At the Orange County Fair Board meeting on January 21, 2010, CEO received a merit salary increase bringing his new pay to $143,539. During the meeting, Director Dave Ellis pointed out that event though there have been reports that things are not going well at the Fairgrounds, CEO Beazley has prepared and provided the Board with his monthly performance reports and has performed his job to their satisfaction. Ellis also gave Beazley credit for improving the profitability of the Pacific Amphitheater. A major change in operations of the Amphitheater, a change in the number of tickets Fair Board members could receive, also played a role in the increase profitability but was not discussed at this meeting. Agenda reports are here Download 201_agda_10_01_JanuaryBoardMaterials
Kristina Dodge stated that it is "loath when the public criticize us, but we can't make our decisions on public whims." David Padilla was the lone dissenting vote for the raise.
Costa Mesa Sandy Genis, a former Costa Mesa Mayor, pointed out that the pay increase immediately before a sale of the property which would cause CEO Beazley to move out of the CalPERS system, could be viewed as pension spiking.
The pending sale of the Fairgrounds was also discussed. Members of the public, including equestrians, vendors, and Costa Mesa residents asked the Fair Board to call the Governor and ask him to stop the sale. Chair Kristina Dodge brought forth the request from Costa Mesa City Councilmember Katrina Foley asking the Board to adopt a resolution asking the Governor to stop the sale and for the Board to support AB 1590. Kristina Dodge stated that the item had been received too late to be agendized, so no action could be taken. Dodge wanted to send the resolution to the Laison Committee, stating the Laison Committee needed to meet with Councilmember Katrina Foley and then report back to the Board, which could then decide if they wanted to agendize the item for further action. The members of the public pointed out that there is a very short time frame for action, and this course would not meet that timeframe.
During the discussion about possible Board action, Dale Dykema said he "doesn't see the need for urgent action", but he had no objection to discussing the item. Dave Ellis said that he was torn on the item because AB 1590 is a "$56.5 million hit to the state budget". Gary Hayakawa stated that he had made phone calls to stop the sale. CEO Beazley stated that "If you're asking for sympathy for your position, I'm asking for sympathy for the Board's position", and then went on to explain that the public should line up behind the proposal for restructuring of California Fairs as outlined in the California Performance Review. (See pages 360 and 443.)
Eventually, David Padilla, who had asked the question of why the Fair Board was able to call a 72 hour notice meeting to put the property up for sale but woouldn't call a 72 hour meeting now, was able to get the resolution agendized for the a meeting in 10 days on February 2, 2010.The Board also appointed Mary Young, who was absent from the meeting, to be the committee to work on a business plan with staff. Kristina Dodge stated that business plan would look at operational efficiencies of the Fairgrounds.
The fate of the Orange County Fair was discussed. The sale of the property only requires the new owner to have one more OC Fair, the 2010 Fair. After 2010, the OC Fair could meet the fate of the San Fernando Valley Fair, which is now held in Santa Clarita and has no permanent home. Dave Ellis asked if there is a legal requirement that the Fair be held on the property. CEO Beazely stated that the Fair could be held at OCC and still fulfill the mission of the Fair Board.
It should be noted that the Fair Board is currently without legal representation. In December 2009, the Attorney General dropped the Fair Board as a client citing conflicts of interest due to the role of the Fair Board as the private Fair Foundation attempting to buy the property. Four firms have been interviewed to take the job. Greenberg Traurig and Straddling Yocca have declined to represent the Fair Board citing conflicts. Jones Day and Manatt Phelps & Phillips are still being considered as counsel.
Comments