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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 06/18/2008City of Fort Collins Culture, Parks, Recreation and Environment Golf Board Minutes: Regular Meeting of June 18, 2008 Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman 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 Chairperson David Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the City Park Nine Clubhouse. Agenda Review: There were no changes to the Agenda as printed. Items of Note: Board Members Larry Buckendorf and Eric McCrery emailed to inform us that they were unable to attend the meeting. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Grant Sherwood, seconded by Lauren DeRosa, the Board unanimously (6:0) approved the Minutes of the May 21, 2008 Regular Meeting. Citizen Participation: None at this time. Discussion Reearding Golf Division Management Transition CPRE Executive Director Marty Heffernan and Director of Parks J.R. Schnelzer attended the meeting to discuss the Golf Division management transition. Marty explained that they are looking at a variety of scenarios. The two of them have met with the Golf staff for their input and would like to hear from the Board as well. J.R. stated that we need to take a good look at what the future of Golf holds and make the changes we feel are best. Marty said that he would like to keep Golf as an Enterprise Fund and out of the General Fund. J.R. then asked the Board for their input. David Johnson asked when they felt a decision would take place. J.R. said that we don't have a formal date in place but it will likely take place after the golf season. Grant Sherwood asked if the Board should be aware of any external concerns. Marty stated that the Golf Division has had some financial issues; however we have done a good job pulling ourselves out of it. He also mentioned that the City Budget Office has projected higher Sales Tax revenues. Marty said that the available funds in Golf are sparse so it isn't likely that Golf would be asked to contribute to the General Fund. Marty discussed the reorganization and explained that he ended up with fewer direct reports, which included the Manager of Golf, therefore Jerry now reports directly to the Director of Parks. Shane Houska stated that one of the main focuses is continual improvement and taking a look at what we are currently doing Golf Board Minutes June 18, 2008 Page 2 and what changes need to take place. Marty said that Golf was on an upward trend; however after 2001 things changed. He also stated that it would be better to have more funds available for improvements. Dan Preble asked if they were leaning one way or another and J.R. said that they haven't taken anything off the table. He did mention that there was a concern about privatizing and that likely won't take place. Marty feels that's not in our best interest at this time since things aren't broken, we are just looking at improving. Deron Grothe believes that bringing in an outside company would only decrease the quality. David Johnson was a prior Golf Professional and strongly recommends that privatizing not be an option. He has seen it happen in the past and it has only posed a threat. Grant asked if there would be changes to the job description for the Manager of Golf and J.R. responded that we are looking at re-evaluating the position. Marty commented on how well Jerry has done but we may look at hiring a Golf Professional or Superintendent. Jerry said that as far as he knows he is the only Manager of Golf in the area that wasn't a prior Golf Professional or Superintendent. Shane mentioned that we now have a Policies and Procedures Manual in place and we can build from that. J.R. stated that he and Marty are available anytime for additional input from the Board. Marty said this is a tough decision and the position is critical to the Division. David recommended that staff be involved in the hiring process. Marty said that it is important to him that we hire someone that will fit in well with the great team we already have. Discussion and Preliminary Recommendation on Consideration of Extendin¢ the Term of the Agreement with the City Park Nine Golf Professional & Concessionaire Jerry stated that he briefly mentioned the extension of the City Park Nine Golf Professional & Concessionaire Agreement at the May Board meeting. He said that he strongly recommends extending David McCleave's Agreement. Jerry reminded the Board of the improvements to the clubhouse that David made. Grant Sherwood feels that David is doing a great job. David Johnson agreed that David McCleave is doing a great job and having him at City Park Nine is a great fit. Shane Houska said that he thinks it's great that David is always at the course and active. He also mentioned that he has taken a look at what does or doesn't work and makes the necessary improvements. Jerry informed