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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 05/19/1999CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLF BOARD Minutes: Regular Meeting of May 19, 1999 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 Board Chairperson: Mindy Markley at 224-9102 (w) or 226-2700 (h) Eight members of the Board (Tom DeGrand was absent) met at SouthRidge Golf Course at 5:00 p.m. to see a presentation on the new computerized irrigation control system. SouthRidge Golf Course Superintendent Randy Bonneville introduced his staff members: Kenny Smith, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent; and Steve Wallace, Irrigation Specialist. Randy said that in 1994, three years after the City of Fort Collins took over the management and operation of SouthRidge, he was asked by Jerry P. Brown what was the most important major improvement needed at the golf course. His response was that a new irrigation control system was needed. In 1996, Randy started researching the systems on the market. In October 1998, when funding finally became available, the City opened bids for the new control system. The bid was awarded to Rainbird Irrigation Company. Golf Course staff began the process of removing the old system and installing the new system. This in-house labor resulted in an additional savings to the City. By April (1999), the system was installed and in full operation. The previous manual system took 10 hours to water the course, and the new system completely waters the course in 6 hours. The time saved and the energy saved will recoup the cost of the new system in 10 years. Randy feels this new system, at a cost of approximately $130,000, is the backbone of the golf course. After a tour of the SouthRidge Golf Course irrigation system, the Board looked at the proposed golf course additional land east of the I I' Fairway and then the Board and staff had dinner at Mackinzie's Pub and Grill at 6:00 p.m.. Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Mindy Markley at 1" Choice Bank at 3600 South College Avenue. Agenda Review: There were no changes to the printed agenda. Minutes: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 21, 1999 were unanimously (9-0) approved on a motion by Bill Rutledge, seconded by Tom White. Citizen Participation: Citizen Claire Nelms, who had previously met with the Manager of Golf on this same topic, questioned why her Restricted Annual Golf Pass, when used at SouthRidge, Golf Board Minutes May 19, 1999 Page 2 costs more than at City Park Nine and Collindale Golf Courses? Jerry P. Brown said he would again respond to Mrs. Nelms in a letter at a later date. Fort Collins Fore Kids Event Mindy Markley said we are getting very close to our goal of $3,000. She then asked City Park Nine Golf Professional Dale Smigelsky to give the Board an update on the event. Dale said that the plans are running smoothly. He asked Board Members to let him know in what capacity they want to participate, and if they would be available for the Morning Session or Afternoon or both. He said we presently have 200 kids signed up. Staff from all three golf courses will be helping that day and he is asking all the courses to each have 10 volunteers. Dale said to count on 50 people for lunch (staff and volunteers). Mindy will talk to Derek Cordova for donation suggestions for lunch. Jerry said that the announcement of the Fort Collins Fore Kids is in the City Utility Billing, in the Recreator, and was distributed at Poudre School District. Follow -Up Discussion on the SouthRidee Irrigation Control System The Board commented that Randy and his staff did a great job planning and installing the irrigation control system. Strengthening Board Effectiveness Trainine Session Mindy Markley reported on the session she attended on Strengthening Board Effectiveness at Fort Collins High School presented by John Carver. She said the message for the Boards was that they should deal with policy and vision and not meddling in the day-to-day work and not micro manage. John Carver spoke about the role of looking at the future and determine the results and don't try to own the staff or their work. Boards should be more involved in looking forward. Most of the Board's time should be spent on vision for the future of the community. She came away from this session questioning if we are looking for the future. She would like to see this Board looking at Fort Collins' golfing future and where should we be in 10 years. The Board agreed that they should be focusing on the new Collindale Clubhouse and the next new golf course in Fort Collins. Other Business • Bill Rutledge referred to an article in Golf Journal where dogs are chasing Canada Geese off golf courses. He is wondering what the City is doing regarding the geese control on the golf courses? He thinks it is a lousy decision to do nothing with the geese! Jerry P. Brown responded that the geese are protected and we cannot take severe action to manage them. All we can do is "hazing". Henry Fry responded that he has played golf at Collindale for 18 years and hasn't heard of any significant damage the geese have done to the golf courses. He thinks this would be micromanagement for the Board to even discuss this topic. Mindy Markley suggested that we recognize that this is a concern of golfers, that we refer this to our Golf Board Minutes • May 19, 1999 Page 3 • golf course superintendents and if they feel there is a problem, we will support them. Randy Bonneville stated that we have done some experiments with the Division of Wildlife and nothing has worked very well. Randy said it is a problem, but we just deal with it and manage it the best we can. Tom White asked what Bill Rutledge is trying to accomplish? Bill said it is a health problem! Jerry noted that the Health Department has not said Canada Geese are a health hazard. After some heated discussion, Henry Fry made a motion that we recognize Bill's passion but as a Board we do not support this as an issue. The motion was second by Tom Degrand. Frank Blanco said that this is an uphill battle and is not an issue. The vote was 6- 1-2. Henry Fry, Tom White, Mindy Markley, Tom Degrand, Mike Sanders, and Mike Hall yes; Frank Blanco voted no; and Byrd Curtis and Bill Rutledge abstained their vote. • Henry Fry said that in the upcoming months, we need to start looking at being visionary. First is the Collindale Clubhouse replacement in 2001-2003, and the next golf course in the year 2004-2005. Mindy Markley agreed with Henry. • Jerry referred to the National Golf Foundation Study that he distributed to the Board in their packets. • Budget process — Jerry distributed copies of the Golf budget 2000-2001 service information decision package requests he submitted to Mike Powers. This has been submitted to the budget office this week for requests for additional funding for our service area. • Henry Fry said that we need to acknowledge the work of the maintenance and pro staff this spring with the wet weather and the great job they do to keep the courses in operation. • Tom White said he enjoyed this evening, which shows the fruit of the labor of our efforts. • Revenue reports — after the first quarter we were ahead, and one month later (April) we went down 25 percent. We had a $47,000 swing in one month because of the weather. We have Reserve money so we are still in good shape. Adjournment On a motion by Mike Hall, seconded by Henry Fry, the Board voted to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Executive Administrative Assistant Golf Board Minutes May 19, 1999 Page 4 Meetine Attendance Board Members Staff Guest Frank Blanco Byrd Curtis Tom DeGrand Henry Fry Mike Hall Mindy Markley Bill Rutledge Mike Sanders Tom White Jerry P. Brown Randy Bonneville Jim Greer Dale Smigelsky Claire Nelms