HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 02/21/1990• CITY OF FORT COLLINS 0
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
GOLF BOARD
MINUTES: Regular Meeting -- February 21, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Vice President Dan Preble.
President Roger Sample and Member Dick Zubradt both called to say they could not
attend the meeting. Alternate Member Al Bednarz was granted voting status for
the meeting.
Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda.
Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of January 17, 1990 were approved
unanimously, as submitted, on a motion by Terry Gilmore, seconded by Iry Wilson.
Citizen Participation: No citizen participation.
Golf Fee Structure Committee Report/Discussion
The report from the Golf Fee Structure Committee, dated February 11, 1990, was
previously distributed to Board members. All six committee members (Al Bednarz,
Cathy Fromme, and Iry Wilson from the Golf Board, and Henry Fry, Jim Mitchell
and Stephen J. Schapanski as citizen/golfer members) were in attendance. The
purpose of the committee was to examine the present fee structure, and to
recommend changes that increase golf revenues in increments of $20,000 per year,
up to a level in excess of $100,000, taking into account concerns of equity and
fairness between various fees. Committee chair Jim Mitchell referenced the
report.
The committee reviewed and discussed in detail the historical background of the
present fee structure, the fee structures of the other Northern Colorado public
golf course operations, and the play and income records for the Fort Collins
courses. The committee listed and discussed various options as potential
revenue -increasing methods, including the elimination of annual passes, the
elimination of senior citizen passes, a per -round usage fee to be applied on all
annual pass uses, higher annual pass fees, restricted annual pass usage (such
as no weekends during peak months), limited annual pass usage (such as a punch
card system good for a certain number of rounds), increased green fees,
establishment of non-resident green fees, etc.
The committee spent a large amount of time discussing annual passes, and in
general agreed that revenue from annual passes is not consistent with associated
golf course usage. The committee, however, recommended that the annual pass
system should be retained and that a discounted pass for senior citizens (or for
periods when the majority of seniors play) should never be below 75 percent of
the full adult pass rate, and that discounted passes should be retained for other
special categories (juniors, students, family members) at approximately the
present percentage discount rates.
The committee then listed various options and developed projected revenues with
a key assumption being that regardless of the fee increases involved, that there
would be no significant changes in play patterns. The consensus of the committee
to increase revenues in approximate $20,000 increments per year included: adding
use fees for all rounds played using annual passes (each 50 cent increase equals
approximately $20,000); increase 9-hole green fees (each 50 cents increase equals
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February 21, 1990
Page 2
roughly $20,000); and/or eliminate the senior citizen annual pass as such,
establish one adult rate and restricting the use of all passes to weekdays only
during the peak season (April 16 through September 15) with all weekend/holiday
play being green fee only (which should increase revenues approximately $20,000).
Also, increasing all fees a proportionate amount of approximately 3.5 percent
equals roughly $20,000.
In addition, the committee discussed ways to increase revenues significantly over
$100,000 per year, but was unable to come to a specific recommendation. It was
agreed that at this level, it will be necessary to examine many sources of
revenue, including such things as non-resident fees, large fee increases in all
areas, and the elimination of annual passes (which staff estimates could raise
up to an additional $150,000 per year, without any discount rates). The opinion
of the committee is that increases of this magnitude are more than the
(Collindale and City Park Nine) public golfing community should absorb.
Jim Mitchell then asked for questions. Terry Gilmore asked about the ratio of
9-hole green fees to 18-hole green fees? In Fort Collins, our 9-hole fees ratio
is 59 percent, with the area golf course ratio being 69 percent, meaning that
we could reasonably add $1.00 to the fee. Al Bednarz noted that in Fort Collins
we play many more nine -hole rounds than 18-hole rounds, which is contrary to the
National and Front Range trend. Terry asked about restrictions to the use of
annual passes to weekdays only and Jim said he thinks it will increase revenues.
Steve Jouard asked why the committee recommends retention of the annual pass
system? Jim, Al Bednarz, and Henry Fry responded with their reasoning.
Terry Gilmore questioned the findings of the committee on the impact of play?
Jerry P. Brown discussed the SouthRidge situation and the impact of the boards
decision as to fees. Cathy Fromme suggested that she would not be inclined to
assist with the SouthRidge debt unless we get some control of the operation.
Steve Jouard echoes that sentiment, and he is interested in what Council feels
as to how we should be inclined to assist with the debt. After further
discussion, the Board, on a motion by Terry Gilmore, seconded by Steve Jouard,
voted unanimously (6:0) to accept the report of the Golf Fee Structure Committee.
Jim Mitchell and Stephen J. Schapanski asked the Board if the committee's charge
is done? Jerry suggested the possibility of public meetings to discuss whatever
the Board's final recommendations may be, and that committee members might be
present to explain their recommendations. Dan Preble said he does not feel it
will be necessary to have public meetings as the fee increases are not
controversial nor do they truly modify the fee structure, except for the annual
pass use fee. Jerry then requested the Board review the recommendations of the
committee and come to the March 21 Board meeting ready to discuss it as well as
how the Board wants to respond to Council with regards to the SouthRidge
situation.
Jerry also asked the Board to consider what would be an appropriate amount for
our Golf Fund reserves? We entered 1990 with roughly $200,000 in reserves and
we project using at least $40,000 of that amount this year, leaving us with
around $160,000 in projected reserves to start 1991. There was a lengthy
discussion about our current financial status. Terry Gilmore commented whether
there is a need to raise fees at all based upon the fact that we made an $80,000
profit in 1989 and have $200,000 in reserves. Jerry noted that we still plan
to deplete our reserves approximately $40,000 annually and that no money is
budgeted for desired capital improvements. Al Bednarz asked what other
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February 21, 1990
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unbudgeted operating expenses we need and Jerry responded that we would like
computers for irrigation management, pro shop management, maintenance management,
etc; potentially golf car paths; Collindale irrigation system improvements (the
system is almost 20 years old); and increased golf course rangering.
Other Business
The Golf Capital Improvements Committee, composed of Roger Sample, Dan
Preble, and Steve Jouard from the Golf Board, and Henry Fry and Dot Hoff from
the Collindale Men's and City Park Nine Women's Golf Associations, has met
several times and recommends the Board agree that the top four desired
Capital Improvements projects are as follows: 1.) Collindale Restroom; 2.)
City Park Nine Restroom; 3.) Collindale Clubhouse Improvements and potential
Patio Extension; 4.) A second Collindale Restroom (if needed). We probably
should allocate around $40,000 annually to complete these projects (as well
as some computerization and increased golf course rangering costs) within
five years. The Board unanimously accepted these recommendations.
Jerry distributed final copies of the agreements for Beth McKenney as City
Park Nine Snack Bar Concessionaire, Jim Greer as City Park Nine Golf
Professional, and Bill Metier as Collindale Golf Professional.
Jerry distributed a report from the Colorado Division of Wildlife on the
Canada Goose Management plan for Fort Collins. The Division will meet with
us should we desire.
Terry Gilmore asked if the December SouthRidge financial report represented
the entire 1989 year? Jerry said yes. Al Bednarz asked about several of
the figures, and Terry asked about the status of the audit? Staff will
follow-up and report back.
Iry Wilson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m., which was seconded
and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Jouard, Board Secretary
Meeting Attendance
Board Members _ Staff Guests
Dan Preble Jerry P. Brown Henry Fry
Steve Jouard Neil Johnson Dot Hoff
Al Bednarz Jim Greer Jim Mitchell
Cathy Fromme Joe Nance Stephen J. Schapanski
Terry Gilmore
Iry Wilson