Review of Responses

With respect to the Napa County Fairgrounds report, the Board of Supervisors’ responses to

With respect to the Napa Child Abuse Hotline report, The CWS Director’s and HHSA Director’s responses to Recommendations R1-R4, and the Board of Supervisors’ responses to

With respect to the Napa County Jail report, the Board of Supervisors’ responses to

With respect to the Napa County Juvenile Hall report, the Chief Probation Officer’s response and the Board of Supervisors’ response to Recommendation R1 do not comply with the provisions of Penal Code §933.05(b); one of four responses required;

With respect to the Napa Valley Transportation report, the Board of Supervisors’ response to

The State’s severe reduction of financial support for the Napa County Fair in 2011 may have abrogated its Land Tenure Agreement with Napa County. Regardless, the Land Tenure Agreement expires in 2024. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. With approval of the Agreement between NCFA and the County in 2013, it was agreed to continue fairgrounds operations so long as could be done without financial support from the County, providing the NCFA with the opportunity to find long-term sustainability solutions. It is important to note that funding was reduced from approximately $200,000 to the almost $35,000 NCFA received in 2016.

The Napa County Fair itself is in serious decline, with its continued operation in doubt. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees in part with this finding. Over the past 25 years, as each individual community within Napa County has developed its own 4th of July celebration, participation in the County Fair has declined. The celebration of community life through the County Fair is not in jeopardy, only the time of year it currently takes place. The NCFA continues to look at dates, duration and type of activities that encourage attendance. 10

The ancillary function of the Fairgrounds as an emergency refuge for victims of flooding, wildfires, or earthquake is important, even vital, to any future development of the Fairgrounds themselves. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. The NCFA' s mission is to serve the citizens of Napa County with cultural, social, and economic benefits in times of celebration as well as need. This mission has existed for the NCFA since 2013, underscored by its significant role in the Valley Fire shelter operations. The Fairgrounds is identified as a primary evacuation center site in the County's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). While the sheer size of the Fairgrounds was a huge bonus for the 2015 Valley Fire response, the site is a primary location due to its location rather than its size. The Valley Fire Shelter was an atypical response. The County plans for shelter operations on a much smaller scale. During previous evacuation events for Floods and Fires evacuee populations totaled less than 100 at County evacuation centers. The benefits of the Fairground location is:1) the County owns the property so approvals to use the site are not complicated; 2) large numbers of evacuees can be accommodated with support facilities; 3) animals can be accommodated at the Fairgrounds locations, unlike other County locations; and 4) Fairgrounds staff are trained in Emergency Response and their assistance and coordination proved invaluable during the Valley Fire Shelter response. If governance changes, it is currently anticipated that the Fairgrounds will continue to play an important part in the countywide emergency services plans.

The conduct of the Napa County Fairgrounds Association Board has been at times dysfunctional, with some Board members publicly complaining about lack of transparency in the Board’s financial reporting. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors disagrees with this finding in part. While some NCFA members have complained, the NCFA has had its most transparent financial operation since it established a finance committee in 2012. All financial records are made available to the public. Monthly financial statements are provided to the full Association board and the agenda packets made available at each board meeting and online. The finance committee reviews the detailed financial reports quarterly and presents them for final acceptance to the full NCFA board. Financial reports are presented to the NCFA membership at its annual meeting by the finance committee chairperson. The finance committee also completes the annual Statement of Operations (annual report) for submittal to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and presents the report to the NCFA. Recently, with the rebranding of the NCFA website, it has included the NCFA audits from 2010. An independent Auditor is employed annually by the Association to perform a full audit of the Associations financial records, reporting and financial management every other year, with a complete financial review in the alternating years. The Auditors’ report and management letter are placed on the Board's agenda at a regular Board meeting for review, public input, and approval by the Board. 11

Some of the complaints expressed by the former dissenting members of the Napa County Fairgrounds Association Board have merit: complaints about golf course maintenance, managerial decision making, and a general lack of transparency. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors disagrees with this finding. The golf course maintenance issue is a recent one. Public comments received from golfers from 2012-2015 praised the golf course maintenance operation. In 2016 the course experienced problems due to the drought and a damaged irrigation system; the conditions were corrected prior to the end of the year due to a concerted effort of personnel time, financial resources, and reengagement of professional consultants. The Board of Supervisors and management of the NCFA acknowledge the need for professional golf course management but lack the funds necessary to contract with such an individual or firm. Regarding transparency, current Association management brought the Board into compliance with the Brown Act beginning in 2010, including annual training of board members. Since then, the NCFA has developed a comprehensive written policy manual. All board meeting and standing committee meeting agendas are publicly noticed. Minutes and supporting documentation are made available online and at the meetings. Recently, the NCFA added additional financial reports to its website. The NCFA has never been more transparent to the public in its history than in the last7 years. .

A Joint Powers Authority (or Agreement), currently being discussed by the Board of Supervisors and the Calistoga City Council, could allow for long term contracts with concessionaires to incentivize investment in and development of Fairgrounds facilities. Response, Board of Supervisors: The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. Since October 2016, designated members of the Board of Supervisors and Calistoga City Council have been meeting to develop a mutually agreed upon governance model. It is anticipated that a recommendation will be discussed with the full Board of Supervisors and City Council by the end of the calendar year.