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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 07/18/2001City of Fort Collins Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Golf Board Minutes Minutes: Regular Meeting of July 18, 2001 City Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Bill Bertschy Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Manager of Golf, at 221-6350, and Jackie Rael, Executive Administrative Assistant Call Meeting to Order: Chairperson Mike Sanders called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda Items of Note: Jerry P. Brown reported the following: Brian Cobb, Manuel Jimenez, and Bill Rutledge called to say they would not be able to attend tonight's meeting. The Board terms of Tom White and Byrd Curtis are expiring on December 31, 2001. Tom has served two four-year terms and will not be able to reapply. • Jerry pointed out the Capital Projects Information Bulletin Boards that will be on display at all three golf courses. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Tom White, seconded by Claire Nelms, the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 20, 2001. Citizen Participation: Henry Fry played in the City Tournament and said we are very lucky to have three beautiful municipal courses in Fort Collins. He added that the new irrigation systems at both Collindale and SouthRidge have made a huge difference in the appearance and play of the courses. Consider Extending the Agreement with Collindale Golf Professional Jim Greer Jerry referred to the memo he sent the Board (dated July 10, 2001) regarding the extension of Jim Greer's Agreement. He said as the Manager of Golf, he thinks that Jim Greer has done an excellent job for the City at Collindale in the past five years. Some of the amenities that Jim has brought to Collindale are as follows: • Golf Academy: Jim is responsible for bringing the Golf Academy of Northern Colorado to Collindale, which enhances the quality of lessons and services to golfers. 0 Tournaments: Hosted the Boy's and the Girl's Colorado State High School Golf Golf Board Minutes July 18, 2001 Page 2 Championships, PGA Sectional Qualifiers, Colorado Golf Association/USGA Public Links Championships, and the Collindale Invitational Tournament, as well as to help coordinate the City Men's, Women's, and Junior Championships. • Bill Metier Award: Jim initiated this Award and he personally pays for an Annual Pass for a deserving youth golfer. • Junior Golf: Jim manages a very successful program. • Fort Collins Fore Kids Day: For the past two years, Jim coordinated our annual "Fort Collins Fore Kids" Day at Collindale which has become an outstanding event. • Pro Shop: Jim provides good quality merchandise in his shop, and has hired a top quality staff to serve Collindale customers. • Collindale Staff Relationships: Jim continues to maintain a great relationship with the Collindale Maintenance Staff and with the Collindale Snack Bar Concessionaire. Mike Sanders asked what Jim's vision is for the next five years at Collindale and how the Board can help? Jim said that the new clubhouse, of course, is his first priority. He would like to add a range ball machine to improve customer service. He said the Board's support on a daily basis is very helpful and he welcomes input from the Board. He added that good communication with Kevin Wilcox, Concessionaire, has been valuable. He wants to have more and extensive merchandise in the new clubhouse and wants to continue with a strong Junior Golf Program. He said golf provides a good, clean, and safe environment for the kids. Mike said that speaking for the Board, he enjoys working with Jim. Jerry added that the maintenance staff praises Jim also. Concessionaire Kevin Wilcox stated that he has a great working relationship with Jim. Jerry said that the plan is on August 15 (next Board meeting) we will have a public input meeting at Collindale for input on Jim Greer's performance. On a motion by Karen Joslin-Aured, seconded by Tom White, the Board voted unanimously (6:0) for staff to continue the process to extend Jim Greer's Agreement as Golf Professional at Collindale Golf Course as outlined in Jerry's memo of July 10. Collindale Clubhouse Project and Proposed New Surcharge Fee Implementation Jerry said that on Tuesday he received the cost estimate on the Collindale Clubhouse project. He, along with Jack Gianola, Construction Manger for the City, in 1997, had originally thought that the cost projected to 2002 would be approximately $2,000,000. The actual new cost is $2,650,000. The contingency for the project is seven percent or approximately $185,000, which we didn't include. We also originally didn't count on putting in a 1,750-foot sidewalk, which will cost at least $75,000. We could lose between 6 to 20 trees, depending on the final design for the sidewalk. In addition, we didn't take into consideration the contract with the consultant for Phase H at $100,000 to manage the project, and all of the City fees for taps, etc. have also gone Golf Board Minutes July 18, 2001 Page 3 up considerably since 1997. If