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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 07/20/1983• CITY OF FORT COLLINS • PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT GOLF ADVISORY BOARD Minutes: Regular Meeting - July 20, 1983 The meeting was called to order at 7:31 P.M. by Chairman Tom Skillman. Chairman Skillman introduced returning Board member, Dick Zubradt, who has been appointed by Council replacing Jim Mitchell, and Shirley P. Adams, who has been appointed as the Alternate Member, replacing Mr. Zubradt. Board member, Bill Basow, is absent, so Alternate Member, Shirley Adams, was given voting status. AGENDA REVIEW - One item has been added to the published Agenda, as follows: Item #9, Other Business, "Golf Division Quarterly Report - April to June, 1983". CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - None MINUTES - The minutes of the last regular meeting of June 15, 1983, were approved unanimously as submitted, on a motion by John Drescher, seconded by Bill Zech. Ranger Program Staff referred to its memorandum of June 21, 1983, regarding the "Volunteer Ranger Program/Larry Thorpe Issue". Mr. Thorpe, without any authorization, assumed the Board last month gave him permission to serve as a Volunteer Ranger. This was not true, and staff asked Mr. Thorpe to immediately stop such actions. Mr. Thorpe was told that the Board asked staff to study the question of Rangers, and bring back a proposal to the next Board meeting. In any case, Mr. Thorpe is not the kind of person we want as a Ranger on our courses. Also, no volunteer -type Ranger Program over a long-term has ever proven successful, according to staff research. After further discussion, staff recommended that we experiment with a six week paid Ranger Program at both courses, paying the Rangers $3.87 per hour contractually. There is 'contingency' funding available to cover the costs for six weeks. Rangers (up to maybe six different individuals) will work 10 to 12 hours per day, seven days per week, until Labor Day (except for Ladies' Day, scheduled large tournaments, etc.). The two Golf Professionals will control the Program. The purpose of the program will be as much educational, rather than strict enforcement of rules. At our October Board meeting, we will evaluate the Program. The people who serve as Rangers will be invited to attend that meeting for their input. Neil Johnson stated he feels the outcome of this experiment may be just giving more hours/money to to Golf Pros to handle Ranger duties. Discussion of 1984 Proposed Budget As we discussed at the last Board meeting, it appears that Fees and Charges for 1984 will have to be increased up to 10% maximum in order to meet all expenditures. However, if 1983 Revenues yield higher than budgeted amounts, the 1984 fees may not need to be increased any more than 5%. Several Board members expressed the philosophy that fees should not go up at all, and other members feel Green Fees should go up to cover the needs, but Annual Passes should not be increased. Staff and other Board members discussed the Fee Structure Policy adopted last year. Some Board members think City Council should again provide a "subsidy" to the Golf Fund since they subsidize tennis, softball Capital Improvements, Lincoln Center, etc. Staff again expressed the policy on Golf, and other Board members reminded the group of past efforts in this area. We are 'competing' with Fire, Streets and Police, for General Fund money, and Golf just doesn't seem as important as those issues. It was stated that Golf facilities is a major reason large employers may move to Fort Collins (according to the Chamber of Commerce research), and that Council should recognize that fact. Much more discussion ensued. Staff told the Board that Council would hold Public Budget hearings in September, and is scheduled to adopt the 1984 Budget and Fees in October. The Board will approve the final recommended 1984 Fees and Charges at its September meeting. Staff reminded the Board that last year the Board decided that once "Surcharge" money had approximately 25% of the Expenditure Budget available, that maybe we could use Surcharge Funds for Capital Outlay and some course improvements. Board members want to further study this possibility, as well as continue to pursue some Lottery money for the golf courses. Consideration of Holding an August Meeting Since the budget is so important, and Fees and Charges are such an emotional as well as a financial concern, the Board decided to hold a regular August meeting to discuss these issues. The meeting of August 17th will then be an Open Forum on the Budget and Fee Structure. The three Golf Associations will be notified and invited to attend. Other Business - Staff distributed the Golf Division Quarterly Report for April to June, 1983. There was some discussion. Eileen Banks got a "hole -in -one" at Collindale at No. 8 recently. Jerry P. Brown reported on the continued recent vandalism at City Park Nine. - Neil Johnson provided his update on the status of SouthRidge Greens Golf Course. They are having water related problems, and may have to capture the water as Neil originally recommended to them. Neil does not think they will be ready to open next year as they are scheduled. - Jerry reported on the apparent mis-information private golf cart owners are receiving. We are not eliminating the use of privately owned golf carts. We are only eliminating the storage of said carts at City Park Nine, as approved in 1982. Correspondence/Financial and Statistical Reports were received and filed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. MEETING ATTENDANCE Board Members Tom Skillman John Drescher Eileen Banks Carl Kansala Dick Zubradt Bill Zech Shirley P. Adams Respectfully submitted, Dick Zubradt, Secretary Staff Jerry P. Brown Neil Johnson Rich Frye Guests Glenn Gettman (CMGA)