Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 Minutes May 17 2021AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION EDUCATION/FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, May 17, 2021 9:00 a.m. The May 17 meeting was held in the South Room of the Youth & Agriculture Center and by Zoom. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pat Schroeder. Present in person were Chairman Schroeder, Mark Stead, John Patcle, Mike Lieurance, Gary Northouse, Bob Keeney, Amy Olson, Paul Ohlrogge, Lori Vesperman, Shane Drinkwater, James Schneider, Donna Peterson, Amanda Cauffman, Charisse Orth, Bev Doll, Jaclyn Essandoh, Pat Becker and Sharon Gruender. Present by Zoom were Joe Bonnell, Amanda Degenhardt, Tonya White and Matt Jacopelli. Roger Guthrie was excused. The meeting notice was posted at the Extension Office, Youth & Agriculture Center, Administration Building, on the Grant County website and emailed to media. Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried. Motion by Gary Northouse, seconded by Mark Stead, to approve minutes of the meetings held April 13 & 19, 2021. Motion carried. Grant County Extension and Youth & Agriculture Center business was presented. Educator reports were given by Amanda Cauffman, Charisse Orth, Donna Peterson, Bev Doll, Joe Bonnell and James Schneider. Paul Ohlrogge gave the Area Extension Director update. The Area 17 Director position has been advertised with a closing date of May 25. Paul thanked the Committee for the opportunity to work with them. Paul Ohlrogge presented the Cooperative Agreement Between Grant/Iowa/Lafayette/County to Provide Education About and Proper Disposal of Hazardous Waste. Joe Bonnell spoke about details of applying for a grant to hold a clean sweep for two days each in Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Counties in 2022, possibly September. Each County would need to commit to $15,000 in matching funds. Grant County funds would be budgeted in the 2022 budget. Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Gary Northouse, to approve the Clean Sweep agreement and send on to the County Board. Motion carried. 10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. - Public Hearing on the Grant County Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Jaclyn Essandoh, Southwest Regional Planning, presented the plan with James Schneider. Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan as presented by Southwest Regional Planning and pay the cost of $3,000 from the American Rescue Plan funds. Motion carried. Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Gary Northouse, to approve Extension vouchers. Motion carried. Amy Olson gave the grounds and maintenance and Youth & Agriculture Center report. Sharon Gruender and Pat Becker spoke of their concerns regarding the Youth & Ag Center not being open for public walking. Due to conversation with Corporation Counsel, it is not allowed at this time due to possible liability concerns. Questions and concerns will be followed up on. It was decided not to get the stove/grill from the old Sheriff’s Department building to put under the grandstand due the cost of converting it for use. The LTE Summer maintenance and fair time position has been advertised. The closing date is May 28. Motion by Mike Lieurance, seconded by John Patcle, to approve Amy hiring an LTE summer maintenance person. Motion carried. A new lease for use of the Youth & Ag Center was presented reflecting need for proof of insurance and serving alcohol. Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to accept the new lease. Motion carried. Lancaster FFA student volunteers were doing painting on the Fairgrounds. Maintenance took down the trees they were able to and burned them. The skid steer needs new tires. The cost will be $664.29. The hydraulic cylinder for dumping garbage will cost approximately $2,200. Master Gardeners have an area by the Eckstein Exhibit Hall they created with plants and will maintain. Brenda and Amy are redoing the plot created by Busy Badgers. Plants need to be split and new barrier put down to control maintenance. Amy Olson presented Fair and Fairgrounds Business. Fairest of the Fair Banquet will be held May 25. Gate workers for the 2021 Fair on Friday is Lancaster Lions Club. Saturday and Sunday are questionable for help at this time. There will be two billboards advertising the Fair this year, one by Dubuque and one by Platteville. Cost for both is $1,200. Vendor letters were sent out in May. Grant County Dairy Promoters are not doing the food stand on Sunday. ADRC is sponsoring music for seniors on Friday from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. Contracts were presented for Maple Street Day Care (food stand), Lancaster Sluggers (beer stand) and Docs Ultimate Entertainment. Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by John Patcle to sign the three contracts presented. Motion carried. The fair poster contest will be judged at the end of the meeting. The June event posters are ready to hand out. Discussion was held on repairing the electrical box at the arena and moving the transformer. Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to have the West Grant Saddle Club share the expense of repairing the electrical box and moving the transformer at the arena area. Motion carried. Since anyone can enter the State Fair in the future, Amy doesn’t see the necessity for judges to choose special entries from the Grant County Fair to go to State Fair, as has been done in the past. Motion by Mark, seconded by Mike Lieurance to no longer choose special entries to take to State Fair starting in 2021. Motion carried. Motion by John Patcle, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to approve fairgrounds vouchers. Motion carried. Paul Ohlrogge expects to hear an update soon on Extension Covid guidelines. Motion by Mark Stead, seconded by Mike Lieurance, to adjourn. The next regular scheduled meeting will be held June 21, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. Adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Mark Stead Secretary Lori Vesperman Recording Secretary