10.1. SR 01-06-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City of Elk Request for Action River To Item Number Mayor and City Council 10.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Work Session January 6, 2014 Cal Portner, City Administrator Item Description Reviewed by County Fairgrounds Discussion Reviewed by Action Requested Discuss vision, direction for the Sherburne County Fairgrounds property. Background/Discussion On December 18, 2013, County Administrator Steve Taylor kicked off a Task Force as directed by the Sherburne County Board. The Task Force has the following charge: • Look at the short- and long-term potential for the property • Update the survey • Develop a business plan to determine long-term sustainability of the Sherburne County Fair. The County Fair Board lease for the property expires on June 1, 2015. The Fair Board has access to a two-year grant of approximately$10,700 per year to build a structure to house historical records. The County Attorney's Office recommended that the Fair Board secure a new lease for the property before continuing with the grant application. Task Force members include, members of the Sherburne County Board and their representatives, City of Elk River representatives,Ag Society members and Fair Board members. Some items that were articulated at the meeting: • The fair receives $10,000 annually from the county and has a$104,000 budget for 2014. • In their fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, the Fair Board ran a deficit of approximately $8,000. • Fair attendance was 10,000 in 2013, as reported on the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs, and has struggled of late due to extreme weather. • The fairgrounds property consist of 29.57 acres. • The area is guided by the City of Elk River for public/semi-public use. • It is zoned by the city as Business Park (light mfg., R&D, office,warehouse, trade schools, and educational institution.) • The size of the current parcel was discussed (Anoka County has 50.7 acres on two parcels) • Becker area has 60 acres of property donated that has limitations for use only as a fair or youth- oriented activities that will never produce tax revenue. • The current property has a potential to generate tax revenue. P a w E R E U 6 Y NaA f RE]