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Home My WebLink About2025-04-30 Council Minutesr • •18920 JOINT WORKSHOP SESSION Caldwell City Council Members 8� Canyon County Commissioners Wednesday April 30, 2025 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Caldwell City Hall Council Chambers Room #100 205 South 6tn Avenue Caldwell U1614MOV., WORKSHOP FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE COORDINATION OF LONG-RANGE PLANNING FOR PARCELS LOCATED AT THE CALDWELL EVENT CENTER. PAGE 80 CALDWELL CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP JOINT SESSION WITH CANYON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS April 30, 2025 4:30 P.M. Mayor Wagoner opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m. for the Joint Workshop Session. The meeting was held at the Caldwell City Hall Council Chambers. The City Clerk called the Roll of the City Council Members present: Doty, Stadick, Register, Williams, Allgood, and Dittenber. The County Clerk called the roll of the County Commissioners in attendance: Brad Holton, Leslie Van Beek, and Zach Brooks. Other agency representatives in attendance: Caldwell Night Rodeo (Nicole Cassity and Angeiique Rood), College of Idaho (Regan Rossi and Mike Moroski), Canyon County Fair (Diana Sinner) and Canyon County (Greg Rast, Chief Operating Officer and Rick Hogaboam, County Clerk). City of Caldwell Staff Mark Hilty (City Attorney, Steve Jenkins (Economic Development), Raeiynn North (Finance Director), Robin Collins (Community Development Director), Juan Avila (Caldwell Event Center Superintendent), and Debbie Geyer (City Clerk) (WORKSHOP FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING THE COORDINATION OF LONG-RANGE PLANNING FOR PARCELS LOCATED AT THE CALDWELL EVENT CENTER) Mayor Wagoner reported that he discussions had been held with Caldwell Event Center stakeholders (Canyon County Fair, College and Idaho, and Caldwell Night Rodeo) regarding potential development plans to accommodate ample parking at the Caldwell Event Center site. No decisions were made within such discussions. Mayor Wagoner distributed a site plan map indicating future development possibilities of the acreage including a potential land swap with Canyon County. (EXHIBIT4000) It was noted that a steering committee was established in November 2024 with the purpose of developing a master plan for the approximate 900-acre public space, which would facilitate events for all agency partners. The properties involved in a potential trade would be a city -owned park site known as Griffith Park/Canyon County Fair indoor arena/property on 51 & Main, which currently houses the Canyon County Extension Office. Mayor Wagoner referred to estimated land values for the referenced sites. He reported that the estimates were received from two different real estate brokers. No actual appraisal has been obtained for the properties at this time. (County Value: $5,558.500.00 and City Value: $5,937,500.00). (EXHIBIT-1001) Greg Rast, Canyon County Chief Operating Officer, spoke in support of the land swap plan, which would expand the operations of the Canyon County Fair. A map was provided outlining the potential expansion proposal for the Canyon County Fair. (EXHIBIT-1002) Diana Sinner, Director of the Canyon County Fair, spoke in support of the land swap plan noting that the changes would provide for an efficient method to conduct the many activities within the subject area. Commissioners Holton, VanBeek and Brooks concurred with previous comments brought forward in support of the land swap plan, noting the proposal would assist with Canyon County Fair operations. Nicole Cassity and Angelique Rood both indicated the need for review of the Caldwell Night Rodeo lease for potential updates, especially as it relates to the use of the O'Connor Field House and Charolais Barn. Long-range plans are underway including a capital fund raising plan for upgrades at the Caldwell Night Rodeo grounds. The rodeo contributes approximately $6 million dollars to the economy during their annual rodeo event. It is necessary that Stocktrail Road continue to provide access to the rodeo grounds. They recommended that the plan should keep the focus of benefiting all of the stakeholders. Reagan Rossi emphasized the need of sufficient parking for College of Idaho athletic events associated with the Caldwell Event Center and Simplot Stadium. She inquired about future plans of Gabiola Field. Councilor Doty commented about: 1) Need for accurate cost estimates regarding the facilities proposed within the land swap proposal; 2) Coordinator to organize the calendar events among all of the stakeholder events; 3) Shared parking must be equitable for the shared uses; and 4) Lease updates should be reviewed by each organization and City Council as soon as possible. Councilor Stadick emphasized the need to be accountable to the taxpayers regarding the proposal. Are organizations such as 4-H and the athletic program by the College of Idaho being served appropriately? There must be adequate parking to allow for ADA mandates being met as well as accommodating senior citizens. He concurred about the need for a person to assist with coordinating all of the events for the stakeholders. Councilor Register concurred with prior remarks from Councilors Doty and Stadick. She inquired about the County Fair plan this year concerning livestock needs. BOOK 66 PAGE 81 r Ms. Sinner reported that all participants will be informed about the unloading process for livestock. Plans are being drafted concerning parking passes issued for participants on a family basis. Councilor Williams expressed appreciation for today's discussion. He reported that he personally spoke with Graye Wolfe regarding future plans for the Wolfe Field improvements. He acknowledged the Wolfe Family for their ongoing support within the community. Councilor Allgood reported his involvement last year with Caldwell Event Center Planning Committee with a goal to improve the usage of the property. He indicated this support of today's discussion and noted the need for more information to be researched concerning various components of the land swap, right-of-way lease with the Union Pacific Railroad, the condition of the facility at Canyon County Extension Office in conjunction land swap, and updates to the current leases with the stakeholders. Councilor Dittenber inquired about possible future uses for the facilities involved in the land swap. Would other stakeholders possibly want to purchase some of those facilities for their use? Is there a master plan for this new development concept? Whose responsibility is the upkeep of right-of-way and parking lots involved in the plan? Council Williams indicated his concern with a potential compliance matter dealing with the reduction of the city park site and federal funding. Mayor Wagoner reported that discussions have been held with Tiffany DeFrance (Parks & Recreation Director) about other areas being considered for parks and the requirements concerning the number of parks and use of federal funds for developing parks. The Mayor referenced a non-compliance matter with grant funding for a park site that was removed years ago at Wilson Elementary School. (The tennis courts were turned into a parking lot by the school district). A new park site has not been brought forward that would qualify to replace the Wilson School Park, thus resolving the non-compliance matter. He noted that staff are not aware of any federal funds involved with the initial Griffith Park project. Additional research will be conducted defining the park sites and funding requirements. Juan Avila reported that the Caldwell Event Center is heavily utilized with large events. He concurred with remarks about the need for coordination of all events at the site. The continued use of Stocktrail Road is essential for all of the stakeholders. Councilor Allgood recommended that discussions continue concerning this concept. Mayor Wagoner reiterated the need for a coordinator to assist with the area being used year around for community events. The appropriate leases would be reviewed as soon as possible. He recommended that discussions continue with the stakeholders who were in attendance today. (ADJOURNMENT) The joint session adjourned at 5:42 p.m. MOTION CARRIED APPROVED AS written THIS t9t' DAY OF May _2025. Councilor Doty Register Councilor A] ATTEST,: �Ierk r .•'��0CALp��,'. ]AN 15 18 4