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Receive a verbal update on the status of the Solano County Fair Governance Subcommittee comprised of Supervisors Monica Brown and Skip Thomson
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office (CAO) recommends that the Board of Supervisors receive a verbal update on the status of the Solano County Fair Governance Subcommittee comprised of Supervisors Monica Brown and Skip Thomson.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSON:
At the February 6, 2018 Board of Supervisor’s meeting, the Board appointed Supervisor Monica Brown and Supervisor Skip Thomson to the Fair Governance Subcommittee to meet with Directors of the Solano County Fair Association (SCFA) to address concerns raised by the SCFA; to discuss revisions, clarifications and modifications to the SCFA By-Laws and the Fairgrounds Management and Operations Agreement; and to report back to the Board of Supervisors on recommendations on how to proceed going forward with the Fair. The SCFA Board of Directors appointed Directors Carole Paterson, Norma Placido, Mike Coakley, Ray Simonds and Lee Williams to the subcommittee. Directors Mike Coakley and Ray Simonds have resigned from the SCFA and no longer serve the subcommittee. Director Norma Placido who replaced Mike Coakley on the Subcommittee is currently on a leave of absence.
The two Board members and two remaining Fair Directors, Carole Paterson and Lee Williams, have meet four times (March 16, May 9, August 29 and October 16, 2018) since February 2018 with the next scheduled meeting on November 15, 2018. The meetings have alternated between County and Fairground locations with each party presenting items for discussion and the subcommittee working through items with the goal of presenting final recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
Significant discussions have occurred with regard to the current By-Laws and Fair Management and Operations Agreement:
1. By-Laws:
Currently in the By-Laws, Directors are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The SCFA Directors voiced concern on lack of appointment of replacement Directors and requested the ability to appoint their own Directors. After much discussion, the subcommittee members Supervisors Brown and Thomson recommended to retain the appointment authority for Directors to the Fair Board, but current SCFA Directors can provide applicants for the Board to consider.
2. Fairgrounds Management and Operations Agreement:
Fair Association staff will present a business plan/proposed budget the subcommittee at the November 15, 2018 Subcommittee meeting and will request an extension to the current Agreement set to expire at the end of January 2020.
Pending resolution of all items for discussion, the Subcommittee plans to return the Board of Supervisors in December with any recommendations on revisions/modifications to the By-Laws and any recommendations regarding extension of the current Fair Management and Operation Agreement or to allow the Agreement to expire and discuss a transition plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Subcommittee utilizes staff from Fairgrounds Management (Fair) and staff from the County Administrator’s Office (CAO) to assist with meetings and coordination of documents and all costs are covered within the existing operating budgets for the Fair and CAO.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Board could choose to not receive this status update but would miss an opportunity to receive information regarding progress achieved by the Fair Governance Subcommittee.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has provided input and guidance on the status and substance of the current By-Laws and Management and Operation Agreement for the Solano County Fairgrounds and could assist with modifications and revisions to the By-Laws and Management and Operations Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION