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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-19 Golf Board MinutesCITY OF CALDWELL Caldwell Golf Board - Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 1P, 2022 8:00 AM Zach Wagoner, Chairman called the meeting to order. Members Present: Jeanne Cridebring, Women's Representative Sue Kushlan Chuck Bosen, Secretary Zach Wagoner, Chairman Shirley Akagi, Vice Chairman Pam Wagoner, Jr. Golf Representative Dwight Barker, Men's Representative Doreen Burnham Staff Present: Ken Wheeler, Course Superintendent Brett Williams, Purple Sage Golf Course Professional John McGee, City Council Representative Members Unable to Attend: Deputy Treasurer, City of Caldwell Review of Minutes from August 17", 2022 APPROVED Date Z Z02_3 The minutes from the August 170, 2022, were reviewed by the board prior to the meeting. After a minor spelling correction, Doreen Burnham moved to accept the minutes. Sue Kushlan seconded the motion — the motion carried. Old Business. Brett Williams reported that he had reached out to City attorneys regarding the issues discussed at previous meetings including dress code and signage to be posted at both courses and small children on the golf course. Brett received a message from the attorney during the meeting with a plan to discuss further. Brett will present the recommendation on signage suggested by the board at the last meeting and need to address small children on the courses. Brett will report back at the next meeting. New Business: Staff/Representative Reports: Golf Professional: Brett Williams reported that there are not official numbers for revenue announced but showing that the courses should easily break even for the fiscal year. Cash flow trending to the positive of about $100K year over year. Revenue has trended up about 10% ($100K) year over year at Purple Sage and about 20% ($50K) year over year at Fairview. The increases are primarily attributed to the increases in green fees, but cart rentals, pro -shop sales and cafe sales have also contributed to the significant increase. Brett noted the very strong support of Mayor Wagoner and the City Council. That support is evident in the anticipation that surplus revenue will be re -invested into the golf courses. Brett further reported that Purple Sage is expecting a new range ball machine to arrive any day that will alleviate the need to constantly address issues in obtaining balls from the old machine. It is expected that the cost for a range -ball token will increase by a dollar. However, the number of golf balls received for each token would also increase and be consistent. Brett also noted that next season will include some minor increases to the green fees and season passes to be a little closer to market comparisons with other courses in the valley. The board expressed that Purple Sage remains far and above the best value for quality golf in the valley with superior course conditions and still below market prices. Brett noted that October revenue will be at record highs — given the exceptional weather and course conditions lending to higher volume of players. This is a great start to the new fiscal year (starting in October 2022). Finally, Brett noted the updates to the driving range practice surface and other enhancements at Purple Sage. The practice pad on the back of the driving range tee used a new state of art matt. The surface is more durable, allows use of tees and provides a quality practice experience. Use of the matt will allow for preservation of the grass practice tee. The matt will be required during non -growing season and as determined by Brett and Ken Wheeler. Brett also briefly described that the staff in the club house was stable and of a very high quality. He also noted that Braxton Miller had set up a room in the club house that would allow for lessons to continue throughout the winter. The room has a practice net and quality launch monitor to provide for a quality experience. Zach Wagoner and the members of the golf board expressed appreciation to Brett for his dedicated service and excellent results during his first five years now. Under his leadership and guidance, original goals and expectations have been met and exceeded. Shirley Akagi requested feedback from Brett on role of the Marshalls as discussed at the last meeting. Brett noted that he had addressed concerns and while the season is ending now, he expected marshals to be even more effective next season. Jeanne Cridebring requested that Brett's training with marshals also include responding to direction directly from club house personnel observing concerns. Brett acknowledged that this would be included. Superintendent: Ken Wheeler reported that some of the turf was lost for the season due to the excessive heat. He noted that during the season that the temperature hit 95 degrees or higher on at least 58 days— many of them exceeding 100 degrees. With attention and rigorous watering, much of the lost turf recovered well. Some small areas will not fully recover until spring of next year. Ken noted that of priority and concern to him is labor needs for next season. He has staff retiring and wage demands are far exceeding budgeted wages. Remarkably, Ken has been able to use the human resources available quite efficiently to continue to provide a very high -quality course condition. AT this point, Ken anticipates sprinkler blow outs at the end of October and treatment with snow -mold preventer. Ken further reported that he anticipates replacing rock at Fairview at location of previous garden for better usage and lower maintenance demand. He noted that the autonomous mowers haven been effective and will continue to be utilized. Ken also noted that the City Street Department will seek to continue cart -path upgrades in the spring as their schedule will allow. Ken noted that $35K was budgeted for cart -paths in 2023 and with his staff doing the prep work, he hopes to have them do holes 10-14. Ken noted that in 2023 that current loans should be paid in full which will allow for additional cash for investment. This would include potentially additional equipment and carts among other capital investments. Finally, Ken noted that challenges in getting equipment and parts at this time. Items needed are often several months out before they could be available. The golf board expressed to Ken admiration and appreciation for the exceptional work that he and his crew are doing. Feedback continues to include that course conditions are superior. Praise and recognition have been surely earned! City of Caldwell Report: John McGee reported that most of what he