HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 03/21/1990CITY OF FORT COLLINS
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
GOLF BOARD
MINUTES: Regular Meeting - March 21, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by President Roger Sample. Board
Members Steve Jouard and Iry Wilson called to say they could not attend the
meeting. Alternate Member Al Bednarz was granted voting status for the meeting.
In the absence of Board Secretary Steve Jouard, President Sample asked Jerry P.
Brown to serve as acting secretary for the meeting.
Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda.
Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of February 21, 1990, were approved
unanimously, as submitted on a motion by Terry Gilmore, seconded by Dan Preble.
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Items Related to Golf Fee Structure
The Board reviewed and discussed five specific elements of the Golf Fee structure
process, as follows: 1. What should be an appropriate amount for reserves in
the Golf Fund? 2. The structure of the fees; 3. Determination of the 1991
funding level for budget preparation purposes; 4. Determination of the need for
public meetings to explain any changes to the existing fee structure; and 5.
A Board response to City Council with regards to the SouthRidge situation.
Jerry said that Steve Jouard suggested to him (over the phone) that a Golf Fund
Reserve of $100,000 would be acceptable to him. Terry Gilmore, Roger Sample,
Dan Preble and Al Bednarz also said $100,000 seems to be a reasonable amount of
reserves. Dan noted $100,000 effectively is a two-year cushion. Al asked
specifically what is covered in the approved budget, and Jerry said all operating
0&M and necessary operating capital including periodic sprinkler system
replacement, if necessary. It does not include any desired capital items. After
further discussion, the Board's consensus is to target $100,000 as a Golf Fund
reserve.
With regard to the structure of the fees, the committee recommended no real
changes to the existing structure as we really don't need to increase Golf Fund
Reserves, but if we decide on desired capital items, it is likely some additional
fee increases may be necessary. Currently our projected 1990-1994 budget shows
roughly a $50,000 annual deficit, but since we have over $200,000 in reserves,
we can spend that amount down to the $100,000 target level. Terry asked if we
really want to do the desired capital improvements? Dan said he wants to do at
least one project next year, and Cathy Fromme also wants us to do something, but
she is not satisfied that the Board (or even the Capital Improvements Committee)
has decided what projects are on the list or what the priorities might be? It
was agreed by all that the Board should continue to review desired capital needs.
Cathy felt that it is important to reinvest golf money back into golf.
Al asked about the SouthRidge issue. Jerry said he felt the need for desired
capital items and the potential annual Golf Fund revenue shortfall, and the
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March 21, 1990
Page 2
SouthRidge financing issues were separate. Derek Cordova said that the
Collindale Clubhouse improvements are very important and are needed. After
further discussion, the Board's consensus was that at least one desired capital
improvement project per year of at least $50,000 in cost should be budgeted, with
the potential of one project being started this year. The Board's consensus was
to also add no new revenue sources (except inflation increases) for the 1991
budget and to utilize reserves to cover this desired capital expense. The
specific projects and their priority will be determined at a later date.
In addition, the consensus of the Board is to adopt a fee structure for 1991 as
it currently exists with no changes at this time, but to consider the $20,000
increments should they be needed or determined necessary later in the year.
Jerry reminded the Board of the fairness and equity concerns of what he perceives
as green fee golfers subsidizing annual pass golfers. Henry Fry disagreed as
he currently sees no concerns expressed by golfers. -- Roger said he sees no
need for any special public meetings as the fees for 1991 are not going to be
controversial, nor do they modify the existing fee structure. All agreed.
With regards to SouthRidge, the City Council has asked the Board to review and
potentially consider the SouthRidge debt as a part of the overall Golf Fund
operations. Currently, the General Fund is projected to pay an average of
$260,000 per year toward the bonded indebtedness through the year 2002. Terry
said he feels prior City Councils and managements got us into this problem and
Collindale and City Park Nine golfers shouldn't bail them out. Cathy said as
long as we (Golf Board and Staff) can't control SouthRidge then we (Golf Fund)
shouldn't pay anything. Al said he lacks confidence in SouthRidge management.
