16-1206_BLENHEIM FACILITY MANAGEMENT_D24_Correspondence Packet 1Christy Jakl
Subject: FW : * Please dist ri bute to all city council and city manager
From: Robert Grether
Date: November 22,2016 at 12:05:29 PM PST
To: <mmorri @ anju anc ap i ·tran .or g>
Subject: * Please distribute to all city council and city manager
The Best Western Capistrano Inn is approaching 50 years of wonderful relations with the
beautiful city of San Juan Capistrano. We wish to share our feedback on the upcoming talks to
renew or not to of the Blenheim Equisports contract with the city.
From: Robert Grether, General Manager of the Best Western Capistrano Inn:
The TOT Jeff references is a yearly figure for direct billed room nights to Blenheim equisports
directly. Again, this does not include any guest paying on their own attending the shows. Many
horse owners attending the shows pay for their workers to stay several weeks at a time per show.
TOT from this hotel and from the Marriott Residence Inn property is sizable and the business
that comes from its hotel guests to the city is substantial.
Please consider not undermining the economy of this great city and neglect the devastating effect
on its businesses that a non renewal of Blenhiem contract would bring.
Respectfully,
Robert Grether
General Manager
Best Western Capistrano Inn
RGre th er@ a pi trano l nn.c om
B WCapistranolnn.com
From: Jeff Grether, original and current owner of the Best Western Capistrano Inn:
The Best Western Capistrano Inn has for years provided accommodations for the Blenheim horse
shows. These shows account for nearly 1000 room nights a year or $100,000 of which the city
receives a TOT of $10,000. This is only hotel revenue from Oaks Blenheim directly and not from
guests that stay at the hotel to attend the many shows neither do the above figures reflect the
benefit to the many restaurants and businesses of the city. With another hotel under construction
and another one in the works the city needs to attract as many events as possible. The city and its
businesses benefit greatly with the Blenheim horse shows and a cancellation of their contract
would be a financial blow to the city. This is an equestrian and Mission town which needs to
enhance its heritage not stifle it.
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12/6/2016
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Sincerely: Jeffrey R Grether-Owner B/W Capistrano Inn.
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Matisse Reisch!
Subject: FW: Blenheim Facility Management
From:
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2016 1:43 PM
To: Pam Patterson
Cc: Kerry Ferguson; Sam Allevato; John Perry; Derek Reeve; Maria Morris; Elizabeth Kramer; Karen Ball
Subject: Blenheim Facility Management
To the Honorable Pam Patterson, Esq, Mayor of San Juan Capistrano, and the City Council:
12/6/2016
024
Please make every effort to work out an agreement with Blenheim Facility Management for the Rancho
Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano . I implore you to embrace the heritage and
persona of San Juan Capistrano as one of the last true bastions of equitation in Orange County if not
the State of California. The horse stables are more than charming, they attract a demographic
with dispensable income, a love of animals and nature, and a collective interest in
conservation . These are the people who will honor the traditions and interests of the city, and who
will vote their hearts when it matters most.
Please consider all the benefits you will gain by maintaining a long term relationship with Blenheim
Facility Management as well as all the horse stables in San Juan Capistrano.
With great respect,
Sten Erik Kramer MD
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
www .kramero rth opedics.com
www.teamW4L.com
This communication may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential or
legally exempt from disclosure. If you did not receive this directly from Kramer Orthopedics,
or received this in error, you are notified that you are not authorized to read, print,
retain, copy or disseminate this communication without the consent of the Kramer Orthopedics
and that doing so may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please
notify the sender via return e-mail and delete it from your computer.
Thank you, Kramer Orthopedics
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12/6/2016
024
October 21, 2016
Members of the City Council
It is with a heavy heart and a feeling of disbelief that that I undertake writing yet another letter urging
you take an action in the best interest of the city of San Juan Capistrano and renew the lease for the
Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park for a minimum of 1 year. The lease should be awarded for a 5-10 year
period to allow for adequate long term planning for capital improvements; however that doesn't seem
to be on your agenda. We are incredibly blessed to have a business operation meticulously overseen by
Robert Ridland, silver medal Olympic coach, and his staff at Blenheim EquiSports . How could you
possibly get anyone more qualified to run an extremely challenging, professional horse show operation
than Mr. Ridland and his staff?
You were elected on a platform promising to listen to and respond to the "will of the people" of our city.