all goes as planned, we could have this project out to bid in November. Tom White asked if the overage would affect the surcharge fees? Mike Sanders figured the debt payment would be approximately $200,000 a year. He added that if we add another $1 to 9-holes and $2 for 18- holes, this will pay for nearly 100 percent to provide a dedicated stream of revenue. Byrd Curtis asked what the debt would be that we would incur over the life of the loan? Mike said that would be approximately $4,300,000. Byrd further asked what would happen if we had a catastrophe and had to use some of our reserves, then what would happen to this debt? Jerry explained that the City has money set aside from our Golf budget for emergencies, plus insurance covers certain events such as the 1997 flood. Byrd then said that he does not think that we should be piling more debt upon debt, and he doesn't think we can really afford it by taking on more debt. He thinks the economy is looking bad now, as evidenced by high gasoline prices, the power situation, reduced earnings, lay offs, etc., and he is concerned that we might go into a recession. We could lose the base of golfers. He feels we should shelve the project for six months to a year and see how the economy is at that time. He thinks it would be bad business to enter into such a project now, and we are not fully looking at the economy. Byrd thinks that we need to simply remodel the present facility and not build a new clubhouse. Mike said that he thinks the City golfers will welcome paying an additional $1 and $2 for a new clubhouse. Byrd said this is an elegant clubhouse and we don't need it. Karen Joslin-Aured said that one of the reasons the renderings look so spectacular is because the drawing highlight the mature landscaping. Both Karen and Henry Fry added that it is not the "best" or "elegant". Mike said that we are making a statement to the future generations that we are going to have a quality facility. Jerry said that this new debt of $200,000 for the Collindale Clubhouse, plus $185,000 on the 1999 COP's capital projects, and the $165,000 for Capital equipment lease purchases would give us a debt ratio to our expenditures of 21 percent in 2002, going down in later years. Jerry doesn't see any other big -ticket capital project items unless the City decides to add another City course. Byrd said that we can do this, but he doesn't agree with the Golf Fund incurring such a debt. Jerry believes that the time for this project is now. The interest rate is the lowest it has been in many years. Tom and Claire Nelms said that this is a project that we can't turn down at this time. Everything is in place. Mike said that we need a recommendation from this Board to go forth with this project. Jerry said that we will hold a public meeting next month (August 15 at Collindale) to let our golfers know about our proposed increase in fees, along with receiving public input on the clubhouse. Based on that information gathered from that meeting, we will need a formal final vote from the Board at that time. On a motion by Frank Blanco, seconded by Claire Nelms, the Board voted 5-1 to continue with the process on a potential new Collindale Clubhouse, and to acknowledge a new surcharge to pay for the Collindale Clubhouse (Byrd Curtis voted no). Karen said she would like to be firm on the $2,650,000. Jerry said that the architect will be at the Board meeting to help explain the project Uolt Board Minutes July 18, 2001 Page 4 and answer any questions. Citizen Henry Fry asked about the $75,000 for the sidewalk and asked if that does include the cost for the netting along the side of the sidewalk? Jerry responded that it does include netting that is 30 feet high. Other Business • On Monday, July 23, the City Park Nine netting project will begin. 350 feet of poles and netting will be 55 feet high with the balance at 30 feet. Completion is planned by August 3. The driving range will be partially closed during that time, as necessary. • Karen Joslin-Aured asked if City Park Nine is a historical building? Jerry said that it is not. • Tom White commented about reduced rates for early tee times at Pelican Lakes before 7:00 a.m. at a rate of $15. He asked if that reduced rate has any validity for our courses? Jim Greer said it is not necessary as we have people teeing off at our City courses at 5:15 a.m. • Karen Joslin-Aured said that she met with the Art in Public Places Board to discuss the artwork for the Collindale Clubhouse. She explained that the Board needs to be involved in the selection. They made a recommendation that we could get a design consultant on our design team. They are suggesting a common design motif can be used in all the areas with embossed concrete. Adjournment: On a motion by Claire Nelms, seconded by Tom White, the Board voted to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Rael Executive Administrative Assistant Meeting Attendance Board Members: Frank Blanco, Byrd Curtis, Karen Joslin-Aured, Claire Nelms, Mike Sanders, and Tom White Staff: Jerry P, Brown, Jim Greer, Jackie Rael, and Kevin Wilcox Guests: Henry Fry