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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 06/19/1996CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLF BOARD CITY COUNCIL LIAISON TO THE BOARD: Councilman Bob McCluskey, Jr. BOARD CHAIRPERSON: Henry Fry at 482-1158 (w) or 226-0799 (h) STAFF SUPPORT TO THE BOARD: Jerry P. Brown, Manager of Golf and Alyce Nierman, Golf Division Administrative Aide. MINUTES: Regular Meeting of June 19, 1996 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Henry Fry. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes to the printed agenda. ITEMS OF NOTE: Jerry noted that City Council has chosen to reappoint all three Golf Board incumbents (Mindy Markley, Mike Sanders, and Henry Fry) to terms that run through the year 2000. Henry Fry observed that the Fort Collins Fore Kids tournament was a success, and everyone had a great time. He further stated that the work Mindy did in organizing this event was outstanding. At this time, DJ Hjelle presented a gift from the Golf Board to Mindy in appreciation of her work. Tom DeGrand restated Henry's comment that Mindy did an outstanding job in organizing this tournament and the Board only had to show up and play, as all the work had been done prior to the tournament. It was moved by Tom White and seconded by David Shands that the Board approve the minutes of the Regular Golf Board Meeting held on May 15, 1996, as presented. The motion was approved (9:0). CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: There was no citizen participation. my wwwrawl Orel "MUMUMMONUM Jerry P. Brown brought to the Board's attention that Mindy Markley has prepared a detailed notebook recording the tournament and events. Mindy noted that there are some additional pictures that need to be included in the notebook. Jerry and Mindy each prepared a document showing tournament revenues and expenses. Essentially the worst we will do is having proceeds of $1,647.25. Mindy stated that $1,500 was anonymously donated to directly pay Firefall for their performance. Without that donation we would have only made a couple hundred dollars. Henry Fry expressed the thanks from the Board to the person who made that donation. Golf Board Minutes June 19, 1996 Page 2 Henry commented that the next thing to be addressed is the best way to spend the proceeds of the tournament. Mindy has received comments on possibly having a drive to get people to donate old golf clubs to start out and then have the clubs adapted for kids. Mike Sanders speculated on giving a free putter to the very young beginning golfers who show up at the course. He further speculated on using the money raised from the tournament to cut down any donated clubs for junior golfer use. It seems the main thing we are trying to accomplish is to get clubs in the hands of kids. Joe Nance agrees that anything that can be done to increase junior golf is a benefit in the long run. Jerry has spoken with John Drescher and he is willing to size the clubs at virtually his cost, and to have junior grips on hand for club conversion. Henry stated that we need to maintain the momentum from this tournament, and not to wait for six months to implement programs. Mindy restated that the whole purpose of the tournament was to familiarize the community with junior and senior golf, and to get more involved with the junior golfers. Mike suggested having the clubs set out at each course and possibly have them labeled so people coming to the pro shops can see the clubs and golfers could feel they were a part of getting these clubs to the kids. It was further stated that this tournament should be viewed as a beginning and that this tournament should be used to plant the seed. Byrd Curtis asked how we could get the word out to kids who don't normally play golf or have golfing contacts? Mike suggested writing a letter on City letterhead and sending it to the school district for distribution. Jerry stated that we distributed flyers through the school district about two years ago and maybe this could be done again. Mindy commented that the signs she placed at Collindale pro shop asking for junior golfers got a lot of attention and she had parents calling her with questions. Mike stated that free golf clubs will get a lot of attention; not giving a full set, but maybe a putter or an iron to get the kids interested in the game. It was also noted that discussion of future tournaments/events is scheduled on the October agenda. Jerry then asked for constructive criticism and ideas from all perspectives, and what should or should not be tried next time. Henry observed that "junior golf' covers all age groups, from age 6 all the way through high school, and maybe we could try to address these different age groups. In addition Henry feels the clinics should be targeted toward the younger golfer. As an aside, Henry commented that the junior golfer in his group had never had a club in his hands before this recent tournament, and golfers should be aware there are more junior golfers that are not scratch golfer caliber. Mindy had received comments that we did not charge enough for the entry fee. In addition, she also heard it commented that "We are doing this next year, aren't we?" In addition it was felt that any music performances should be immediately