GALLATIN COUNTY FAIR BOARD
JUNE 20 2006 MEETING MINUTES
(As Approved on August 15, 2006 Meeting)
FAIR BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT – Blair Howze, Bob Brekke, Jim Oberhofer, Chris Budeski, Misty Radue, Dennis Farnham
FUNDRAISING – Harry Huntsinger, Travis Burian
STAFF – Sue Shockley, Debbie Ehlert – Secretary
COMMISSION – Joe Skinner
PUBLIC – Lorna Simard, Mary Ellen Holmes, Marci Gehring, Andrew Hinkelman, Jeff Bagdanor, Carla Bagdanor, Jonne Shearman, Leon Shearman, Merle Adams, Sparky Deason, Sheryl Hallin, Lina Warner, Lynn Ingeman, John Myles, Gertie Myles Orner, Chris Gray, Rob Pertzborn, John LaFountaine, Sonya Berg
1. CALL TO ORDER – Chairperson Blair Howze called the meeting to order at 6:38PM.
2. INTRODUCTIONS – New Fair Board Member – Dennis Farnam
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MAY 23, 2006 – Chris Budeski made the motion to approve the May 23 2006 Minutes. Misty Radue seconded the motion. All for. None against. Motion carried.
5. GUEST PRESENTATION –
A. PRCA Stock Contractor – Mr. Dreason
Sparky Dreason with the Gold Buckle Rodeo Company gave a short presentation regarding a PRCA Rodeo the Fairgrounds is looking at in 2007 or later. Mr. Dreason gave the Fair Board members names and phone numbers of references. Mr. Dreason said that he felt he could provide the best family entertainment and best value for the money.
B. Ice Presentation – Chris Gray as the BAHA President said the ice usage could increase by 100 to 150%. Chris Gray said they wanted to increase the lease term to October 15 to Apr 15 as soon as possible. Chris Gray said they also were looking into roll up doors to help keep the wind out in order to help in making ice easier. Chris Gray wanted the Fair Board to allow Sue Shockley the authority to decide on a daily basis what permanent door solution they come up with and to start the season earlier. Rob Pertzborn said the cost of the roll up doors would be around $56,000 and they could have them installed by mid September. Chris Budeski made a motion to authorize the change in the lease agreement to allow Sue to make that decision when the earliest
date is possible. Bob Brekke seconded the motion. All were for. None against. Motion carried. Bob Brekke made a motion to allow Sue the authority to approve minor changes and Sue has the authority to approve the doors installed at no cost to the fairgrounds. Misty Radue seconded the motion. Motion amended to add with Sue’s discretion with approval of the Fair Board chairman. Misty Radue seconded the amended motion. All in favor. None against. Motion carried.
Mr. D'Agonstino said that ICE wanted to put a second sheet of ice used 12 months out of the year and used as a multi-purpose facility. This would draw 300/400 each tournament. Cost would be around $4 million and they would have a $2 million endowment for operating. Ice was having a meeting on July 10, 2006 to discuss the preferred site, preferred proposal, finance committee and business plan. ICE wanted a commitment from the Fair Board that if they worked under the guidelines of the Fair Board that the Fair Board would provide a place on the Fairgrounds for a second sheet of ice. Bob Brekke made a motion to have a special meeting with ICE on July 11, 2006 at 6:00PM. Misty Radue seconded the motion. All in favor. None against. Motion carried.
C. Mountaineers 4X4 Club – Mike Jongeling requested help from the Fairground’s operations to maintain the motor sports area. They wanted power and water to the area, seed the burms and spray the weeds. Sue said some of the bleachers needed to be removed due to liability concerns. Sue said the Fairgrounds operation staff would spray the weeds, mow the burms and remove the unsafe bleachers.
6. COUNTY COMMISSION UPDATE – Joe Skinner
Joe Skinner said all of the Fairgrounds requests were approved but no funding. Funding would be available if the Fair Grounds increased its revenue. The Commission would not fund the CIP with new money but they would increase the loan for the sidewalk and the electrical. Joe Skinner said the Commission wanted Larry Watson to manage all projects at the Fair Grounds. Funding would be 1.67/mill and $380,000 repaid by PILT. The Fairgrounds needs to raise the revenues and they can get the approved funding.
The Commission wants the Fairgrounds to pay for the Auditors time for major events.
7. DECISION ITEMS
A. Fair Decisions – none
B. Jordan Circus – Will we allow them to return to the Fairgrounds next year? Sue said the animals were not being taken care of and some had injuries. Bob Brekke made a motion not to allow the Jordan Circus to return unless they improve. Dennis Farnham seconded the motion. All were for. None Against. Motion carried.
