Committee approves poll vote to consider Alpena County Fairboard’s no-cost fairgrounds upgrades

The Facilities, Capital & Strategic Planning Committee on Wednesday agreed to send proposed upgrades to the Alpena County fairgrounds from the Alpena County Fairboard to the full county board via a poll vote, and approved an amendment requiring the projects meet code and be coordinated with the Fairgrounds Manager.

Chair Travis Konarzewski presented a list of projects the Fairboard offered to provide at no cost to the county; County Administrator Jesse Osmer asked that the proposed work be circulated to the full board for a poll vote so the Fairboard could begin grading and leveling the horse barn and setting up stalls in June. Commissioner Brenda Fournier moved to allow staff to send a poll vote; Commissioner Todd Britton supported the motion. The committee amended the motion to require that projects meet code and that the Fairgrounds Manager be involved in scheduling. The amended motion carried.

Committee members emphasized that although the Fairboard would supply materials and labor, county staff will ensure facilities are not damaged and that any damage would be repaired. Administrator Osmer said a poll vote would be sent to the full board the same day for review.

The committee did not record a final board authorization at the meeting; the full board’s poll vote will determine whether the Fairboard may proceed. A poll vote was scheduled to be sent to the full board for review.