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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 11/18/1992L CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLF BOARD City Council Liaison to the Board: Councilman Dave Edwards Staff Support to the Board: Jerry P. Brown, Assistant to the Director/CLRS; and Alyce Nierman, Golf Division Secretary MINUTES: Regular meeting of November 18, 1992 Before the meeting was called to order, Al Bednarz shared his thoughts and remorse at the passing of Council Person Cathy Fromme. Al was appointed to the Golf Board, along with Cathy Fromme, three years ago. He had the opportunity to work with her, got to know her well, and deeply regrets her passing. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Board President Al Bednarz. Agenda Review: Item #6- Role of Golf Board on selection process of SouthRidge Golf Professional. Al Bednarz is sensing a lot of concern from Board members about the perceived value of the Board and its recommendations. Maybe we can turn this into something positive by considering the broader issues of the Golf Board, and not focusing just on the selection process. Al received a call from the City Attorney specifically regarding the SouthRidge Golf Professional selection process which may end up in litigation. If the Golf Board discusses the issue, the City and Golf Board may be exposing themselves and become involved in the possible litigation. The City Attorney felt that discussion on this issue, as a board, may not be in the over all best interests of the City at this time. Cindy Roper feels the Golf Board should discuss this issue, but at this time discussion of this issue be tabled. It was moved by Larry Glass and seconded by Jim Doyle that the discussion of the role of the Golf Board vis-a-vis golf professional selection process be tabled at this time. Motion Carried (5:2) Minutes from the regular Board Meeting of September 16, 1992, and the Special Board Meeting of October 7, 1992, were unanimously approved unanimously (7:0), as submitted on a motion by Jim Doyle and seconded by Hank Hoesli. Citizen Participation: No citizen participation at this time. Board Member Mary Hodge arrived at this time. Discussion: Review of Implementation of the Smoking Ordinance at Golf Courses Jerry P. Brown reviewed information that was recently sent to the Board on the smoking issue. The citizens of Fort Collins in 1984 voted and passed the Smoking Ordinance which restricted smoking in public areas. After the election the City Manager at that time banned smoking in City -owned buildings. As liquor is served at the Lincoln Center and the golf courses, the decision on whether to allow smoking was left up to the respective departments. The Golf Board sitting at that time agreed with staff to designate certain areas in the clubhouses where smoking would be allowed. Jerry has never received complaints about smoking in Golf Board Minutes November 18, 1992 Page 2 the clubhouses until this year. If formal complaints are received we have to positively enforce the Ordinance. It was stated the real question is does this Board want to ban smoking at the courses altogether, or establish the designated areas and have better enforcement on these restrictions? Hank Hoesli requested the Board allow Mike Iacoboni, who works with a project for the tobacco free organization at CSU Extension Office, to speak at this time representing the non-smoking side of this issue. Speculation was made as to what problems would be raised in initiating a total smoking ban and the possible objections from smokers? Al Bednarz is not sure how big a problem we have. He also feels the Golf Board is here to represent the interests of the total golfing community. Mary Hodge admits to being very biased and would like to hear Mr. Iacoboni's presentation. Jim Doyle agreed with Al in that he doesn't feel we need to hear evidence of smoking hazards; everyone is aware that smoking is bad for your health. Further speculation was made on whether this should be a real issue with this Board until more complaints are received. Cindy Roper echoed the thoughts of Al and Jim, and added that this is the government getting involved in issues where it doesn't need to. Larry Glass asked if a smoking area had been designated at SouthRidge? It was responded that SouthRidge had not been looked at critically to decide where smoking areas could be established. Jerry also stated we don't have the true air system to control the smoke. Comments received from concessionaires reveal they could work with or without smoking. Henry Fry stated that, being an ex -smoker, he would be interested in hearing what Mr. Iacoboni has to say. Mr. Iacoboni deals with the issue of change quite frequently, but thinks that once non-smoking rules have been established, they will be well supported. It has been stated recently by the Environmental Protection Agency that second-hand smoke is a Class A carcinogen. Mr. Iacoboni believes that most golfers would comply with any regulations established; and feels that overall, non-smoking would be accepted. Jim agreed that setting aside areas where smoking is allowed does not solve the problem, but prefers this option rather than ban smoking altogether as he is interested also in the rights of smokers. Jim feels the need to "educate, not legislate". It was stated by Al that a City Ordinance is already established. We are faced with the question of