Minutes 11-12-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Jacobs said he would like to know more about the survey results. He asked what would be done with this information and how it could be incorporated into the decision making process. Commissioner Price said the group decided not to present this as a done deal. She said various ideas have been fleshed out, including the idea a fair should run for at least three days. She said this would especially be required to attract midway rides. She said these types of discussions have been had, but the group did not want to dictate these decisions to the Board, without feedback first. Chair Jacobs said he feels the Board has given responses and posed some questions and concerns that need to be addressed. Commissioner Pelissier said if infrastructure is put in for a fair at Blackwood Farm she is concerned about how this would affect the park in the long run. Commissioner Price said this was discussed, and the thought was that the infrastructure needed for the fair would go toward what was needed for the park. She said one example is the entry road, which would serve both the park and the fair. Commissioner Dorosin said the idea was just to move the park plan up. Commissioner Pelissier said she would like staff to tell exactly how this fits into the park plans. Commissioner McKee said he attended the information session. He agreed that there were some enthusiastic recommendations, but there were also some concerns about this fair affecting the existing events in the county. He said there are concerns about conflicts with Hogg Day, as well as the 4-H livestock show that has been held in April for the past 60 years. He said this livestock show requires a high number of volunteers, as will the fair. He said his concern is that this will take a lot of paid county staff. Commissioner McKee questioned what would be moved back for the CIP dollars, and what will not be provided that is being provided now. He asked if the idea is to have a tax increase in order to accomplish the additional spending. He said this would only apply if a large amount of money is spent, but there is no framework to know how much money this will be. He is concerned about just the cost of the road being put in. He can foresee the infrastructure price going as high as a million dollars. Chair Jacobs said it is not realistic that this will ready in 18 months, because this is County government, and the wheels move slowly. He said a realistic schedule needs to be set. He said the group did a great job of getting to the point of the hard questions being asked. Michael Talbert said the group can meet again, and the information will probably come back in to the Board in January. He said a timeline will happen. He said there will be capital improvements to the site and the amount depends on the size and scope. He said the entire scope of the fair has not been defined. He asked if this is what the Board wants to see. Chair Jacobs said yes. Michael Talbert said the group can come back with size and scope and complexity in January. He agreed that 18 months is not realistic. Chair Jacobs said this is not meant to discourage the group, but now the questions are getting more serious. Commissioner Dorosin said all of the concerns raised by the Board have already been discussed in the committee meetings. He said there is an event almost every weekend in Orange County, so there is always a conflict. He noted that a successful event was held at Blackwood Farm two years ago with no additional infrastructure. He said this event could start off small scale and grow. He said he does not agree that the County shouldn't put money into the event. He feels this event is important and is of value to the community