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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board - Minutes - 04/17/1991CITY OF FORT COLLINS CULTURAL, LIBRARY, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES GOLF BOARD MINUTES: Regular Meeting of April 17, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Vice President Dan Preble. Al Bednarz and President Roger Sample were unable to attend tonight's Board meeting. Cathy Fromme has resigned her position as she is now on City Council. Agenda Review: There were no additions or changes to the printed agenda. Minutes: The minutes from the regular meeting of March 20, 1991 were unanimously approved as presented. Citizen Participation: Henry Fry questioned pre-SouthRidge days and discussion held around building a golf course at the Pineridge open space area and how a Pineridge course would have been financed had not the SouthRidge offer been presented to the City? Jerry P. Brown reviewed that Pineridge is owned by the City. Construction would have been just under $3 million (1980 prices). The land was acquired in the mid- 1970's with the concept that a golf course could be constructed on a portion of it. A presentation was made to Council in 1982 on constructing a course at Pineridge. There were concerns raised at that time regarding environmental impact on the foothills area. Around that time Bucain came to Council with their proposal and Pineridge plans were tabled. If the course at Pineridge was resurrected, environmental issues would have to be resolved. Terry Gilmore question how Loveland is paying for the courses currently being built? SouthRidge Update Jerry reviewed the SouthRidge sale activities. Accent Resources rejected the survey and therefore pulled out of the purchase of SouthRidge Golf Course: The withdrawal of purchase offers had nothing to do with land at SouthRidge, it really dealt with the land to south of the course where they perceived environmental opposition. Also, the initial investment group evidently backed out because they didn't understand the course had to remain public. Council is looking for feedback. They will probably look at a higher fee structure for 1992 if SouthRidge is kept. Ideas for solution to issues were listed by Jerry as follows: 1) Eliminate annual pass play and charge somewhat higher fees for all play. 2) Retain existing fee structure and increase fees at Collindale and City Park Nine by $100,000 and SouthRidge by $150,000 with no discounts. 3) Apply the same fee structure (including annual passes) at all three courses and significantly increase pass fees and green fees with no discounts. Council voted last night for staff to bring to their May 7 meeting a list of potential options as they want to bring closure to the SouthRidge sale issue. Golf Board Minutes April 17, 1991 Page 2 Jerry presented a list of eight potential options as follows: 1) No Sale of SouthRidge. 2) City would operate for two to three years, then consider a sale. 3) City operates course for the next two to three years on entrepreneurial basis. 4) Lease SouthRidge to private operator. 5) Turn operations over to a private management firm. 6) Negotiate lease/purchase of course over a two- to three-year period. 7) Clean up existing encroachments and re -package SouthRidge for sale and transfer no later than February 1992. If there is no sale at that time, re- evaluate the efforts. 8) Negotiate an immediate sale with people who initially bid on SouthRidge. Steve Jouard expressed his feelings that Council only wants to eliminate the debt. He would like to see the Golf Division have a chance to operate SouthRidge and see what type of revenues can be raised. Board Members' consensus was to support Option 1, but would accept Option 2. Henry Fry suggested adding to the list of potential options a one -quarter cent sales tax to pay debt at SouthRidge. The City will operate SouthRidge Golf Course through the balance of 1991. 1992 Golf Fund Capital Projects Jerry reviewed a list of potential desirable Capital Projects. We have $30,000 available for 1992 desired projects. However, there are approximately $37,000 worth of repairs currently needed at the Collindale Clubhouse. Henry Fry commented that people who play at Collindale seem to be looking for improvements at the clubhouse. Jerry recommended the decision on where to spend these funds be set aside until July or August. It was moved by Terry Gilmore that funds for desired capital improvements be set aside and the Golf Board review capital project options in July or August with a decision being made at that time on projects for 1992. Motion was seconded by Dick Zubradt. Motion carried (4:0) With regard to the Collindale Restroom, the neighbor/resident of Collindale, where the City hoped to lay waste water lines, switched mortgage companies and obtaining easement rights for the lines is no longer an issue. The restroom will be completed by June 1. Construction of future restrooms would run in the neighborhood of $35,000 because of water taps, not just material and labor. Community Value of Golf Jerry played a video tape on the environmental value of golf courses. During the March meeting of the Golf Board it was decided that board members would bring suggestions and views of the community value of golf to this meeting. Golf Board Minutes April 17, 1991 Page 3 Each member then presented their ideas. Dan Preble expressed the two values he feels worth mentioning are the aesthetics