how we want to enforce this ordinance, and do we want to recommend a change in the current status on smoking in the clubhouses? Henry asked what the ordinance states, and what is required? Hank said the ordinance establishes guidelines. In addition, Hank is interested in the rights of non- smokers. Mary commented that if she knows smoking is allowed in certain areas, she chooses not to enter into a building. Conditions she has encountered occurred at a recent tournament held at Collindale where there were a lot of smokers in the clubhouse; and the SouthRidge the bar area turns into a smoker facility if there is only one smoker in the room. She is willing to have the golf courses managed the same as any other City -owned facility, i.e. Lincoln Center. Mary is very much in favor of a total ban on smoking at all City facilities which would include golf course clubhouses. 0 Golf Board Minutes November 18, 1992 Page 3 Jerry stated if the Golf Board chooses to have a designated smoking area, it has to be posted. In addition there has to be a public path where non-smokers could pass through and not be crossing a designated smoking area. We cannot state that a particular room is for smoking only, as non-smoking areas are required. Owners of facilities have the option of choosing what they want to do, and the City determined that City -owned facilities would be smoke free. City Park Nine Golf Professional Jim Greer's main concern is to keep smokers out of the pro shop; the smell gets on to the clothes he has for sale. Collindale Golf Professional Joe Nance has the same concerns as Jim Greer. Joe does not allow smoking in the pro shop. On one hand the golf course is an athletic facility, but there is a high percentage of golfers that are smokers. He feels we should review the number of complaints received before we decide to ban smoking at the golf course clubhouses. At this point Joe has had only two complaints in the time he has been at Collindale. Mary does not like to have workers being subjected to second hand smoke, and wonders if employees would have the right to file complaints. Larry remarked that policy is one thing, but who would be responsible for enforcement? Mary suggested the reason we don't receive a high number of complaints is that people decide to just disregard the problem and not use the facility. Henry stated his wife smokes, and he deals with it. He feels we should take an active approach to segregate and accommodate and when we receive more complaints, we can review the issue at that time. Larry stated his personal preference would be to ban smoking everywhere. If SouthRidge is the only course that does not have a smoking area designated, we should establish an area for smoking, or establish a total ban at all three courses. Hank feels time is wasted by designating smoking areas, because if someone is smoking in a room it makes the whole room smokey. In discussing this issue with others he has received a lot of different ideas, but their preference would be to ban smoking. Al observed that we have discussed this for some time and asked if anyone would want to make a proposal. Jim Doyle moved the Golf Board table this subject until further study is made. This motion died for a lack of a second. Mary questioned what further study would be needed? Al further interpreted that it would be left up to the Golf Board and staff as to how they would handle smoking at the courses. Al observed that, unless there is a motion and a vote, he sees three avenues for the Board to take at this time: 1) totally ban smoking at all the courses; 2) decide what action to take at SouthRidge; or 3) let things go on with no changes. Henry commented that the law tells us what we have to do. Since we have not received a lot of complaints, maybe we should have better signage and enforcement of the smoking areas. Tom White asked what it might cost to install an exhaust fan to pull the smoke up and out of the rooms? Jerry estimated several thousand dollars. Larry asked what would happen if the board recommended smoking be banned in the clubhouses? Jerry responded that if the board says to do away with smoking, we will go forward and ban smoking at the courses. Enforcement would Golf Board Minutes November 18, 1992 Page 4 be handled through signage, and butt cans would be placed outside of building entrances. It was then moved by Hank Hoesli that the Golf Board make a recommendation to ban all smoking at all public golf courses. The motion was seconded by Mary Hodge. The motion was defeated (3:5). The three Golf Board members voting for a ban on smoking were Larry Glass, Mary Hodge, and Hank Hoesli. Those voting against included Al Bednarz, Jim Doyle, Henry Fry, Cindy Roper, and Tom White. Mary commented that since a total ban on smoking in the course clubhouses was not acceptable to the Board at this time, she would like the Board to consider better enforcement of where there is and is not smoking allowed, i.e. signs on tables. Larry strongly agrees that the signage needs to be improved, and that we should let Council make the decision if smoking should be banned. Hank asked if the concessionaire at each clubhouse would be the one to decide where smoking would be allowed? It was stated by Jerry that the Golf Board should take the lead in what we want done and would propose working with the concessionaire on the location of the smoking area. It was then asked percentage of areas can