10.1. SR 01-06-2014 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]
• The county-wide agriculture industry is not livestock-based so there are fewer animals than other
fairs.
• Financial constraints limit the number and type of entertainment activities.
• East/West Sherburne County divide on fair location, operations and viability.
• Decline in agriculture/family farming has impacted many county fairs.
• Concerns about the technical expertise (budgeting, event planning, fundraising) required for a
successful event.
• The property was reported as used on average of five days per week in summer months by 4H,
Saddle Club,Dog Club, etc.
• Liability insurance costs increased significantly after finding they were underinsured.
• There is a need for a building to preserve historical information of the fair.
Attached is information pulled from the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs (MFCF) website
(hap://www.mfcfcom/home.!=) which has been supplemented by some county information. Included
is information from 20 of the 95 county fairs represented by MFCF.
The information in black is from the MFCF website,which includes fair dates, the county and city
hosting,the carnival provider and 2013 attendance.
The information in red is specific county information added to the MFCF list,which would show which
county seats host fairgrounds, the population of the county and the largest city by population in each
county.
Some questions for the city and county to consider for the discussion:
1. What is the city's long-term vision for the fairgrounds and surrounding area?
2. What is the highest and best use for the property?
3. How should success be measured? (attendance, revenue)
4. How much of a (countywide) subsidy should be provided?
5. What capital amenities are needed to improve the viability of the fairgrounds?
6. Is there a (countywide) financial commitment to ensuring success?
7. Should the City of Elk River provide for improvements (capital/operational) to enhance the
grounds or event(s)?
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
■ County Fair List
County
Dates County Fair and City county Seat Largest CitN Carnival and Attendance
Population
Anoka County Fair (Anoka) Anoka 336,414 Coon Rapids Gopher State Expositions
July 23-28, 2013 www.anokacountyfair.com 61,476 Attendance: 39,500
Benton County Fair (Sauk Rapids) Foley 38,451 Sauk Rapids Gopher State Expositions
August 5-11, 2013 www.BentonFairMN.com 12,773 Attendance: 86,000
Carver County Fair (Waconia) Chaska 91,042 Chaska Gold Star Amusements
August 7-11, 2013 www.carvercountyfair.com 23,770 Attendance: 98,150
Crow Wing County Fair (Brainerd) Brainerd 62,882 Brainerd Todd Armstrong Shows
Jul 30-Aug. 3, 2013 www.brainerd.com/fair 13,590
Attendance: 80,000
Dakota County Fair (Farmington) Hastings 405,088 Eagan Midwest Rides
August 5-11, 2013 www.dakotacountyfair.org 64,206 Attendance: 135,000
Hennepin County Fair (Corcoran) Minneapolis 1.185M Minneapolis Gopher State Expositions
June 13-16, 2013 www.hennepincountyfair.com 39200 Attendance: 12,500
Itasca County Fair (Grand Rapids) Grand Rapids 45�221 Grand Rapids Gopher State Expositions
August 14-18, 2013 1069
`VNvw.itascacountyfair.org Attendance: 45,000
Kandiyohi County Fair (Willmar) Willmar 42,379 Willmar Magel Canival Midway
August 7-11, 2013 www.kandifair.com 19,610 Attendance: 23,000
McLeod County Fair (Hutchinson) Glencoe 36,053 Hutchinson Amusement Attractions
August 14-18, 2013 www.mcleodcountyfair.com 14,178 Attendance: 45,000
Mille Lacs County Fair (Princeton) Milaca 25,740 Princeton Stipe's Carnival
August 8-11, 2013 www.millelacscountyfair.com 4,698 Attendance: 25,500
Mower County Free Fair (Austin) Austin 39,372 Austin Merriam's Midway Shows
August 6-11, 2013 www.mowercountyfair.com 24,718 Attendance: 80,000
Olmsted County Fair (Rochester) Rochester 147,066 Rochester Gold Star Amusements
July 22-28, 2013 www.olmstedcountyfair.com 108,992 Attendance: 10000
Ramsey County Fair (Maplewood) St. Paul 520,152 St. Paul Gold Star Amusements
July 10-14, 2013 www.ramseycountyfair.com 290,770 Attendance: 11,000
Scott County Fair (Jordan) Shakopee 129,928 Shakopee Merriams Midway
July 24-28, 2013 www.scottcountyfair.com 37,076 Attendance: 28,000
Sherburne County Fair (Elk River) Elk River 89,455 Elk River Gopher State Expositions
July 18-21, 2013 www.sherburnecountyfair.org 23,273 Attendance: 10,000
Sibley County Fair (Arlington) Gaylord 15,123 LeSeur J&K Concessions and Rides
Jul 31 -Aug 4, 2013 www.sibleycountyfair.com 4,029 Attendance: 20,000
Stearns County Fair (Sauk Centre) St. Cloud 150,642 St. Cloud Crescent City Amusements
Jul 31 -Aug 4, 2013 www.stearnscountyfair.com 65,980 Attendance: 30,000
Steele County Free Fair (Owatonna) Owatonna 36,322 Owatonna Gold Star Amusements
August 13-18, 2013 www.scff.org 25,599 Attendance: 306,597
Washington County Fair (Lake Elmo) Stillwater 244,088 Woodbury Gold Star Amusements
Jul 31 -Aug 4, 2013 www.washingtoncountyfair.org 64,496 Attendance: 52,000
Wright County Fair (Howard Lake) Buffalo 127,366 St. Michael Amusement Attractions, Inc.
Jul 31 -Aug 4, 2013 www.wrightcountyfair.com 16,366 Attendance: 64,000