Liz, a Parks and Recreation staff member, told the commission the city owns only a 20-acre parcel of the Rodeo Grounds; surrounding property is under a BLM lease and not city-owned. She said phase 1 design is nearly complete and the city has budgeted roughly $4.5 million for phase 1; phase 2 and phase 3 were discussed at roughly $9 million each (figures from earlier estimates and subject to change).

"We would begin construction sometime in late fall after the events that are already scheduled," Liz said, adding the city expects to start heavy construction after the next set of signature events and could close the arena fully for construction in the spring months. She said the design team hopes to finalize construction drawings this month and that construction will be scheduled to minimize impacts on major events such as Last Dutchman Days and the Tractor Show.

The commission heard that recent work already completed at the Rodeo Grounds includes Musco lighting installations and interior restroom refurbishment; staff are also redoing the arena footing and replacing much of the internal fencing. Liz said the Musco fixtures are dark-sky friendly and have remote monitoring and a 20-year warranty.

On permitting, Liz and staff described a citywide effort led by Riley (special events task force) to move special-event rules out of the city's business licensing code and into an ordinance or dedicated code section that addresses public-safety planning, traffic and road closures, trash control, and protection of public spaces. Riley and the task force have worked with police, fire, public works, and the city attorney; staff told the commission they have received direction from the city attorney and council to develop code updates.

Liz said the city is emphasizing education first for organizers and using a handbook and single point of contact; when compliance is not reached, staff will escalate to permit requirements or other enforcement available under the code. "We are a much a very education first," she said, describing how staff work with event organizers and public-safety partners to find compromises for short-term events while ensuring future compliance.

The commission asked for additional details including capacity information for the new covered structure; staff said Dave would provide capacity numbers at a later meeting. Liz said phase 1 will add ADA-paved parking and sidewalks, additional electrical for vendor and RV hookups, a large ramada and trellis structure, and improved drainage and subsurface work in the phase-1 area. She emphasized that phases 2 and 3 do not yet have identified funding and that the city is preparing shelf-ready construction documents to pursue grants and other funding.

Discussion/direction: staff asked the commission to note that construction timing will depend on event schedules and funding availability; no formal commission vote or ordinance adoption occurred at this meeting.