Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fairgrounds Leases topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calistoga council approves interim fairgrounds leases for food bank, Calistoga Vines and PG&E
Summary
The Calistoga City Council unanimously authorized interim license agreements allowing Calistoga Cares Food Bank, Calistoga Vines Incorporated and Pacific Gas and Electric to continue using space at the Calistoga Fairgrounds; staff said the leases generate revenue while keeping event flexibility.
On April 15 the Calistoga City Council authorized the city manager to execute three interim license agreements for use of Calistoga Fairgrounds property by Calistoga Cares Food Bank, Calistoga Vines Incorporated and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). The council voted unanimously to approve the agreements.
The agreements were introduced by Fairgrounds Revitalization Director Shelley Wright, who described the three leases as either two-year terms or a one-year term with an option. Wright said the Calistoga Cares food bank, an all-volunteer nonprofit that serves food-insecure households bimonthly, will move supplies into the garden and rock rooms in the Tubbs Building and may use the kitchen on distribution days. Wright said, “The food bank's lease has not changed in any monetary value ... they pay $150 a month inclusive with utilities covered under that agreement.”
Wright said the Calistoga Vines agreement changes a previously held lot to shared parking to open space for Tucker Building rentals and special events, and to preserve emergency access to the racetrack during race events. She told council the Vines lease increases revenue "to 37,200 annual(ly) — that's $75,000 for the life of the lease" and transitions the lot from exclusive to shared parking.
Wright described the PG&E lease as a one-year agreement with a one-year option that increases the monthly rate by $321 and adds reimbursement for electrical utilities; she said PG&E agreed to a smaller site footprint and has assisted with repairs at the Tucker Building and the RV park. Wright recommended approval of all three leases.
Public commenters raised questions about fees and event-day parking. A resident, Kirkendall (first reference at the April 15 meeting), asked whether the food bank was being charged a high rental fee and urged the city to subsidize it if necessary. Wright responded with the $150/month figure above. Charlotte Williams, another resident speaker, said she was “hesitant to approve” the shared-parking arrangement unless the lease allows flexibility on large-event days so fairgrounds events have adequate public parking; Wright said she has discussed event-day needs with Daphne, a representative of Calistoga Vines, and that some space will be reserved if needed.
Council members praised the negotiated terms as revenue-generating while keeping the fairgrounds available for community uses. After public comment Council moved to authorize city manager and staff to enter into the agreements; the roll call vote recorded Mayor Williams, Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega, Council Member Giff, Council Member Cooper and Council Member Eisenberg voting aye.
The council discussion noted the leases are interim while staff completes a broader fairgrounds survey and master plan. Wright and council members said the short terms (two years in most cases) provide flexibility as the long-term plan proceeds.
Votes at a glance: The motion to authorize execution of the three interim license agreements passed unanimously (5–0).
