HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-13-minutes-ec-study-session (2)KITTITAS COUNTY
EC STUDY SESSION MINUTES
BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 108 - ELLENSBURG
Regular Meeting
WEDNESDAY 10:00 AM -
October 13 2021
Board members present: Chair Brett Wachsmith, Commissioner Laura Osiadacz, Commissioner
Cory Wright
Others: Kady Porterfield (Event Center Director), Lacie Dawson (Event Center Program
Manager — via WebEx), Public: Rebecca Hought (via WebEx), Larry Nichols
1. Call to Order—10:16am
2. General Event and Rental Updates
Events are beginning to return to normal. Some events have moved outside for better air
flow.
3. County Use of Facilities Discussion
There is an MOU with KCSO, this MOU does not cover emergency situations. Kady would
like to be included in discussions about billing and facility use with the Emergency
Management Team to clarify facility use. Kady states that things like wildfire animal
evacuations and certain community emergencies are in the purpose of the fairgrounds and
fair staff and volunteers play a huge role in those situations, so there's no billing in an event
like that. Therefore, there needs to be a clear definition of who does what for emergency
management and how to bill.
4. KVEC Services Request and Billing Discussion
Question came about when Emergency Management called and requested assistance from
KVEC to deliver water to people who could not water their livestock during the last fire.
KVEC billed for the time and expenses associated with the request. Emergency Management
is currently refusing to pay bill, as the fire was not a declared emergency. Per Commissioner
Wachsmith, it is appropriate to bill them, just like any other county department and they need
to pay. Commissioner Wright and Osiadacz both agree. Kady will send direction to Auditor's
Office and Emergency Management.
5. Self -Promoted Events Business
Kittitas County Fair: Overall fair attendance was down approximately 6500 people but
were up 15% in food revenue (even with less vendors). Carnival was up and looking forward
to a return next year. Fair was down 55% in overall labor force but still had minimal issues
during fair. There was a COVID incident on the first night of fair, Emergency Management
was very helpful in coordinating testing. Livestock Sale was record setting ($612,583) even
though there were 70 less lots. 4H Endowment has pledged $14,000 for purchase of
livestock related items and improvements.
2021-10-13 MINUTES
Patriot Night Concert: -Kady has applied for lodging tax funding and is currently looking
at artist routing for next year. Fireworks are paid from last year and will be carried over.
May look into cashless options for scrip sales.
6. Sponsor Business
Kady will be meeting with the Rodeo Board to answer any questions they may have. Kady
will also be meeting with Chelsea Hajny, Sponsor Consultant, and moving forward in a
positive direction.
7. Special Projects
Kady met with Patti for further discussions on Bloom. Kady applied for a $250,000 WSDA
Health and Safety Grant to pave the Armory parking lot.
8. Grant Updates
Kady has completed the lodging tax application for the concert. She has also applied for a
ARP National Entertainment and Arts Grant for $150,000 (for labor related expenses). For
the sweeper, it would require a 25% matching funds (approximately $56,000 out of pocket).
Kady would like to re -apply next year and include administrative costs as well to help cover
more of our matching portion. It will be more financially advantageous for us and we have
the equipment to get by in the meantime.
OTHER BUSINESS
Kady will be giving a lecture about the fair industry at Cal Poly Oct 26 -27th. Her travel will
be paid by IAFE, as she is an ambassador of that organization. She will be promoting the fair
industry as a whole and sharing about the Kittitas Valley Event Center, Kittitas County Fair,
and Ellensburg Rodeo operations.
Meeting adjourned at 10:50am
a d y Por field
2021-10-13 MINUTES 2
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Brett Wachsmith, Chairman