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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 05/16/2001City Of Fort Collins Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Golf Board Minutes Minutes: Regular Meeting of May 16, 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 7:40 p.m. at the Collindale Clubhouse. Agenda Review: Jerry P. Brown added "Meeting Night" to the agenda under Other Business. Items of Note: Board Members Brian Cobb and Tom White called to say they would not be able to attend tonight's meeting and Board Member Frank Blanco is still in the hospital. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Byrd Curtis, seconded by Claire Nelms, the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 18, 2001. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation Public Input/Comments on the Proposed 2002 and Projected 2003 Golf Fees and Charges Jerry P. Brown said that the Golf Board has been reviewing the fees and charges for the last two months. The Board conceptually approved the fees at their April 18, 2001 meeting and tonight they would like to receive comments from the public. Essentially the fees the Board conceptually approved continues the philosophy that was adopted about five years ago. Generally speaking our "cost of doing business" increases approximately 3-1/2 percent a year. We then raise the fees approximately 3-1/2 percent each year by alternating increasing green fees one year, and the next year we raise the annual passes and golf carts. Therefore, using this formula, Annual Passes will go up seven percent for 2002. We are not proposing any increases for Green Fees in 2002. Most Golf Cart rates are going up $1 a round in 2002. Fees such as Per Play Fees, Tournament Fees, and all other City fees will remain the same. Mike Sanders added that we also round the percentage up to the next whole dollar amount. Jerry said that in our mailings, posters, and newspaper ad we asked that people who couldn't attend tonight's meeting and wanted to make comments to send us a letter, e-mail, or fax. We received three pieces of correspondence, which Jerry distributed to the Board prior to the meeting. Mike then opened the discussion for citizen comments/input. Citizen Clifford Symonds came to last month's Board meeting and dropped off a letter to the Board Golf Board Minutes May 16, 2001 Page 2 regarding his handicapped nephew. He explained his nephew had a serious accident and is now disabled. He loves to play golf, however he cannot afford to play golf. Is there anything the City can do for people who cannot afford to pay? Mike explained that the City of Fort Collins does address extreme hardships. He also suggested that he might speak to the Men's Associations to see if they would like to contribute to a "scholarship" for Mr. Symonds nephew. Karen Joslin-Aured said that she can't afford to play golf at this time of her life. She added that there are times in our lives that people just simply cannot afford to play golf. Mr. Symonds said that it is very good therapy for his nephew to play golf. He has to exercise. Jerry said that we do have a low-income program for annual passes. If you qualify for low-income status, then you can buy a golf Annual Pass for half the rate of Unrestricted for $240 and Restricted for $190. That is the only program we offer and you can file your request through us. Jerry said he will mail Mr. Symonds the application. Citizen Gil Ellerby plays in town once or twice a week. He said he pays $4 to $5 extra to play the Denver courses. He wondered if we have ever thought about charging out of town golfers an out of town fee? Mike addressed this question by saying that we realize the Denver metro areas charge the out of town fees. However, none of the Northern Colorado cities charge the out of town fees. We did try to implement the out of town fee and realized the revenue we raised didn't warrant the trouble. Collindale Golf Professional Jim Greer said that the Greeley, Loveland, Windsor, and Fort Collins golf courses do not charge the out of town fees. Jim added that it was difficult to check ID's. It isn't monetarily worth it. However, if we get to a point that the "locals" can't get a tee time, then we will revisit this issue. Annual Passes are not sold to out of town golfers. Citizen Bob Hansen said that inflation is going up 3-1/2 percent. What was the closing books? Mike said that we finished 2000 with $73,000 plus in Operating Revenue. Mike added that we are trying to stay above the curve. Currently, none of our revenues go to the General Fund. The Golf Fund is fully self-supporting, except for the Community Value of Golf contribution and the SouthRidge Golf Course debt, both of which will be eliminated in 2003. Jerry added that the three snow days in May cost the Golf Fund approximately $20,000. There were no further public input/comments, nor Board Member comments. Jerry then said the Board can think about what they heard tonight and vote next month or the Board can vote tonight. Mike opened the floor for a motion to approve the fees as proposed by staff. On a motion by Karen Joslin-Aured, seconded by Manny Jimenez, the Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to the City Manager the Proposed Golf Fees and Charges for 2002, and the Projected Golf Fees and Charges for 2003. Final 2003 fees will be determined next year. Collindale Clubhouse Project Architect Frank Vaught and Matt Rankin from Vaught -Fry Architects, along with the City's Project Manager Steve White, were in attendance to review the Collindale Clubhouse Project with the Board. Committee members Jim Greer, Doug Evans, Kevin Wilcox, Henry Fry, Karen Joslin-Aured, and Jerry P Brown can also answer questions. Golf Board Minutes May 16, 2001 Page 3 Frank Vaught said that they are a local architect and have been in Fort Collins since 1972. He said that there were several major factors that had impact on this design. City Plan requires that the building be within 25 feet from the road so that it appears to be pedestrian friendly. We concluded the best place for the new building is where it currently is located. Therefore, we will build a port cochere on the Horsetooth Road side. He explained the building layout with the lower