules for community light displays at 'Illuminate Isanti' event
Summary
The council approved a policy allowing community light displays at the Illuminate Isanti event with limits on display type (LED only), liability and pickup rules, initial allocation of six electric-equipped spaces, and sponsorship/volunteer requirements; the vote was unanimous.
The Isanti City Council adopted a new policy to allow community groups, nonprofits, youth organizations and for‑profit businesses to install displays at the city’s Illuminate Isanti event, with rules to manage power, liability and content.
City staff described the draft policy and said it grew from earlier Illuminate Isanti planning meetings. Staff recommended limiting display types to LED lighting and secured installations, setting a timeline for when displays may be installed and removed (roughly one week before and up to two weeks after the event, weather permitting), and requiring that any damaged displays be picked up by the owner. "We also in the policy, it also limits what kind of displays can be allowed," staff said, citing power constraints and liability concerns.
Council members discussed whether to limit participation to Isanti-based groups; staff said the initial layout includes six spaces with dedicated electrical hookups and that participation could grow in future years. Council debated sponsorship fees and volunteer requirements for nonprofits; staff noted past sponsors such as Minnesota Equipment contributed $1,000 and had displays last year. Nonprofit participants were proposed to provide a volunteer shift rather than pay a sponsorship fee, while for-profit businesses would be expected to sponsor the event.
Council member discussion included a proposal to set a lower-cost "display sponsor" tier (discussion referenced a $250 tier) and to reserve free participation for local nonprofits that provided volunteer support. Staff also emphasized that political messaging or campaign advocacy would not be permitted on displays; displays must be family friendly.
After discussion, a motion to adopt the policy (including the volunteer requirement for nonprofits and sponsorship expectations for for‑profits) was moved and seconded; the council approved the policy by a unanimous 5-0 vote.
Next steps: Staff will incorporate the agreed sponsorship tier and volunteer requirements into the final policy and add the display option to sponsorship materials for upcoming events.
