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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 02/19/1992CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLF BOARD City Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Dave Edwards Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director/Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services; and Alyce Nierman, Golf Division Secretary MINUTES: Regular meeting of February 19, 1992 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Board President Al Bednarz. He expressed his thanks to the Board members' present of his election to this position, and he will try to do the best job he can. On behalf of the Golf Board, Al conveyed his thanks to immediate Past President Roger Sample for his leadership during some very controversial events. Jerry P. Brown conveyed messages from Mary Hodge and Tom White that they would be unable to attend tonight's Board meeting. Agenda Review: There were no changes to the printed agenda. Minutes• Jim Doyle requested there be one change to the minutes of January 29, 1992, as presented. The change is on page 3, second paragraph, first sentence. The word "taxpayers" should be replaced with the word "golfers" and should read "Jim then commented that he feels only part of the debt should be paid by golfers, not necessarily the full debt amount." There were no other changes or corrections so it was moved by Jim Doyle and seconded by Roger Sample that the minutes from the regular meeting of the Golf Board held January 29, 1992, be approved as amended. Motion Carried (5:0) Citizen Participation: There was no citizen participation. SouthRidge Sale/Community Value of Golf Jerry P. Brown stated that Golf Board members were mailed a copy of the report being presented to City Council. However, the copy sent out to the Board has been revised after further discussions with the City Manager. The final revision finished today was distributed to the Board members present. Jerry asked the Board to take some time to read the report before a discussion on the content is held. Jerry started the review with a discussion of the memo sent to City Council dated February 19, 1992. Jerry stated there are two segments for consideration with this issue: 1) Sale of SouthRidge; 2) Community Value of Golf. We are telling Council we are combining the three courses as we want to deal with golf as a whole and not in fragments. Part one of the report deals with the sale of SouthRidge, historical responses and the complete sale process. The Request for Proposal and sale process is completely explained in this report to Council. Currently there is still $2.9 million remaining as a debt. During 1991, there were three primary options presented to Council and staff recommended the no sale Golf Board Minutes February 19, 1992 Page 2 option. Essentially this was in concert with what the Golf Board stated. Jerry then asked the Board for their input and any questions they might have. Discussion began with the rumor that after the RFP process is complete, there is a group planning to submit an offer to the City on SouthRidge Golf Course. Outside of the RFP process the City has no established requirements regarding the sale of property. We have already established requirements for the SouthRidge sale. Last fall a petition from the residents of SouthRidge was presented asking City Council not to sell SouthRidge. This was an informational petition and not legally binding. Tuesday, February 25, is a Council Worksession. In our report we presented the best three options and listed the other five. Jim Doyle commented that Option C is status quo and would not improve things at SouthRidge Golf Course. Roger Sample stated that the Golf Board went on record of favoring Option A -- a long time ago. He also questioned if fees could be increased enough to meet the shortfall. Steve Jouard commented it makes a difference who is going to pay for SouthRidge. If Collindale and City Park Nine golfers are going to be asked to pay for the SouthRidge debt, he feels SouthRidge should be sold. Jerry then moved on to part two of the report to City Council, the Community Value of Golf. The information presented generally explains why this is being done. Golf is currently classified as an Enterprise Fund, which means it is self-supporting. Al Bednarz questioned the concept of an Enterprise Fund not receiving any funds. At City Park Nine the land was donated. Collindale was part of a 196 acre land acquisition which included what is now Warren Park and the Lemay Avenue addition. Approximately $100,000 of taxpayer money was used, but who can say if that money was for a park or the street. Jerry explained that basically the difference between Enterprise Funds and Special Revenue Funds is the Special Revenue Funds receive money from taxpayers via the General Fund. Roger raised the question of possibly refinancing the debt. With today's interest rates, maybe we could look at a 30 year refinance and the Golf Fund could possibly pay its own way. Jerry reported that there was a refinance done a couple of years ago and basically our hands are tied. Jim Doyle commented that we are saddled with the debt that the Golf Fund did not set up. The debt at the end of 1992 will be $2.5 million. Jerry commented this issue may not be as controversial as we are making it out to be. Jerry tried to incorporate a lot of comments and quotes from the Golf Board as could be used. If there are any major changes, these can be brought before Council during the work session on February 25. Our pricing needs to be competitive to keep play at SouthRidge and other city courses from declining. Al Bednarz questioned why the City should even be worried about price. It was stated by Roger that we can't just arbitrarily raise fees. We also need to be aware of prices and policies of nearby cities. Jerry commented that we have talked about our customers concerns and annual pass play. Annual passes could become an issue. Jerry then reviewed the options that will be presented to City Council. The selection of Option B or C could also set a precedent and be used for construction of any future golf courses. Golf Board Minutes February 19, 1992 Page 3 Al commented that if Option C is chosen, the $70,000 for operating and maintenance could be covered. Jerry stated this amount would more than likely have to be paid by the Golf Fund. The $70,000 under Option C would have to come from City Park Nine and Collindale. If option D or E is selected, all expenses would be paid by the Golf Fund. Also, if Option D is selected by City Council there will probably be a fee increase at Collindale and City Park Nine to $7.50 for 9-hole play, $13.50 for 18-hole play, and increase annual passes fees by 30%. Another option would be the elimination of annual passes. Feelings are that we will lose play the first year, but play during second and consecutive years would come back up. After City Council makes a decision we, as a Golf Board, need to come back and see how we can implement that decision and make it work. Jerry feels Council generally views "golf as golf" and any funds from one course should be used at another course, if needed. A couple of Board members continued to question why golf should be considered differently from other forms of recreation? Jerry stated that the City Manager agrees with the Staff recommendation that City Council accept Option C or E. Al felt by choosing Options A or B, the additional $70,000 in funding is not needed. Al would like to see the offer made more attractive and not state the $70,000 in the report. Roger Sample commented that if fees are raised at other courses, capital improvements could continue at all courses. Jim Doyle does not buy into fact that our fees are so low; Texas has much lower fees than Colorado. Steve Jouard does not feel bad asking City Council for additional monies as golfers were not consulted initially about acquiring SouthRidge Golf Course. Roger stated that the real win is that SouthRidge will not be sold. We need to go in with the reality to City Council, that by choosing Option C, the City of Fort Collins will be able to keep SouthRidge. Jerry then asked for direction. With what strategy does the Golf Board want to approach City Council at the February 25 worksession? The City Manager will introduce our item and ask for a summary from Mike Powers or Jerry Brown. At some point in time the Board will be asked to speak. The Golf Board needs to express their views, and City Council may ask questions of the board members. Roger pointed out that Council members are human beings also and we should be as positive as possible and not make comments that could make City Council become defensive. Al reiterated Roger's perspective that we should be very positive with any comments we make to City Council. However, as stated by Jim Doyle, we should not roll over and play dead. Al raised the question of how many people use EPIC compared to golf course users. Jerry replied that this figure is hard to come by as there are so many qualifiers with the Recreation Fee Policy. As stated by Roger, the EPIC facility was approved by the voters, and we should steer clear of any comparisons between golf and EPIC. Steve would not like to pit certain forms of recreation against golf as there is a benefit to the community with all forms of recreation. Jim raised a question on the licensing bicycles in the city. Jerry stated that no licenses are required at this time. City Council is looking at alternative transportation forms. Jim commented that the presentation to City Council is pretty complete Golf Board Minutes February 19, 1992 Page 4 and any further statements may muddy the issue. Jerry would make the initial introduction of the report, noting the support of the Golf Board for Option C. Al Bednarz, as Golf Board President, would be willing to make a brief statement verbalizing the Board's views. Steve commented, from his perspective, that if golf falls under the Recreation User Fee Policy, we then go to a compromise that maintains status quo. He feels the Golf Board is being very reasonable. We should present that we want approval of Option A. However, we are reasonable and can accept Option C. Dan Preble expressed thoughts that by mentioning Option A, Option C appears more plausible. Roger likes the introduction idea and agrees that by mentioning Option A it makes C more plausible. Al said he will put something together and meet with a couple of Board members over the weekend. Board Members and Staff Comments/Reports - Jerry brought up the revised 1991 reports. All the play at SouthRidge had not been counted and we therefore ended up only about 1,000 rounds short from projections. - An updated staff list was distributed. - The Golf Division has received a donation of large trees from the Water Treatment Plant that are being planted at SouthRidge. Randy Bonneville received these trees which he plans on planting at the 18th tee, and the 9th hole around the new lake project. Some of these trees were 20' tall. - Jerry reported that we are making some improvements at SouthRidge including a deck rug, counter, and removed some dressing rooms. With the new arrangements, when the pro is in his office he can now see cash register at all times. He can then cover when others are tied up. Also, new indoor/outdoor carpeting is being installed on the clubhouse deck, and the lake project is complete. Albrecht Homes is donating $2,500 to $3,500 for placing benches on the golf course. Citizen Henry Fry questioned where we are going with the condition of greens at SouthRidge this year? He stated that the overall quality does not compare with greens at Collindale. Randy Bonneville replied that the soil composition of the two courses is quite different. SouthRidge greens are 100% sand. However, crews will be going to a hand mow this year to try to improve the condition of the greens. Randy will also be changing some more techniques and making improvements around the clubhouse. Jerry stated we are also making improvements at the bunker house. Also, the 12th tee box will be changed with the construction of the road through the area. Randy Bonneville is looking at the placement of the blue tee box in a different location for normal tee off. Jerry said the changes at SouthRidge are visible, so people can see improvements being made. On motion by Steve Jouard and second by Roger Sample the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. i Golf Board Minutes February 19, 1992 Page 5 Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman Secretary III Golf Division Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Al Bednarz Jerry P. Brown Henry Fry Jim Doyle Randy Bonneville Steve Jouard Jim Greer Dan Preble Joe Nance Roger Sample Alyce Nierman