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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 04/27/1992 r� Brenda her City Cl4 Parks Committee Minutes April 27, 1992 Councilmembers Present: Christi Houser and Jim Bennett. Staff Present: Ed Chow, Barney Wilson, Tony McCarthy, Tom Brubaker, Robyn Bartelt, Lee Anderson and Pam Rumer. Others Present: Jean Parietti , Valley Daily News; Bill Doolittle, 412 N Washington; Connie Epperly, 639 S 5th Ave. ; Ted Loudenback, 21550 123rd Ave. SE; Steve Dowell , 430 Glenwood; and Janet Best, Riverbend Ladies Club. GOLF AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS Councilmember Houser opened by saying that after many hours of meeting and deliberation, the Advisory Committee came up with a list of recommendations (see attached) . She then asked for questions or comments. Ted Loudenback questioned if the recommendations were new or if some were recommended by the Parks Department in the past and were ignored because the City didn't have money or because of a frozen position. He sai'd that the Parks Department has already requested improvements at the driving range as well as additional equipment, but were not given consideration. Loudenbacch asked how an advisory committee can fund those recommendations. He felt that the recommendations were issues to be handled by staff. Houser explained that the Golf Advisory Committee was formed because complaints were received regarding things that need to be done at the complex. She added that the committee will be involved in some of the recommendations, while City staff will be responsible for others. Steve Dowell questioned why it is necessary for a Golf Advisory Committee to evaluate the snack bar operation. He asked if the consultant didn't already evaluate the snack bar operation and why staff couldn't evaluate it and request additional improvements. Councilmember Bennett said that the consultant did a minor evaluation but didn't see that there were any changes which needed to be made. He explained that it was golf course staff who requested certain improvements based on customer input. Several members of the public expressed concern that the Golf Advisory Committee meetings were supposed to be open to the public, but they did not see notification for all meetings. Bennett assured everyone that proper notification was given for all meetings (he estimated between 5 to 7) , and all were published in the newspaper. Bill Doolittle requested that notices for such meetings be posted on the public meeting board in City Hall . M Dowell reminded the Parks Committee that the City sent out an RFP for merchandising (public vs. private operation) at some time and suggested that the City should be careful that there is no conflict of interest between those who submitted RFP's and members of the committee when selecting advisory committee members. Both Dowell and Loudenback asked the Parks Committee to make sure that appointees to the Golf Advisory Committee aren't looking out for their own, interests rather than those of the community. Barney Wilson also commented that members with political agendas would bog down Riverbend's operations and that he hoped the complex could get a simplified committee that is made up of people who are interested in multi-use of the golf course. Houser said that members of the advisory committee will be chosen from a list of volunteers. She explained that the purpose of the advisory committee would be to get citizens involved so the City can get their input. She compared the proposed committee to the Arts Commission and the Human Services Commission. Bennett added that an advisory committee would better involve"the users and the golfing community, as well as better utilize the resources which ,are available. Doolittle referred to minutes of a previous City meeting and commented that Administration's initial approach to consider the audit was the Appropriateness of financing for the golf complex. He then asked how many of the 12 recommendations came from the $16,000 audit and how many came from the men's and women's clubs. Houser answered that 10 or 11 of the recommenMations came from the audit. Bennett then made a motion to adopt the 12 recommendations and to forward them to full Council for consideration. Janet Best of the Riverbend Ladies Club seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 2-0 vote. The recommendations will go to the May 5 City Council meeting for consideration. Wilson requested that the City Attorneys Office develop policies and procedures for the advisory committee to give members direction regardinpg how to operate. The Parks Committee agreed with this. Tom Brubaker said that he will research what other committees have done and bring back some guidelines for the Parks Committee's review. OTHER BUSINESS Doolittle requested that the Parks Committee consider eliminating the curfew of closing parks at dusk. He was particularly interested in Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park. While he said he understands that this was done for safety reasons, he did not feel the rest of the community should be deprived of access to some parks. The committee decided to place this issue on the next Parks Committee agenda for discussion. Houser suggested that someone from the Police Department should be present at that meeting. ' i GOLF ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RIVERBEHD GOLF COMPLEX 1. Continue to operate the Golf Complex under City mane ement, however, establish a Golf Advisory Committee with representatives from user groups, the community at large, the Complex, the Administration, and the City Council to provide input regarding issues related to the operation of the Golf Complex. The Committee should report to the City Council Parks Committee. 2. Establish the position of Golf Director to oversee all golf related activities. Then consult with the PGA Community Relations Office to review employment contract options for a Golf Director and finally hire an experienced individual through an open interview process, with recommendations from the Golf Advisory Committee. 3. Review the advantages/disadvantages of having the Golf Complex report directly to Administration. 4. Look for ways to increase cash flow such as increasing cart utilization and having peak and off-peak pricing policies. 5. Review cash handling procedures on a regular basis. 6. Evaluate automating the purchase of driving range balls. 7. Evaluate the snack bar operation to find ways to increase its revenues and the services that it provides. 8. Bring in the USGA Greens Section advisory staff for regular consultations and based upon their recommendations and those of the Superintendent, purchase the necessary equipment to maintain and improve the condition of the Golf Complex. 9. Prepare a plan to improve the driving range facility. The plan should address expanding the hitting areas and establishing facilities for conducting quality golf instruction. 10. Develop financial statements that show the profit/loss for each of the Complex's revenue sources and review the appropriateness of current administrative charges being made against the Golf Complex budget. 11. Audit the Pro Shop (merchandise sales) operation to determine if at the current inventory levels, its financial viability is worth the risk the City has undertaken. This audit should be completed by October 1, 1992. 12. Prepare a five year operating plan which will contain long and short range goals, revenue and expense projections, and a future needs analysis.