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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 06/21/1995• CITY 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 I. MINUTES: Regular Meeting of June 21, 1995 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Golf Board President Henry Fry. AGENDA REVIEW AND ITEMS OF NOTE: There were no changes to the printed agenda. Mary Hodge' will not be attending this evening as she is out of town. Henry Fry introduced the two new Board members in attendance tonight. Mike Sanders, who is replacing Cindy Roper, is a voting member as of tonight; and DJ Hjelle, who will be replacing Mary Hodge, will begin officially July 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by David Shands and seconded by Tom DeGrand that the minutes of the regular Golf Board meeting held on May 17, 1995, be approved as submitted. The motion was passed (7:0:1 with Mike Sanders abstaining). CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Richard Brose offered a few ideas for Board consideration. He has observed an overall relaxed attitude regarding attire at the golf courses in Fort Collins. Perhaps a dress code could be established at all three City courses. At times he has been embarrassed by some of the clothing worn (or not worn) on the course. His second item for consideration would be the development of a caddie program. He said the increase in the use of golf cars seems to have eliminated the use of caddies. A caddie program for the golfing youth of Fort Collins would offer course etiquette and training for future golfers. Part of the program could be a scholarship which would be awarded at the end of the season to the best caddie. If the Golf Board is interested in this program, Mr. Brose would like to be involved in the program's establishment. APPROVAL REQUESTED ON REVISED GOLF BOARD BY-LAWS The revised Golf Board By -Laws were previously distributed to Golf Board members for review. This subject was last discussed at the March 1, 1995 meeting. Suggestions made by the Board at the March 1 meeting were taken to the City Attorney and City Clerk for their review and input. Jerry P. Brown reviewed specific items that were changed from the Board recommendations made at the March 1 meeting. One change not previously discussed is the title of officers in Article IV, Golf Board Meeting June 21, 1995 Page 2 Section 1. The suggested title changes are in line with the titles of the officers of other City boards and commissions. In addition Sections 4, 5, and 6 of Article IV are new since the last time the by- laws were discussed. These sections define the duties of the officers mentioned in Article IV, Section 1. In respect to Article IV, Section 3 regarding the election Golf Board officers, Tom DeGrand asked if a member could serve more than one term as an officer? Jerry clarified that a Board member could hold office on the Board as many times as they are elected. There is also a change in Article VII, Section 2 regarding meeting attendance. The City Clerk changed this to read the same as the City Code which states that missing meetings "may" cause termination of membership on the Board. Frank Blanco asked if Article VII, Section 2B was part of old by-laws? Jerry doesn't believe so, but this part is consistent with other City boards and commissions. Absence is defined as not being present at a meeting whether a call is received or not. Mike Sanders asked who makes the decision whether to terminate a membership? The Golf Board can suggest a member resign, but only City Council has the power to terminate a City board or commission appointment. After the Golf Board approves the by-laws, they will be presented to City Council who decides if there is a need for adoption by vote. It was noted that these by-laws may be amended by a vote of 5 members. This process would take two meetings; the proposal would be made at one meeting and the vote would take place at the next meeting. In trying to understand the by-laws, Mike asked if Article X actually would allow three Board members to vote a change? Jerry replied that this was possible as there only has to be a quorum of five members in attendance to hold a meeting, and a majority of three members at that meeting could vote a change. However, by-laws changes votes are taken at the following meeting and it is highly unlikely that two consecutive meetings would only have a quorum of the same five members present. It was moved by Tom White and seconded by Armon Johannsen that the Golf Board approve the revised Golf Board By -Laws as presented. The motion was approved (8:0). APPROVAL REQUESTED: REVISED POLICY ON GOLF STAFF USAGES AT CITY GOLF COURSES Henry Fry pointed out this policy will be a new portion of the revised Golf Division Policy and Procedures Manual waiting for approval. For the benefit of Mike and DJ, Jerry P. Brown reviewed the background of this issue and the proposed policy. This subject was last discussed at the April 19, 1995 meeting. Items 1, 2, 3, and 4 are almost the same as the Board last saw them on April 19, with the exception of #2 in the middle where it starts discussing the number of rounds played. Item #5 on golf car usage became a major point of discussion. One difference is the question of snack bar employees being included in this policy. Henry stated in looking ahead at what we are considering for the snack bar bids we have discussed the idea