HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-23-minutes-ec-study-sessionKITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
EC Study Session
Regular Meeting
Monday October 23, 2023 -10:00 AM
BOCC Conference Room
205 West 5th Room 108 - Ellensburg
1. Call to Order
2. Citizen Comments (1 min. time limit)
3. General Event and Rental Updates
4. Self Promoted Events Business
* Fair Board Updates
* Patriot Nights Under the Lights Updates
S. Grant Updates
6. Grandstands Project
7. Other Business - No Action to be taken
8. Concluded
Created on 10/20/2023 2:23:09 PM
KITTITAS COUNTY
EC STUDY SESSION MINUTES
BOCC CONFERENCE ROOM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 108 - ELLENSBURG
Regular Meeting
MONDAY 10:00 AM October 23, 2023
Board members present: Chairman Cory Wright, Vice -Chairman Brett Wachsmith,
Commissioner Laura Osiadacz
Others: Kady Porterfield (Event Center Director)
1. Call to Order: 10:00AM
2. Citizen Comments (1 min. time limit): None
3. General Event and Rental Updates: Kady reported that events have been going well but
focused on repairs for projection system in the Armory Hall as it's highly utilized and
experiencing decreased value to event holders without the use of our main projection system.
This is a priority to repair at this time and waiting to hear back when the parts may be fixed
so that they can be reinstalled.
4. Self -Promoted Events Business:
Fair Updates: Some Fair Board members and staff attended the Washington State Fairs
Association (WSFA) Conference last week in Pasco and it went very well with lots of good
information received. A huge focus of the association right now is maintaining our state
funding for fairs and part of that is going through diversity and inclusion training as required
by the state Governor. Fairs are amazing at showcasing diversity and inclusion luckily, so the
training information is nothing new to our industry.
Patriot Night Under the Lights Updates: Kady is working closely with Romeo
Entertainment and looking at headline artists for 2024. Negotiations on pricing is a big thing
we are looking at right now as it's harder to get acts at a good price to the Pacific Northwest.
The goal is to have an offer out in November and begin the contracting process.
5. Grant Updates: KVEC did not receive the State Tourism grant for $30,000 this year but
will try again in the future. The applicant requests that came in were way higher than the
money they had available, so we didn't make the cut. Kady shared that at the WSFA
conference she attended a workshop on the new consultation requirements through the
Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation and the tribes for any state -funded
projects. These requirements will come into effect for any funding we receive through the
2023-10-23 MINUTES
WA Department of Agriculture for the Fairs Capital Improvement Grant Program. Kady also
followed up on availability of Lodging Tax grant opportunities at the City and confirmed
they still haven't reopened the opportunity since 2019, but the City's current commitment to
the County is to fund their contribution for the Rodeo Grandstands Project with Lodging Tax
dollars.
6. Grandstands Project: Kady shared the Ellensburg Rodeo is on board to look at changing
the funding format for debt service on the project and wanted an update on where
conversations were with the City of Ellensburg. Commissioner Wachsmith shared that the
City is talking about it, but he is also speaking to the County Treasurer's office to look at
more financing options. He is going to follow up with the County's financial advisor and
report back to Kady tomorrow on what he found out. This will most likely be a topic of
discussion at the upcoming joint meeting for the City and County. Commissioner Osiadacz
added that the Field House will also be a discussion topic at that meeting and shared that the
Chamber of Commerce is stepping up as well to see how they can be of some assistance.
5.Other Business: None
6. Concluded at 10:14 AM
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Cory Wright, Chairman
2023-10-23 MINUTES