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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 03/16/2005City of Fort Collins Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Golf Board Minutes: Regular Meeting of March 16, 2005 Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Bill Bertschy Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Manager of Golf at 221-6350, and Dawn Worth, Administrative Aide at 416-2265 Call Meeting to Order: Board Chairperson David Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the SouthRidge Clubhouse. Agenda Review: There were no changes to the agenda as printed. Items of Note: ♦ Jerry stated that he had the Board and Commission Annual Report packet that included the Annual Reports for every Board and Commission and that it would be available if anyone was interested in reading it. ♦ David Johnson introduced new Board member Deron Grothe who was appointed to replace Vanessa Kabel. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Larry Buckendorf, seconded by Jay Kammerzell, the Board unanimously (8:0) approved the Minutes of the January 19, 2005 Regular Meeting. Citizen Participation: No Citizen Participation at this time. Board Input to City Manager on 2006/2007 City Budget Preparation Jerry mentioned a cover memo that he provided the Board as well as a memo from the City Manager. The memo is asking the Board what they would like to recommend to the City Manager about the budget process. In April the staff will receive a Budget Manual stating what the rules are for putting together a budget. Staff will put a proposed 2006/2007 budget together by the end of May. The City Manager will then submit his recommended budget to Council in September and Council will adopt the final budget by November 30th. Jerry stated that the grocery tax item on April's ballot could impact the budget. The Board needs to submit their input to the City Manager by April 25th. David Johnson asked if anyone had any questions in regards to the memos Jerry provided Lauren DeRosa was wondering if the ballot issue was to pass if it would effect what the Board recommends to the City Manager. Jerry stated that as an Enterprise Fund he didn't think that it should directly effect us, but it could possibly effect us indirectly because the costs of services we receive from other City departments could increase to make up for their loss of revenue, or a higher General Fund Transfer Fee could be implemented. Jerry informed the Board that City Manager Darin Atteberry has provided the Council with four budget cutting options, however there may be new Council members elected in April and we don't know what kind of emphasis they may have. Jerry stated that we just don't know at this point what is truly going to happen. Grant Sherwood suggested that the Board keep the recommendation they provide to the City Manager simple. Dan Preble feels the Board should wait to make their recommendation until the April election takes Golf Board Minutes March 16, 2005 Page 2 place. David Johnson recommended that we bring it back for the April 20th meeting. Jerry reminded the Board that they would then need to adopt something at the April meeting. 2005 "Fort Collins Fore Kids" Golf Clinic Jerry stated that the Golf Board had a great deal of involvement in starting the program. This is the only recreational -type program that we in the Golf Fund run that's not part of what the Golf Professionals do. The clinic is now in its ninth year. Last year we established a capacity of 120 kids and a $2.00 registration fee. This year the clinic will be at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7th at City Park Nine. There will be an opening welcome and the kids will then be divided into three groups, putting green, driving range & chipping green. The kids receive a packet of information, a certificate for 25% off a series of junior lessons, swimming and /or skate pass from the Recreation Division, and free ice cream provided by Walrus. Jerry asked that Board members participate in this year's clinic. Jay Kammerzell asked how we got financial support for this program? Jerry mentioned that originally the Board raised money, but now we use funds from the Golf Budget. He stated that we are no longer allowed to put up flyers in the schools so we buy advertisements in the newspapers. Deron Grothe asked if this was also published in the Recreaor? Jerry said yes. Dan Preble mentioned that he helped register the kids last year and everything went fine. 20002007 Golf Fees and Charges Jerry discussed a conceptual memo that he provided the Board in January as to where staff was looking at going with 2006/2007 Golf Fees and Charges. Since that time Jerzy and the staff have refined several things. Jerry stated that they were trying to get the fees more symmetrical. In January, based on the market, we were suggesting raising the 18- Hole Prime -Time rate by $2.00 which would raise the fee to $28.00 and increasing the