C. Sale of alcohol Commission when the proceeds go to a non-profit organization? AGR House donation. Chris Budeski made a motion to allow the proposal. Jim Oberhofer seconded the motion. All were for. None against. Motion carried.
D. Parking Committee Recommendations – Signage and designated parking places. Suggestions to check into changing the main approach that may require a permit from the city. Chris Budeski said the use of buses was unlikely. Parking committee suggested car counters.
E. Pricing Committee recommendations – none
F. Shooting Range Lease Agreement – changes requested by Bozeman Rifle and Pistol Club – Continued
Break 9:05PM to 9:10PM
8. FOUNDATION UPDATE – Mike Gaffke
A. Arena Project – Update – No response from Mr. Nuffer. The announcers stand repaired.
B. Fund Raising - Harry and Travis – Freedom Days on July 4th has $12,000 in cash sponsorships, Lions Club $2000 and Yellowstone Harley $2000.
C. Water and sewer update – Chris Budeski – Water and sewer project is in progress. There have been some issues but it is moving forward. Chris said the water would be a 2” line coming off an existing 2” line.
D. ICE- Mike – The ICE meeting is important and there is an important decision ahead of the Fair Board.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. 2006 Fair – Jennifer Blossom or Tanya Arrington – Sue said there would be a tent, booths in the Haynes Pavilion, fishing pond, Alpacas, fry bread and a mechanical bull. Big Sky Western Bank is providing ticket booth people at no cost to the Fairgrounds. Sunday will be Yellowstone Christian. Shelly Spade will be one of the performers. Sunday will be $1 day.
B. Freedom Days Committee- Harry and Travis- Already reported
C. Contract Review Committee – No Report
D. Winterfest – Harry – Looking at winter events. Next meeting is in August.
E. Rodeo Committee – Lorna Simard – The Ranch Rodeo gates open at 4:00PM and 5:00PM Calcutta. The Stock Horse Show meeting is at 9:30AM and starts at 10:00AM.
F. PRCA Rodeo Committee – Misty Radue – Mr. Becker in Livingston is not in support of a PRCA Rodeo in Bozeman.
G. Marketing – Harry Huntsinger and Travis Burian – Going Good
H. Volunteer – Committee has not met – No report
I. Policy/By Laws – Need to schedule meeting and review By Laws and Policies – Committee met and Sue was going to email the Fair Board members the updates as done.
J. Pricing – Chris Budeski – No Update
K. Parking Committee – Chris Budeski – Discussed Prior.
L. Security/Emergency Planning/First Aid – Bob Brekke/Jim Oberhofer – Central Fire Committee to have different volunteer departments. No plan yet for parking.
M. Alcohol Policy Committee – Jim Oberhofer – None
10. CORRESPONDENCE – none
11. MANAGER’S REPORT - none
12. FINANCIAL REPORT - Misty Radue made a motion to approve the financial report as presented. Bob Brekke seconded the motion. All for. None against. Motion carried.
13. DISCUSSION
A. Pea Cannery Property Plan – Tabled for tonight. Need plan from across the street.
B. ATM For Fairgrounds – Sue said the Fairgrounds has the location and a local bank is providing the ATM – Revenue will be $.25 per transaction.
C. Taxes on Pea Cannery Property – Sue said she is working on this with Kate.
D. Baseball Lease Agreement – Had to resend as the Baseball PO Box had been closed. Sue said they had a Baseball game scheduled for the night of July 4th. Sue sent a request to reschedule due to safety issues.
E. Old Bleachers at Motor Sports – Operations will start disassembling them now.
F. Draft Proposal for Improvement of Motor Sports Area – Nothing has been done.
G. Capital Improvement Projects progress- Buildings will be done for the Fair.
H. Retreat – Tabled until fall
I. Board Training – Will be held in the fall.
J. Personnel Update – Sue – Sue said the Fairgrounds would hire temporary help for the Fair. There will be 3 shifts a day, 2 people per shift. Duties would include set up, bathrooms, wash racks and various other duties.
K. Changes to Fairgrounds General Lease Agreement – Tabled until fall after Policy Committee completes their work.
L. Other Items Not on Agenda – Discussion only
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sue announced that Extension is moving and there is office space available at the Ag Center.
15. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH’S MEETING – Special meeting on July 11, 2006 at 6:00PM.
Chris Budeski wanted the 4H ice machine included.
16. ADJORNMENT
Misty Radue made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:43PM. Bob Brekke seconded the motion. All for. None against. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted by: _____________________________________________
| 
