LASSEN COUNTY FAIR ADVISORY BOARD



LASSEN COUNTY FAIR ADVISORY BOARD

January 24, 2017 Minutes

REGULAR MEETING

Lassen County Fair Office

5:30 PM

The Lassen Fair Advisory Board convened in a Regular Meeting on Tuesday January 9, 2018 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds board room. President Tom Neely called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm. Members present: Cheryl Lauritsen, Holly Mueller, Jose Pena, Kevin Stafford and Brett Smith. Fair Manager: Jim Wolcott

Supervisors Present: none

Members absent: Dan Douglas, Becky Albaugh, Lonnie Mahenski and Curt Moran.

Present in the audience is: none

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting is called to order at 5:35 PM.

OPENING CEREMONIES

Pledge of Allegiance Lead by: Jose Pena

AGENDA APPROVAL, ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS

Brett Smith moves to approve the agenda. Seconded by: Jose Pena . Motion is carried. All in favor.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT CALENDAR

Cheryl Lauritsen moves to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by: Kevin Stafford. All in favor. Motion is carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: There was a thank you card from “Build a Top Hat”. The fair also received Christmas cards from Homme’s Landscaping, J & M Displays and Banner Lassen Hospital.

5. SUBJECT: WFA Conference

ACTION: Discussion

Jim handed out WFA cards and date books for 2018.

Holly Mueller reported on her first WFA Convention. She was very impressed with keynote speaker Rita M. Murray. Holly handed out a packet of information based on Ms. Murray’s address about marketing to a wide range of age groups. Holly has a lot of information that she will organize and present at a later meeting but feels very strongly about making our fair more sustainable and revenue building.

Tom Neely said that the Convention was really motivating. He would like the Commercial and Entertainment Committee to work closely with the Exhibit Committee to promote the fair and what the fair offers our community. His big push will be to collect emails from exhibitors, vendors, sponsors and members of the community. He wants the board to put a policy in place for handling Animal Rights Activists and to promote a clean barn area to our exhibitors to show how well the animals are cared for and to prevent bad press. Mr. Neely wants to put a “crisis management” plan in place prior to each event. He also feels that a public information officer who can used all forms of social media would help get our information out to all ages of the public. He also informed the Board that the Quality Assurance for livestock exhibitors will be mandatory in 2019 and it will be available on-line for $12.00.

Mr. Neely noted that we should have a “trade fairgrounds up-keep” policy for organizations who want to use the fairgrounds for free. This could help with some of the maintenance issues that need attention. Another matter that was brought up at the Convention was that the fair needs to make fairgoers feel welcome and comfortable. This not only includes information about what we have to offer fairgoers, but also that the fair is a safe place for everyone. 80% of our exhibits and entertainment should be traditional with the rest of the fair being new and exciting. We also need to incorporate more signage to deter bad behavior by fairgoers and exhibitors alike. He said he will also contact Orange County Fair to see if they have any surplus equipment they would give us or sell to us for cheap.

From the sessions he attended, Jim Wolcott came back feeling that we need to give more back to those who sponsor the fair’s events to show our thanks. Some of the ideas he brought back were: have an early opening for the sponsors enabling to get the first look at the fair. He also wants to have the vendors use cups with our logo. The fair would sell the cups to the vendors who would mark up the price of the cup and offer free refills to the fairgoer.

Mr. Wolcott also explained the new California State Regulations for fair funding. He has been appointed to California Fair Alliance who will hold their first meeting in February to develop a plan for future tax revenues. He would like to see some of the money set aside for use with matching funds grants.

Mr. Wolcott met with Eric Ewing. Mr. Ewing has secured $66,000 from FEMA to be used for reroofing Jensen Hall. Mr. Wolcott has sent the work out to bid. Mr. Ewing also will be providing radios for use during the fair and other events to help the Mr. Wolcott and Board monitor activity during these events. Mr. Ewing is also concerned about our gates and would like to see pipe gates installed to prevent someone from crashing through the gates. Mr. Wolcott was already planning to replace the gate near the armory with one like the gate at Jensen Hall. Mr. Ewing would also like to make better maps for use by all emergency personnel during events. Another item that Mr. Ewing is trying to secure is better speakers to improve event communication and Mr. Wolcott feels these would be a good way to recognize sponsors during events.

Mr. Wolcott attended the January 24, 2018 Lassen County Board of Supervisors Meeting. The revised Lassen County Fair Policy was on the Consent Calendar which was approved by the BOS. However, Supervisor Albaugh wanted to know what agency certifies people to operate fair equipment. Mr. Wolcott provided that California State Fair Association (CFSA), who insures the fair, is the certifying agent. Supervisor Gallagher appreciated the Fair Advisory Board for updating the outdated Policy Manual. The BOS also approved the Jr. Fair Board. Mr. Wolcott was not sure if we need to take it any further with the BOS, but said he would keep them updated on the progress with the junior board. Mr. Wolcott also thanked Supervisors Gallagher and Teeter for keeping the Fair Advisory Board intact and thanked the entire BOS for all of their help in the past.

Mr. Wolcott informed the Board that he is looking for another Friday Night Headliner as there has been no contract signed by the current choice. Coffee Anderson will be our Saturday Night Entertainment. Since Mr. Anderson is very patriotic, Holly Mueller wants to incorporate patriotism by highlighting some local veterans.

Mr. Wolcott is looking for ideas for interim events and money-making ideas to be incorporated into the fair.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

EXECUTIVE: NA

Next meeting: NA

LIVESTOCK: Cheryl Lauritsen had no committee report.

Next meeting: January 22, 2018 @ 4:30

LONGE RANGE PLANNING: NA

Next meeting: NA

EXHIBITS: NA

Next meeting: January 16, 2018 @ 3:30

ENTERTAINMENT: NA

Next meeting: Jim will check with Brett

AUTORACING: NA

Next meeting: January 25, 2018 @ 4:30

MANAGERS REPORT

Jim Wolcott says: See above.

MATTERS BY THE BOARD

Dan -

Holly -

Cheryl -

Jason -

Kevin –

Becky –

Tom –

Curt –

Brett –

Lonnie -

ADJOURMENT

Kevin Stafford makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jose Pena seconds the motion. Meeting is adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Fair Manager ____________________________________

Jim Wolcott

Board President___________________________________

Tom Neely

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