It is time to fulfill your campaign promises and listen to the business people, equestrians and impartial
third party reports that indicate how valuable this venue under the current management is to the
economy and public recognition of our city. This tremendous asset to our community contributes to the
financial, aesthetic and cultural health and identity of our city and allows countless children and adults
to pursue a passion that has the potential to provide access to educational scholarships as well as career
opportunities. The alternatives you have at times suggested for consideration are ill conceived, not in
the best interest of the city and are not consistent with the will of the people you were elected to
represent.
From a financial standpoint, San Juan Capistrano is almost completely built out so there is little
contribution to be anticipated from development fees. We have limited retail opportunities within our
city boundaries. Aside from Costco and the car dealerships, there is minimal sales tax revenue to offset
the costs of running the city for the benefit and safety of all residents. With an unprecedented number
of lawsuits outstanding against the city, every source of revenue is critical to our city's continued
operation and survival. In fact, it is my understanding that continuing on our current path the city will
likely be in a deficit situation by 2018. Blenheim EquiSports not only pays for the lease and maintains
the facility in excellent condition but also brings in hundreds of horse show participants who patronize
the restaurants, small businesses and hotels that are the economic engines of our town. The success of
these businesses provides crucial sales tax and property tax revenue that benefit the entire community-
not just those participating in horse shows or members of the horse community.
The Riding Park is the eastern gateway to our city and I fail to believe that there is anyone who doesn't
recognize the tremendous visual improvement the riding park and the creation of Reata Park have made
to this side of our city. You have only to look at the poor condition of our city parks to imagine what this
beautiful eastern area would look like i(the city took over even the most basic maintenance
responsibilities. The requirements for a riding facility that is safe for both humans and horses is
abundantly clear to professionals who deal with it on a daily basis and is quite different from the
requirements for maintaining a passive park or playground. The horses competing at the riding park are
professional athletes and are valued accordingly. Improper maintenance by untrained workers would
put horses and riders at risk and the city in a position of huge liability-further major lawsuits in the
making. To suggest that the city or other landscape maintenance entity could take over maintenance of
this park is frivolous and ill conceived.
Lastly, we pride ourselves on our rich western history and the equestrian legacy that continues today.
Olympic events as well as world class equestrian events have taken place at our riding park bringing
opportunities for horse enthusiasts of all ages, patrons for the small businesses that are the life blood of
our city and a source of community pride for San Juan Capistrano. All of these events are free to the
public. Blenheim Equisports has also worked extensively with the city to provide additional special, free
events for the community to enjoy the riding park such as movie nights, Two Stepping Under the Stars,
children's play days, etc.
A business of the size and complexity of Bleinheim Equisports needs the security of a multi-year lease in
order to plan for capital expenses and improvements. If this valuable business partner chooses to go
elsewhere due to the uncertainty of their future here, a vital element of our city character as well as a
critical contributor to the financial survival of San Juan Capistrano will be lost. If they leave, they will
also take the horse show dates with them so it will be the end of high level competition in San Juan
Capistrano and its benefits to the economy and identity of our city. Is this how you would like to be
remembered and the legacy you would like to leave? Please support the continued operation of the
Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park by approving a one year extension of the current lease and
recommending a longer lease extension in the future.
Kind regards,
Ginny Kerr
San Juan Capistrano Resident
12/6/2016
Christy Jakl 024
Subject: FW : Blenheim Facility Management Contract Extension
From: M&M Pattinson •
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 12:40 PM
To: dreeve @sanjuancapistrano.org ; joerry@sanjuancapistrano .org ; sallevato @sanjuancapistrano .org ;
kferquson @s anjuancapist rano .org ; Pam Patterson
Cc: mmorris @sanjuancapistrano .org ; fswegles @ocreqister.com ; Rancho Sierra Vista; Gabriela Pattinson; Katrina
Pattinson; Jenny Meyer; Dana Smith
Subject: Blenheim Facility Management Contract Extension
Dear San Juan Capistrano City Council,
Please consider carefully the decision you are making regarding the Blenheim Riding Park. Many passionat.e
and dedicated individuals in our unique town have spoken eloquently in support of extending the lease and
keeping the world-class facility in our back yard . Without a doubt, the riding park is one of the main assets
that puts San Juan Capistrano on the map. It is what make us well-known throughout the US and the world. It
is the perfect accompaniment to the mission and it's heritage. Our town's character has, since it's founding,
been intertwined with the equestrian tradition. It seems some in positions of leadership want to kill that
legacy.
