HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 5/27/2015Bayfield County Fair Minutes - May 27, 2015 Page 1 of 3
BAYFIELD COUNTY FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, May 27, 2015 – 4:00 p.m.
Fair Office, Bayfield County Fair Grounds
7080 N Main Street, Iron River, WI 54847
Minutes
1. Call To Order
Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm by the Chair, Dee Kittleson
Members present: Dee Kittleson, Marco Bichanich & Rusty Williams
Members Absent: Jim Crandall & Shawn Miller
Others present: Verne Gilles; Nick and Rena Navarro, Event Specialties/Pyrotechnical Specialists;
Scott Williams, Head Groundskeeper; Mary Motiff, Tourism Director and Theresa LaChappelle,
Administrative Assistant
2. Approval of Minutes from April 28, 2015 Fair Committee Meeting
(Williams, Bichanich) Motion to approve the minutes of April 28, 2015 as presented. Motion
Carried.
3. Public Comment
Nick and Rena Navarro, Event Specialties, presented information on what their company can offer the
Bayfield County Fair in the way of pyrotechnics (fireworks).
4. Tour of Buildings & Grounds Project Sites
a. Beer Garden Electric & Stage
A stage 16’w x 20’ long with one step will be built before the Fair starts. (There is not any
money in the CI budget for electrical, but it potentially some of the electric supplies can be
purchased with monies from the repair and maintenance line item.) R Williams also noted that
he would like to see something done with the beer garden floor. The dirt makes it dusty and
difficult to dance on. Other committee members thought it was fine the way it is.
b. Grandstand
Event Specialties demonstrated a small variety of the types of pyrotechnics that they could
provide for the Fair. They could provide a 3-minute fireworks display scripted to music for
$2,000. Discussion on fireworks, noise and animal reactions. It ws noted that the loudest
fireworks would need to be eliminated from the mix. The Navarros were thanked for their
demonstration. The fireworks will be discussed at a later time.
c. Restroom/Showers
Williams indicated where the leaks are coming from in the mechanical room.
d. Show Ring Pavilion
Discussion on the electrical needs. Harvey Anderson will be putting the outdoor GFI outlets on
the auctioneer stand. The lights and the GFI outlets on the pavilion will be part of the electrical
bid by an electrical contractor. Motiff noted that the show ring donor would like to have at least
two estimates for the electrical work. Committee members offered a few suggestions. The new
set of bleachers has arrived but still needs to be put together; this can’t happen until the electric
is done.
e. Swine Barn
LaChappelle explained that the AgStar grant has come through in the amount of $3,000. The
concrete slab will be added to the swine barn with the labor being donated and the concrete
procured at a reduced price. The remaining monies will be used for new swine pens. It was
noted that there may be an anonymous donor to help with the additional improvements; they
are in touch through the market sale group.
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f. Horse Arena – CEZRA
Arena Fencing - The horse arena has a bent panel. Tyler Luger, CEZRA, explained that this
will be taken care of as he is responsible for it.
Arena Sand - Luger explained that the arena has some extremely soft sand in it. It is so soft
and unstable that CEZRA considers it to be dangerous and has scheduled some of their
gaming shows at an alternate site. Luger has been looking into possible solutions to fix the
arena. The potential solutions have been varied as well as have the prices - from a few
thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. He thinks he has a solution that will be fix the
problem at no additional costs. Luger proposes that CEZRA haul in some of the black dirt from
the track that had been used as “a table” for moto-x racing. The dirt will then be disked in by a
CEZRA volunteer. They will use only try this on part of the arena and if it is a successful fix
they will work the entire arena this way.
The Committee is agreeable to this solution as long as the “dirt pile” in the track has not
and is not used as part of the regular fair track design.
Arena Out Gate -Luger explained that the gate has hinge issues and needs to be replaced. S.
Williams will take a look at it in the near future.
g. Safe Room Building
The Safe Room is still under construction.
h. Exhibit Hall & Garden Building
These were not gone through at this time. Crandall will meet with S. Williams at a future date.
i. Lighting Around Perimeter
Many of the sensors and bulbs have been replaced on the light poles which should help reduce
the ongoing electrical costs.
j. Other Projects
Well – The need for the well to be repaired and how the well will be tied into the Safe Room
was discussed.
