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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFair Workshop Minutes 05-23-2007BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA FAIR ASSOCIATION WORKSHOP Date: May 23, 2007 Convened: 9:10 a.m. Adjourned:11:30 a.m. Commissioners Present: Chairman, Chris Craft, Joseph Smith, Paula A. Lewis, Chazles Grande, Doug Coward absent Others Present: Doug Anderson, County Administrator, Ray Wazny, Asst. County Deputy Clerk Administrator, Faye Outlaw, Asst. County Administrator, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Ms. Jean Keaton, Fair Association representative gave an overview and history of the Fairgrounds. Ms. Keaton advised the Board the market value assessment was done which came in at $805,500 paid by the FDOT through a grant. The property was used for the expansion of the industrial park. The County Administrator stated the FDOT provided the funds for the County to purchase the property from the Fairgrounds with the grant so that the county could expand the industrial park and in turn the Fairgrounds used the funds to purchase the new property at Midway Road and 250 acres was deeded to the County. Com. Craft expressed his concern with the way this was being portrayed. The County has been the principal throughout the deal makings for old and new fairgrounds, i.e. securing the grant and he does not really believe the Fair Association gave the property to the County he believes the County was the main factor in receiving grant funds. Ms. Keaton stated she believed the FDOT money was coming whether or not the County was involved. She was not sure the value of the property was included in the funds. Ms. Keaton advised the Board the annual Fair Budget is approximately $462,452 (average of 2 previous fairs 05/06). Additional operating expenses aze $119,760 average for 05/06). They aze running an average profit of $100,000. Ms. Keaton also addressed the Capital Project List consisting of Front Gate completion at $16,000, small animal building will eliminate tent rental $200,000; lighting for interior grounds i.e. Adams Arena, replace shoe box style $11,500; front of livestock and exhibit hall area, east parking lot lights and small bathroom area, $20,000; bleachers, they aze waiting for the quote. Ms. Hawkins, also representing the Fair Association, addressed the Boazd regazding the naming rights of the building. Ms. Hawkins stated Ms. Keaton had obtained donations for the buildings from vazious business and persons in the county and there was a handshake agreement that their names would be on the building for the lifetime of those buildings. Now there are agreements for 10/15 yeazs. Com. Craft stated he did not have a problem if the Fair Association wishes to offer this idea for a life time however, he felt nothing is forever and we need to be cazeful when we things in perpetuity. Ms. Hawkins stated there will be new buildings constructed and those buildings can have a set amount of yeazs placed, however there are 3 or 4 names their Boazd felt should remain for the life time of the building. Com. Lewis stated she felt these names should remain do the fact they built the buildings and it was not just someone paying to place their names on it. The County Administrator stated Mr. Adams is paying the debt service on the Adams Arena and he felt his name should always remain on that arena. Com. Craft concurs with those who were there back when and built the buildings and felt they should remain however deals are no longer done on a handshake. Com. Smith questioned what amount of money does it take for someone to have a life time name on a building. Ms. Keaton gave two examples of how buildings were built and who provided the funds. Com. Smith questioned who puts out the plans and does the county review these plans. The County Administrator stated the County has to approve everything. The County Attorney stated when the original deal was done in 1998 it was not clear about naming rights. In 2003 they amended the agreement and was clarified by adding the paragraph where it stated the county would be responsible in obtaining the naming rights on all building and arenas with all proceeds either paying the debt service or going towards capital improvements consistent with the fair master plan. The County Attorney advised the Board in the agreement, page 2 paragraph C it states: During the period of the Fair's use of the Fairgrounds, the Fair shall retain all revenues and shall pay no rent to the County. Once the Fair has established a reserve fund of $700,000.00 (which currently represents one year' annual fair/events budget and operating expenses), all net profits shall be reinvested into capital improvements at the Fairgrounds pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 7 or shall be reinvested as agreed upon by the parties. In addition, the reserve fund shall be reviewed and adjusted by the mutual agreement of the parties every five years. It is anticipated, given the term of this Agreement, that the reserve fund will need to increase periodically. Com. Craft stated he did not believe this was a realistic number and recommended reducing this figure, the County needs to find a way to obtain additional cash flow on that property. Ms. Keaton stated she would make sure the financial statements are presented to the Commissioner's for their review in the future. Com. Grande stated he felt they needed to set a goal if the County wanted the Fair to become a potential revenue stream for the County. They may need to look at other things going on at this property. The Board may need to structure the next contract according to the Board's goals. Ms. Linda Barton, Asst. Recreation Director addressed the Board's question and advised them they use the property for other functions such as the Biker's gathering they recently had and they do charge a facility use fee. She also stated the Fair does pay for their electric used during the Fair. The County does the regular maintenance. Ms. Keaton advised the Board if they needed something done by County staff they would reimburse the County. They are very cautious however when it comes to electrical, they contract a licensed electrician. Com. Smith commented on how he is not pleased with prior Board tieing the hands of present or future Boards. Com. Craft recommended staff speak with those who have a lifetime agreement and maybe they can come up with a compromise of maybe 15 or 20 years. 2 ~... ~~ .ter Com. Smith stated he felt if there was to be a handshake agreement it should have been done from the county's end and not the Fair's, this is just his feeling. The Chairman called for further comments and none were made. The meeting was adjourned.