Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 08/18/1993CITY 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, Assistant to the Director/CLRS; and Alyce Nierman, Golf Division Secretary MINUTES: Regular meeting of August 18, 1993 After a round of golf, and dinner in the City Park Nine Clubhouse, the meeting was called to order by Board President Al Bednarz at 7:00 p.m. Jerry P. Brown welcomed Council Liaison Bob McCluskey to the meeting. Board Member David Shands called to say he would not be able to attend tonight's Board meeting. The Board took a tour of the City Park Nine Maintenance Building. Assistant Golf Superintendent Jim Higgins gave the Board an overview of the new $60,000 computerized irrigation system. Jim explained the water savings and electricity savings the course will experience with this new system. Jerry P. Brown explained that the City currently does not pay for raw water for the golf courses. Al Bednarz asked when this system will be implemented at Collindale and SouthRidge? Jerry explained that there is not immediate funding available for these projects. If a surcharge was added for five to six years, this project could be implemented at both other courses. Jim further explained the environmental savings incurred. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda. Consider Approving Minutes of the Last Regular Meeting of July 21 1993: On a motion by Henry Fry, seconded by Larry Glass, the minutes of the meeting of July 21, 1993 were unanimously (8:0) approved. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation. Functions of the Golf Board As a follow-up to last month's meeting with Assistant City Attorney Marty Heffernan, Jerry distributed in the Board's packets the options Marty outlined for the role of the Golf Board. On a motion by Hank Hoesli, seconded by Tom White the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to accept Option B. For the benefit of Councilman McCluskey, Al Bendarz explained the process the Board went through to define their role. He explained that they need guidelines to outline their parameters as an advisory board. The Board was frustrated that they made a recommendation for the selection of the SouthRidge Golf Pro, and it was overturned, and they determined that their role as an advisory board does not allow them to make personnel decisions. Hank Hoesli said Option B provides for more input between staff and Board. Option A keeps the Board from having significant input on golf matters even in an advisory level. Al said as a Board, we feel we should have some input as representatives of the golfing community. Golf Board Minutes August 18, 1993 Page 2 Golf Fee Structure Committee Armon Johannsen, Henry Fry, Al Bendarz, and Jerry P. Brown are members of the Golf Fee Structure Sub -committee. The committee met last week, however Al Bednarz was unable to attend. Henry Fry said the committee discussed fees and philosophy. He said the committee agreed that when the SouthRidge loan is paid for, the fees at all three courses should be the same. They discussed different fees for different days. They discussed that the current revenue status is probably a short-term deficit and that all courses in Northern Colorado are feeling the pinch this year. The committee agreed that we need to look at the way we do business. They felt that the system now in place isn't broken so there is no need for a "big fix." Armon added the committee needs to look at prime time versus slow time and the financial aspect of that. He said all three courses should be looked at as a package... including SouthRidge. He feels the public should look at SouthRidge as a City facility. Al Bednarz apologized for not being able to attend the meeting as he had a family emergency. He also addressed prime time, and fees the same at SouthRidge should be a long-term goal. Al asked the Board where we should go from here? Jerry said that some form of recommendation from the Board needs to be made no later than the October meeting because fees will be set by City Council during their November budget meeting. Jerry also asked how much public input the Board wanted? Henry stated he would like the public meeting before October. Larry Glass said he personally would like to see all three courses have annual passes. He said we need to restructure the price in an effort to market the golf pass. He would encourage consideration of including SouthRidge. Armon said the committee did speak of that for introducing the pass at SouthRidge next year. Henry said we would negatively affect the revenues at SouthRidge. Larry asked why should the golfers be penalized for not being able to use passes at SouthRidge? Cindy Roper said that the courses should be marketed from a business perspective. By trying to market all three as the same product doesn't make business sense. These courses attract different clientele. Jerry said the cost of maintenance at all three is different. Tom White said he looks at the annual passes in three categories, i.e., bronze, silver, and gold. Jerry added Loveland is dealing with the same issue of including Mariana Butte in annual passes. Henry said prime time playing should be added to the cost of the base annual pass. He added the committee is looking at a non -prime time pass. Derek Cordova said it is important to note non -prime time fees at SouthRidge are the same as green fees at Collindale and City Park Nine. Armon added we need to realize that these public courses should serve as a recreational activity for all citizens of Fort Collins. The income population of Fort Collins should be able to play the public courses and afford them. This should be a service approach to citizens. Hank Hoesli feels too many people who live at SouthRidge feel it is their private course. The sub -committee will get together after tonight's Board meeting to discuss their next meeting time and arrange for a public meeting. The Board as a whole felt the sub -committee should take the lead on the public meeting. 0 Golf Board Minutes August 18, 1993 Page 3 Other Business - Norma Ingraham said 80 ladies played City Park Nine today for the annual inter -City event and were impressed with the conditions of the golf course. - Jerry P. Brown included in the Board's packet the City Park Nine Neighborhood letters regarding the netting. Jerry will be meeting with the citizens to address their concerns. - Jerry also mentioned the reports he included in the Board packets regarding the golf revenue shortfall of $107,000 this year. All capital expenses for the 1994 budget have been cut. Board Members and Staff Comments - Councilman Bob McCluskey said he came to the Board meeting tonight to discuss what the Board's expectations are of the Council Liaison. If the Board is wanting input to Council then they need to let Bob know. He looks at their relationship as open and he is here to listen to their concerns. He invites the Board members to call him at any time and he assured them he would return their calls. He said he would like this Board to adopt a strategic work plan and bring golfers into the process. Bring the history, operation and maintenance costs, capital costs, and debt at SouthRidge to the golfers. They need to know the whole picture. He asked the Board to look beyond one year of planning and to focus on the future of golf in the community. - Henry Fry said the Collindale staff should be commended for a great job done for the State tournament last weekend. He heard many favorable comments from visitors to the golf course. - Mary Hodge said as a golf coach she appreciates the support from the golf pros and the support from staff and the Board for supporting junior golf in Fort Collins. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Rael, Administrative Aide Golf Board Minutes August 18, 1993 Page 4 Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Al Bednarz Jerry P. Brown Councilman McCluskey Larry Glass Derek Cordova Norma Ingraham Henry Fry Jim Greer Frank Blanco Mary Hodge Dave Sadler Hank Hoesli Jim Higgins Armon Johannsen Joe Nance Cindy Roper Jackie Rael for Alyce Nierman Tom White