Landscaping – There is a need to find someone or a group to take over the flowers and plants
at the Fair Grounds. The Safe Room needs some landscaping as well.
5. Budget Update
The overall Fair Year-To-Date Budget was included in the Committee member’s packets as
well as the Year-To-Date Capital Improvements budget and an itemized list of approved 2015
Capital Improvement Expenditures.
Capital Improvements –
Well - It should be noted that the well repair will likely come out of the Capital
Improvement funds.
Portable Sound System - The portable sound system has been ordered. There will be
three units that can work either as standalone units or as one unit.
Dump Trailer - The dump trailer is on the grounds.
Beef & Horse Barn Electrical - The Beef Barn electrical upgrade will be done by
Anderson & S. Williams as will the Green Horse Barn Electrical upgrades (switches).
Beef Barn Roof – The Beef Barn ventilation cost should come in lower than expected
as a ridge vent will be put in instead of a cupola.
Future Capital Improvements – Motiff indicated that she would like to pursue the idea
of the Fair Grounds becoming a certified campground. Because of the size of the Fair
Grounds, the site would be targeted to large group camping only; such as: car clubs, rv clubs,
etc.; so as not to compete with private campgrounds. The camping would be run through the
Fair Office. There would need to be improvements made to meet State Statutes. This subject
will be researched and discussed at a future date (after the Fair).
6. 2015 Fair Planning
a. Entertainment
i. Contracts
CEZRA – CEZRA will be holding two days of events during the Fair. However, the second day
of gaming is not WSCA (Western Saddle Club Association) sanctioned. Motiff voiced her
concern about the number of participants because of this. Luger assured Motiff and the
Bayfield County Fair Minutes - May 27, 2015 Page 3 of 3
Committee that because the non-sanctioned fun day has less rigid standards, that there will be
as many or more participants.
Division Stunt Team – The Division Stunt Team contract was discussed, there were a few
minor changes from the original discussions.
The Committee consensus was to have Motiff proceed with signing both updated contracts.
ii. Fire Works -Discussion on the possibility of having fireworks. The committee would
like to see if a sponsor can be found for the fireworks. The staff will follow up on
negotiating prices and looking for potential sponsors. It will be discussed further in the
future.
iii. Power Wheels - The Mashlans (Dirt Dash) would like to put on a youth race with
battery operated vehicles. LaChappelle and Motiff did discuss the logistics with our
insurance agent.
iv. Punt Pass and Kick – The Washburn/Bayfield/South Shore Football team will run this
event again. The event will start with registration at 2 pm on Saturday, August 8th.
b. Advertising
The Committee Member’s packets included a breakdown of the advertising plan. There will be
an increase in flyers/posters, brochures and social media advertising and a decrease in Radio
and TV advertising. Local newspaper advertising will stay about the same. As suggested,
advertising in the Evergreen Shopper’s other shopper papers will be looked into.
c. Beer Garden
The Beer license application is on the Town of Iron River’s agenda for June 11th. Lori Fibert will
be returning as Beverage Coordinator and has made arrangements with Superior Beverages.
There was also a discussion on pricing of the beverages.
d. Commercial Vendors
Letters will be going out to potential commercial vendors soon.
e. Insurance
The insurance has been renewed.
f. Premium Lists
Premium lists have been printed and are being delivered to various locations throughout the
area.
g. Sponsors
A list of sponsors and dollar amounts was included in the Committee Member’s packets
h. Volunteers
The ticket sellers schedule was included in the Committee Member’s packets. The information
has also been shared in the 4H newsletter and will go out to non-profit organizations next week.
7. Future Agenda Items and Next Meeting Date
The next Fair Committee meeting is planned for Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 4 pm in the County
Board Room. Future agenda items include Fireworks, and the Capital Improvement Budget.
8. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 pm.
Minutes presented by:
Theresa LaChappelle, Administrative Assistant
Bayfield County Fair