HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 Minutes October 16 2017AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION
EDUCATION/FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, October 16, 2017
9:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Roger Guthrie. Present, in addition to
Guthrie were John Patcle, Grant Loy, Mike Lieurance, Mark Stead, Bob Keeney, Amy Olson,
Lori Vesperman, Paul Ohlrogge, Kory Stalsberg, James Schneider, Donna Peterson, Ron
Brisbois, Matt Kreul, Sara Burks and Jeremey Reuter. Dan Timmerman was excused from the
meeting.
The meeting notice was posted at the UW-Extension Office, Youth & Agriculture Center and
mailed to media and Administration Building by Lori Vesperman and posted on the website by
the Grant County Clerk’s Office.
Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve the amended agenda. Motion
carried.
Motion by Grant Loy, seconded by John Patcle, to approve minutes of the meeting held
September 18, 2017. Motion carried.
Grant County UW-Extension and Youth & Agriculture Center business was presented.
Agent reports were given by James Schneider, Kory Stalsberg and Donna Peterson. Kory shared
his resignation letter with the committee. His last day of employment is October 31.
Paul Ohlrogge informed the committee that Dustin Winkelman was hired for the 4-H Backfill
position. He will work 15 hours a week until the middle to end of December, possibly more if the
budget allows. The agriculture educator position for Grant County will be advertised this year,
hopefully by the end of November. Current interims that were hired through an interview process
will be rolled into approved permanent positions. Interim positions that were appointed will be
required to go through the hiring process. Therefore, Grant County’s Interim CRD Agent, James
Schneider will be offered the CRD position in Grant County. The Interim 4-H Youth
Development Educator, Charisse Orth, will need to apply for the 4-H position. The Ag &
Extension Education Committee will be involved in the interview process for positions being
filled.
Ron Brisbois, Grant County Economic Development Director, presented the Revolving Loan
Application for ResiCAD, Fennimore. The loan is for $100,000 at a rate of 3.25% for a term of
up to 7 years. The loan use is for equipment. The business currently employs eight full-time
positions and will create five new full-time positions.
Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to send the ResiCAD Revolving Loan
application to the full County Board recommending passage of this loan. Motion carried.
Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve UW-Extension vouchers.
Motion carried.
Amy Olson gave the grounds and maintenance and Youth & Agriculture Center report.
Maintenance staff is working on winterizing buildings, trimming trees and taking calls regarding
storage. Storm damage bills in the amount of $1,606.65 have been paid. Amy turned paperwork
in to Linda Gebhard. The fairgrounds will be reimbursed from insurance.
Matt Kreul, Lancaster FFA Alumni, requested to use up to 40 tables for their annual breakfast
and toy show. In the past they have given a donation for using the tables.
Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Grant Loy, to allow Lancaster FFA Alumni the use of tables,
giving a donation as they did in 2016. Motion carried.
Lancaster Youth Wrestling would like to use the Auditorium in the Youth & Ag Center for
practice.
Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by John Patcle, to allow Lancaster Youth Wrestling to use the
Youth & Ag Center for practices in January and February, 2018. Motion carried.
Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve grounds and maintenance
vouchers. Motion carried.
Amy Olson presented Fair and Fairgrounds business.
Sara Burks attended the meeting on behalf of the West Grant Saddle Club and Regional Rodeo
thanking the committee for use of the grounds and making sure lines of communication stay
open. She also requested permission for campers to stay on the grounds November 4 for the
fundraiser they are holding in the Eckstein Exhibit Hall. Donations will be made to the
fairgrounds.
Jeremy Reuter attended the meeting to discuss tractor pulls at the Grant County Fair. The 2017
pulls were successful with no complaints received. ECI, a pulling group from Iowa, is interested
in having a tractor pull Friday night of the 2018 Fair. The cost with eight classes would be
$7,800. Jeremy will give a $500 donation. This would bring the cost to $7,300 for the Fair.
Discussion was held on rainout. In case of rain, the Fair would be responsible for paying ECI for
completed classes, if any, and $300 for the cost of insurance.
Motion by Grant Loy, seconded by Mike Lieurance to go with ECI and have a total of 8 classes
for Friday night’s tractor pull. Motion carried.
Amy would like to move the current Fair entry deadline.
Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Grant Loy, to move the Fair entry deadline from Monday to
the prior Friday. Motion carried.
Amy gave an update of internet service at the Fairgrounds. TDS moved the modem from the Fair
Office to the UWEX Office.
A meeting on the swine building is scheduled for October 23 at 2:30 with Keith Dalsing, KD
Engineering Consultants. Two quotes will be presented, one with an open sided building and one
enclosed.
Amy shared the tentative schedule for the 2018 Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention.
Amy is starting to work on changes for the sponsorship/promotion letters.
A contract was signed with C & C Bucking Bulls for the rodeo Thursday night of the 2018 Fair at
a cost of $13,000. The Fair provides $3,000 prize money for bull riders and C & C provides $500
for barrel racers.
Policy implementation for the Fairgrounds was discussed. Amy will talk to Corporation Council
regarding camping on the grounds. A building maintenance fee was discussed.
Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Mike Lieurance to implement a $100 fee in 2018 to cover
expenses for groups using the fairgrounds facilities and requesting additional restrooms/showers.
Motion carried.
Amy shared a list of suggested changes for the 2018 Fair.
Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by John Patcle, to approve suggested changes for the 2018 Fair
excluding Livestock and Draft Horse categories. Motion carried.
Motion by Grant Loy, seconded by John Patcle, not to reissue a fair premium check from 2015
that was found by an exhibitor. Motion carried.
Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Mike Lieurance to sign a contract with Lancaster Sluggers
for use of the Eckstein Exhibit Hall. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on restructuring the Ag & Extension/Fair Committee.
Motion by Grant Loy, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve Fair and Fairgrounds vouchers.
Motion carried.
Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve the livestock claim in the
amount of $405 to the Grant County Humane Society and send on to the full county board for
approval. Two no votes. Motion carried.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 9, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.
Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Grant Loy, to adjourn. Motion carried.
Adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Stead
Secretary
Lori Vesperman
Recording Secretary