AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE GLOUCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 AT 6:30 P.M., IN THE COLONIAL COURTHOUSE, COURT CIRCLE, 6504 MAIN STREET, GLOUCESTER, VIRGINIA: ON A MOTION DULY MADE BY AND SECONDED BY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: Phillip N. Bazzani, ; Ashley C. Chriscoe, ; Christopher A. Hutson, ; Andrew James, Jr., ; Robert J. Orth, ; Kevin Smith, ; Michael R. Winebarger, ; A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF REAL PROPERTY DONATED TO THE COUNTY BY THE GLOUCESTER FAIR ASSOCIATION WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has been informed that the Gloucester Fair Association has offered to donate to Gloucester County three parcels of land, Tax Map Nos. 24-69, 24-88 and 24-89, (29.7 acres) more specifically known as Ark Park in the Petsworth Magisterial District; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirement of the Board of Supervisor s County s Donation Policy, the donation appears to be in order, and the Board of Supervisors has considered the formal acceptance of the property; and WHEREAS, the Board is of the opinion that the County should accept the donated property for use by the County as a public park and youth sports. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors this day of, 2019, that acceptance of the donated real property (Tax Map Nos.: 24-69, 24-87, and 24-88) is hereby authorized, and that the County Administrator is hereby authorized to execute all documents necessary to effect the conveyance of the property to the County. A Copy Teste: J. Brent Fedors, County Administrator Page 34
Gloucester County Administrator's Office Telephone 804-693-4042 P. O. Box 329, Gloucester, Virginia 23061 Fax 804-693-6004 MEMORANDUM To: Board of Supervisors cc: Ted Wilmot, County Attorney ~ From: J. Brent Fedors, County Administrat~ Date: December 17, 2018 Subject: Ark Park Donation The Gloucester Fair Association has decided to dissolve and would like to donate Ark Park to Gloucester County. The following parcels are already tax exempt and are contemplated for donation: Tax Map RPC Acreage Assessed Value 24-88 33152 1.1 $22,330 24-87 43279 7.0 $154,610 24-69 3.3468-3 Lf'16'l 21.6 $405,000 Total 29.7 $581,940 Review of the offer by the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department reveals that continuation of use for the parcels in question as a County park would be of significant value to the community. Further, the Gloucester Fair Association plans to donate its cash assets (approximately $58,000) to Park Partners, to benefit Ark Park. The letter from the Gloucester Fair Association offering the properties for donation, as well as the review of potential benefit to the community (prepared by Katey Legg, PR&T Director) are attached for your review. If the Board is inclined to pursue acceptance of this donation, some or all of the following actions will be performed, as appropriate given this situation: Title search, deed preparation, title insurance acquisition, environmental study, preparation of a formal statement ofvaluation and details of any tax benefits / consequences associated with the donation (none anticipated, as these parcels are already tax exempt), and drafting of a resolution of acceptance for the Board's consideration. Once due diligence is completed, the draft resolution of acceptance would be presented to the Board of Supervisors at a future Board Meeting. If desired, the Board may authorize staff to advertise a public hearing on the matter, however a public hearing is not required in order for the Board to accept this donation. Page 35
Gloucester Fair Association 10839 George Washington Highway OCT 162018 October 10, 2018 1. Brent Fedors County Administrator P. O. Box 329 Dear Mr. Fedors: The Gloucester Fair Association purchased land in Ark in 1975 for hosting the County Fair. Since the Fair was held at the old Page middle School site which had the infrastructuie and amenities needed, the Association continued to raise money for the new site and approximately 30 years ago partnered with the County to use the property to help meet the community's growing recreational needs. Together, the County and the Fair Association provided the County's first public soccer field and today still provides the County's only public outdoor basketball court along with three athletic fields and a playground for the community to enjoy. The Fair Association is very proud of our contributions in helping to meet community needs. It is with mixed feelings and sadness that I am writing to tell you that the Association, a 501Cc) 3 organization, has decided to dissolve. While the County Fair was a