Fairgrounds Advisory Committee

AGENDA Fairgrounds Advisory Committee City of Calistoga Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM Tucker Building 2505 Grant St. Calistoga, CA 94515 MEMBERS Shane Pavitt, Chair Karen Jensen, Vice Chair David Gates, Member William Squire, Member Hal Taylor, Member CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS Mayor Donald Williams Vice Mayor Gift STAFF LIAISON Sheli Wright, Fairgrounds Director SECRETARY Salana Whitehead City Hall 1232 Washington Street | Calistoga, CA 94515 Phone (707)942-2805 | Fax: (707) 942-0732 www.calistogaca.gov Fairgrounds Advisory Committee Agenda February 26, 2026 GENERAL INFORMATION The Fairgrounds Advisory Committee meets as specified in its adopted annual calendar on the last Thursday of every month at 6:00 P.M. in regular session at 2505 Grant Street, Calistoga, CA 94515. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. Information Available: Documents related to this meeting are available on our Meeting Portal or by contacting the City Clerk. After the agenda packet is distributed, any documents related to an agenda item are available for public inspection at City Hall. Governing Law: The Fairgrounds Advisory Committee conducts all meetings in accordance with the "Ralph M. Brown Act" (California Government Code Sections 54950, et seq.) and pursuant to the City of Calistoga Committee Bylaws, City of Calistoga Code of Ethics, ordinances of the City, and applicable state law. Access to Public Meetings: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals requiring special assistance to participate in this meeting may contact the City Clerk’s Office at (707) 942-2807. To facilitate proper arrangements, we kindly request that any requests for reasonable accommodations be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. Wheelchair access to the Calistoga Community Center and a speaker's microphone are available to all persons. Para obtener la traducción de documentos o asistencia especial para participar en esta reunión, comuníquese con la Oficina del Secretario Municipal al (707) 942-2807. Para facilitar los arreglos adecuados, le solicitamos que cualquier solicitud de adaptaciones razonables se envíe al menos 48 horas antes de la reunión programada. How to Participate - Written Comments: To submit a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, please direct your email to publiccomment@calistogaca.gov. To guarantee that your comments are received and distributed appropriately, the subject line of your email should clearly state “Fairgrounds Advisory Committee,” along with the relevant agenda item, if applicable. Comments must be submitted at least four hours prior to the meeting start time to be included in the agenda and posted online. Comments received thereafter, will be made part of the official record and given to the Committee after the meeting. How to Participate - Oral Comments: In accordance with the California Government Code Section 54954.3, members of the public are permitted to address the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee during the designated public comment period and in relation to any agenda item under consideration. Each participant has the option to provide their name for the record prior to speaking and will be allotted three (3) minutes for their remarks. The Chair reserves the right to limit public comments should they become irrelevant to the agenda item or if they are repetitive of previous statements. Furthermore, the Chair is responsible for maintaining order and decorum throughout the meeting. 2025 Fairgrounds Advisory Committee Work Plan Assist in conducting comprehensive data collection and actively solicit community 1. feedback regarding the usage of the Fairgrounds. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of available grants and alternative funding 2. mechanisms to secure additional financial resources. Identify and evaluate Fairgrounds infrastructure projects that have the potential to 3. generate sustainable revenue. Page 2 of 10 Fairgrounds Advisory Committee Agenda February 26, 2026 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS An opportunity for members of the public to directly address the Committee on topics of interest that are not included on the agenda. Individuals wishing to speak must state their name and address and are requested to limit their comments to three minutes. In accordance with the restrictions set forth by the Brown Act, the Committee is unable to engage in substantive discussions or take action on issues that are not outlined in the agenda. 3.1. Public Comment 2.26.26 (Page 5 - 6) 4. DIRECTOR REPORT Fairgrounds Revitalization Director presents status reports on projects and shares anything relevant to the purpose and scope of the Committee. 4.1.  Butler  RV Sewer Project 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The official vote by the Committee to accept or amend the minutes of previous meetings. 5.1. Approval of draft minutes from the previous regular meeting Fairgrounds Advisory Committee - Jan 22 2026 - Minutes - Pdf (Page 7 - 8) 6. AGENDA ITEMS Items for discussion or decision by the Committee. During discussion, Committee members may ask staff questions, and public comments are allowed except during motions. 6.1. St. Helena High School Student Project - Informal presentation by student Jacob Zuniga 6.2. Study Area & Urban Economic Opportunity Zones Maps Study Areas Map (Page 9 - 10) Urban economic opportunity zones map (Page 9 - 10) 7. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS Committee members and subcommittees to present reports on items of general interest or the status of Committee projects. Brief questions for clarification may be asked and answered, and the Committee may request that items be added to a future agenda. However, except in certain circumstances, the Brown Act restricts any further discussion or action by the Committee. 