Travis County Commissioners Court
December 2, 2008
Item 27
>> we may as well take up 27, I think. 27 is consider and take appropriate action on request from the Travis County youth show to make exception to section 14, food and beverage catering of the Travis County exposition center licensing agreement.
>> jim sylvester. I'm on the Travis County youth show board of directors, newly appointed/elected to that position in June. And in an effort to try and have a better working relationship with the Travis County Commissioners court and the expo center, we started going through the contract with the board members and tried making them realize some of the things that have been done in the past aren't necessarily the way we need to be doing things in the future and the present. And part of that topic was the concessions out there in the past, historically the Travis County expo center under previous supervision allowed -- you know, they didn't ask any questions, they simply allowed the different booster clubs for the 4-h clubs and future farmers of america to bring out their mom and pop barbecue pits to serve at no cost free of charge to members of their particular booster club or kids who wanted a sausage wrap or breakfast taco or a slice of brings skit while they are at the show. It was a social gathering event and for years they've been allowed to operate that way and work in conjunction with the catering company out there. Those who didn't want to or feel the need to go by the booster club mom and pop pit, they would purchase hot chocolate, hamburger and fries, whatever they had to sell over there. Through this year working with michael norton at the expo center, you know, it was discussed about, you know, following the guidelines established by the Commissioners court and the contract and it's item number 12 on the contract. I think it's item number 12.
>> 14.
>> 14. I'm sorry. Where it talks about no food, drink or beverages allowed on the property unless getting permission from the director, michael norton, of the expo center. It's under exhibit d on the contract where he can approve that or disapprove that or go before the Commissioners court and ask for avariance to allow the mom and pop operations, the different booster clubs. I talked to mr. Norton and he told me he was in in opposition to that as long as we weren't sell directly trying to make money at these mom and pop booster clubs. I said that's not the intent to make money, the intent is -- you know, it's a nonprofit in the spirit of trying to raise money and do things for the children and the community of Travis County at the expo center. We're not in the business of making money or run competitors off the property, we just want the opportunity to have the exclusion granted by the Commissioners court to allow the different booster clubs to bring their barbecue pits on the property knowing we're not going to be in competition, we're not going to bring food or beverage on the property. We also added we would not allow and discourage anyone from bringing food to the show barn themselves where catering would be selling their products. We understand that they have a stake in it too as well as the citizens of Travis County and the Commissioners court at this revenue generated event. We're trying to turn that around at the expo center, we understand that. But at the same time we would like an exception. We are working with g&m catering on June 17th, we're renting out tables, the space. We made arrangements with g&medical catering to serve for the guyers group and things like that. We are purchasing the alcohol but we're not allowing alcohol to be brought in privately. It's going to be sold for any of our organizations that will be on the property.
>> mr. Norton told me office by phone yesterday he didn't have any problem with the request. Charles wells' position is no big deal. If they give away the food to their participants and he's able to sell, I don't think he typically sells a whole lot anyway. But for adults, alcoholic beverages would be where the profit would be.
>> and that will take care of that on the 17th. These are the only time alcoholic beverages would be served and that's through g&m cater.
>> and this is for Travis County youth only whereas the other livestock show is much bigger, broader.
>> correct. The other show in March is a statewide show. Anybody in the state of Texas can come from beaumont to el paso and mcallen to perryton, Texas if they are in the panhandle. This show, all the participants, it's exclusive to students and youth of Travis County. Either home schooled kids, private school, public schools, as long as you are a member of a 4-h club or f.f.a., you are allowed to participate through the livestock venue and bring your animals or students who want to participate in the arts with photography, paintings, drawings. They even have a recycled green deal where you can recycle products to make usable furnishings and artwork and they have wood shop projects, metal shop, all that stuff will be on exhibition throughout the livestock show.
>> after looking at this, I looked at it and I really didn't see a problem with it especially if the director doesn't seem to have a problem. It looked like it would meet all the guidelines as far as the licensing agreement and things like that through the county attorney's office. So with that, I'd like to move approval of this item.
>> any more discussion? Any comments, roger?
>> no, we have no problem with that. We support the effort and I believe any exception to the contract we always would like to bring the Commissioners court so they make the decision on that.
>> that's a good policy and practice, roger. You all used to be part of the bigger livestock association.
>> yes, sir, we started this event 72 years ago. That's how long the Travis County livestock show has been in existence, 72 years and a couple days.
>> [laughter]
>> any more discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you very much.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 3:10 PM