HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 08/18/1993CITY OF FORT COLLINS
CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES
GOLF BOARD
City Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Bob McCluskey, Jr.
Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director/CLRS; and
Alyce Nierman, Golf Division Secretary
MINUTES: Regular meeting of August 18, 1993
After a round of golf, and dinner in the City Park Nine Clubhouse, the meeting
was called to order by Board President Al Bednarz at 7:00 p.m. Jerry P. Brown
welcomed Council Liaison Bob McCluskey to the meeting. Board Member David Shands
called to say he would not be able to attend tonight's Board meeting.
The Board took a tour of the City Park Nine Maintenance Building. Assistant Golf
Superintendent Jim Higgins gave the Board an overview of the new $60,000
computerized irrigation system. Jim explained the water savings and electricity
savings the course will experience with this new system. Jerry P. Brown
explained that the City currently does not pay for raw water for the golf
courses. Al Bednarz asked when this system will be implemented at Collindale and
SouthRidge? Jerry explained that there is not immediate funding available for
these projects. If a surcharge was added for five to six years, this project
could be implemented at both other courses. Jim further explained the
environmental savings incurred.
Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda.
Consider Approving Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting of July 21 1993:
On a motion by Henry Fry, seconded by Larry Glass, the minutes of the meeting of
July 21, 1993 were unanimously (8:0) approved.
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Functions of the Golf Board
As a follow-up to last month's meeting with Assistant City Attorney Marty
Heffernan, Jerry distributed in the Board's packets the options Marty outlined
for the role of the Golf Board. On a motion by Hank Hoesli, seconded by Tom
White the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to accept Option B. For the benefit of
Councilman McCluskey, Al Bendarz explained the process the Board went through to
define their role. He explained that they need guidelines to outline their
parameters as an advisory board. The Board was frustrated that they made a
recommendation for the selection of the SouthRidge Golf Pro, and it was
overturned, and they determined that their role as an advisory board does not
allow them to make personnel decisions. Hank Hoesli said Option B provides for
more input between staff and Board. Option A keeps the Board from having
significant input on golf matters even in an advisory level. Al said as a Board,
we feel we should have some input as representatives of the golfing community.
Golf Board Minutes
August 18, 1993
Page 2
Golf Fee Structure Committee
Armon Johannsen, Henry Fry, Al Bendarz, and Jerry P. Brown are members of the
Golf Fee Structure Sub -committee. The committee met last week, however Al
Bednarz was unable to attend. Henry Fry said the committee discussed fees and
philosophy. He said the committee agreed that when the SouthRidge loan is paid
for, the fees at all three courses should be the same. They discussed different
fees for different days. They discussed that the current revenue status is
probably a short-term deficit and that all courses in Northern Colorado are
feeling the pinch this year. The committee agreed that we need to look at the
way we do business. They felt that the system now in place isn't broken so there
is no need for a "big fix." Armon added the committee needs to look at prime
time versus slow time and the financial aspect of that. He said all three
courses should be looked at as a package... including SouthRidge. He feels the
public should look at SouthRidge as a City facility. Al Bednarz apologized for
not being able to attend the meeting as he had a family emergency. He also
addressed prime time, and fees the same at SouthRidge should be a long-term goal.
Al asked the Board where we should go from here? Jerry said that some form of
recommendation from the Board needs to be made no later than the October meeting
because fees will be set by City Council during their November budget meeting.
Jerry also asked how much public input the Board wanted? Henry stated he would
like the public meeting before October. Larry Glass said he personally would
like to see all three courses have annual passes. He said we need to restructure
the price in an effort to market the golf pass. He would encourage consideration
of including SouthRidge. Armon said the committee did speak of that for
introducing the pass at SouthRidge next year. Henry said we would negatively
affect the revenues at SouthRidge. Larry asked why should the golfers be
penalized for not being able to use passes at SouthRidge?
Cindy Roper said that the courses should be marketed from a business perspective.
By trying to market all three as the same product doesn't make business sense.
These courses attract different clientele. Jerry said the cost of maintenance
at all three is different. Tom White said he looks at the annual passes in three
categories, i.e., bronze, silver, and gold. Jerry added Loveland is dealing with
the same issue of including Mariana Butte in annual passes. Henry said prime
time playing should be added to the cost of the base annual pass. He added the
committee is looking at a non -prime time pass. Derek Cordova said it is
important to note non -prime time fees at SouthRidge are the same as green fees
at Collindale and City Park Nine.
Armon added we need to realize that these public courses should serve as a
recreational activity for all citizens of Fort Collins. The income population
of Fort Collins should be able to play the public courses and afford them. This
should be a service approach to citizens. Hank Hoesli feels too many people who
live at SouthRidge feel it is their private course. The sub -committee will get
together after tonight's Board meeting to discuss their next meeting time and
arrange for a public meeting. The Board as a whole felt the sub -committee should
take the lead on the public meeting.
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Golf Board Minutes
August 18, 1993
Page 3
Other Business
- Norma Ingraham said 80 ladies played City Park Nine today for the annual
inter -City event and were impressed with the conditions of the golf course.
- Jerry P. Brown included in the Board's packet the City Park Nine Neighborhood
letters regarding the netting. Jerry will be meeting with the citizens to
address their concerns.
- Jerry also mentioned the reports he included in the Board packets regarding
the golf revenue shortfall of $107,000 this year. All capital expenses for
the 1994 budget have been cut.
Board Members and Staff Comments
- Councilman Bob McCluskey said he came to the Board meeting tonight to discuss
what the Board's expectations are of the Council Liaison. If the Board is
wanting input to Council then they need to let Bob know. He looks at their
relationship as open and he is here to listen to their concerns. He invites
the Board members to call him at any time and he assured them he would return
their calls. He said he would like this Board to adopt a strategic work plan
and bring golfers into the process. Bring the history, operation and
maintenance costs, capital costs, and debt at SouthRidge to the golfers.
They need to know the whole picture. He asked the Board to look beyond one
year of planning and to focus on the future of golf in the community.
- Henry Fry said the Collindale staff should be commended for a great job done
for the State tournament last weekend. He heard many favorable comments from
visitors to the golf course.
- Mary Hodge said as a golf coach she appreciates the support from the golf
pros and the support from staff and the Board for supporting junior golf in
Fort Collins.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide
Golf Board Minutes
August 18, 1993
Page 4
Meeting Attendance
Board Members Staff Guests
Al Bednarz Jerry P. Brown Councilman McCluskey
Larry Glass Derek Cordova Norma Ingraham
Henry Fry Jim Greer Frank Blanco
Mary Hodge Dave Sadler
Hank Hoesli Jim Higgins
Armon Johannsen Joe Nance
Cindy Roper Jackie Rael for Alyce Nierman
Tom White