Without control we don't need to help them. Roger agrees that a third course
(SouthRidge) helps all Fort Collins golfers, but why should we change the
financing now? He does not believe we should be too flexible at this point in
time. The Board's consensus was to not financially support SouthRidge at all
and to ask the Board President to write a letter of response to Council with the
Board's feelings.
Other Business
Jerry discussed a proposal by City Park Nine Superintendent Dave Sadler to
improve the Number 2 fairway at City Park Nine adjacent to the green by
eliminating the north sand trap and moving the south sand trap a few feet
further away from the green. City Park Nine Golf Professional Jim Greer
supports this change as it will improve playing conditions, speed up play,
and make maintenance easier. Dan Preble agrees with this improvement. The
Board unanimously agreed to this change.
Jerry announced that Collindale Golf Course Superintendent Neil Johnson is
retiring on April 6 after 20 years of distinguished service. The Golf
Division has scheduled a public reception for Neil on Friday, April 6, from
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Collindale Clubhouse. Snacks and non-alcoholic
beverages will be served in addition to a cash 3.2 beer bar. Presentations
Golf Board Minutes
March 21, 1990
Page 3
to Neil will be made at 5:00 p.m.
Jerry reminded the Board that one of their responsibilities as defined in the
Municipal Code is to recommend approval of course superintendents, as well
as the number of staff employed on the courses. Jerry said he would like to
promote Collindale Assistant Golf Course Superintendent Doug Evans to be
Acting Superintendent at Collindale for the next six months, and Collindale
Golf Technician Paul Brauer to be Acting Assistant Superintendent during that
time. He would also like to hire at least two additional seasonal employees
to replace Neil Johnson's and Bob Hatten's positions. During the next six
months, we will evaluate whether we need the four permanent maintenance
positions at Collindale and we should have some answers about the SouthRidge
situation. We expect recruitment and a permanent appointment after October.
Board members unanimously agreed with this plan.
Jerry asked Derek Cordova and Jim Greer to leave the meeting because he wanted
to discuss SouthRidge and Golf Pro contracts with the Golf Board. Derek, Jim,
and Christy Olson agreed to leave the meeting at this time.
Terry Gilmore updated the Board on the status of the SouthRidge Audit. Jerry
recommends if the agreement with Bucain is terminated, that we move Dave
Sadler over as temporary Superintendent at SouthRidge and that we offer
existing SouthRidge Superintendent Randy Bonneville a temporary contractual
job (with benefits) as Assistant Superintendent. Also, existing SouthRidge
Golf Pro Kent Heusinkveld can be offered a temporary professional services
agreement under the same conditions as Bill Metier. The Board agreed with
this plan.
- Jerry reminded the Board that our existing agreements with the Golf
Professionals expire on December 31, and that we are required to bid an RFP
process starting in 1991. He asked for Board volunteers to work on the major
elements of the RFP process with staff. Dan Preble, Terry Gilmore, and Steve
Jouard will serve as a committee, with Roger Sample as alternate.
- There was a discussion on the status of the SouthRidge agreements with Bucain
and the potential for the sale of SouthRidge.
- Jerry mentioned the letter to Rocky Mountain High School Golf Coach Dick
Zubradt concerning the High School Golf teams practice schedules for this
fall. -- He also read an invitation to the Board from Neighbor to Neighbor
to attend an open house on March 30 -- He also referred to the park restroom
costs report previously distributed to Board members for their information.
- Jerry noted that the terms of Roger Sample and Iry Wilson, and Alternate
Member Al Bednarz expire on July 1, and that they are all eligible to re-
apply for continued Board membership. Deadline for applications is April 27.
0
Golf Board Minutes
March 21, 1990
Page 4
Presentation of Governance Video
Staff showed the Governance Video to Board members. There were no supportive
nor negative comments. Generally, no one expressed any need for change.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Jerry P. rown
Assistant to the Director
Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services
Meeting Attendance
Board Members Staff Guests
Roger Sample Jerry P. Brown Henry Fry
Dan Preble Jim Greer Christy Olson
Cathy Fromme Derek Cordova
Terry Gilmore
Al Bednarz