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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 12/18/1996CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLF BOARD CITY COUNCIL LIAISON TO THE BOARD: Councilman Bob McCluskey, Jr. STAFF SUPPORT TO THE BOARD: Jerry P. Brown, Manager of Golf and Alyce Nierman, Golf Division Administrative Aide. BOARD CHAIRPERSON: Mindy Markley at 224-9102 (w) or 226-2700 (h) MINUTES: Regular Meeting of December 18, 1996 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Chairperson Mindy Markley. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the printed agenda. ITEMS OF NOTE: Jerry P. Brown reported that Board Members David Shands, Frank Blanco, and Tom White would be unable to attend the Golf Board meeting this evening. Jerry also noted that since the last time the Board met, the contract for the golf professional at Collindale was awarded to Jim Greer and he will take over this operation on January 1, 1997, and will also manage the pro shop operations at City Park Nine during the transition period until a new pro is under contract. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Mike Sanders and seconded by Tom DeGrand that the Board approve the minutes of the Regular Golf Board Meeting held on November 20, 1996, as presented. The motion was approved (6:0). CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: There was no citizen participation. CITY PARK NINE GOLF PROFESSIONAL RFP PROCESS: Jerry stated that in relation to the RFP for golf professional at City Park Nine, the Board needs to accomplish two things tonight. First, the contents of the RFP package needs to be reviewed and recommended changes should be made. Second, two Board members will need to be appointed to serve on the five -person RFP Review Committee. A. Recommendation on the Contents of the RFP Package Golf Board Minutes December 18, 1996 Page 2 Jerry began the discussion by noting the criteria for award of the proposal stated on page 3 of the RFP. This takes into account the issues previously raised by the Golf Board on the scoring system. This was left somewhat open ended, but still tells the proposers what criteria on which they will be reviewed. Questions One through Seven are essentially the same as before, and Question Eight takes into account the food and beverage concession at City Park Nine. Jerry added that 48 proposals were distributed for bid on Collindale and the RFP for City Park Nine will be sent to all of those potential bidders. RFP packages will be mailed out by December 20, and will be due back to Purchasing on January 17. The walk through is scheduled for January 8. It should take about three weeks with interviews, etc., which puts us in the middle of February. Mike Sanders asked how the liquor license issue would be affected? Jerry stated that Jim Greer will not sell beer at City Park Nine after January 1. Jim is keeping the facility license and the new person will have to start the process of getting the license transferred which probably will not be complete until April. Liquor cannot be brought onto the course by private individuals. Jerry noted that this contract is not just for a golf pro as the person selected will also be the snack bar concessionaire and janitor of the clubhouse. On page 2 of the RFP, dollar amounts are discussed. It is important to note Jim Greer's reported revenue level is after he has built up a clientele that may follow him across town. The specifications that start on page six are all relevant to City Park Nine operations. Jerry noted that the term of this contract is four years. Henry Fry noted that the walk through at Collindale was scheduled for the same time as a PGA activity in Denver, and asked how the January 8 date looks regarding possible conflicts with PGA activities? Jerry said that he will check into the date and if there is a conflict we will try to reschedule the walk through date. Mindy Markley asked Jim Greer if in his viewpoint the City Park Nine proposal has any missing links? Jim stated that he had problems with the food service portion as it was very difficult to make money in this area and he would want to make sure this is clearly defined that there is a potential difficulty in making money. Jerry stated that bringing the kitchen up to required standards of the Health Department could be very expensive. Byrd Curtis suggested that potential bidders should be made aware of costs they could incur if they are planning to bring the kitchen up to Health Department codes that would allow a more comprehensive food service. Jerry has information that he can add to the RFP referencing potential costs of the upgrades. Mindy commented that this should help people realize that this is not a large part of the contract. Tom DeGrand commented that a weight value of one has no real significance and suggested combining two questions with a weighting value of one with each other and then giving a weighting value of two to the newly created question. Tom further suggested that since question 93 and #7 are similar, they might be combined. Mike stated that would consider taking out the question on course monitoring as he can't see any new ideas that may be brought up. Jerry, E Golf Board Minutes December 18, 1996 Page 3 responding first to Tom DeGrand, stated that by combining questions #3 and #7 there would affect no real change to the total points and would be a viable change. Henry suggested changing the weight