rest of the 18-Hole Green Fees by $1.00, dedicating $1.00 of the increases to the Surcharge. This will bring our 18-Hole Surcharge Fee to $5.00. This information has remained the same. He also mentioned that we had a Surcharge shortfall, which is why we wanted to increase the Surcharge. Our 18-Hole Green Fees are in the lower 10% even with the increase. We are one of the few courses with quality facilities that are still under $30.00. Jerry has also recommended increasing the 18-Hole Non -Prime Time rate by only $1.00 to create a $3.00 differential instead of a $2.00 differential between Prime Time and Non -Prime Time. There's a $2.00 difference between the 9-Hole Prime Time and Non -Prime Time rates and this now creates a $3.00 difference on the 18-Hole rate. Based on local market conditions Jerry feels that we should leave most of our 9-Hole rates the same as they are our "bread & butter," and because our 9-Hole Prime -Time rates are already generally near the 60th percentile. The 10-Play Punch Cards are priced based on a 15% discount off of the Prime Time Green Fee rate, which was adopted by the Board and approved by the City Manager. Since the 9-Hole Green Fees stayed the same those rates also remain the same, but the 18-Hole Rates increased so those 18-Hole punch cards rates also increased. Jerry suggested that the Annual Pass Base Rate remain the same in 2006, and in 2007 we would raise it. It would go from $450 to $500 and $225 to $250. If we raised the Per Play Fees to $4.00 and $7.00 we would be in the real high range when compared to other municipalities, so we decided to keep those Per Play Fees the same. However, we increased the discounted rates by .50 cents for 9-holes and a $1.00 for 18-holes to cover the Surcharge. (Note: We moved folks Age 75+ from being with Adults to now being with those Age 17 and under, meaning their Per Play Fees will actually decrease by .50 Golf Board Minutes March 16, 2005 Page 3 cents for 9-Hole Rounds and by $1.00 for 18-Hole Rounds.) Finally, we felt that the Golf Carts Rental Rates needed to be raised, but not all of them. The biggest change we've made is discontinuing the medical golf cart rate, and since we've implemented the Single Rider Golf Cart rate we find that ifs not necessary to also have a medical cart rate. Jerry mentioned that if this is approved, a letter will be sent out to everyone with a medical cart letting them know that this program will be ended. Jerry stated that as far as he knows we are the only courses that offers a medical cart discount. Our overall golf cart rates are generally average compared to other golf courses. Lauren DeRosa asked if the Single Rider rate has increased revenue any? Jerry stated that it's hard to tell since it's only been implemented since August. He has heard from the courses that there are players that do enjoy that option. Collindale Assistant Golf Professional Pat Finnegan mentioned that those players who know it's an option use it. Grant Sherwood asked how many Annual Passes have been sold? Jerry said that there were 256 Annual Passes sold last year and we have sold 127 thus far this year. David Johnson asked if the passes still ran through March? Jerry mentioned that we modified it so instead of being February 28 it is now January 31. Dan Preble asked if the same applied for the 10-hole punches. Jerry said that they don't ever expire; however, when the fees go up you have to pay the difference. Jerry stated that next month is the Public Input Meeting so whatever the Board approves tonight will be published in the newspaper and that's what people will come to discuss at the April meeting. David Johnson stated that he feels it's still a fair deal. Jay Kammerzell said that he also agrees. Jay stated that it seems like people's lifestyles aren't allowing for them to play much golf and that the back 9 of SouthRidge lends itself to playing 4 or 5- hole rounds. He asked if anyone has thought about marketing this? Jerry said that staff has previously talked about it and that City Park Nine lends itself to three holes. A lot of Annual Pass holders do this already. Jay asked if it would be worth considering it for a set rate? Jerry said that the logistics don't necessarily lend themselves to this, and scheduling is an issue. Jerry doesn't feel that this is something we should push for because we need to look at what other courses are doing about this. Jerry doesn't feel that Collindale lends itself well. David Johnson also feels that there would be a big problem at SouthRidge because there wouldn't be a clear view of the players. SouthRidge Assistant Golf Professional Doug Perry stated that people might just keep playing. David Johnson also stated that we would possible loose revenue if we couldn't allow someone who wants to play more holes to play. Jay said if you know for sure that there was an opening you could give them that option. Jerry said he wasn't sure what the demand is for that. Doug isn't aware of anyone