of getting a flat rent rate, then allowing the Golf Board Meeting June 21, 1995 Page 3 concessionaire the flexibility to do what they want in the operation of the snack bar. This would eliminate the necessity of the City having to audit sales, and maybe we would not have to offer the benefit of free golf to snack bar employees. Collindale Assistant Golf Professional Dale Smigelsky relayed to the Board that he and Collindale Golf Professional Joe Nance met and came up with a written policy for use at Collindale. For each employee who works 29 hours or less per week a 15-play punch card per month is set up and the employee punches each time they sign in to play. The policy they developed has been in use for the past two months and appears to be working well. The general gist of items 1 through 4 is the policy that Fort Collins has followed for some time. Item 5 is trying to define the different options. Jerry feels comfortable with the policy being submitted to the Golf Board and he requests the Board approve of the policy as presented. Frank Blanco asked if there are any dollar figures on this revised policy? Jerry responded that these figures had not been ascertained, but if it became an issue, staff could come up with some amounts. Jerry added that in theory the value of the golf rounds had been taken into account as the pros consider this when putting together their bid packages. If this was not allowed for, the costs of the pro would go up and it would change what they propose in their bid packages. Henry feels the revised policy still does not address the issue of unpaid volunteers; people doing work for a contractor being compensated by the City by receiving free rounds of golf. Jerry stated that the contractor is responsible for their employees whether they are volunteer or not, and the contractor must provide workers compensation. Henry restated his concern that this policy appears to open the City up for liability. Jerry stated that the City staff has reviewed the liability issue and does not feel the City would be held responsible and that this liability falls to the respective golf pro as the person is an "employee" of the pro whether they are paid or unpaid. David Shands wondered how many people the policy would include? Jerry replied that Joe Nance has 15 people at the peak of his season and has no volunteers; Jim Greer has 12-13 employees and has 2 volunteers at the peak of his season. Derek Cordova has a similar amount. Mike Sanders asked if employees had to work the hours first before receiving the play benefits? Dale Smigelsky said the play was a use as you go situation. Armon Johannsen moved that the Golf Board approve the revised policy on Golf Division Staff Usage of the courses and golf cars. David Shands seconded the motion pointing out the meager wages paid to seasonal workers. The Board voted and passed the motion (6:1). Henry Fry was the dissenting vote and stated his reason for not being in favor of this was what appeared to him an unplugged loophole and the possible City liability. Golf Board Meeting June 21, 1995 Page 4 FOLLOW-UP ON PUBLIC INPUT MEETING ON GOLF FEES AND CHARGES Henry Fry commented that he was amazed at the lack of attendance, and that there was no real cross section of the consumers who use the city courses at the recent input meeting on golf fees and charges. However, it was noted that the Board did have some significant input that there should not be non-resident fees. The other issue that some folks don't like is the per play fees for annual pass users. Personally Henry feels the per play fee is the correct course to take as the person who plays more, pays more. The other possibility is establishing a multi -tier annual pass. The pass structure could be changed and we could offer a Monday through Thursday pass, etc. Frank Blanco voiced the concerns expressed to him that we are eliminating senior passes. Henry affirmed that there is no consideration being made to eliminate senior passes. What is being suggested is possibly offering unlimited pass use for anyone during the week. The feelings are the basic structure is fine, and it would only be a title change for the senior pass. Another option would be to offer a full week pass for a slightly higher annual fee. Armon Johannsen observed that most people at the citizen input meeting seemed to be in agreement on that issue. There still seems to be disagreement on the per play fee, and comments made continually were golfers wanted to pay more up front and eliminate the per play fee. Henry remarked that comments are heard from the same people each time there is a meeting on the issue of fees. Armon voiced his opinion in favor of eliminating the per play fee; and somewhere in the future he would like to see a $600 pass that would include all three courses. Jerry believes essentially that we would have a lot of SouthRidge people buying passes and that increased use of passes at SouthRidge would lower the green fees revenue at SouthRidge. David Shands, Mindy Markley, and Armon Johannsen were in agreement that they would like to discuss fee structure issues as a total Board and not a sub -committee. Armon believes that the Board could reach consensus. Jerry stated that he would like to present possible options, along with some cost analysis, to the Board at their July meeting. He is pretty confident that variations can be developed and any tweaking will probably be