of golf courses and competitiveness of play. Dick Zubradt stated that businesses looking at a community for future location, look at the recreation facilities available, and golf is definitely a business draw. Secondly, golf as a sport keeps youth off the street, and we should further try to assist youth golfers. Steve Jouard stated his feelings dovetail with Dick's comments, and wonders how a dollar figure can be placed on these types of value? With businesses relocating to Fort Collins, aging residents currently in Fort Collins, and people moving here to retire; maybe the Golf Board should look into acquiring statistics on these. Maybe we should not focus on the aging population as golf is available for all ages. Terry Gilmore's thoughts center around environmental assets, competitiveness of golf, and ability for people to get away from the hustle and bustle of life as golf is very stress relieving. Another facet to consider is that golf can be played individually; no need to have a team. Jerry is currently reviewing the Recreation fee policy. Joe Nance said Fort Collins is becoming a retirement area as people would rather suffer through few cold months and be able to play golf a large part of the year. Henry Fry reinforces Dick Zubradt's comments. Golf is important to the youth of the community and gives them an alternative to deleterious activities. Joe has heard other types of sports participation is down; and golfing seems to be increasing. Henry reiterated this as evidenced that 120 kids tried out for golf this year. Certainly seems to be a growing activity. Dick read it costs $25,000 to rehabilitate kids involved with substance abuse. When kids get involved in outside activities, there is less time for them to become involved in unproductive areas. Dick also suggested we talk to Rick Aust here in Fort Collins. Mr. Aust is knowledgeable on effluent water. Jerry stated that based on the $250,000 taxpayer subsidy, we could easily present philosophical views to cover about one-half of that cost. With the reasons presented tonight, plus the environmental issue, we could probably cover most of the SouthRidge debt costs. High School Golf Fee Charges Jerry reported the last review of high school fees was in June 1987. Nothing has changed since that time. Concerns were expressed on whether increases could be implemented by this fall. Dick Zubradt said there would not be a problem if there is a fee change. We just need to inform the districts of any new charges. If other school districts charge $3.00, Fort Collins should charge the same amount. He suggested an increase from $2.00 per player to $3.00 and from $10.00 to $15.00 per team (which ever is greater) to move more in line with other district charges. Play on weekdays for high school golf will remain free. The weekend play fee is also applicable for coaches. Henry Fry hates to see one kid kept from playing golf to make room for a coach on a team. He does understand it is a coaching philosophy. In varsity, at the high school level, there are five players per team. After further discussion, it was moved by Steve Jouard and seconded by Terry Gilmore to increase high school golf fees from $2.00 per player to $3.00 per player and from $10.00 per team to $15.00 per team (which ever is greater) to Golf Board Minutes April 17, 1991 Page 4 move more in line with other school district charges. Motion carried (4:0). Jerry requested in the fall of 1991 the coaches try to re-route and use SouthRidge if arrangements can be made with Kent Heusinkveld. Dick Zubradt said he will send out schedules to SouthRidge. It is OK for school players to qualify at SouthRidge. Other Business - Jerry presented the plans for the Knickers Golf Course on South College. Plans were presented to Board members for review and a report was read. This is just information sharing; we are not in an advisory capacity. A brief discussion was also held on a course being built north of Anheuser- Busch. - Jerry reported that protective netting is being installed at Collindale Golf Course by the driving range. Poles are 40' high and the screen is 37.5' with 1' to 1.5' clearance at ground level. This will act as protection for cars and people traveling along Lemay Avenue and in Warren Park. Additional trees will be planted to try hiding the screen. Costs will run between $5,000 and $7,000. This screen should stop about 85 percent of errant balls from the driving range. We will probably be placing signs on the driving range stating that golfers can be held responsible for their errant balls. - Joe Nance has hired two people to work as course marshals and is receiving very positive feedback: "Thanks", "It's about time", "Fastest course I have played at Collindale". - Henry Fry reported the Collindale Men's Association has chosen as a project to install a permanent sign, possibly above the north door. Jerry will meet with Henry on the sign design and placement. - As Dick Zubradt's term is ending this year and Cathy Fromme had to resign her term since election to City Council, the Golf Board will have two vacancies to fill this year. Council will probably extend time for submittal of applications. - Dave Edwards is the new City Council liaison to the Golf Board. The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alyce Nierman, Secretary III Golf Division Meeting Attendance Board Members Staff Guests Dan Preble Jerry P. Brown Henry Fry Terry Gilmore Joe Nance Steve Jouard Alyce Nierman Dick Zubradt