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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 05/19/1993CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLF BOARD City Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Bob McCluskey Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director/CLRS; and Alyce Nierman, Golf Division Secretary MINUTES: Regular meeting of May 19, 1993 The meeting was called to order by Tom White at 7:40 p.m. Board President Al Bednarz and Vice President Mary Hodge both called to say they were unable to attend tonight's meeting. Agenda Review: There were no changes to the printed agenda. Consider Approving Minutes of the Regular Meeting of ADril 21. 1993 It was moved by Hank Hoesli and seconded by Jim Doyle to approve the printed minutes from the regular meeting of April 21, 1993. Motion carried. (5:0) Citizen Participation There was no citizen participation at this time. Continued Discussion: The Role of the Golf Board Jerry P. Brown distributed copies of the Golf Board functions as stated in the Municipal Code. Also distributed was a rough draft of staff's suggested revised version. Paragraph #2 is being totally eliminated. Paragraph #4 essentially is the same. The board would still be involved in the RFP process and would continue involvement and recommendation for appointment of golf professionals. As the new Paragraph #4 states, the Golf Board would advise and make recommendations on contracts and professional service agreements. Hank Hoesli asked how the Golf Board was involved in determining the number of personnel employed by the golf courses as stated in Paragraph #3? Jerry replied that the only time this has recently come up was in 1985 when the Fair Labor Standards Act required that two part-time/hourly positions had to either be eliminated or converted to full-time positions. It was further stated that only maintenance employees at the golf courses are City employees. Hank asked if the word "contractors" should be added to the new paragraph #2? Jerry stated that the golf courses currently use a lot of contract labor which is different from contractors. In addition, the City contracts with other vendors for services, i.e. janitors, and the Golf Board would not be involved in those selections. It was felt that the use of the word "contractors" would be confusing. Hank wondered if there should be some wording in paragraph #1 whereby staff could request advise or recommendations from the Golf Board on other golf related issues; also, define where the Golf Board could make recommendations on areas they would like to have input. Where would it fit if the Golf Board wished to bring up an issue? Jerry views this as being covered under the administrative part of the proposed code. Jim Doyle moved to recommend that the old paragraph #3 be eliminated and that the original fourth paragraph be moved to the #2 position. The motion was seconded by Hank Hoesli and carried (5:0). Jim Doyle then moved that the Golf Board Golf Board Minutes May 19, 1993 Page 2 recommend approval of the draft copy to include the recommended changes made at tonight's meeting. The motion was seconded by Henry Fry, and carried unanimously (5:0). These proposed changes will be taken to the City Attorney's office for legal review, then Jerry will bring a final version of the proposed changes to the June Golf Board meeting for further Board discussion. Jim Doyle asked if City Council could identify the Golf Fund as a true enterprise fund making it a separate from the City budget and Amendment 1 restrictions? Jerry stated that this would have to be decided by a vote of the people, and City Council would have to request this be placed on the ballot. Hank Hoesli suggested that in the second paragraph discussing payment of the bond at SouthRidge, that the words "and taxpayers" be removed. There was general consensus by the board. Hank commented that the letter covers the areas of board concern quite well. A lot of people may not realize that golf has stiff competition, and if the Golf Fund's hands are too tied, general operation will become quite a bit harder. A main area of concern is that we need to keep up with maintenance at all the courses. It was suggested by Tom White that numbers be inserted showing how many holes of golf were available 10 years ago compared to available golfing facilities today. Hank felt the letter should also mention the quality of the courses that have been opened in the area during the last year. Jerry stated that play in Fort Collins has held steady, but we have not grown like other areas. Jerry will edit the letter to incorporate current competition in the area, naming the courses. Board members did not feel it was necessary to attach a document verifying this information. However, Jerry stated since this is the only document we will be allowed to submit at this time, he would like to make the information as complete and succinct as possible. A motion was made by Jim Doyle that the Board recommend that staff proceed with the letter to the mayor and incorporate the suggested changes made by the Board at tonight's meeting. The motion was seconded by Hank Hoesli, and carried unanimously (5:0) Other Business - Jerry reported that the installation of netting along holes M5 and N6 at City Park Nine is currently at a standstill. Information and maps on this project were distributed to Board Members. Nearby residents complained because there was no neighborhood input. The poles are up, but work will not proceed at this time. The proposed netting will be 25' tall and residents felt they would lose their view of the golf course. Jerry had proceeded with the project without public notifications because the