after the tournament and preferably at the golf course. Tom DeGrand suggested having an afternoon concert at same time lunch is being served. David Shands thinks the band was great and Mike added that it probably should not have been made to appear as a separate event. Jerry suggested that maybe the tournament could be held on Friday, and the clinics be held the following Saturday. David agreed stating there was limited participation at the clinics afterward because of the heat and people were tired after playing their rounds. Henry added that in part because of the play- offs, everyone seemed to drift. Byrd commented that it might be better to have the awards presented Golf Board Minutes June 19, 1996 Page 3 immediately after the tournament, maybe while everyone was present for lunch. Mike offered a suggestion that we draft a pool of junior golfers and have random assignments to the teams. Tom DeGrand agreed and was planning on suggesting the same idea. Mindy commented that the most exciting part to her was the even breakdown with seniors, juniors, and adult golfers. Henry speculated that it might be fun to have a blind draw for teams. Tom White shared that his son feels nervous if he is playing with strangers. Mike observed that it sounds like we should have a committee and come back in October to revisit this topic. I ' ' S • • •' • Aln - Jerry started the discussion on the budget information that was previously distributed to the Board. The proposed budget is consistent with past information. Jerry explained that the cover memo and document that looks like a budget had to be submitted to the City Manager by June 3. Further, it was noted that the total increase in the budget could only be 3.2% over 1996, and all funds had to stay within that limit. Enterprise Funds, however, can be a little more flexible as they have variations in revenue and capital expenditures. Employee pay is based on a total compensation policy with the preliminary information showing a 3.2% projected increase. If employees get less than that, there will be more money available for other budget items. Henry Fry asked about what appears to be a drop in green fees revenue, and Jerry explained that this graph is really a comparison of operating revenue vs operating expenses. Frank Blanco asked if it was possible to have a breakdown of revenue/expenses for the three different courses? Jerry stated yes, and that expenditures are broken down by each course, but for the budget presentation to City Council he is allowed one page so this information is combined to reflect the full Golf Fund budget. Frank then asked if there was any projection on the increase in fees for 1997? Jerry stated that the Board reviews this issue and makes their recommendation to Council in the Fall. We will begin discussion tonight and citizen input at the July Golf Board meeting. Jerry then reviewed the extended budget through 2001. One point he wanted to be sure the Board understood was $55,000 listed under other expenses. This is money that was borrowed from the Financial Uncertainty Fund to cover a shortage of revenue during 1995 and it is required these funds be repaid. Also, the Collindale construction debt owed to the Water Fund will be paid in full in 1998. Jerry then briefly reviewed the total Golf Fund expense items, investment items, reserves, personnel pages and proposals. It was then noted that additional pages were attached that broke down the line item expenses for each of the three courses. Extra money was put in the Contractual Services for Collindale as in 1997 we will be starting a golf pro contract. Jerry suggested that the Golf Board review the proposed budget more extensively at their leisure; and the review this evening was to make items more readily understood. It was added that the Capital items are viewed more as a wish list. Henry observed that the people at SouthRidge must be better wishers. Tom White commented that they started out behind everyone else in addition to having bad stuff to begin with and they are only trying to catch up. Jerry noted that there will be upgrades on the City Park Nine Pump and that this Golf Board Minutes June 19, 1996 Page 4 project will be a joint effort with the Parks Division. Byrd Curtis asked what are the bank credit card service charges? Jerry stated that this is a new expense of 1.61% of the total dollar amount charged. This fee was previously picked up by the General Fund, but beginning in 1997 each department is required to pay this fee. Jerry added that he doesn't believe there are any more hidden charges and that the Golf Fund is paying for everything they use. Jerry stated that the information presented this evening is conceptual based on the budget submitted to the City Manager. The golf fees have not been raised in the last couple of years, and Jerry would like to see fees raised in alternate years (green fees raised one year and annual pass fees and golf car rental fees raised the next). In addition, we have always tried to keep green fee increases in even dollar increments. If green fees are raised $1.00 across the board, this would increase projected revenues by approximately $100,000. Jerry would like to raise the green fees for 1997 (maybe keeping the junior rates the same), and then in 1998 raise the annual pass