The question I have not heard being answered by the majority of the Council is WHY you are so determined to
get rid of this amazing facility? I see that it brings people to town, fills the hotel rooms in the area (and
hopefully, soon , in town), makes restaurants successful and shops active. Why would you want to change
that? I have been to several meetings and tried to understand this simple question, with no luck. Why?
Our daughters both ride and watch the competitions at Blenheim . In fact , we moved to SJC 13 years ago so
that we would be near horse facilities and to ride. Our has son attended many of the free events, as well as
playing in soccer tournaments there. We love this open space that is free for all to enjoy. We are all so lucky!
Can things be improved? Always. But instead just shutting things down, why not work with all involved to
come up with REAL questions, REAL concerns, REAL solution and act with TRUE GOOD WILL to make it better.
Come up with creative ideas on how to further share the space. How to promote what is available more
robustly {I almost never see any information about the events at Blenheim on the City website). This should
not be so adversarial. UNLESS you have ulterior motives. UNLESS you are not sharing your actual reasons for
not having an open mind, not trying to be good stewards of our town's treasures, not being will i ng to truly
come together and work together.
Why is is so hard to get a straight answer? Why will you be discussing this issue in a closed session? Is your
conscience clear?
We love San Juan Capistrano! It is a beautiful town, with so much to offer. We are growing and changing-
make sure it's for the better, not worse. That is your mandate. We appreciate your service, so long as it is not
selfish , uniformed or just plain contrary. Let's work together to make San Juan Capistrano even better, more
welcoming, renowned and special. Let's not be one of the small towns with small-town politics that
overshadow everything else. Because, unfortunately, we are becoming notorious for that too.
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Sincerely,
Mariela & Mark Pattinson
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Christy Jakl
Subject: FW : Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park
From: Stacey Owen~
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 1:00 PM
To: Pam Patterson; Kerry Ferguson; Sam Allevato; John Perry; Derek Reeve
Cc: Maria Morris
Subject: Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park
Dear Mayor and City Council of San Juan Capistrano,
12/6/2016
024
My name is Stacey Owens, and I'm a horse owner in San Juan Capistrano. I've lived in Los Angeles my entire
life, and have had horses for the past 26 years. While my horses have been in various places, I moved them to
San Juan Capistrano two years ago, under the care ofNathalie Cooper (Joan Irvine's granddaughter) and The
Oaks Farm. While my horses have been residents for only two years, I have been coming down to Rancho
Mission Viejo Riding Park for many years to show and watch horse shows, and moments in history, like when
the Olympic Trials came to town.
Of all of the facilities I've boarded at and shown at, Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park is by far one of the best
facilities. It's not only beautiful, but Blenheim does an incredible job of maintaining the facility to the utmost
standards, providing quality food for exhibitors and spectators, putting on classes that get a wide variety of
audience members, promoting the city of San Juan Capistrano and the surrounding areas, and holding the sport
of show jumping up to it's highest standards.
I realize you are getting a lot of emails and inquiries from people about this subject, I will spare you the
financial facts as I'm sure most are sharing with you, and I'm sure you're more than aware of. I appeal to you as
someone who chooses to drive an hour and a half to have her horses in a beautiful place like San Juan
Capistrano, and someone who sees San Juan Capistrano as her place of relaxation and solace away from the
insanity that is Los Angeles. The equestrian community has been a defining industry for San Juan
Capistrano. The horse shows are an institution. Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park is a place that has been a
part of history in the sports world.
I ask you, please don't take this history away from us. Please don't take the solace and peace of the park away
from us. As entitled a world as the show jumping industry can be, we are grateful for the Rancho Mission Viejo
Riding Park.
Sincerely,
Stacey Owens, Eeyore, Eloise, Stanley and Cash
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Christy Jakl
Subject:
-----0 rigi na I Message-----
From : Darcy Thornton
FW : Blenheim Riding Park
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2016 10:59 AM
To : Maria Morris
Cc: Derek Reeve
Subject: Blenheim Riding Park
12/6/2016
024
Please save the open space and Blenheim Riding Park. Don't confuse "use" with "developed". Taxpayers voted for open
space, not developed sports parks, and soccer fields. Keep it natural as the voters and taxpayers intended.
Sincerely
Darcy Thornton
Laguna Beach
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
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