HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 04/18/2007City of Fort Collins
Culture, Parks, Recreation and Environment
Golf Board
Minutes: Regular Meeting of April 18, 2007
Council Liaison to the Board: Councilmember Diggs Brown
Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Manager of Golf at 221-6350, and Dawn
Worth, Administrative Aide at 416-2265
Call Meeting to Order: Board Vice Chairperson Deron Grothe called the meeting to
order at 7:00 p.m. at the City Park Nine Clubhouse.
Agenda Review: There were no changes to the agenda as printed.
Items of Note:
♦ Jay Kammerzell and Grant Sherwood called to inform us that they were unable to
make the meeting. (David Johnson arrived at 7:30 p.m.)
♦ Jerry reminded the Board that there is a Board's and Commission's Work Session on
May 7th at the Lincoln Center to address the City's budget system.
♦ Jerry informed the Board that Marty Heffernan hired J.R. Schnelzer as the new
Director of Parks. He gave a brief overview of J.R.'s work history and said that he is
starting on April 30th.
Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Larry Buckendorf, seconded by Lauren DeRosa,
the Board unanimously (6:0) approved the Minutes of the March 21, 2007 Regular
Meeting.
Citizen Participation: No Citizen Participation at this time.
Board Recommendation on Staff Proposed Golf Fees and Charges for 2008/2009
Jerry stated that he had hoped we wouldn't have to raise our fees for next year, however
the weather has put us about $110,000 behind in revenues. He mentioned that we have
some unfunded capital items that we would like to do and we could also use additional
funding for maintenance. Both Collindale and City Park Nine could use some additional
netting, and our funding for seasonal wages has been the same for the last few years.
Jerry said that he had a list of items that we would like to address and it's just unfortunate
that we don't have the funds to do so. He also said that we have been experiencing
increases in the cost of fuel, utilities, and raw water, etc., which also makes it hard to
fund other things needed. Jerry mentioned a Wall Street Journal article that he provided
to the Board. He said that the article was very informative but he didn't agree with the
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April 18, 2007
Page 2
comment that golf courses raise their fees because they can. Jerry said that we have tried
hard to keep our fees low and we have continued to remain below average in comparison
to many other courses in the area. He said that the proposed fees and charges is a
balanced set of increases. Jerry stated that our green fees would still be at a 25% discount
for seniors, and even though we are increasing the other green fees as well we are still
near the average rates for public courses in the area. He also mentioned an article that
Shane Houska provided that said Albuquerque, New Mexico had to raise their fees in
order to increase revenue. Jerry said it just shows that this is happening around the U.S.
Shane asked Jerry to explain why we couldn't create a reserve for Capital Improvements.
Jerry said we could, but that in a sense the Surcharge we have is a reserve for Capital
Improvements. When the Board approved the Surcharge it was designed for Capital
Improvements and for the first two years that is what we used it for. Then we got into the
Dept Service issue and we shifted that source over. Shane feels that it makes more sense
to set specific funding aside. Jerry explained that we have operational items that we need
to take care of and if we set that money aside then it might make it easier for others to
access. Jerry said that Parks had a reserve for equipment replacement and those funds
have been taken to help balance the City's General Fund. Shane said that he just feels that
long term planning is important. Lary Buckendorf said that we are on a plan for reserves
but we just haven't had the opportunity to reserve any funds. He said that our unrestricted
reserves were much larger when he first started on the Golf Board but over the years we
have had to pilfer from those reserves in order to balance the budget. Jerry explained that
we were able to purchase some things that we needed last year because we lost a few
employees and we held off replacing them in order to save some money.
Deron Grothe asked if Jerry's intentions were to not build up reserves and to purchase
capital equipment. Jerry said that he would prefer to build up our reserves first because
we currently only have $110,000 in reserves and then purchase necessary items with cash
instead of lease purchase and not ear -mark the funds. Jerry stated that entering 2007 there
was a possibility of us catching up but the weather has put us back. Larry suggested that
the Board approve the fee increases as presented. Jerry reminded the Board that we will
hold a public input/comment meeting next month. Shane feels that we need to provide an
explanation of the increases to the public. Deron agreed that it would be a good idea to
provide an explanation. Eric McCrery stated that the courses have some issues that need
to be addressed and if we don't address them then it may deplete the quality of the
courses. Lauren DeRosa agreed that we need to address our issues and the main reason
we have issues is because we don't have the necessary funds.
On a motion by Larry Buckendorf, seconded by David Johnson, the Board voted (6:1)
(Shane Houska: nay) to approve the Proposed 2008/2009 Golf Fees and Charges as
submitted. Shane explained that he agrees with the increases, however he feels we need
to reserve the additional funds. Jerry said that he isn't opposed to having a plan for the
funds he just thinks that it wouldn't be appropriate to have an actual dedicated reserve.
He said that we have a plan in place and he can reemphasize that. Shane said that he
would appreciate that. He said that he is concerned with the maintenance staff not having
enough funds. Larry asked if Jerry could provide a list of deferred maintenance items
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April 18, 2007
Page 3
and Jerry said that he has a list of items that he will update and provide it to the Board.
Dan Preble suggested that Jerry put together a list of fees at other courses. Jerry said that
there is a Longmont survey that may come out prior to our next meeting, and he has a
publication from the Colorado Golf Association but it only covers public courses.
Other Business
♦ Jerry said that March was a good month for us but April's weather hasn't been in our
favor. Lauren DeRosa said that it seems like March helped us catch up. Larry
Buckendorf stated that the courses were in good shape despite the bad weather we
had.
♦ Jerry reminded the Board that we decided to provide discounted coupons for
Collindale to increase play and those coupons are now available. Deron Grothe said
that he saw one and it looked enticing.
Adjournment:
On a motion by Eric McCrery, seconded by Shane Houska, the Board unanimously voted
(7:0) to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
Meetine Attendance
Board Members
Larry Buckendorf
Lauren DeRosa
Deron Grothe
Shane Houska
David Johnson
Eric McCrery
Dan Preble
Respectfully submitted,
awn Worth
Administrative Aide
Staff
Jerry P. Brown
Dawn Worth
Guests
Pat Finnegan