HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-17 - Requesting Support in Maintaining Equestrian Center at OC Fair and Event CenterRESOLUTION NO. 09- 17
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING
SUPPORT IN MAINTAINING THE EXISTING 7.5 ACRE
EQUESTRIAN CENTER AT THE ORANGE COUNTY
FAIR AND EVENT CENTER FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS TO ENJOY.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, the Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California
is celebrating its 118th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, The 32nd District Agricultural Association, doing business as the OC
Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, is a state entity within the Division of
Fairs and Expositions, California Department of Food and Agriculture; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Orange County Fair and Events Center in Costa
Mesa, California is "Celebration of Orange County's Communities, Interests and
Heritage;" and
WHEREAS, horses and livestock have always been part of the history,
communities and heritage of Costa Mesa and Orange County; and
WHEREAS, equestrian activities have always been a part of the Orange County
Fair in Costa Mesa, California; and
WHEREAS, the 15 -acre Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center in Costa
Mesa, California was constructed in the northeast portion of the Fairgrounds in 1980;
WHEREAS, the Fair's Master Plan, adopted by the Board of Directors in 2003
called for the removal of 7.5 acres of the Equestrian Center, with 7.5 acres to remain;
and
WHEREAS, there is an tremendous public benefit in keeping the remaining 7.5
acres of recreational opportunity at the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center
in Costa Mesa, California; and
WHEREAS, it is proven that horse -related activities provide wonderful
alternatives for children, and horses help to inspire, teach and provide important
personal development for all ages; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center in Costa Mesa,
California provides irreplaceable public benefit to numerous local non profit youth
organizations, including opportunities for disabled youth; and
WHEREAS, local Costa Mesa and Newport Beach businesses benefit from the
riders, boarders, staff, and volunteers who utilize the Orange County Fairgrounds
Equestrian Center in Costa Mesa, California, and removal of the Equestrian Center
would decrease revenue to those local businesses and cities; and
WHEREAS, there continues to be an increasing loss of equestrian facilities
throughout the County, and removal of the Equestrian Center would eliminate a
significant asset in the City's Park, Recreation, and Open Space Inventory that cannot
be replaced; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center is on publicly
owned land in Costa Mesa, California; and
WHEREAS, the Fair is considering replacing the last remaining 7.5 acre
Equestrian Center in Costa Mesa, California with a paved parking lot which the original
Master Plan EIR considered a significant adverse impact; and
WHEREAS, the "net cost" of relocating and replicating the existing Orange
County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center elsewhere in Costa Mesa has not been
calculated and is expected to be significant. Costs associated with land acquisition and
replacement of facilities will greatly exceed the $65,000 per year in revenue generated
by the existing facilities; and
WHEREAS, alternative parking options are available to the Orange County Fair
and Events Center that do not require removing the existing Equestrian Center in Costa
Mesa, California; and
WHEREAS, the benefit of a parking lot does not override the loss of the
Equestrian Center in Costa Mesa, and the public benefit and recreational opportunities
it provides to Costa Mesa as well as the surrounding city residents, businesses, and
youth organizations,
WHEREAS, alternative parking lot locations .and options should be considered
first before considering removal of the Orange County Fairgrounds Equestrian Center in
Costa Mesa, California;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Costa
Mesa hereby supports maintaining the existing 7.5 acre Equestrian Center at the
Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California for future generations
to enjoy.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3 d day of March, 2009.
ATTEST:
Julie Icik, City Clerk
Allan R. Mansoor, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
r A'j'j
— - '6Kimberly Hall —arlow, City Attorney
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, JULIE FOLCIK, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 09-17 and was duly
passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting
held on the 3rd day of March, 2009, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MANSOOR, LEECE, BEVER, FOLEY, MONAHAN
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the
City of Costa Mesa this 4t" day of March, 2009.
JULf OLCIK, CITY CLERK
(SEAL)