asking. Jerry said that staff would explore it. Jay feels that it might bring in some more revenue. Lauren asked about the increase in the Per Play Fee rate for Juniors? Jerry said they are already paying half of what the adults are paying and the increase seemed reasonable. Lauren said that there may be an issue. Jerry stated that Juniors are still getting a significant discount and he was trying to balance the Surcharge. Jerry said that if we didn't have a problem with funding the Surcharge he probably wouldn't be recommending this. There was no further discussion. Then, on a motion by Larry Buckendorf, seconded by Grant Sherwood, the Board unanimously (8:0) approved the Recommended 2006/2007 Golf Fees and Charges for Public Input. Election of Golf Board Officers for 2005/2006 Jerry noted that David Johnson is currently the Board Chairperson and he has just finished his second term, Mindy Markley is the Vice -Chairperson and Lauren DeRosa is Golf Board Minutes March 16, 2005 Page 4 the Board Secretary. Jerry stated that David's term expires at the end of December and he is eligible to be re -appointed. David mentioned that he is planning on being back and he would accept the nomination. On a motion made by Dan Preble, and seconded by Jay Kammerzell, the Board unanimously (8:0) approved to re-elect David Johnson as Chairperson for another term. David Johnson then made a motion to nominate Larry Buckendorf as Vice -Chairperson, seconded by Grant Sherwood. The Board unanimously (8:0) elected Larry Buckendorf as Vice -Chairperson. On a motion made by Jay Kammerzell, and seconded by Grant Sherwood, the Board unanimously (8:0) approved to re-elect Lauren DeRosa as Board Secretary. Other Business ♦ David Johnson welcomed Council Member Bill Bertschy, and he mentioned that Bill is the Board's Liaison and he is running for Mayor in the April election. Bill mentioned that this could be his last meeting and that he has been the Golf Board Liaison for about 8 years. Jerry stated that Bill has been an outstanding liaison to the Golf Board. ♦ Jerry mentioned a memo from the Police Department and from the Division of Wildlife allowing us to do a number of things to prevent Canada Geese from being on the courses. The preventative measures taken that are a part of the Noise Ordinance have to be conducted during daylight hours and if we receive complaints well have to cease. The Division of Wildlife and the Police have given us permission to egg addle. If egg addling takes place we have to send out a report to the Division of Wildlife. ♦ Jerry mentioned a flyer on Tournaments/Outings that went out to the 7,000 members of the Chamber of Commerce and others. Jerry said that we've already had some calls on it. Larry Buckendorf asked if the Chamber is still going to have their tournament with the City. Jerry said they will be playing at Collindale on June 13 and ifs the first time ever that they've held a tournament at one of our City Golf Courses. ♦ Jerry mentioned that Shirley Hansen is back as President for the City Park Nine Women's Golf Association. ♦ Jerry stated that the revenues were slightly down the first two months this year, but that they were better than last year. Jerry stated that the courses were doing pretty good until the snow, and hopefully things are progressing like they are supposed to. Jerry told the new members the May numbers are a good indication if we are going to do good for the year. Prior to 2004 we sold more Annual Passes in the first couple of months in the year. Those numbers reflect greater sales. Next month we are going to also provide a quarterly status of expenditures. ♦ Grant Sherwood said that at the Golf Expo in Denver, both Greeley and Loveland had someone there promoting play. Jerry stated that with Collindale Golf Professional Jim Greer being there we didn't feel that we needed to put up a booth because of the expense. Jerry said that the City doesn't have any merchandise to sell. He mentioned that Greeley just received $480,000 from their City Council and Loveland has about $35,000 for marketing, and our budget is only $4,000. Jerry said that because of the merchandise this works for them. The City of Fort Collins doesn't own the merchandise, the Golf Professionals do. Golf Board Minutes March 16, 2005 Page 5 ♦ Jerry noted that Loveland is starting to switch their Pro Shop operations as they just had anRFP last year for the Olde Course, and the professional that had been there a number of years didn't win their bid. They plan to bid Mariana Butte later this year. Adjournment: On a motion by Deron Grothe, seconded by Jay Kammerzell, the Board unanimously voted (8:0) to adjourn at 8:02 p.m. Meeting Attendance Board Members Larry Buckendorf Lauren DeRosa Deron Grothe David Johnson Jay Kammerzell Dan Preble Grant Sherwood David Thilmany Respectfidly submitted, Dawn Worth Administrative Aide staff Jerry P. Brown Dawn Worth Guests Dwain Bloyer Rob Dahl Pat Finnegan Jay Morgan Doug Perry