Planning Code does not call for any on these types of maintenance projects. It was asked if the installation of netting would solve the problem along hole M6? Jerry stated that the location of the nets was decided by watching where the balls were hit; making sure the nets would not interfere with Golf Board Minutes May 19, 1993 Page 3 current utility locations; and placing the nets where they would not obstruct play on #6. However, probably 15 percent of errant golf balls will not be stopped by the netting. Discussion centered on other possibilities for hole #6 at City Park Nine and the traffic along Mulberry. A couple of ideas were the planting of bushes or shrubs to deter balls from going into Mulberry traffic, or changing the placement of the tee box for this hole. It was stated that research has found that golf balls still go through bushes. The tee box has been moved previously when Mulberry was widened. It was further commented that golfers who slice will still slice, no matter where the tee box is placed. Henry Fry observed that it sounds like there will be considerable amount of review before the netting issue is decided. Jim Doyle asked how the City offices of Risk Management and the City Attorney view this situation? Jerry stated that since this just happened the day of the board meeting, he has been unable to meet with these offices for discussion. Tom asked if once the netting is installed, does it stay in place year round? Jerry replied that the netting does stay in place all year. The trees at City Park Nine have been trimmed back to keep the branches from ripping the netting. It was asked by Cindy Roper what the life span of the netting would be? Jerry responded this netting could last five to ten years. Hank Hoesli asked if the storage piles by the Collindale driving range could be located someplace else? It was commented that these piles are unsightly and many balls are lost in the debris. This issue could be discussed by the Golf Board over a period of time. A couple of options would be to clean up the piles, or possibly install fencing. Jerry will discuss this with Doug Evans at Collindale. Mixing sand for course maintenance needs to be easily accessed, but certainly the debris could be moved to one of the many open areas at Collindale. Joe Nance commented further that these situation seems to be dangerous when maintenance people are in the driving range area, and having to pick up range balls by hand around these piles. Jerry reported that eleven people submitted applications for appointment to the Golf Board. One applicant was eliminated from the process as their residence is just north of Michaud and outside the Urban Growth Area. This person was Jim Doyle. Jerry stated the Mayor has agreed to let Jim finish his current term on the Golf Board. When Jim initially applied for the Golf Board he asked if he was inside the UGA and was told yes; so he was surprised with this recent development. Since Jim will be unable to continue as a member of the Golf Board there will be at least two new members beginning in July. The parking situation in City Park along Bryan and in the City Park Nine parking lot is still a concern of Jim Doyle's. Jim has spoken with Councilman Horak on the parking situation at City Park, not just the golfing area. The whole complex is becoming a disaster area. Jim asked if the Golf Board can press the City to do something about this hazardous situation before an accident occurs? In addition to users of the golf course, the parks and recreation maintenance shop now has there seasonal help on board, and the summer activities are picking up in the park. Hank Hoesli agreed that parking is a major problem for the whole park, not just at City Park Golf Board Minutes May 19, 1993 Page 4 Nine Golf Course. In addition, Jerry reported that City Park Nine will lose about two spaces with the new handicapped parking requirements. It was felt by Jerry that since the Golf Division pays for maintenance of this lot, street lights, line painting, etc., the parking lot is a golf parking lot. It appears to him that one of the biggest problems is when CSU classes come to City Park Nine, each student drives their own car. The idea was presented by Henry Fry to discuss with CSU the possibility of transporting the students over on a bus. Jerry stated this issue will be studied further and recommendations from the board are appropriate. Jim Doyle moved that the Golf Board issue a statement that parking is inadequate in City Park and poses a hazard with children coming from and going to the playground and pool area and drivers passing through the park. The Golf Board further recommends that the City look into this situation and find a solution. Motion was seconded by Hank Hoesli. Motion carried (5:0) - Henry Fry asked if the monthly play reports could be sorted where like activities at the three courses could be placed together? Alyce will work on this. Jerry reported that it appears we are significantly behind in revenues. However, he will have more information soon when he is working with the budget. Jerry stated that he will try to schedule the August Golf Board meeting at City Park Nine so Board members could have the opportunity to see the computerized irrigation system. Board members commented that they really enjoyed holding the April meeting at SouthRidge. Motion was made by Hank Hoesli and second by Cindy Roper that the meeting adjourn. Motion carried (5:0) and the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman, Secretary III Golf Division Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Jim Doyle Cindy Roper Jerry P. Brown Frank Blanco Henry Fry Tom White Joe Nance Norma Ingraham Hank Hoesli Alyce Nierman