longstanding and loved tradition in the County, we have determined that there is not enough interest and support to continue hosting the event and no further need for our organization. The Fair moved to Ark Park in 2005 and the last Fair was held in 2011. Competition from regional amusement parks, additional expenses to hold the event on our property and the lack of adequate indoor facilities kept the Fair from succeeding in the new location. Moves to other sites were considered but there was not enough volunteer and financial support to justify moving the event again. We recognize that dissolving the Gloucester Fair Association does not prohibit a Fair in the future and hope that the event will return. We're very proud of the tremendous impact the Gloucester Fair Association has had on the lives of Gloucester citizens. From providing a place to celebrate our heritage to hosting competitions and providing family entertainment, the Fair was a mainstay in Gloucester for many, many years. From dog shows to horse shows,jousting to Bingo, wrestling to riflery, beauty pageants to Karaoke, carnival food to carnival games, community expos to fireworks, children's tractor pulls to Ferris wheels, the County Fair offered so much. It was the largest event for our residents and a cherished annual tradition. We would like to donate the land, described below, to Gloucester County for continued use as a parks and recreational site. Thousands of youth have played soccer, softball, and basketball at Ark Park and we want the site to remain as a public park. Page 36
Ark Park - 29.70 acres (tax-exempt)! Tax Map 24-88, RPC 33152 1.10 acres assessed value at $22,330 Tax Map 24-87, RPC 43279 7.00 acres assessed value at $154,610 Tax Map 24-69, RPC 33458 21.60 acres assessed value at $405,000 Ifthe County agrees to the restricted gift, the Fair Association will donate our cash assets of approximately $58,000 to Park Partners, Inc. for construction and improvements at Ark Park. We will ask that a portion of the funds be used to create a marker noting the contributions of tb.~ Fair Association. Hundreds of volunteers helped over the years to organize and operate the Fair and raise money for construction. Their work should not be forgotten! Please let me know, if you have any questions. I am available to speak with you and/or the Board of Supervisors about our proposal. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Rachael Burnette, President Gloucester Fair Association Page 37
RECEIVED NOV 072018 Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism 6489 Main Street, Suite 303 COUNTY ADl',;r"n""'RATOR 804-693-2355 Fax: 804-824-2450 MEMORANDUM TO: CC: FROM: J. Brent Fedors, County Administrator Carol E. Steele, Assistant County Administrator Katey Legg, Director ofparks, Recreation & Tourism DATE: November 7, 2018 SUBJECT: Ark Park Property Donation The Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department has partnered with the Gloucester Fair Association for close to 30 years to provide a public park in Ark. 'The Fair Association purchased the property in 1975 and leased it to the County to help meet the recreational needs of the community. Ark Park is home to the Department's fall and spring youth soccer and field hockey as well as summer youth softball. There are athletic fields, a playground, and the county's only outdoor basketball court. Based on current program participation, Ark Park receives an estimated 25,000 visits annually. The Gloucester Fair Association, a 50I (c) 3 organization, has decided to dissolve and would like to donate Ark Park to Gloucester County, provided it remain a public park. The Department currently maintains the park as part ofits daily maintenance routine, so no additional stafftng is necessary should the County receive the property. 'There will be no loss oftax revenue as the land is already tax-exempt. In addition, the Fair Association is willing to donate their cash assets of approximately $58,000 to Park Partners, Inc. to continue to improve the park. The Department has funding in FY 19 to complete accessibility work at County parks, including Ark Park. 'The cash donation can be used to pave and stripe parking lots, which would remove the concrete ADA parking spots at Ark Park from this year's capital projects. This also addresses the need to pave gravel parking lots and make parking more efficient. Attached is the letter from Gloucester Fair Association President, Rachael Burnette, detailing the property and their desire to donate the land and assets. Ifyou have any questions, or would like to discuss this further, please don't hesitate to contact me. Parks and Recreation... the benefits are endless! Page 38