COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Board of Supervisors

DATE:

December 1, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 13, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

N/A

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Supervisor Jerry Hill and Supervisor Adrienne Tissier

SUBJECT:

Agreement Providing for Management of the San Mateo County Fair and the San Mateo County Event Center

RECOMMENDATION:

Approve a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an agreement providing for management of the San Mateo County Fair and the San Mateo County Event Center.

BACKGROUND:

The San Mateo County Fair and Exposition Association, a nonprofit corporation, presently runs the annual County Fair and manages the Event Center. Throughout the year there are conferences, expositions and shows taking place in buildings and facilities located at the Event Center.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed contract has essentially the same terms as the previous contract with the San Mateo County Fair and Exposition Association except for the following:

1.

A new term through December 1, 2010.

2.

The Association has changed its business name from the “San Mateo County Expo Center” to “San Mateo County Event Center.

3.

The existing agreement provides that there are eleven director positions on the Expo Center Board and this has caused a problem when a quorum of Board members are not available. The proposed agreement provides that this number will be reduced to seven directors through attrition. Currently, there are already two vacancies.

4.

The County will no longer contribute $40,000 to the Expo Center budget.

5.

The Expo Center manager’s authority for entering contracts without Board of Director approval is increased from $10,000 to $25,000.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There will be a reduction in net County cost of $40,000.