To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Departmental
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Ferndale Fairgrounds Grandstands
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Hear an update from Public Works and Humboldt County Fair personnel regarding current status of the Ferndale Fairgrounds grandstands, and
2. Take appropriate action as required.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Unknown
DISCUSSION:
On Dec. 20, 2022, a large earthquake centered near Rio Dell caused damage to various structures and roads within the county. At the request of the Humboldt County Fair Association, Humboldt County personnel inspected the grandstand at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale. Based on the initial inspection of this facility and others, the county authorized the funding to retain a structural engineering firm, KPFF, to perform in-depth analysis of structures including the grandstands on April 18, 2023.
The structural engineering inspection determined that the building currently appears adequate to support vertical loads, but not lateral (seismic) loads of the type that need to be taken into account for occupant safety. Even though there is a limited window of time where the structure might be occupied, the risk of doing nothing and allowing occupation is not acceptable.
KPFF has produced a conceptual temporary shoring solution which may be able to be achieved by local contractors, if any are available to perform this work. If so, the county can put an agreement together with the contractor and have them work directly with KPFF to come up with a finalized plan. All of this work could be performed with an agreement signed under the emergency declaration. The goal for this work would be to stabilize the structure to an acceptable safety level for public occupancy with temporary shoring prior to the beginning of this year's fair, which begins on Aug. 17, 2023, hence the need for this emergency meeting...
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