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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.
2020-11-23 MINUTES 2
Meeting adjourned at 10:18am
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kady Porterfield Brett Wachsmith, Chairman