To: Concerned Citizens of Napa County
This is in response to recent letters to the Napa County Fair Board and in our local newspapers. Please be assured that each and every board member, including our fair CEO is focused on preserving and improving our valued fairgrounds for the benefit of the community.
We understand that many residents are concerned about the fair and fairgrounds, and rightly so. However, the solutions are not as easy as they might seem, and the board and staff have been working on them for several years now. There are some misconceptions about the root cause of these issues that we hope to clarify.
Effective immediately the board has adopted a strategic communications plan to clarify misconceptions, address community concerns, and to better inform our community at large of association news and events. We not only believe this will assist in clarifying community concerns, but we also believe that this plan will assist in marketing the grounds, facilities, and special events.
While we agree that there are ongoing issues surrounding the fair and grounds to attend to, we have resolved several areas of concern in a timely manner, especially considering the limited staff we have. We are confident that the current management is a part of the solution rather than the root cause of the problem. Management has successfully increased revenue in the RV Park and improved several areas on the grounds. Just last year all of the swamp coolers on the Tubbs Building and Butler Pavilion were replaced, and prior years have included projects such as replacing a significant portion of sewer line from the grandstands to the street connection and the reclaimed water pond pump. During this time, the Tucker Room was also renovated to develop meeting room space for many service clubs, while at the same time creating a home for the Calistoga Art Center.
And in support of our County Fair, Parade & Fireworks management has successfully developed an event for every season. This includes ENGAGE Art Fair, the Olive Oil Competition, Fiesta Mexicana, Gala a’Fair, and the Christmas Faire. Management has also successfully increased the number of quinceaneras on the calendar this year to 11, which is only 2 shy of our 3-year total. Therefore, we determine that operations have been stabilized over the last few years as opposed to spiraling downward.
It is the board’s objective to preserve and improve the fair and fairgrounds. We are all trying to be patient while a solution to the governance issue is found. It is at the root of the problems we have all observed. We urge your patience as well while the City and the County move through their process.
Napa County Fair Association Q&A
Concern: Request to terminate the Napa County Fair CEO immediately.
Response: It is the board’s collective position that the current management remain and that we stay the course to ensure that good decisions are made, especially with respect to the recent Grand Jury Report and our suggestion to form a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to the city and county. The CEO has been historically blamed for the current state of the fairgrounds, which we believe is undeserved. Carlene Moore is a fair operations professional with decades of experience and is highly respected in the fair industry. This is apparent during the annual Western Fairs Association Conference. Our fair is a very lean organization that requires strategic fair management. Removing Mrs. Moore would create an immediate, serious problem with day-to day operations, thus creating additional challenges such as finding a professional who would take on a fairground that is hampered by the short-term nature of our contract. Managing the Napa County Fair is not an easy job.
Concern: The Napa County Fair is mismanagement by the CEO and the board.
Response: Fairs throughout California (and elsewhere) are experiencing problems. The exceptions are the biggest fairs in locations with a large population base to draw on. One small fair has shut down. Our fair has the disadvantage of being miles away from the county population center and competing with the Town and Country Fair in the city of Napa, where the population is 15 times that of Calistoga. Fairs have also been impacted by changes in our local economy - our county is now almost all devoted to grapes rather than general agriculture- We’ve been working on an idea for a sponsored farm-oriented facility, but we have been unable to make this happen, because the real problem has been lack of authority to procure money to maintain facilities, make capital improvements, and try new ideas. The lack of financial support from the state has only added to the loss.
Concern: The Napa County Fair should be audited.
Response: We already have annual audits by a professional accounting firm. The audit is available to the public. You can find these reports and findings online at http://www.celebratenapavalley.org/p/about/financials.
Concern: The Napa County Fair needs more transparency in the financials.
Response: Financials are provided at every association meeting, including budgets and actual income/expense categorized by key activities. Financials are generally presented in two formats; one required by the state, and one in a more understandable typical accounting format.
Concern: Professional management should be hired for the golf course.
Response: It’s a good idea. We’ve discussed it many times in the past and it was recommended by the grand jury. Restoration of the course will require a costly capital investment. For example, the antiquated irrigation system is labor intensive and in constant repair just to keep it functioning.
A professional management firm might invest in needed improvements under a long-term contract, however the association is hampered from entering into such contracts due to the short-term nature of our own contract with the county (5-year terms, cancellable with short notice). Therefore, such an arrangement would have to be made by the county, or a JPA if one gets formed
Concern: Professional management should be hired for the RV Park.
Response: Again, we are hampered by the short-term nature of our own contract with the county.
Concern: Professional management should be hired for the speedway.
Response: We already have a contract with Hunt Motorsport Concepts, who are responsible for obtaining and operating speedway events. For those who want more events, it should be noted that our contract with the county limits events to a maximum of 10 annually and we are currently at 7.
Concern: The board should not be planning to shut the speedway down.
Response: The board has never had any plans to shut down the speedway. Some board members are long-term fans, and others have had a neutral attitude toward speedway operations. The board is aware there are many speedway fans and has committed in the past to continue speedway operations so long as they are viable. We have supported the growth of the speedway program under current management’s leadership, adding events such as the motorcycle races and return of the World of Outlaws.
Concern: The board’s real agenda is to close the fair and sell the fairgrounds to a developer.
Response: The fair association does not own the fairgrounds, it is owned by Napa County. The fair association has always advocated to keep this facility for the public benefit. We made that very clear in our recommendations to the city and county regarding what the objectives of a JPA should be. In fact, in October 2016 the Association presented county and city representatives with a letter specifically outlining the board’s intentions in regard to the future of the Napa County Fairgrounds.
Investment in the fairgrounds infrastructure and facilities is needed. Current operations of programs on the fairgrounds do not generate enough proceeds to fund needed infrastructure repairs, upgrades and capital improvements. The JPA structure must effectively support: a. Investment and funding of fairgrounds infrastructure improvements and new facilities; b. The ability to generate significant investment capital to support infrastructure repair and capital improvements such as issuing public bonds; c. Proceeds from fairgrounds programs and land uses should be earmarked for funding improvements and facilities – that is, all proceeds should be reinvested into the fairgrounds. d. Commitment of government funds if needed to build civic center type of buildings or facilities. e. Strong encouragement of public/private partnerships.
Concern: The board has wasted money on the “Master Plan” that could have been used to improve facilities.
Response: The master plan is actually an assessment of the fairground facilities and an outline of various scenarios that might occur in the future. Two thirds of the cost (the total was approximately $75,000) was contributed by the Calistoga TID committee and an anonymous donor through the Napa Valley Community Foundation. One of the key recommendations in the report was a change in governance to eliminate the constraint of the current 5-year contract arrangement. The fair board has supported that idea, and recommended forming a JPA to the city and county last October, which they are now pursuing. The future role of the fair association, if a JPA is formed, is unclear. Planning is needed to determine the future and to encourage new investment.
Concern: The board needs to raise money through contributions to improve the fairgrounds.
Response: This is actually a great idea, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. A major contributor has improved the speedway to the tune of $1 million, more or less. It would take amounts in that league to make a dent in the other facility improvements needed. We have had talks with potential sponsors, but all of these ideas have been on hold while the JPA discussions take place.
We invite concerned community members to join the association’s volunteer program. In addition to the fair board, we have a handful of dedicated volunteers who help with the grounds, events, and the fair. Please consider being an active part of the solution by joining our team. We also encourage individuals to join the Napa County Fair Association so that they may receive our new monthly newsletter communicating important association updates and events. Join online by visiting celebratenapavalley.org/p/about/fair-association.
###