7.1. Sub Committee Reports - 1. Site Analysis (Karen & Hal) a. Report & Brainstorming Discussion 2. Capital Campaign & Outreach (Bill & Hal) a. Report & Brainstorming Discussion 3. Budget & Infrastructure Projection (Shane & Bill) a. Report & Brainstorming Discussion 4. Site Development Plan (David & Karen) a. Report & Brainstorming Discussion 5. Golf Subcommittee (Hal & David) Page 3 of 10 Fairgrounds Advisory Committee Agenda February 26, 2026 8. ADJOURNMENT Page 4 of 10  Item #3.1. To The Chair & Members of the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee: Don't mean to bother so many people, but couldn't figure out how to get a note to FAC members and couldn't find a specific email address. I intended to be at Thursday's meeting, but was called away so am writing this. Donald and Molly can fill you in about me if there are questions. I've certain relevant experience that might be useful and would like to contribute my time in a low key way. So far I've reviewed some publicly available 2023 documents on the Fairgrounds (called "Resurrecting the FG in Calistoga") that Donald was kind enough to send me. Also reviewed the Study Areas Map and the Urban Economic Opportunity Zones Map. The two maps depict the same areas but have different numbering schemes and no key describing what the numbers mean. Could someone point me to a description of what is depicted in these diagrams, and any other publicly available information on the Fairgrounds? Typical, these kinds of initiatives have: a) a physical description of the numbered areas, b) a list of installed infrastructure in each area, c) an inventory of buildings and their physical condition, d) how these facilities or land can be used, e) past, or potential revenue that attaches to use of these areas, f) in-process or planned upgrade projects with budgets. If it's easier to meet over coffee or by phone/zoom, we can do that too. My numbers are below. Thanks so much for your guidance! Mark ******************************************************************** Mark Oppenheim (he/him/his) Page 5 of 10  Item #3.1. Lana Richardson Public Comment City Council, City Manager, FG Revitalization Dir Thank you for the recent decision to make the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee (FAC) a standing committee and appointment of existing members for 2 – 3-year terms. The members of the FAC committee have extensive knowledge and skills in many areas which are imperative for the revitalization and long-term financial success of the property. At the Jan FAC meeting, the committee presented a comprehensive plan and proposed subcommittees to address specific areas of the work plan. Unfortunately, only a small number of people were in attendance to hear/comment on the plan. The work plan is available on the City website but the members comments are only heard by those who attend the meetings. This is why it is so important to have the meetings at a time and place that facilitates a significant number of Calistogans to be involved in the meetings and discussions. Ideally, the meeting location should include audio/video tools such as Zoom and YouTube. This will also make meetings available to those who cannot attend in person. FAC will most likely have presentations soon that will require PowerPoint or other video presentation tools. The fairgrounds revitalization is a particularly important project for Calistoga. The outcome will decide revenue opportunities which will make it viable and self-sustaining for the long term. Ultimately, it is taxpayer dollars that were used to purchase the property and will also be an important factor in supporting the project and renovations moving forward. Lana Richardson Calistoga Page 6 of 10  Item #5.1. MEETING MINUTES Fairgrounds Advisory Committee | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM Tucker Building 2505 Grant St. Calistoga, CA 94515 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL Chair Pavitt called the regular session to order at 6:02pm. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Pavitt, Vice Chair Jensen, Member Gates, Member Squire MEMBERS ABSENT: Member Taylor CITY COUNCIL & Mayor Williams, Director Wright, Secretary Whitehead STAFF PRESENT: 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS There was public comment by John Glazer. 4. DIRECTOR REPORT Director Wright shared updates on the following: Butler Building: Progress is going well with the new roof, and we are putting together a volunteer crew to help with the interior cleaning. Calistoga Ag Fair: Saturday 5/23 (Memorial Day Weekend) Along with the Calistoga Wine Competition, new this year we will have a truck and tractor pull, Ag exhibits, food, music and the Napa County Farm Bureau will have a jackpot show. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5.1. Approval of draft minutes from the previous regular meeting Motion by Committee Member Squire and seconded by Committee Member Gates Motion Carried AYES: Committee Member Gates, Committee Member Jensen, Committee Member Pavitt, and Committee Member Squire NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Committee Member Taylor 6. AGENDA ITEMS Minutes Page 1 of 2 Page 7 of 10  Item #5.1. Fairgrounds Advisory Committee January 22, 2026 6.1. 2026 Work Plan Review & FAC Extension - Discussion This item was presented by Director Wright and there was no public comment. All committee members agreed that the Workplan & FAC Extension is accurate and will be presented to Council on 1/27. 6.2. Staff Requests the Chair to form a two-member Golf Course Subcommittee to work with staff This item was presented by Chair Pavitt and there was no public comment. The committee selected Hal Taylor and David Gates for the Golf Course Subcommittee. 7. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS 7.1.  Sub Committee Report-  Site Analysis (Karen & Hal)  Capital Campaign & Outreach (Bill &Hal)  Budget & Infrastructure Projection (Shane & Bill)  Site Development Plan (David & Karen) Site Analysis (Karen & Hal)- Received electronic retrievals from County which were mainly small permits. Would like a survey from the city with utilities mapped and a cultural resource study. Sheli to set up meeting with Karen, Greg, and Hal along with a site tour. Capital Campaign & Outreach (Bill &Hal)- Waiting for Hal to return from vacation and they have identified monuments that were removed from the fairgrounds that they would like to bring back. Budget & Infrastructure Projection (Shane & Bill)- A site map has been received and have begun working on a short-term plan with a long-term vision. The fairgrounds need to be sustainable in the short-term, and a larger budget is needed to make that happen. The RV Park renovation is currently showing the biggest rate of return. Site Development Plan (David & Karen)- Need to review survey and have a site tour. 8. ADJOURNMENT Chair Pavitt adjourned the meeting at 6:50pm. Minutes Page 2 of 2 Page 8 of 10  Item #6.2. Page 9 of 10  Item #6.2. Page 10 of 10