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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 10/10/5199E CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLFBOARD MINUTES: Regular Meeting of October 15, 1997 CITY COUNCIL LIAISON TO THE BOARD: Councilman Bill Bertschy STAFF SUPPORT TO THE BOARD: Jerry P. Brown, Manager of Golf and Alyce Nierman, Administrative Aide BOARD CHAIRPERSON: Mindy Markley at 224-9102 (w) or 226-2700 (h) CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Mindy Markley. AGENDA REVIEW: Jerry P. Brown noted there were two additional items that need to be discussed: a brief update on the issue of fees and charges, and the potential land purchase at SouthRidge Golf Course. These items will be brought up under Other Business. There were no other changes to the printed agenda. ITEMS OF NOTE: Board Members Frank Blanco and Bill Rutledge will be unable to attend the Golf Board meeting this evening. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: It was moved by Henry Fry, and seconded by Tom White, that the Golf Board approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 17, 1997, as presented. The motion was approved (7:0). CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: There was no citizen participation. SOUTHRIDGE RESTAURANT/SNACK BAR CONCESSION RFP PROCESS AND RECOMMENDATION ON THE CONTENTS OF THE FP PACKAGE Mindy Markley asked if Board members had a chance to review the proposed RFP, and if there was any item they wished to add or change? Henry Fry asked about the liquor license issue and whether that had been cleared up? Jerry noted if a new vendor wins the bid they would need to ask for a transfer of the license. The neighborhood has been petitioned, and Concessionaire Dan Bruntz noted that he had only one resident who was in opposition of the liquor license being granted. There will be a public hearing before the Liquor Licensing Board next Wednesday, October 22. Jerry noted that generally 10% of people who sign petitions are against the sale or consumption of liquor in their area. Golf Board Minutes October 15, 1997 Page 2 Jerry added that the Assistant City Attorney will be adding to the RFP package verbiage on the liquor license and the history of liquor at the golf courses. Mindy asked Board members if there was acceptance of the weighting value placed on the questions to be asked during the interviews. There were no questions at this time. It was restated that Henry Fry and Tom DeGrand are on the review committee and Byrd Curtis is the alternate. Jim Hume is representing the Purchasing Division, Randy Bonneville is representing the Golf staff, and Fred Frantz is the neighborhood citizens' representative. It was moved by Henry Fry and seconded by Byrd Curtis that the Golf Board accept the RFP package for the SouthRidge Restaurant/Snack bar Concession as presented. The motion passed by unanimous vote (7:0). • FEES AND CHARGES Jerry explained that three citizens present at the September Board meeting contacted Councilman Bill Bertschy stating that the Board was not responsive to them. Further, this group believes there are certain members of the Board who are out to eliminate annual passes. Mike Powers, Jerry Brown and Bill Bertschy met with the City Manager regarding this situation. During the meeting, it was felt by the City Manager that the Golf Board and staff followed the necessary, proper steps in setting the fee recommendations for 1998. Jerry also felt that setting a one time fee and trying it out for one year would be beneficial, but he also stated his belief that the Board acted in good faith in making their recommendation as they had discussed this topic extensively during the previous months. Jerry then met with Louis Scharf and Dick Ward for nearly two hours. One positive aspect of this meeting is the group seems to have a better understanding of our prioritized list of capital project recommendations. The 18-hole equivalent was an area of discussion where no agreement was reached. There was agreement that most 9-hole round costs are about 60% of 18-hole rates, and based on that Louis Scharf arrived at a $60.00 fee being recommended as an up front fee for annual pass holders. After last month's meeting a letter was received on the topic of fees and the City Manager's office called to schedule a meeting next week. Prior to attending the meeting, Jerry would like to know from the Golf Board if there is an interest in compromising on the up front fee. David Shands stated his belief that this subject has been beat to death. The Golf Board made their recommendation and he does not believe we should offer a change. Jerry informed the Board that this group has suggested a petition drive and stated they have 200 people who will sign it. Jerry added that he will not break faith with the Golf Board and their recommendation. He does believe we should offer an up front fee of something between $75 and $100 for 1998 and this would be reviewed after one year. Louis Scharf has suggested $60.00 as an up front fee and the Board had previously discussed $150.00. Mindy Markley asked if we keep track on prime time card use? The type of pass used is counted Golf Board Minutes October 15, 1997 Page 3 and whether it is used for 9- or 18-hole rounds played, but there is no tracking the number of times played by each pass number. Mike Sanders suggested making the annual pass card a swipe card, and each time the card is used, it would show the number of holes played, etc. This idea has been investigated and a computer that would gather this data would cost $23,000-$25,000 and is listed on the capital improvements list presented. In explaining the situation, Jerry stated that he could reject the Golf Board's recommendation, but he has chosen not to as the Board had been reviewing this subject for several months and discussing the issue at Board meetings prior to making their recommendation. Mike stated that the Board is not opposed to a fee up front, but the group that came to the meeting last month did not like the amount recommended. Mindy inquired if there was any feedback on this issue from John Fischbach or Bill Bertschy, and Jerry responded that at this time they are just gathering information. A comment was previously made by Mr. Fischbach that our fees seem very low. Mindy noted that the meeting next week is being held at the request of the Scharf group, and the City Manager has invited her to attend. Jerry added that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22. Mindy commented that she would first like to hear the angle taken by John Fischbach and Bill Bertschy before we offer a compromise. Byrd Curtis perceives the real feeling out there is that the Golf Board is having a problem facing their responsibilities. Maybe a compromise in 1998 would be in order rather than create additional furor against the Board. Mike feels that comments made reflect that they don't want to pay 100% of the total operating costs