would report on has been well addressed in the reports from Brett and Ken. John expressed that the City of Caldwell is very aware of the labor and wage challenges and have made it an ongoing priority to address as able. John also reiterated the solid support of Mayor Wagoner and the City Council of the golf enterprise and key role in community for the City of Caldwell. Finally, John noted that a new City Parks and Recreation director has been hired. Julie McCoy will be staring in this new role beginning next Monday. The golf enterprise will align under her leadership and guidance. Report on Women's Association: Jeanne Cridebring, the Women's Representative reported that the golf course signage is still missing when exiting 1-84 on exit 25 and when turning onto Old Highway 30. This will be re -addressed when the construction is completed next year. Jeanne also noted that one of the bushes at Fairview did not survive the move and needed to be removed. Some of the senior men are anticipated to assist and help with maintenance of the Rose Garden. Jeanne further noted that the Travel Team finished their season finishing in 4' place net and 61" place overall among 12 total teams. The final event was held at Purple Sage and was again very well received. Jeanne thanked Brett for hosting and catering the event. The feedback was again very positive from participants. One lady golfer did suggest the ditches be filled in. In gest, Jeanne responded with firm "no", this is how the course is irrigated and can sustain pristine conditions. Jeanne noted that there were 42 participants in the recent cross-country mixer which was the best turnout yet. She noted that the Halloween Mixer was set for Tuesday, October 25" and would conclude the season for the CLGA. Finally, Jeanne noted that $1047 had already been raised for the CLGA project to support Meals on Wheels. She anticipated the CLGA to donate an additional $500 and provide the service for the project. This is an increase over last year and exceeds their goal. The board expressed admiration and appreciation to Jeanne and the CLGA for their tremendous service for the association and the community at large. Report on Men's Association: Dwight Barker reported that the final event for the season is the Pneumonia Open scheduled for this weekend. At this time there are 12 3-man teams signed up, so plenty of room for additional teams. This year it is being held at Purple Sage, but it is anticipated to return to Fairview next year where it has been held for many years previously. Finally, Dwight provided praise and feedback from the CMGA for Brett and Ken for a terrific season. He again noted the feedback that the course conditions have been exceptional and truly appreciated. Junior Golf Report: Pam Wagoner reported that the Junior Golf season is ending —just two more weeks left. It has been a very active and successful season! It will resume next summer. Pam expressed appreciation to Brett and his staff for the tremendous support — especially for the work that Braxton Miller has provided in elevating the program. Other Items: Brett reported that having Fall Golf for high school teams (4A and 5A divisions) has been well received and did not have any material impact on overall operations. He would welcome this to continue in the future. Brett did note that the course hosted a large high school cross-country meet recently. This has been hosted for many years, but this was a very large event and the course closed to golf during the meet. Due to the volume of participants and spectators, and the impact on course operations, he does not anticipate hosting this event in the future. He recommends a park or other like venue be used to not disrupt the course operations in the future. The board acknowledges that golf in the City of Caldwell is in a very good place currently. The support of Brett, Ken, Mayer Wagoner and the City Council is definitely noticed and appreciated. There courses are profitable again, the Men's and Women's Associations are strong and growing. The quality of the product is better than ever. Of particular note, Zach Wagoner and Jeanne Cridebring remarked that embracing technology has proven to be remarkable. The use of autonomous mowers, the new model lithium battery powered carts, the practice surface on the driving range, and other investments are evidence of tremendous support and have elevated golf in the City of Caldwell. Sue Kushlan noted that there is an uneven surface creating a hazard on the southeast corner of the building at Purple Sage. Ken will review and address as indicated. Shirley Akagi expressed appreciation to Zach Wagoner for his years of service to the golf board. This sentiment was shared by the members of the board. Doreen also expressed appreciation to Shirley for her many years of service. Again, this sentiment was shared by members of the board. Board Elections for 2023: Board Chair — Jeanne Cridebring motioned to nominate Sue Kushlan. Pam Wagoner motioned to nominate Chuck Bosen — Shirley Akagi seconded the motion. A vote by role call was taken and unanimously approved Chuck Bosen to be the chair for 2023. Vice Chair —Shirley Akagi moved to nominate Zach Wagoner —Chuck Bosen seconded the motion. A vote by role call was taken and unanimously approved Zach Wagoner to be the Vice Chair for 2023. Secretary — Sue Kushlan moved to nominate Jeanne Cridebring. Shirley Akagi moved to nominate Sue Kushlan. Sue declined expressing that she did not feel she could fulfill the responsibilities of the position related to limited computer experience. Shirley Akagi moved that Pam Wagoner be nominated — Doreen Burnham seconded the motion. A vote by role call was taken and unanimously approved Pam Wagoner to serve as Secretary. Meeting Schedule for 2023: Jeanne Cridebring suggested a schedule of 5 meetings to be held every other month beginning in February and concluding in October. Further discussion indicated that there would be limited items for discussion in February and potentially 4 meetings could be adequate. It was noted that an additional meeting could be called by the board if indicated. The board determined that the following meeting schedule would be utilized for 2023: March 15"'; June 211'�; August 161h; and October 18141. Meetings will be held a 8:00 AM at Purple Sage Golf Course. The board noted that an additional meeting would not be scheduled at this time, but if the need arose, would be communicated by the board. Adjournment: Doreen Burnham moved to adjourn the meeting at 8.56 AM, Shirley Akagi seconded the motion, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Chuck Bosen October 2022