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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 SUPPORT EQUESTRIAN CTR AT OC FAIRGRNDS 05-19-09AGENDA REPORT Agenda Item ~ Z Reviewed: City Manager Finance Director NIA MEETING DATE: MAY 19, 2009 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: DAVID A. WILSON, DIRECTOR, PARKS & RECREATION SERVICES SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 09-31 SUPPORTING PRESERVATION OF THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER AT THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS SUMMARY The Orange County Fair Board of Directors is considering replacing the equestrian center at the Orange County Fairgrounds with an additional parking lot. RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 09-31 in support of the preservation of the 7.5-acre equestrian center located at the Orange County Fairgrounds. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. BACKGROUND In 1980, the 15-acre Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center was constructed in the northeast portion of the Orange County Fairgrounds. In 2003, changes to the Orange County Fairgrounds Master Plan were adopted by the Orange County Fair Board, allowing the removal of 7.5 acres of the equestrian center which resulted in a loss of over 100 stalls. The removal of the 7.5 acres reduced the equestrian center's ability to accommodate the relocation of large animals in case of an emergency in the county. Considering the substantial loss of stable facilities in Orange County, there is a public benefit in preserving existing stables in Orange County, especially at the centrally located Orange County Fairgrounds. Recently, the Orange County Board of Supervisors was informed that the Orange County Fair Board of Directors is considering the removal of the remaining 7.5-acre equestrian center. The Orange County Supervisors approved a resolution on March 10, 2009 in opposition to the removal of the equestrian center and encouraged the Orange County Fair Board of Directors and the equestrian community to work together in a Page 2 collaborative effort to preserve this vital resource and incorporate its use in the Orange County Fair Events. ,~ Wilson Dire~:tor, Parks and Recreation Services Attachment: Resolution No. 09-31 RESOLUTION NO. 09-31 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE EXISTING 7.5-ACRE EQUESTRIAN CENTER AT THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIR AND EVENT CENTER WHEREAS, the legal name of the Orange County Fair is the 32"d District Agricultural Association, doing business as the Orange County Fair and Event Center; the Orange County Fair is a state entity within the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Fairs and Expositions; and WHEREAS, the first Orange County Fair occurred in 1890 and has embodied a rich and strong equestrian heritage ever since; and WHEREAS, in 1980, the 15-acre Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center was constructed in the northeast portion of the Orange County Fairgrounds; in 2003, changes to the OC Fair's Master Plan as adopted by the OC Fair Board of Directors, resulted in the eventual removal of 7.5 acres of the Equestrian Center's 15-acre operating area and the loss of over 100 stalls; and WHEREAS, the removal of the 7.5 acres significantly reduced the Equestrian Center's ability to accommodate the relocation of large animals during an emergency; and WHEREAS, since 1998, Orange County has witnessed the closure of numerous stable facilities and the cumulative impact of these closures resulted in the loss of approximately 1,400 stalls; and WHEREAS, considering the substantial loss of stable facilities in Orange County, there is a significant public benefit in preserving existing stables in Orange County including the stables located at the Orange County Fairgrounds; and WHEREAS, it is the understanding of the City Council of the City of Tustin that the OC Fair Board of Directors is actively considering the complete removal of the remaining 7.5-acre Equestrian Center; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, does hereby support the preservation of the existing 7.5-acre Equestrian Center at the Orange County Fair and Event Center, opposes any action that would reduce the number of available stables, and encourages the Orange County Fair Board of Directors and the equestrian community to work together to preserve this vital resource and to incorporate its use into the Orange County Fair events. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin on the 19th day of May, 2009. DOUG DAVERT Mayor ATTEST: PAMELA STOKER City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS CITY OF TUSTIN ) I, Pamela Stoker, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council of the City of Tustin is five; that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 09-31 was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council, held on the 19th day of May 2009 by the following vote: COUNCILMEMBER AYES: COUNCILMEMBEWR NOES: COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED: COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: PAMELA STOKER City Clerk