HomeMy WebLinkAboutTourism & Fair Committee - Minutes - 10/24/2016Bayfield County Fair Minutes – 10/24/16 Page 1 of 3
BAYFIELD COUNTY FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING
October 24, 2016 – 5:30 p.m.
EOC
Courthouse Annex – 117 E. 6th Street
Washburn, WI 54806
Minutes
1. Call To Order
Meeting called to order at 5:30 pm by the Chair, Jim Crandall.
Members Present: Jim Crandall, Dennis Pocernich, Shawn Miller, and Rusty Williams
Members Absent: Fred Strand
Others present: Mary Motiff, Tourism Director; Jenna Galligan, Fair Administrative Assistant; Scott Williams,
Head Groundskeeper; Jon Hamilton, Bob Janigo, Larry Fickbohm, and The Botosch Family
2. Approval of Minutes from July 25, 2016 Meeting
Motion (Pocernich, Miller) to approve the minutes of July 25, 2016 as presented. Motion Carried.
3. Public Comments – No Public Comments
Motion (Pocernich, Williams) to move agenda item 11 up and dispense with the rules to allow for public
comments. Motion Carried.
4. Discussion and Possible Action on Non-Fair Use of the Fairgrounds
Jon Hamilton of White Winter Winery spoke about other uses for the fairgrounds. He stated that events drawing
5,000-10,000 people to the Iron River area would be ideal. It would be the responsibility of whoever is putting on
the event to organize it and find staff such as a promoter. The possibility of using the grounds as a place for
campers to stay was also discussed; either throughout the Summer/Fall or just for the special events. Hamilton
will follow-up with Motiff to ask specific questions and discuss ideas. The Committee agreed that they would have
to approve events, and all events must have insurance. The updated contract for non-Fair use of the fairgrounds
was included in the Committee Members’ packets for review.
5. Discussion and Possible Action on Committee Days and Times
Consensus of the Committee is that meetings will be on the 4th Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
6. Discussion on 2016 Fair
Motiff spoke about 5-year comparison information included in Committee Members’ packets. Attendance and
admission revenues are back up after a drop last year, which was attributed to the weather. The beer garden was
quite busy despite the decrease in revenue, partly due to an increase in cost of product. We continue to struggle
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to find vendors that are willing to be there all 4 days. Daily grandstand entertainment was compared to attendance
and admissions revenue over the past 5 years. Bull Riding on Friday night and the Dirt Dash on Sunday continue
to attract big crowds.
Motion (Miller, Pocernich) to move agenda item 6 to the bottom before adjournment. Motion Carried.
7. Discussion and Possible Action on 2017 Fair Planning
Some entertainment options for 2017 were discussed.
Motion (Pocernich, Miller) to approve Bull Riding in the Grandstand on Friday. Motion Carried.
Motion (Miller, Williams) to approve Dirt Dash in the Grandstand on Sunday. Motion Carried.
Discussion on the possibility of the Aged Iron Tractor Pull starting earlier in the Grandstand on Saturday. Bob
Janigo will continue to research other grounds entertainment options that are “out of the box” with the
understanding that there must be organizers there to run them. Horse Racing was discussed as a possible
entertainment option. The Botosch family and Larry Fickbohm provided information on racing that is done at the
Carlton County Fair. Fickbohm and Crandall would be willing to meet out at the fairgrounds to discuss developing
the track to use for this event. The Committee agreed that it would be better to start Horse Racing as a separate
event before introducing it as an entertainment option at the fair. More entertainment options will be looked into at
the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention in January.
8. Budget Update
2016 budget looks good overall, despite some unplanned expenses for overlapping employees. Capital
Improvements budget was reviewed for 2016, and the budget that was approved for 2017 was discussed.
Electrical work is the number one issue to research at this time.
9. Discussion on WI Association of Fairs Fall District 2 Meeting
The meeting took place in Menomonie, and Galligan was able to meet the state staff as well as Fair board
members from many other Fairs. One of the agenda items was the 2017 Wisconsin Association of Fairs Annual
Convention. Committee members were asked if they would like to attend the Convention taking place January 8-
11, 2017 in Wisconsin Dells. Crandall, Miller, and Pocernich will attend and staff will follow up with Strand to see if
he will attend.
10. Buildings and Grounds Update
Scott Williams gave updates. Winter storage is complete, but there is room for a couple more pontoons or boats.
Three new picnic tables were delivered, and everything was put away for the year. Water is shut off, and the lines
have been blown out. Deciding on a plan for electrical work on the grounds still needs to be done.
11. Future Agenda Items and Next Meeting Date
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 28, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the EOC. The agenda will include
review of a proposed plan for electrical work at the fairgrounds, and 2017 Fair planning.
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12. Discussion on Incident at the 2016 Bayfield County Fair involving an Attendee
Motion (Miller, Williams) to move in and out of closed session pursuant to §19.85(1)(f) Considering financial,
medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific
personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which,
if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person
referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations; and to allow Scott Williams,
Head Groundskeeper to remain in the session. Motion Carried.
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Jenna Galligan
Bayfield County Fair Administrative Assistant
Edited and approved by:
Mary Motiff
Tourism Director