fees approximately 7%. As always, it is our intent to keep the golfers informed of any proposed increases. Henry Fry asked when the "no per play fee/unrestricted annual passes"will be reviewed to analyze their effect on Golf Fund revenue? Jerry stated that it appears not to have significantly impacted golf course revenue so far this year, and further feels that we should stay with this same structure through 1997 to have a better base of information to make a judgement. Mindy asked if there will be public meetings on the proposed revenue and fee structure? Jerry would like to hold the first public input meeting in July and hold a follow up meeting in August. Mike Sanders noted that we almost have to include an asterisk noting that this is the Golf Board plan given the information that we currently have available. It is our intent to hold the first public input meeting in July at the Collindale Club House. Discussion has already begun about capital improvements and we will then begin the discussion on fees. At the September meeting the Board needs to determine the fees they will be recommending to City Council for adoption. • •► •. •• ►rr: •►u • • •UNNOTME. • • • • :••. David Shands asked why we would want to change to yardage books? Jerry said that we have been asked by some people to look into this possible change. A sample was distributed to the Golf Board along with samples of scorecards we have used in the past. Jerry said that there are two companies who print scorecards like the ones we currently use. It was further noted by Jerry that the current contract on scorecards expires in 1997, and if the Board is interested in pursuing a change to yardage books, we need to start now. Mindy commented that she can see a need for these in resort areas, but she is not sure it is the right thing for Fort Collins at this time. Joe Nance agreed with Mindy's comments and added this may also create a litter problem with people discarding the books they didn't want. Byrd Curtis noted that the cards currently in use at our municipal courses are hard to write on with a pencil. Jerry agreed to check into this situation. Jerry added there may be more E • Golf Board Minutes June 19, 1996 Page 5 people interested in having yardage books available at SouthRidge. After further discussions, the Board generally felt there was no need to pursue changing to yardage books at this time. Henry Fry commented that a couple of people asked him why we don't have sand and seed available on tee boxes. He discussed this issue with Collindale Assistant Superintendent Paul Brauer, and from that discussion Henry was not convinced that the benefit received would overshadow the costs incurred to implement and continue this program. Paul questioned how we would be able to get golfers to use the sand/seed mixture, when they don't even replace their divots? Henry and Mike Sanders discussed the different aspects of the problem with replacing divots vs the sand/seed mix being made available. This program is currently in use at City Park Nine, however, David Shands observed that people don't seem to use the sand there. Mindy Markley suggested getting input on this idea from the course superintendents. Jerry stated that he would ask the superintendents for their input and suggestions. This information will be brought before the Golf Board at the October meeting for consideration and we may be able to implement in 1997. Byrd Curtis commented that the fairways at SouthRidge and Collindale are in great shape. He further noted that the grass on the fairways at City Park Nine seems to be cut too short and wondered why? Jerry suggested that maintenance questions such as this should be directed to the course superintendent, and if the answer seems inadequate, then the issue should be presented to Jerry for investigation. Frank Blanco asked about the status of the sewer line project at SouthRidge that was discussed at the May Board Meeting? Jerry responded that the contractor is working hard on this project and will try to have the easement by the middle of September. It is projected that construction of this line will take about ten days. Henry noted that the starting tee times at Collindale and City Park Nine are 6:30 a.m. At SouthRidge tee times don't start until 7:00 a.m. and he feels there is a substantial sum of green fee dollars that is lost each day. Randy Bonneville and his maintenance crew start at 6:00 a.m. and this would keep them well ahead of the first group of golfers. However, it is understood by Jerry that SouthRidge tee times start at 6:30 a.m. and our advertising states that tee times start at 6:30 a.m. Jerry said that he would check into this situation. Byrd asked about the net installation at City Park Nine? Jerry stated that Dave Sadler and his staff should have this project completed by July 10. Golf Board Minutes June 19, 1996 Page 6 A motion to adjourn the Golf Board meeting was made by DJ Hjelle and seconded by David Shands. The motion was approved (9:0) and the Golf Board meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Henry Fry Frank Blanco Byrd C. Curtis Tom DeGrand DJ Hjelle Mindy Markley Mike Sanders David Shands Tom White Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman, Administrative Aide I Golf Division Jerry P Brown Joe Nance Alyce Nierman