HomeMy WebLinkAbout041519_ra01 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: PhilipMorley, CountyAdministra
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DATE: April 15,2019
RE: Briefing on Rhododendron Festival Carnival Site
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: County Commissioners will hear an update on efforts by the
County and City of Port Townsend to collaborate with the Rhododendron Festival Association
on securing a location for the Rhody Carnival for 2019 and beyond.
ANALYSIS: The annual Rhododendron Festival Carnival needs a new home. Approximately
15 years ago, the County stepped forward to allow the Carnival onto Memorial Field, when
development of a new City Hall displaced its historic siting in downtown streets. Memorial
Field is the only lighted playing field in Jefferson County, and is used extensively for school
athletics, as well as for a variety of recreational leagues. Over the past 15 years, annual traffic of
tractor trailer rigs carrying large and heavy amusement rides has caused accumulated compaction
of the soil for growing turf, and is creating a permanent lane of depression in the playing field.
In several recent years this ongoing damage was compounded by rainy weather in the weeks
leading up to the Carnival, and major tire rutting by the heavily laden rigs caused extensive
damage that was expensive to fix and displaced other users for over two months. Continued use
of Memorial Field for the heavy Carnival rides jeopardizes the community's premier athletic
facility.
The Rhododendron Festival Carnival has a long tradition as a family event for our community,
and is the single largest funding generator to support the entire Rhododendron Festival and the
scholarships that it offers. Finding an appropriate home for the Carnival is important.
A year ago Jefferson County formally notified the Rhododendron Festival Association that 2018
would be the last year for hosting the Carnival at Memorial Field, dry weather permitting. The
County offered to partner with the Rhody Festival Association, the City and other jurisdictions
and organizations in a joint effort to find a suitable location for 2019 and beyond. Since then,
County Commissioner Kate Dean has been proactive in convening stakeholders and facilitating
discussions and field trips in an attempt to secure a location for the Carnival.
A recent 2019 siting proposal by the Rhody Festival Association was rejected by the City of Port
Townsend for fire access and public safety concerns.
Commissioner Dean, Port Townsend Mayor Deborah Stinson, County Public Works Director
Monte Reinders, Rhododendron Festival President Brandi Hamon and others will discuss
ongoing efforts to secure a 2019 location for the Carnival.
FISCAL IMPACT: None from the briefing. Possible options for locating the Carnival might
have an impact on County expenditures.
RECOMMENDATION: Hold the briefing, and explore ideas for solutions.
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P clip More , bounty Administ :tor Date