Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association Ad Hoc Committee Meeting - January 12, 2026

The Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association Ad Hoc Committee met on January 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting covered a range of topics including hotel development, permitting issues, capital improvements, stormwater compliance, governance transparency, and the 2025 fair performance. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public comments and discussion regarding the future of horse racing at the fairgrounds.

Hotel and Land Surplus Act (Item 1)

• Gordon Galvin presented an update on a proposed hotel development on fairgrounds property. The project stalled in 2018 due to the Surplus Land Act and labor requirements. A new developer has approached the fair association, but the revenue potential is lower (estimated $200,000 annually vs. previous $450,000). The county's General Services Agency Director Kimberly Gassaway noted that a ground lease would exceed the fair association's contract term and that the Surplus Land Act requires careful navigation to avoid triggering affordable housing requirements. The county is exploring a "safe harbor" process with state regulators. Supervisor Miley emphasized the need for a clear path forward and suggested staff-to-staff meetings to develop a blueprint.

Footsall Complex Update (Item 2)

• Chuck Moore reported on a soccer field project by Ballistic United Soccer Club. The project required a conditional use permit from the City of Pleasanton, which then required county inspection. The permitting process took over a year and cost the club approximately $25,000 for engineering drawings, delaying their season. Moore expressed frustration that the process was overly burdensome for a simple fence and netting on an existing parking lot. The committee agreed to improve communication and resume quarterly staff-to-staff meetings to avoid similar issues.

2025 Capital Improvement/Marketing Plan (Item 3)

• The committee reviewed the 2025 capital plan and the proposed 2026 plan. Many 2025 projects were put on hold due to financial constraints from the loss of GSR racing. The 2026 plan includes projects such as fire suppression replacement in Building A, connecting wash racks to sewer, and a grandstand plaza with a historical walk. The fair association reported $8.4 million cash on hand as of October 2025. Supervisor Halbert requested that future capital plans be presented in a meeting format rather than as attachments to agendas.

Stormwater Compliance (Item 5)

• Jerome Hovin provided an update on stormwater compliance efforts. The fairgrounds was classified as a CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) due to having more than 500 horses for 45 days, but that classification ended when horses left. The association has installed Triton filters in storm drains and is waiting for two qualified rain events to test water quality. A plan to build covered wash racks connected to sewer is in engineering. The committee discussed contingency plans for handling more than 500 horses, with some disagreement about the feasibility of retention ponds. Public commenter David Elliott asked about testing locations.

Fair Association Operation Governance (Item 6)

• This item focused on communication issues between the fair association and the county. Chair Chuck Moore raised concerns about a cease and desist letter sent by the county on November 28, 2025, regarding alleged modifications to the racetrack. Moore stated the information was erroneous and came from a closed session discussion that was not confidential. Supervisor Halbert advocated for greater transparency, including posting meeting agendas and minutes online, allowing public Zoom access, and providing closed session topics. The committee agreed to develop a communication improvement plan and resume quarterly staff-to-staff meetings. Public commenters criticized the board for lack of transparency and disrespectful treatment of the public.

2025 Alameda County Fair Review (Item 7)

• The fair association presented a review of the 2025 fair. Key statistics: total fair attendance was 410,000 (up 12.9% from 2024 but down from 2023's 445,000). Fair profit was $4.3 million (vs. $4.5 million in 2024). Total revenue for the year was $30.08 million, with operating income of $5.11 million. The fair raised $390,000 at the garden party, collected 15,000 pints of blood, and 5,400 pounds of food for the food bank. The junior livestock auction raised nearly $1.3 million. Public commenters questioned attendance figures and reported lower vendor sales, attributing the decline to the absence of horse racing.

2026 Alameda County Fair Proposal (Item 8)

• The committee reviewed the 2026 fair budget and plans. The fair will run June 19 to July 12, 2026, with a "Blue Ribbon" theme and a focus on the 250th anniversary of the United States. Planned attractions include monster trucks, arena cross, tractor pulls, demo derby, and concerts (Beach Boys, Tower of Power, Twist on Taylor, Metallica tribute). The budget projects fair profit of $4.566 million on revenue of $14.8 million. Total year operating profit is budgeted at $1.594 million. A major discussion ensued about the absence of horse racing. Several public commenters urged the board to reinstate horse racing, citing contractual obligations and cultural heritage. Board members explained that the previous operator (GSR) went bankrupt, causing significant losses, and that proposals from Bernal Park Racing were not viable due to revenue-sharing demands. Supervisor Miley expressed strong support for horse racing and requested a detailed explanation of why it cannot be done without losing money. The committee agreed to further discuss the matter in closed session.

Key Outcomes

• The committee directed staff to develop a communication improvement plan and resume quarterly staff-to-staff meetings.
• The county will explore a "safe harbor" process with state regulators for the hotel project.
• The fair association will present future capital plans in a meeting format.
• The committee will hold a closed session to discuss contractual obligations and the feasibility of horse racing.
• No formal votes were taken; all items were informational.