value of questions #7 to a two, question #6 to a value of one, and leave question #3 valued at one. Mindy suggested that on question #3 the words "special/unique" in reference to the needs at City Park Nine be removed. The question would then read "What needs do you see at City Park Nine and how will you deal with them?" Mike asked for a clarification of the mathematical shifting of questions #6 and 47. It was noted that question #6 is now worth one point and question #7 is valued at two points. Mindy felt that the space allowed to answer these questions was adequate. Tom DeGrand agreed, stating that no information was lacking in the answers from the bidders. In some questions there was some repetition. It was moved by Henry Fry that the Golf Board approve the Request For Proposal package for the City Park Nine Golf Professional as amended. Steven Garcia seconded the motion. The motion was approved (6:0). B. Appoint Two Golf Board Members to the RFP Review Committee Byrd Curtis commented that if there are already two volunteers for service on this committee, the Board should accept these offers. Mike Sanders asked if Byrd would be interested in serving on this committee as he is a regular golfer at City Park Nine and has a definite interest in the selection of the future golf pro at that course? Byrd replied that he would be willing to serve on this committee. The Board discussed the appointment choices, and it was moved by Mike Sanders that the Golf Board appoint Byrd Curtis and Tom White as designates to the RFP Review Committee for the Golf Professional at City Park Nine. The motion was seconded by Henry Fry and approved by the Board (6:0). Mindy Markley suggested that the appointees meet with Board members who have served previously on review committees to get a better perspective and input on the procedures used in the selection process. Dave Sadler will serve as staff representative on the committee; Jim O'Neill will serving as the representative of the Purchasing Department; and Becky Irwin will represent the City Park Nine Women's Golf Association. 1997 "FORT COLLINS FORE IDS" TOURNAMENT/EVENTTOURNAMENTIEVENTS UPDATE Mike Sanders has taken modified trash containers to the golf courses along with signs "Klubs Fore Kids". Royal Grip has made an offer to support our activities by supplying some grips that can be used on the donated clubs. Mike further noted that the Fort Collins Country Club will probably donate all lost and found clubs they had from 1996. Also, in the transition at Collindale, there are a lot of clubs in the lost and found that will be added to this program. In the upcoming issue of the Recreator, Jerry has arranged for two separate notations giving information on the clinics and the club donation program. Mike stated that the clinics will be in June and tournament date will be in Golf Board Minutes December 18, 1996 Page 4 August. In addition, Mindy has heard that Nike is trying to get involved in junior golf and we may be able to get some assistance there. It was noted that people can drop off donated clubs at the course clubhouses. Mike noted that some time in April we will need to get information on heights, grips, etc. and then form a work team to size, rip and grip the donated clubs. Mike stated that when we get the crew together, regripping the clubs shouldn't take too long. At this point there is a greater need for putters. Derek Cordova would like to see the regripping done earlier in the year, maybe some time in March. He also presented an idea of creating a coupon book to give to the kids. Jerry stated that we need to have at least a three-week advance notice before we can distribute information to the schools. DISCUSSION• CITY PARK NINE TURF CONDITION ISSUE At the November Golf Board meeting, Byrd Curtis brought up some concerns regarding the turf conditions at City Park Nine Golf Course. Dave Sadler is present tonight and he may be able to address these concerns on the City Park Nine turf. Byrd restated that he has compared the turf at the different Fort Collins courses, and in his opinion the turf is better in terms of fluffiness and sponginess at the other courses. In November, the Board was told that the variety of grass at City Park Nine was an older variety. Previously Byrd expressed concerns that the grass was being mowed too short to sustain desired turf conditions; but his basic concern is why don't we have better turf at City Park Nine? City Park Nine Superintendent Dave Sadler replied that there are several factors working against City Park Nine. The turf at City Park Nine is South Dakota Common Bluegrass, and is an older variety of turf. Collindale is planted in Windsor Kentucky Bluegrass which has a more upright growth pattern and is very vigorous. However, Windsor is not available anymore. SouthRidge is planted in Victa. Dave noted that a change could be made at City Park Nine, but it would be very complicated. It was asked what would be required to get Victa growing at City Park Nine and Dave responded the cost to purchase grass for overseeding would cost approximately $4,000 each year. In addition, there would be no guarantees that this would work as Poa Annua and earthworms would fight this change. This would be a 3-4 year process and at this time Dave does not see $4,000 available in the budget that could be diverted annually to an overseeding project. Dave relayed a story on the Boulder Country Club where they resodded the course to change