PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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MARTIN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS UPDATE AND REQUESTS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
The Martin County Fair Association Inc. (Fair), a nonprofit corporation, requests that the Martin County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approve a one-year extension of its current lease and authorize staff to prepare a new Lease Agreement for approximately 30+/- acres, along with an access easement to get to the property, relieving traffic along Citrus Boulevard.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: George M. Stokus
Title: Assistant County Administrator
REQUESTED BY:
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
Martin County Fair Lease Extension (Existing Site)
1. Lease Amendment drafted by: Martin County
2. Parties: Lessor-Martin County and Lessee-Martin County Fair Association
3. Purpose: To provide the Fair with a one-year extension on the existing Fair site
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New
5. Duration: One year, with an expiration date of June 18, 2027
6. Benefits to Martin County: to further the Fairs goal of transitioning to the property located along SW Citrus Boulevard
7. Costs to Martin County: None
The Fair is requesting that the BCC approve a one-year extension to its current lease on Dixie Highway. This extension would provide sufficient time for the Fair to work with the County staff on a proposed new lease for the property located on SW Citrus Boulevard.
On December 17, 2019, the BCC approved an Option to Lease, with an attached exhibit for a Public Purpose Lease Agreement with the Fair for property located on SW Citrus Blvd., to be used for public exposition and other community events as authorized by Chapter 616, Florida Statutes. On July 28, 2020, the BCC approved the First Amendment to the Option to Lease, granting the Fair the right to lease the subject property. On January 12, 2022, the BCC approved the Second Amendment to the Option to Lease, further extending the Fair’s ability to lease the property on SW Citrus Boulevard.
However, due to the Fair’s inability to meet the Option requirements and changes in executive leadership, the Option to Lease expired on September 15, 2024.
The Fair has since reorganized its Board of Directors and is proposing a new vision for a smaller, more rustic fair on approximately 30+/- acres along SW Citrus Boulevard, which is over twice the area included in the original Lease on Dixie Highway.
Upon Board direction, County staff will work with the Fair to develop a new Public Purpose Lease Agreement that clearly outlines expectations and a development timeline. Any new lease will be brought to the Board for approval.
ISSUES:
The Martin County Fair Association is seeking to utilize the northern 30+/- acres of the property adjacent to SW Citrus Boulevard for public exposition and other community events as authorized by Chapter 616, Florida Statutes.
The Martin County Fair is requesting the following items be considered before the Board:
1. The Board to authorize the proposed amendment to their current Lease to allow them to remain on the existing property located along Dixie Highway a/k/a Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway for an additional year;
2. The Board direct staff to draft a new lease with performance milestones to be negotiated with County Administration and brought back before the BCC for approval; and
3. The Board direct staff to draft an Access Easement agreement providing the Fair ingress and egress to the 30+/- acres along the northern portion of the property located off SW Citrus Boulevard.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, and staff has identified and addressed legal risks and developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board:
1. Approve the Amendment to the Public Purpose Lease Agreement between Martin County and the Martin County Fair Association, Inc. extending the term one-year and expiring on June 18, 2027; and
2. Direct staff to work with and prepare a new Public Purpose Lease Agreement for the Fair Association on County owned property located along SW Citrus Boulevard; and
3. Authorize the Chair to execute all documents associated with this transaction.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide staff with further direction on how to proceed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☒Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.