in favor of the customer. Tom White observed that the main concern is the bottom line and whether the Golf Fund would be able to meet the budget. Mindy gleaned from the meeting that our golfers are not objecting too much on the actual dollars as they are to elements of the structure, and they are requesting that we simplify the structure. Armon believes there is an advantage to having a number of pass holders, as that locks the golfer to Fort Collins courses. A multi -tier pass may draw them back. Armon asked who is playing our courses early in the morning? Jim Greer had relayed to Henry that many players at City Park Nine were pass holders last year, but have switched to using punch cards this year. Armon believes that golfers are choosing to purchase punch cards as this gives them the option of playing at other courses in the area like Loveland. Golf Board Meeting June 21, 1995 Page 5 It seems the basic feeling of the Golf Board is not to make the next meeting specifically for input, but have a regular meeting and have a discussion of the fee structure as the one item on the agenda. Joe Nance requested that Dale Smigelsky relay his comments on prime and non -prime time. The feeling at Collindale is that people are just waiting until 10:30 to save the $1.00 and that is why those time slots are filling up. Armon added that the irony is these golfers moved their tee times to 10:30 to save $1.00 and are griping the whole time. OTHER BUSINESS -- Henry Fry believes we have a dress code in place but we may not have enough teeth to enforce the rules. The rules posted outside the clubhouse state all players should wear a shirt, but it doesn't state any requirements on the condition of the shirt. Jerry interjected that part of the problem is that a previous City Attorney ruled what public golf courses could or could not do. We can enforce things relating to safety (i.e. shoes); however, the City Attorney also said at that time we could not enforce a no shirt rule. As public courses, there are a lot of things we can't do that a private course can. If the Golf Board would like, Jerry will recheck with the current City Attorney to see if there is anything we can do. The Board stated they would be interested in knowing what can be done. -- Frank Blanco asked if there are any mandatory capital projects waiting in the wings for 1996? Jerry has two main projects, one being the netting at City Park Nine Driving Range. $7,500 has been identified in the 1996 budget for this project. In addition a developer will be spending money to develop a lake at Portner Reservoir. It has been determined that a line can be placed from the new lake to the lake at SouthRidge (between 49 and #10). The estimated cost of this project should be close to $10,000. The single rider golf cars at a cost of approximately $15,000 may also be needed. City Park Nine Superintendent David Sadler is trying to get pump control renovation which is currently shared with the City Park ballfields. The total cost would be around $50,000 and the City Park Nine share of the cost would be around $30,000. Dave stated it is not critical at this point in time, but it should be the next pump project we consider. - Tom White asked what the time space is between tee groups, and was told by Dale Smigelsky that it is different at each course but the space is eight minutes at Collindale. -- Henry Fry addressed the other subject presented by Mr. Brose for discussion; that being a possible caddie program. There is a lot of merit to a caddie program as it teaches young golfers many things about the game and course etiquette. Implementation of a caddie program could cause a potential reduction of golf car rental revenue. Jerry stated that from his point of view a caddie program would be the responsibility of the golf pro along with supplying other Golf Board Meeting June 21, 1995 Page 6 golf related services as stated in their contract. Jerry added that the City would not be opposed to a caddie program, but would not be involved with the setting up of this plan. After lengthy discussion the feelings of the Golf Board are that this is a great idea, but they do not feel it would happen as this seems to be something from the past. It was added by Dale Smigelsky that there is a definite need to teach kids how to play faster, teach them course etiquette, etc. -- Jerry asked if Board members had questions on the information that has been distributed regarding the 1996 budget, and 1995 expenses and play to date. Henry suggested that in the future some purchases could be delayed into the third quarter of year instead of first quarter to get a better feel on how the revenue is coming in for the year. Jerry stated that most of the savings in expenses this year will occur in personal services. Golf Fund revenue for 1995 was briefly outlined. To date the Golf Fund is short of the projected revenue by $94,000; annual pass purchases are 85 short of this time last year; however, sales of punch cards are much higher. ADJOURNMENT On a motion from Tom White and a second by Tom DeGrand, the meeting of the Golf Board adjourned at 9:20 p.m. MEETING ATTENDANCE Henry Fry Frank Blanco Tom DeGrand Armon Johannsen Mindy Markley Mike Sanders David Shands Tom White Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman, Administrative Aide I Golf Division STAFF Jerry P. Brown Alyce Nierman Dave Sadler Dale Smigelsky GUESTS Richard Brose DJ Hjelle