Minneapolis panel approves $5 million reimbursement agreement for Super Bowl

Minneapolis will receive more than $5 million for the city's costs of putting on the 2018 Super Bowl if the full council agrees with a committee's endorsement of the proposal.

"We certainly want a world-class event," City Council Ways and Means Chairman John Quincy said before a unanimous endorsement of the proposed agreement. The city also wants to make sure "our guests are safe."

The entire council will be asked on Friday to approve the deal worked out by City Coordinator Spencer Cronk's office, major events consultant Patrick Born, a well-regarded former chief financial officer for the city, and the Super Bowl Host Committee. Born, along with city events coordinator Brittany Allen, asked city departments to estimate their extra costs — beyond the usual daily business — of the 10 days of Super Bowl events.

The biggest projected cost is security, at $3.1 million. The Minneapolis Police Department is leading the entire effort for the region. Officers from multiple jurisdictions will be part of that effort as well as the NFL's own security detail. The Super Bowl is considered by the federal government to be a National Security Special Event, meaning it's a potential target for terrorism or criminal activity. The Republican National Convention in St. Paul in 2008 also was such an event.

Minneapolis police already have a covert command post. But the police department considers the location to be too sensitive to reveal — even though the location isn't unusual or hidden and many already have found it.

The second biggest cost is public works at $725,000, followed by convention center rent at $564,785, then fire department services at $156,000, emergency management at $146,700, and regulatory services at $75,600.

Born said the costs are expected to increase — although he couldn't say by how much — as arrangements are worked out for parking, traffic plans and rent.

The Minneapolis Super Bowl will include 10 days of events capped by a game on Sunday evening, Feb. 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Events include concerts, parties and exhibits, in addition to hospitality suites. Attendance is estimated at 1 million for the festivities, with an economic impact of more than $400 million.

During a media briefing before the vote, Born and Allen provided the aggregate numbers — not the assumptions, research and salaries they relied upon.

Born said the city is one of the first payees of the host committee. "The city will be paid," he said.

Super Bowl Host Committee members have said repeatedly that they are certain to raise the money to cover the defined costs. But the host committee is a private organization so its budget isn't public. Even Born said he had not seen the committee's financial information.

Also voting for the plan without debate or criticism were Ways and Means members Lisa Bender, Elizabeth Glidden, Linea Palmisano and Blong Yang. Member Andrew Johnson wasn't present for the voice vote.