the type of grass they had. They are now back to 30% Poa. Byrd commented that City Park Nine is certainly playable; and he was just hoping we could change and get better turf conditions. Mindy Markley asked if most of the older courses have these same turf conditions? Jerry asked if there were major differences in soil conditions among the courses? Byrd asked why some areas of turf are really good compared to others? In answer to both, Dave stated that soil conditions vary from course to course, as well as varying from various parts of the same course. Dave noted that as you get closer to the approaches, the Poa is more visible. Byrd agreed and added that the next warm day he will give Dave a call and they can take a walk. Dave said that • Golf Board Minutes December 18, 1996 Page 5 generally earthworms are good, but in excess they can cause a lot of problems. It can be said that City Park Nine has too much of a good thing. Byrd commented that he did see some improvement when the height of the grass mowing was increased. Dave added that he saw no adverse effects in turf conditions after increasing the mowing heights. Henry Fry commented that the CGA chose City Park Nine as the best 9-hole course in Colorado last year. There can't be too much wrong if we are getting this kind of honor. Byrd agreed, stating that he thinks City Park Nine is a fantastic course, but he had to bring forward his concerns on turf conditions. Dave believes that overseeding would be the way to go. However, once we commit, we need to continue the program. Jerry added that he is not inclined to take money from the other two courses in 1997 as their budgets are already set. The earliest he would consider beginning this program would be 1998. Dave restated that the $4,000 would be an annual cost. Byrd asked if we would be seeing that same kind of degradation at Collindale? Dave responded probably not as the Windsor variety used at Collindale is more vigorous than the South Dakota Common that is at City Park Nine. Byrd asked why in an overseeding program, the turf would not go on and replenish itself annually? It was noted that at the November meeting Collindale Superintendent Doug Evans stated that he is already overseeding at Collindale and has been from day one. Mindy noted that there are many golfers who like the feel of an "old" course. Mike Sanders agreed that Byrd and Dave should walk the course. SouthRidge Superintendent Randy Bonneville commented that there are new varieties now that were not available when SouthRidge was built. He added that Victa won't grow in shade, in addition to some of the new specialized varieties. Shade is a real problem with bluegrass. Mike stated that the cutting height and watering have given golfers a very good course, and if that continues, we will be happy. Byrd thanked Dave for coming to the Board meeting this evening and all of the information he shared. OTHER BUSINESS • Mindy Markley has suggested, and Jerry agreed, that starting in January, she and Jerry will meet monthly with course superintendents and the golf pros on the same day as the Golf Board meets and discuss the issues being presented for discussion at the Board meeting that night. As we get further into the season, we will probably also be holding course staff meetings. • Jerry noted that Board and Commissions annual reports are due by January 31, 1997. A draft will be presented at the January meeting for Golf Board input prior to being submitted. It was requested that any ideas and suggestions be brought to the January Board meeting. • Jerry reported on the progress of the Capital Improvements Program process. At this time, no golf projects made the list. 6 Mindy asked Jim Greer about his plans for the Bill Metier Memorial? Jerry stated that Joe Golf Board Minutes December 18, 1996 Page 6 Nance has collected approximately $1,900 toward that project, and Jim plans to work with Joe and continue with this as Bill Metier was his mentor. Mindy noted that she has received calls from upset golfers expressing concern that there will no longer be range passes at Collindale. Jim explained to the Board that passes will be available, but they will be structured differently than the passes currently offered. Jerry reported that he and Randy Bonneville met with the homeowner who has had a recurring problem with water in his basement due to drainage along #4 at SouthRidge. Randy noted that this homeowner's original plans did not work and he has decided on the option of placing a sump pump in the basement and piping the water to the ditch. The resident in question has received approval from all concerned parties including the ditch company and he further is assuming all expenses and liability for this project. • Henry Fry asked if a new fence was recently installed at SouthRidge along #9 or #10 in front of a big pink house? The concern raised was whether this fence was built on golf course property? Randy Bonneville said he would check into this. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the Golf Board meeting was made by Henry Fry and seconded by Steven Garcia. The motion was approved (6:0) and the Golf Board meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman, Administrative Aide I Golf Division MEETING ATTENDANCE Board Members Staff Mindy Markley Jerry P. Brown Byrd C. Curtis Randy Bonneville Tom DeGrand Dan G. Bruntz Henry Fry Derek Cordova Steve Garcia Jim Greer Mike Sanders Stacy Neal Alyce Nierman Dave Sadler