2020-11-23-minutes-ec-study-session

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2020-11-23 MINUTES 1 KITTITAS COUNTY EC STUDY SESSION MINUTES BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 108 - ELLENSBURG Special Meeting MONDAY 10:00 AM November 23, 2020 Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith (via Webex), Vice-Chairman Laura Osiadacz (via Webex), Commissioner Cory Wright (via Webex) Others: Event Center Director Kady Porterfield (via Webex), Event Center Program Manager Lacie Dawson (via Webex), Fair Board Secretary Roylene Crawford (via Webex) Call to Order: Chairman Wachsmith called the meeting to order at 10:00am General Event and Rental Updates: Per Kady, due to new COVID state mandated restrictions, Bloom and facilities are temporarily closed. Kady is working on possibly bringing a Zoo Drive Through this spring. She is in the beginning planning stages, working to see if a route can be put together to bring the event to the area. It would be social distancing friendly and has been well received in other areas. Currently down to one grounds crew member. One employee is transferring to Public Works, one is going to have surgery and one is out with an injury. 2021 Kittitas County Fair Planning Discussion: Per Kady, the Livestock Sale may need to be restructured or an agreement set in place with the current Livestock Sale Committee that outlines the partnership centered on the annual Kittitas County Fair. Currently, it has the Kittitas County Fair name tied to it, but the fair has no control over the continuity of the livestock sale with the rest of the Fair and its operations. The Fair Board is seeking guidance and direction from the BOCC after many concerns stated from community members and fair volunteers to both the Fair Board and Staff stressing a negative impact on the youth under the current structure. Commissioners directed that the Fair Board discuss the matter and any further options on how to address the issues of concern at their next meeting. The Fair Board will present their ideas to the BOCC after thorough discussion and make sure WSU Extension has a voice in the matter as well. Kady has met with Representative Kim Schrier regarding the federal fair funding bill called the Ag Fairs Rescue Act. Kady stressed how important the funding is to the industry. Per Roylene, the state has also proposed cutting Washington fair funding by $600,000 for the upcoming year. We normally receive $35-50k per year. We will still receive some funding this year because we did have a livestock show and still life entries, but it won’t be to the same degree as if we were to have a full fair. Special Projects: Per Judy, the HVAC renovations for Teanaway (CARES funding) will be moving forward. Kady will work with Patti on scheduling.