Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-01-minutes-culpepper-&-merriweather-circus-2017-06-01 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONER’S AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY 1:30 P.M. JUNE 1, 2017 Board members present: Chairman Paul Jewell & Vice-Chairman Laura Osiadacz. Absent - Commissioner Obie O’Brien. Others: Mandy Buchholz, Deputy Clerk of the Board II; Lisa Young, HR Director/Risk Manager; Mark Cook, Public Works Director; Gene Dana, Sheriff; Clay Myers, Undersheriff; Judy Pless, Budget and Finance Manager; Josh Hink, Fire Marshal; Patti Johnson, Solid Waste/Maintenance Director/Project Manager; Clinton Van De Venter, HHW Supervisor; Holly Myers, EH Supervisor; Jim Armstrong, CEO Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce and Amy McGuffin, Tourism Director and 14 members of the public. SPECIAL MEETING SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION - CIRCUS COMMISSIONERS At 1:30 p.m. Chairman Jewell opened a Special Meeting to consider a Special Event Application from the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce to host the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus in Cle Elum Washington on June 4, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Jim Armstrong, CEO Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce and Amy McGuffin, Tourism Director presented their Application and answered questions. Gene Dana, Sheriff stated he had no concerns about the event. He reminded the Applicant to not have any roads blocked and stated that he doesn’t have deputy’s committed to this event but will ask that they try and make a few passes through the area. He recommended approval. Josh Hink, Fire Marshal stated that a Permit is required from his Department and it has been filed and paid. He recommended approval and stated that he will be present on Sunday to oversee the site inspection for set up of the tent’s etc. Clinton Van De Venter, HHW Supervisor stated they had no concerns and stated that the garbage plan was sufficient. He recommended approval. Holly Myers, EH Supervisor stated that one portable toilet is required per 50 guests. She also indicated that handwashing stations need to be provided. Ms. Myers stated that the Food Service being provided are approved and if the toilets and handwashing stations are provided she would recommend approval. 2017-06-01 MINUTES 2 Mark Cook, Public Works Director stated he had no concerns and noted that more of the traffic impact would be on WSDOT roads than the County. He recommended approval and stated that he wasn’t speaking on behalf of WSDOT. Lisa Young, HR Director/Risk Manager stated that the insurance provided is insufficient for the proposed event. She suggested the Board require a 5 million dollar umbrella policy primary non- contributory. She stated if that was obtained and provided then she would recommend approval. Judy Pless, Budget and Finance Director questioned Admissions Tax and stated that it would be required. Ms. McGuffin indicated that she would have the insurance obtained by the end of business Friday June 2, 2017 and would be sure to provide portable toilets and hand-washing sufficient for the number of guests. She stated that the Chamber will be paying the Admissions Tax due to the short turnaround of the event and not enough time to advertise for it. She stated that she was only made aware on Tuesday that this process existed and they would be required to comply. She stated that she is in the process of obtaining a penal bond and will provide it as soon as she gets it. Dr. Erin Zamzow (DVM) expressed her concerns and encouraged the Board to not support this event being held in the County. She stated that “when we know better, we do better”. J.B. Mulcahy, Co-Director of the Chimpanzees Sanctuary Northwest stated that its very difficult to be in non-compliance with the USDA and to see that this Circus has as many violations as they do is very concerning. Rick Spence, Citizen stated he was in support of the Circus. Raychel Parks, Citizen stated that children attending a circus is not appropriate as that is not natural behavior for wild animals. She stated there are better alternatives. She stated that numerous businesses in town have already removed their flyers for the event since being educated. She stated that there is a group that plans to protest the event. Jeff Alm, Citizen stated that he was not in support and felt there are appropriate ways to educate children about wild animals and this is not one of them. Sarah Cannon, Citizen reiterated previous comments of residents in non-support. 2017-06-01 MINUTES 3 Micheal (don’t know last name), Citizen stated he was not in support of the Circus however felt that sharing opposition to the event was a moot-point as the Board is meeting to consider the Application and whether it meets the qualifications necessary to hold an event. Clay Myers, Citizen stated that he felt it’s up to the parents if they want their children to see a circus or not. He stated he was not in favor nor against the event but felt it was not up to anyone other than the parent to decide if they want their children attending the event. Ms. McGuffin stated that the current owner bought it in 2011 and there have been no violations on record since the current owner purchased the circus. She stated that in no way does the Chamber support animal abuse. She said the current owner takes a lot of pride in the environment he provides for the animals in their off time and stated that all the animals were originally set to be euthanized but he rescued them. Jim Armstrong, CEO Chamber of Commerce stated that he was brought in on this issue as of Wednesday and did his own research. He stated there are no violations since the new ownership. Commissioner Osiadacz stated that while she was not pleased with how late the application is, they are only making a decision on the application itself. She stated that she put a lot of thought into this event and being that it’s in her District and was turned down by the City of Cle Elum those were issues she had to consider and respect. She stated that ultimately though if the proper insurance is provided as requested by the County Risk Manager and the County Prosecutor and the Health Departments requirements are taken care of she would approve the event. Chairman Jewell stated that he appreciates all of the concerns expressed. He stated that he was not pleased with the timing of the application but was appreciative that everyone came together to get the event before the Board to consider. He stated that the primary decision for the Board is the health and welfare of the event. He stated that if the proper insurance is provided as requested by the County Risk Manager and the County Prosecutor and the Health Departments requirements are taken care of he would support approval of the event. SPECIAL EVENT CULPEPPER & MERRIWEATHER CIRCUS COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Osiadacz moved to approve the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus Application noting the following contingencys are met 1.) Proper insurance must be provided as requested by the County Risk Manager and the County Prosecutor (5 million dollar umbrella policy primary non-contributory) and 2). The County Health 2017-06-01 MINUTES 4 Departments requirements of 1 portable toilets per 50 guests as well as handwashing stations. She stated that these have to be complete by end of business on Friday June 2, 2017. Chairman Jewell seconded. Motion carried 2-0. Meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m. KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Mandy Buchholz Paul Jewell, Chairman