the Board that he had a discussion with the City Park Nine Superintendent Jim Higgins and Jim said that he enjoys working with David and supports the extension. David McCleave stated that he wants to continue working for City Park Nine and agrees that it's a great fit. He discussed how he grew up playing at the course at a young age and he's trying to bring back that old feel. David reminded the Board that when Dale was renewing his contract he gave back a portion of his additional funds to the maintenance staff and he would like to do the same. He explained that he has the opportunity to make more money and the maintenance staff doesn't and he would like to help them any way he can. David mentioned that he would like to potentially make some improvements to the driving range. David Johnson asked him what that entails and David said that he would like to consider putting in a concrete path around it as well as maybe synthetic grass since it's so difficult to grow grass in that area. SouthRidge Golf Professional Dale Golf Board Minutes June 18, 2008 Page 3 Smigelsky expressed the concerns he had about the course after he left as the Golf Professional and said that it was heading in a downward spiral and when David took over and things have now changed for the better. On a motion by Shane Houska, seconded by Dan Preble, the Board unanimously (6:0) agreed to consider extending the term of the Agreement with David McCleave as the City Park Nine Golf Professional & Concessionaire. Jerry reminded the Board that we will hold our Public Input/Comment Meeting on the extension here at City Park Nine at 7:30 p.m. on July 16th. He said that the information will be published at the courses and in local newspapers. Board Recommendation on Staff Pr000sed 2009 Golf Fees and Charges Jerry went over the Staff Proposed 2009 Golf Fees and Charges and mentioned that they hadn't changed since they were first proposed in 2007. He explained that he has done research on other course's fees and charges and has found that ours are either average or below. Jerry feels that it's unfortunate that we need to consider raising our fees; however with the way the economy has been staff feels there's no other alternative. He informed the Board that our cost of doing business is continuing to rise and it's mainly due to the increase in fuel prices. Annual Pass cardholder Mr. Jerry Rice attended the Board meeting to express his concerns regarding the fees and charges increase. He said he is mainly concerned with the increase to the senior rates. Deron Grothe asked how many times a person has to play with their Annual Pass to benefit and Mr. Rice said he believes it's around 23 times, but that's a great deal of play for a senior. He then stated that he would appreciate the Board's consideration on not increasing those rates due to the fact that seniors are on a fixed income. David Johnson said that he would enjoy being able to drop the price of the fees and charges but that doesn't appear to be a possibility with a large increase in our fuel costs over the past two years. Jerry stated that we can hold a Public Input/Comment Meeting next month if the Board chooses. Dan Preble suggested that the Board go forward with the suggestions and hold a Public Input/Comment Meeting in July and if the Board feels that it's not in our best interest to increase the fees for 2009 we can chose to do so at that time. Jerry said that he would like a vote from the Board. On a motion by Shane Houska, seconded by Grant Sherwood, the Board voted (6:0) to hold a Public Input/Comment Meeting on July 16th and then make a final recommendation on the Proposed 2009 Golf Fees and Charges. Other Business ♦ Jerry informed the Board that "Fort Collins Fore Kids" was a success; however we had the most no-shows than any other year. He explained that we try to hold it in early June before most families start vacationing. Jerry said that we had great publicity this year. There was a reporter from the Coloradoan there and the City's Cable 14 taped the event. Correspondence/Financial and Statistical Reports ♦ Jerry explained that we are about 2% behind on revenues through May so hopefully the weather will be in our favor and we'll be able to catch up. Golf Board Minutes June 18, 2008 Page 4 ♦ Dan Preble asked if Jerry has heard any more on Greeley privatizing and Jerry said that he understands they are now postponing privatizing discussions until next year. Adjournment: On a motion by Lauren DeRosa, seconded by Shane Houska, the Board unanimously voted (6:0) to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. Meeting Attendance Board Members Lauren DeRosa Deron Grothe Shane Houska David Johnson Dan Preble Grant Sherwood espectfully submitted, awn Worth Administrative Aide Staff Jerry P. Brown Randy Bonneville Marty Heffeman David McCleave J.R.Schnelzer Dale Smigelsky Dawn Worth Guests Pat Finnegan Jerry Rice