Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 02/18/2004City of Fort Collins Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services Golf Board Minutes: Regular Meeting of February 18, 2004 Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Bill Bertschy Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Manager of Golf at 221.6350, and Stacy Kelley, Administrative Aide at 416.2265 Call Meeting to Order: Board Chairperson David Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m Items of Note: Board Member Larry Buckendorf called and said he would be unable to attend the meeting. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Claire Nelms, seconded by Grant Sherwood, the Board unanimously (7:0) approved the Minutes of the January 21, 2004 Regular Meeting. Citizen Participation: No Citizen Participation at this time. Golf Board Input on City Capital Sales Tax Proposal Staff previously distributed a cover memorandum, and a memorandum from the City Manager and Deputy City Manager to Boards and Commissions requesting input on potential projects for the City Capital Sales Tax Proposal. The memorandum also defines the criteria that the City Manager will use when he eventually submits his final proposal to the City Council for their review, discussion, and decision. Two of the original three .25 cent (quarter cent) Sales Taxes from the Building Community Choices (BCC) 1997-2005 voter approved Capital Projects are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2005, and City Council will decide sometime this year whether or not the continuation of these two taxes will appear on the April 2005 City Election Ballot. Several years ago we identified future unfunded potential Golf Capital Projects, including the replacement of the Collindale Irrigation System, the replacement of the Collindale Clubhouse, SouthRidge expansion, a new golf course, and many minor capital improvements such as restrooms, parking lots, bridges, protective netting, shelters, storage buildings, etc. We asked City Council in 1997 for direction in funding these Golf Capital needs, and they informed us that we (the Golf Fund), as an Enterprise Fund, must pay for these projects ourselves from Golf money, and we would not receive any new tax subsidies for Golf. Therefore, in 1999 Council authorized $2.255 million of COP's (Certificates of Participation), and in 2001 Council authorized $2.83 million of ALP's (Assignment of Lease Payments), both being debt service financing methods, to pay for the majority of our unfunded Golf Capital Outlay needs for the next 20 years, with the Annual Principal and Interest payments totally coming from the Golf Fund. With this money we were able to complete many but not all of our proposed projects. Then last year we were asked to update our unfunded needs from 2006 through 2014, and Golf submitted only one unfunded project request for a new golf course (#4) for 2006/2007 at an estimated cost of $7.5 million. The City Manager is now asking for Board input for this potential next "BCC" and previously no Golf projects have ever been included on lists to be approved by voters. Staff suggests that the Board not submit a new golf course (#4) to be included in this potential funding, as a new golf course probably should stand on its own at a later time. However, Staff does suggest that the Board submit a request for up to $500,000 for several Minor Golf Capital Improvements on our Unfunded List. Since the Golf Fund lost over $200,000 in 2003 due to the dreadful revenue year, which virtually depleted Golf Fund Reserves, Golf needs outside help if we are to be able to make any of these unfunded improvements within the next few years. Board Members discussed the issue and agreed with Staff that the Board should ask the City Manager for approximately $500,000 for various Golf Capital Improvements from our Unfunded Capital Outlay List, in a priority order as determined by Staff On a motion made by Dan Preble, seconded by Mindy Markley, the Board voted unanimously (7:0) to approve this request Staff will submit this request prior to the February 29 deadline. Discussion on the City of Fort Collins 2003 Citizen Survey During October and November of 2003, the City conducted its biannual Citizen Survey as is required in the City Code. A randomly selected sample of adult Fort Collins citizens received the written questions, and the City received completed questionnaires back from 785 adults, representing a response rate of approximately 47 percent. The survey has a 95 percent confidence level, and is plus -or -minus 3.5 percentage points. The complete results of the survey are posted on the City Web Site at www.fcgov.com for those who are interested. Jerry shared several results of potential interest to us in Golf, as follows: Regarding things liked most about living in Fort Collins, the top response was "proximity to outdoor venues" from 47.3% (golf courses were not specifically mentioned); Golf Courses received a 54.7% "good" or "very good" performance rating with a 35.3% "no opinion" with less than 9% rating us "average" or lower; Golf Courses received the 3rd highest rating of 78% for the quality of our facilities, but received the lowest rating of 49% for importance, which was the largest variation between quality and importance of all City programs. Jerry also noted that "City News" (Utility Billing inserts) are the highest rated at 71.6% where people receive their City information from, so we plan to mention our Golf Courses in an upcoming City News edition. Also the Coloradoan is read by 56.8% while the 2nd rated newspaper only received 11.1%, and the highest rated radio station was KUNC at only 10.6%, meaning no radio ads and only Coloradoan ads should we decide to buy advertising in Fort Collins. There was was brief discussion by Board Members on this topic. Preliminary Discussion on the 2004 "Fort Collins Fore Kids" Event Jerry noted that last year he mentioned to the Board that due to 2004/2005 budget reductions and the 2003 revenue shortfall that he may be considering recommending postponing the 2004 "Fort Collins Fore Kids" event. The Board requested the opportunity for further discussion of this issue before such action might be taken, which is the purpose of this discussion tonight. Jerry said that the 2003 "Fort Collins Fore Kids" event cost the Golf Fund approximately $2,500 in expenditures, plus some loss of revenue at City Park Nine during the event, plus the 8 hour time commitment by the three Golf Pro's and their staffs away from their daily duties. Jerry specifically noted that since he had to eliminate virtually all conference and training money from the budget, and that City Employees wages have been frozen going into their third year while out-of-pocket expenses for 2 medical benefits, etc., have risen, he felt that any perceived unnecessary expenditures could also be eliminated. Several Board Members including Mindy Markley, Mike Sanders, and David Johnson expressed their concern that "Fort Collins Fore Kids" was a valuable program for many reasons, including the positive image it provides, and it should not be eliminated. Claire Nelms stated that it could be eliminated and that potentially we may provide too many discounts to youth. Board Members held a lively discussion, and then it was suggested that maybe we could modify the event rather than eliminate it Jerry suggested possibly conducting only one session in the morning for ages 7 to 12 (eliminating the 13 and 14 year olds as they were the least age group previously attending). Collindale Golf Professional Jim Greer voiced his support for such an option. Board Members also expressed support for this modification and Jerry agreed to proceed along this option. Mike noted that if necessary Board Members could raise donation funding, but Jerry declined and said he had $3,000 budgeted for the 2004 event and he felt it was inappropriate to be asking for donation money when there are so many worthy charities needing funds to survive. Staff will schedule the 2004 "Fort Collins Fore Kids" Event for Tuesday, June 8, from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at City Park Nine, using the same format as last year. We will need volunteers to assist the Pros and to provide supervision for the up to 120 kids who may participate. Other Business ♦ Jerry mentioned that we will soon be mailing an oversize post card (draft copy of the card and text distributed tonight) to all Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce Members letting them know about our great Tournament opportunities. Adjournment: On a motion by Dan Preble, seconded by Grant Sherwood, the Board unanimously (7:0) voted to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacy Jey Administrative Aide Meeting Attendance Board Members Lauren DeRosa Dave Johnson Mindy Markley Claire Nelms Dan Preble Mike Sanders Grant Sherwood Staff Jerry P. Brown Jim Greer Stacy Kelley Guests Byrd Curtis Pat Finnegan