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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 02/15/1989CITY OF FORT COLLINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT GOLF BOARD MINUTES: Regular Meeting - February 15, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Roger Sample. All regular Board members were present. Councilman Chuck Mabry also attended the meeting. Agenda Review: Staff requested two items be added to the beginning of the agenda as follows: 1.) Municipal Election Ballot Issues Presentation; 2.) Annual Pass Card Procedure Change. There were no objections. Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of January 18, 1989 were approved unanimously, as submitted, on a motion by Iry Wilson, seconded by Dick Zubradt. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Municipal Election Ballot Issues Jerry P. Brown distributed copies of a cover letter from the City Manager asking staff to make information available to the Board about the March 7 Municipal Election Sales Tax Ballot Issue. Jerry also distributed copies of a fact sheet explaining the two 1/4 cent issues, as well as showed a video tape. John Drescher asked Councilman Chuck Mabry a question about the usage of Light and Power funds and Tom Skillman stated he feels that the Timberline extension project is very important. Jerry emphasized that the two taxes would not increase tax rates, but replace two existing taxes set to expire this year. Annual Pass Card Procedure Change At the last meeting, Collindale Assistant Golf Professional Joe Nance raised the issue of abuse of our annual pass cards and made some suggestions for improvements. Since that time, Joe and City Park Nine Golf Professional Jim Greer have met to develop a new procedure for annual pass card management. We plan to laminate the cards for longer life, ask all golfers to sign -in at the Pro Shop, and ask them to leave their cards until their rounds are completed. If they forget their cards, they will be required to fill out a form. This procedure is similar to that used at Fort Collins Health Clubs. It should reduce abuse (switches, freebies, etc.) and help us better keep track of golfers on the course. After some brief discussion, the Board, on a motion by Dick Zubradt, seconded by Tom Skillman, voted unanimously (7:0) to endorse the new annual pass procedure as recommended by staff. Fees and Charges Philosophy Jerry provided a history of our fees and charges structure and how we arrived at our current philosophy. If we plan to make any significant changes for 1990, we need to start things in motion at this time. Jerry noted that in 1988, approximately 60% of all rounds played were green fee rounds, and 40% were annual pass rounds. Jerry feels that we could increase our revenues upwards of $200,000 if we eliminated annual passes. Golf Board Minutes February 15, 1989 Page Two President Sample then went around the table asking for comments. Dick Zubradt thinks the existing system provides good opportunities, there are virtually no complaints, and as long as we can meet our budget obligations, there is no need to change. Dan Preble also has not heard any complaints and thinks the system works. Jim Greer would like to see a Juniors' Green Fee and maybe a break for Seniors on green fees. If he ran golf 'like a business,' he would eliminate annual passes. Roger Sample then brought up the question of SouthRidge and its financial impacts. He asked Councilman Mabry to explain Council's position on SouthRidge. Iry Wilson thinks the system is fine and personally plans to switch to green fees as he doesn't use his annual pass enough. Joe Nance said Seniors sometimes ask for green fee discounts. He also thinks Juniors should receive green fee reductions. He mentioned that national services, such as the "Golf America Card" might be considered to help our revenues during non -peak times. John Drescher is concerned about the future and the need for additional golf courses. He suggested that we might explore corporate donations such as what H-P is doing in Greeley. Tom Skillman agrees with John about future golf course needs. He said we will need additional courses and he wonders how we can finance them, especially with the stigma of SouthRidge. Tom said that if we change the fee structure, it should be so designed as to help us finance future courses. Tom is also concerned about losing SouthRidge if the City decides to sell it. Roger said we really are discussing short-term and long-term problems. He and Tom agree that golf is a health issue, has economic impacts, and provides activities for all ages including youth and seniors. Steve Jouard thinks that the prices in Fort Collins are reasonable and we provide golfers with a quality experience, and agrees that we must look toward the future. He would also like to keep SouthRidge as a private course. He noted that it is obvious that green fee players help to subsidize annual pass golfers. John then asked Chuck about potential Council direction. After much more discussion, the Board, on a motion by Tom Skillman, seconded by Dan Preble, voted 6:1 (Iry Wilson voting no) to maintain the existing fee structure for 1990 including normal inflationary increases, and to explore for further consideration a reduction in Junior green fees. Staff was also asked to provide further information on future golf courses and how it relates to a change in the fee structure to help finance future courses. Cancellation of March 15 Meeting After brief discussion, Board members unanimously concurred to cancel the March 15 meeting due to its conflict with Spring break and several vacations. • E Golf Board Minutes February 15, 1989 Page Three Other Business - Jerry mentioned the Board Annual Report that he prepared and forwarded to Council by the January 31 deadline. Copies were mailed to Board members with the agenda packets. - Jerry noted the evaluation letter he prepared for Beth McKenney. Board members seemed pleased with its content. - Roger told the Board that Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide for Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services, did a marvelous job in helping him prepare for a recent speech to the Luncheon Optimists. He expressed his appreciation for her help. The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Steve Jouard, Board Secretary Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Roger Sample Dan Preble Steve Jouard John Drescher Tom Skillman Iry Wilson Dick Zubradt Jerry P. Brown Jim Greer Joe Nance Councilman Chuck Mabry