be designated smoking vs. non-smoking. Henry replied that according to the Smoking Ordinance a designated smoking area may not be more than 50%, and signs need to be put up designating smoking areas. Also, an effort need to be made to segregate smoking from non-smoking areas. Review and Approval: 1993 Golf Board Work Plan/Meeting Schedule Jerry P. Brown reported that every year, prior to November 30, all boards need to file a work plan for the coming year. A draft plan was previously submitted to the Golf Board for their review and approval. Work plans submitted are not written in stone, but are to be used as a guideline. Jerry added that the Board is free to add or delete items to the draft work plan submitted. Mary Hodge would like to review the capital improvements (wish list) proposed for the golf courses. Jim Doyle feels the "wish list" should be prioritized for more than one year at a time. Jerry pointed out that with the budget being due in June, April would be a good time to start discussion on the capital improvement issues. Al Bednarz feels we should also start reviewing golf fees and charges at this time. Henry Fry would like to see these topics be scheduled for review earlier so they can be given the consideration they deserve. Jerry reported that a couple of years ago the Golf Fund had a large reserve, and now that SouthRidge has been merged into the Golf Fund there is no large reserve to use for capital improvements. When a meeting is scheduled to discuss the capital improvements wish list, Jerry would like to have the superintendents of each course participate. February would be a good time to start the preliminary discussions, with the second meeting scheduled for April. Hank Hoesli proposed a change be made to the submitted work plan. It was suggested the word "Approval" be replaced with "Recommendation" on the January 20 meeting to read "Recommendation of Collindale and SouthRidge Snack Bar Concession Agreements". E Golf Board Minutes November 18, 1992 Page 5 One of the items on the work plan for 1993 was the review of our current tee time policy. Board comments were they have not heard complaints on our current tee time policy. Jerry has looked at automated systems for tee time reservations, and each course may be a little different. Jerry also stated there is potential to hold a public meeting sometime in May to get input from citizens on several different issues at the same time. Hank suggested the Golf Board meetings be scheduled at locations different from the 281 Conference Room. Maybe during the winter months the meetings should be held at the golf course clubhouses. Jerry will investigate this and look for alternative meeting sites. Jim Doyle moved that the Board approve the 1993 Golf Board Work Plan/Meeting Schedule as amended; seconded by Larry Glass. Motion passed (8:0). Other Business Jerry reported the bid is coming up for the SouthRidge snack bar, and he has been unable at this time to find a community member to serve on the selection review committee. Jerry stated the person asked to serve should have some understanding of the SouthRidge area. The Board gave Jerry a few leads from which he will make contacts and recruit someone to represent the Southridge residential community. The current concessionaire at City Park Nine is FunTime Concessions. Jerry is in receipt of a letter notifying us they do not intend to renew their contract in 1993. One option we have open is to renegotiate our current contract with FunTime. Jerry's preference is to work with FunTime for 1993 and work out something that would be equitable. Jim Greer had a lot of positive comments about FunTime Concessions at the beginning of the year, but started receiving complaints toward the end of the year. Prior vendors at City Park Nine Snack Bar have stated that they couldn't make money. Gross sales at City Park Nine Snack Bar through October are around $37,000. The current contract states the City gets a total of about 10%. Hank Hoesli stated that since patronage at City Park Nine doesn't appear to support a concession that maybe we should look at placing vending machines in the clubhouse for refreshments. Jim Doyle agreed with the idea of vending machines, and contracting the beer license back to the pro. Jim Greer said he would be very much open to this suggestion, and Jerry supports this option also. Discussion went around about the types of vending machines which are available. Jerry stated that Purchasing has given us leeway in our decision on the concession at City Park Nine Snack Bar. The Board unanimously concurred with transferring the beer license to the Golf Professional and allowing him to install vending machines, and provide other food and beverage services that would serve the customers. Board Members and Staff Comments/Reports Mike Powers will get back with the Board on legal issues of the SouthRidge Pro Selection Process; and when he is permitted to speak on this issue, he Golf Board Minutes November 18, 1992 Page 6 will answer any questions Board members have. On motion by Larry Glass and second by Tom White the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman Secretary III Golf Division Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Al Bednarz Mike Powers Mike Iacoboni Jim Doyle Jerry P. Brown Gary Thiret Henry Fry Randy Bonneville David Schneider Larry Glass Jim Greer Mary Hodge Joe Nance Hank Hoesli Alyce Nierman Cindy Roper Tom White