for golf. He has also heard comments showing resistance to the Collindale clubhouse project, and wonders how these people think the clubhouse that is currently there was paid for? It was further stated that this particular group that continually comes forward knows they have the best buy in town and yet we acquiesce time and again to their demands. Mike added that he does not have a problem with drawing a hard line as he is unaware of any golfer who doesn't go through the clubhouse when playing and there should be no problem with placing a dollar on the counter when they show up to play. Mindy added her comments that we are an advisory board, and this topic was discussed extensively prior to making our recommendations. However, we will not resent staff if we are directed to establish a one-time up -front fee. Henry Fry observed that he does not see any spirit of compromise by the other side. Tom DeGrand stated that he is not apt to change his position as he believes the Board went into this with their eyes open and the topic had been fully discussed and researched prior to our decision. If it is decided from this meeting that we are required to collect an up front fee, we should set the amount at $100.00. Referring back to the presentation at Collindale by Louis Scharf, part of the logic is that we would have a great return of pass buyers. Tom White noted that there has not been a great resurgence in pass purchases and speculated on whether these assumptions and math are a little suspect? Byrd stated that we should stay with our decision and at the meeting next week, let the chips fall where they may. The Board had general agreement to stay with the decision and take any further action from the outcome of the meeting next week with the City Manager. 0 LAND PURCHASE Golf Board Minutes October 15, 1997 Page 4 The land being considered for purchase is located in the County and included in the Fossil Creek Study Area. However, the land we are considering for acquisition is being looked at by Larimer County for removal from the Fossil Creek Study. If this land is removed from this study, it may make a difference on how we approach this issue. Jerry asked that Board members to think about this before the November meeting. Of the people who own this land, at least one of the parties may be interested in keeping it as an open space environment. David Shands asked the exact location of this land. Henry asked if the proposed golf holes would be on the east side of the tracks? Jerry stated that the land that is being considered is east of the railroad right-of-way. Natural Resources could buy the wetland and could front the money to buy the other land for the expansion of SouthRidge. It is hoped that this can tie in with the trail to Loveland. Jerry noted that before the Board breaks up tonight he will make copies of the map showing the land and area under consideration and the Board can go out and peruse prior to the discussion at November's meeting. The RFP for the SouthRidge Golf Professional has been sent to 48 people. The walk through was held on October 7 and five individuals were present. All bids on the RFP are due in the Purchasing office on October 21, and the review committee will pick up the bids at 4:30 on Tuesday. It was asked what the procedure would be if only one bid was received? Jerry stated the Review Committee could make a decision on whether that bid was acceptable, the Purchasing Agent would check with some non -bidders, and if everything checks out we could state justification for a "sole source" of the RFP. Tom DeGrand asked if there are possible problems? Jerry responded that we have followed all the steps and notifications. It was noted that in the golf pro business there is a "professional courtesy" given and incumbents perceived to be doing a good job are not usually challenged for a contract. The Board representatives on the Review Committee for the SouthRidge Golf Pro are Mindy Markley and Tom White. Jerry stated that they have until October 30 to make their decision. Jerry added that he does expect to see one or two other bids and in turn there will be an interview of each bidder. We hopefully should be able to have a contract signed by November 10. Henry Fry asked if the RFP process for the Snack Bar will come after that? Jerry stated the RFP's will be sent out after the attorney has made the additions on the liquor license issue. At this point Jerry knows of three interested bidders. The bids are scheduled to be submitted by November 19, and the contract could be awarded by the middle of December. If a new vendor is selected, there is the potential that liquor will not be available for 2-3 months. The City Clerk's office is working with us on this subject. • Henry Fry has heard that Mr. Nance sold his restaurant and asked if the Golf Fund had been paid the money that was due? Jerry noted that we have until December 31, 1997, to receive payment. • Byrd Curtis commented that on a recent trip to Oregon he played croquette on a golf course, and asked if that might be another source of revenue? They paid $7.50 per hour to play. The courts were located near the clubhouse, but not on the field of play. Jerry stated that we have looked Golf Board Minutes October 15, 1997 Page 5 at alternate sources of income and even looked at building a miniature golf course. Around that time the Colorado Legislature discussed laws regarding government competition with the private sector and feeling that it may be inappropriate, we stopped looking. Mike Sanders asked if the hot air balloons that lift off from Collindale Golf Course have been given a license for this from the City? As he paid $100+ per person for a lift off the ground, he was curious if the City receives any fees for use of the course? Jerry said no. If the golfers revolted and petitioned to the City, it could become an issue and then might happen. This topic has become a question periodically, but has not been made an issue. • Frank Blanco sent a letter that criticized Mindy Markley and Jerry Brown stating that they had their backs to the citizens present at the last Golf Board meeting. Jerry noted that the citizens chose to sit in the side room and there were chairs available in the main room. The sewer project at SouthRidge is scheduled to start the first week of November. Henry Fry commented that a good job was done in repairing the wounds along #6 at Collindale. Henry asked about the granite markers planned for SouthRidge, and Jerry replied that they were not in as yet. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the Golf Board meeting was made by Tom White and seconded by Henry Fry. The motion was approved (7:0) and the Golf Board meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman, Administrative Aide I Meeting Attendance BOARD MEMBERS STAFF GUESTS Mindy Markley Jerry P. Brown John Schuh Byrd Curtis Dan Bruntz Tom DeGrand Derek Cordova Henry Fry Alyce Nierman Mike Sanders David Shands Tom White