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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 10/11/1989CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT GOLF BOARD MINUTES: Regular Meeting - October 11, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Roger Sample. Members Terry Gilmore, Dick Zubradt, and Alternate Al Bednarz all called to say they could not attend the meeting. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda. Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of September 20, 1989 were approved unanimously, as submitted, on a motion by Cathy Fromme, seconded by Iry Wilson. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Golf Fee Structure Committee At the September 20 meeting, the Board briefly discussed all 25 applications received for membership on the Golf Fee Structure Committee from golfer/citizens. It was decided that each Board member would take the applications home and choose their personal top three to five applicants, and would vote on three appointments at this meeting. After some procedural discussion, Board members submitted the names of the people they feel should be on the committee. President Sample tallied the votes, and three individuals received enough nominations to be appointed to the committee. These three people are Henry Fry, James Mitchell, and Stephen J. Schapanski. It turns out all three are annual pass card holders, and Mr. Mitchell is a senior citizen. Staff will notify all those chosen and not chosen of the Board's decision. These three people will join Board Members Al Bednarz, Cathy Fromme, and Iry Wilson to form the entire Golf Fee Structure Committee. Cathy has asked staff to provide the committee with some data on what other municipal courses are doing, the results of the 1983 research, and why discounts are currently given. Jerry P. Brown reminded the Board that golfers (especially annual pass card holders and senior citizens) will be very concerned about any changes to our existing fee structure. He suggested that the Board should adopt a mission statement as to why we are considering changes. He stated that there are at least two major reasons we need to study this issue as follows: a.) Revenues are not keeping pace with expenditures, and b.) the fairness and equity of the existing structure. Jerry said staff is looking very closely at all expenditures to make sure they are needed. Jerry feels there may be some cuts, but not anything substantial. The projected $40,000 annual deficit will still be there and will use up all reserves by 1992 at the latest. Also, we have not budgeted for the extra Capital Improvements that are desired, such as restrooms on the courses, outdoor patio at Collindale, computerized irrigation system at City Park Nine, golf car paths, etc. In order to pay for these things, plus to meet our basic needs, more revenues will be needed. With regards to fairness and equity, Jerry said it is clear that green fee golfers subsidize annual pass golfers. Cathy agrees with these concerns. Golf Board Minutes October 11, 1989 Page Two At the September meeting, Al Bednarz asked whether the Board wanted to place any parameters or restrictions on the committee, such as requiring discounts for juniors, seniors, or other 'special' groups. Jerry said that the only restrictions we have now is the Council mandated policy that golf must be 100 percent self-supporting. Roger Sample and Dan Preble both feel that the committee should have "cart blanche" to study all the issues without any parameters or restrictions. There was unanimous agreement. SouthRidge Golf Course Concerns Roger Sample stated he felt that by and large the Board has been sheltered from the SouthRidge issue. Several weeks ago he attended a Boards and Commissions breakfast with the Mayor and Assistant Mayor, and inquired why the Board hadn't been more involved in SouthRidge. As a result, City Manager Steve Burkett met with him (and with Deputy City Manager Skip Noe, Director of Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Mike Powers, and Jerry P. Brown) to discuss the issues. Roger said Skip Noe is well versed in the SouthRidge issues, and that Steve Burkett seems very interested in the Board's concerns. Roger said Steve interprets that City Council feels that a City taxpayer subsidy of $250,000 to $300,000 per year to pay off the principal/interest on the construction debt for SouthRidge is too much, and Council is concerned about just how much is a fair amount to subsidize golf? Steve Burkett does not know how long the City will continue to foot the bill, and he wonders what the Board's position is in regards to issues such as the subsidy, the potential sale of SouthRidge, and the operation by a private contractor vs. City forces. Roger said he thinks the City should realize that SouthRidge is the City's responsibility and should move to gain more operational control. Roger doesn't feel we have much control now. Steve Jouard asked if the City decided to sell SouthRidge would the sale be contingent upon continued operation as a public course? Jerry said possibly yes, but such restrictions might not prove feasible. Roger then said he thinks it is great that Council and Management have solicited active involvement of the Board. He said Skip Noe said he believed that another public course would be needed during the next few years, and Roger believes the Board should exercise the opportunity to begin discussion on this issue. Roger sincerely appreciates Steve Burkett for involving the Board. Council may be discussing SouthRidge in an upcoming executive session. Roger asked Board members to each express their opinions on the issues. It was almost unanimous that the City should not sell SouthRidge, and try to gain significant management control. If a new management contract is written, the City should retain more controls than it presently has under the contract arrangement with Bucain. The subsidy issue will be reviewed by the fee structure committee. rI L rI L Golf Board Minutes October 11, 1989 Page Three Other Business - Cathy Fromme received an inquiry from a golfer as to why drinking water was not available on the course at City Park Nine? Staff and several Board members pointed out that there is a water fountain available near the #4 and #7 greens, adjacent to the portable restroom. Also, the #4 tee box is next to the Clubhouse where restrooms and water is available. - Jerry said he will try to purchase some additional tables and chairs for the Collindale Clubhouse, as well as to try and replace the existing drapes. - Steve asked why the ballwashers had been removed from the back nine at SouthRidge? Staff speculated because of the end of the season and the upcoming freezing weather, all ballwashers are removed from City Park Nine and Collindale prior to the first freeze. Iry Wilson made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded. The vote was unanimous and the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Steve Jouard, Board Secretary Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Roger Sample Jerry P. Brown Henry Fry Dan Preble Neil Johnson Steve Jouard Jim Greer Cathy Fromme Iry Wilson