level; and the upper level having the pro shop, restaurant, dining rooms, kitchen, and restrooms. Claire Nelms doesn't understand why there are locker rooms in the facility. She also said that there are foursomes in golf so why do they build only three toilets in each restroom. Byrd Curtis asked about solar heating? Collindale Snack Bar Concessionaire Kevin Wilcox said that we have to have a recovery of 160 gallons of hot water and therefore we need conventional water heaters. Karen added that the committee has discussed passive solar, and we will continue to explore it. The patio/deck will be a main feature. Citizen James Williamson said that he looks for the space on the deck to be large enough to accommodate several tournament players with views of the 18th hole. He further asked about a common area for a "card room". Jerry said we are not providing that service. Collindale Women's Golf Association President Jeni Forbes asked if the auxiliary dining room would be able to be divided? Jerry said that you could close off the auxiliary dining room completely, but currently we don't plan to divide that room. Jerry also said that we are looking at ways to cover the patio deck and scoring area. There being no further questions or comments, Mike Sanders then thanked Frank and Matt for their presentation tonight. Karen said that she wanted to reinforce the great job that Frank and Matt have done with this project. Karen also said she recently spoke with the Overland Sertoma and the two Collindale women's groups for input on this project. Jerry then explained the time line for the project. We went through conceptual review and we are now doing outreach with the Board and the men's and women's associations. Our goal is to know by the end of June what will be the final estimated cost of the project. We are still going through some issues with Transportation regarding the sidewalks and street oversizing. We will probably go to City Council in mid -July and ask to borrow approximately $2,000,000. The Council has to authorize that money. The City Finance Department will have to go to bid on the money. After we get those approvals the consultant then prepares the plans and specs and hopefully we can go to bid in September and try to start construction by November 1. Our goal is to construct the project within five or six months with the projected opening no later than next June. Karen said we are doing everything possible to make this a successful project. Mike added that the Golf Fund has the means to pay this debt back. Basically, there were no objections from Board Members tonight so we will continue to move forward. Golf Board Minutes May 16, 2001 Page 4 Fort Collins Fore Kids Jim Greer said the free clinic is scheduled for June 12 at Collindale. Younger kids ages 7-10 will be in the morning session and I 1-14 year olds in the afternoon. Kevin Wilcox will provide hotdogs, chips, and drinks for the kids. Mike Sanders will hopefully again serve as head chef. Other volunteers are welcome. The three City golf pros will be there with their staff as instructors. Volunteers can provide for group safety. Jeni Forbes said she will have some volunteers from the Collindale Women's Association to help with registration. We are expecting 300 kids. This is for kids who have never played golf. Jim spoke with former Board Member Mindy Markley who said that she will provide the goodie bags again. Volunteers will stuff the bags. Jim explained that we are going to close the first two holes for about 40 minutes each session. At that time we will take the kids for a walk onto the first and second holes of the course and talk about golf etiquette, pace of play, rules of golf, etc. The driving range will be closed to the public during the two sessions. Jerry added that we will have an evaluation card, and we will have a coupon in the bags for 25 percent off a series of Junior lessons and a free round after lessons are completed if accompanied by a paying adult. Other Business • Capital Projects -- Jerry explained we finished the netting project at SouthRidge with 50 and 55- foot netting and steel poles. We are now starting on the netting project at the City Park Nine driving range. We are building 350 feet of 55 foot high netting on steel poles, and extending 30 foot high netting on wood poles back to the tees. This should be done by the middle of July. We are also putting in 100 yards of 30-foot netting on wood poles along 91 as a safety measure for the adjacent ballfields/parking lot. We have finished the five rain shelters at SouthRidge and the bridge has been installed. The SouthRidge Golf Cart Storage Building/Patio Project has been estimated at $97,000 more than originally projected. Therefore, we will eliminate or postpone one and maybe both restrooms on the course. Doug Evans is working on the Maintenance Storage Building Project at Collindale. • Karen Joslin-Aured asked about the visual displays explaining the capital projects. Jerry said that pictures will be taken and these displays will be up sometime after Memorial Day. • Board Meeting Time and Date -- This Board has been meeting on the third Wednesday night of the month. When our Golf Administration office moves to 215 North Mason, we will not be able to have the "Community Room" at that location on the third Wednesday of the month. After the Collindale Clubhouse is completed, we can move our Golf Board meetings to the new clubhouse in June 2002 if desired. We can stay at 281 North College until next year. The Board agreed to stay at 281 North College until the new Clubhouse is completed, and then move the meeting to that location. Golf Board Minutes May 16, 2001 Page 5 Adjournment: On a motion by Claire Nelms, seconded by Manny Jimenez, the Board adjourned at 9:15 p.m. ��Kes ectfully sub ed, 6 J kie Rael Executive Administrative Assistant Meeting Attendance Board Members Byrd Curtis, Manuel Jimenez, Karen Joslin-Aured, Claire Nelms, Bill Rutledge, and Mike Sanders Staff Jerry P. Brown, Doug Evans, Jim Greer, Jackie Rael, Dale Smigelsky, Steve White, and Kevin Wilcox Guests Gil Ellerby, Jeni Forbes, Henry Fry, Donald Greve, Sharon Greve, Bob Hansen, Cliff Symonds, James Williamson, and Vaught -Fry Architects Matt Rankin and Frank Vaught