2001/10/25 Other MinutesCITY OF ROHNERT PARK
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
GOLF COURSE COMMITTEE /
MEETING
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Community Center Conference Room
MINUTES
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MISCELLANEOUS
COMMUNICATIONS
AGENDA
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1. The meeting was called to order by Recreation Director Barry.
Committee Members Present StaffPresent
Gary Tatman Tim Barry, Recreation Director
Jim Cronin John Theilade, General Manager
Andy Preston
Mike Harrow
Committee Members Absent
Gay Carlson (out oftown)
2. Welcome and Introductions.
Others Present
Tom Isaak, CourseCo
Charles Kitchen
The group went around the table and introduced themselves.
3. Origin of Committee and Goals.
T. Barry identified the origin of the committee, that it was approved by both the
Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council to assist the city in
overseeing the golf course lease with CourseCo and advise the Commission and
Golf Course Committee of the City Council on matters relating to the Mountain
Shadows Golf Resort. Barry also went over the Aug. 28, 2001 Grand Jury
response letter from City Manager Joe Netter, responding to complaints about
Mountain Shadows Golf Resort, that mentions the creation of such an oversight
committee designed to prevent past shortcomings of golf course management.
Barry clarified that the Committee's chief responsibilities are:
• To assist city staff in monitoring the lease agreement between CourseCo,
Inc. and the city and insure that maintenance standards established in the
lease agreement are met.
• To provide a mechanism for public feedback, complaints and input to golf
course management, city staff, the Parks and Recreation Commission and,
indirectly, to the City Council on matters relating to the operation and
maintenance ofthe Mountain Shadows Golf Resort.
• To address issues important to the continued improvement and viability of
the golf courses as a valuable community asset for Rohnert Park citizens.
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. -· Barry also clarified current Golf Course policies concerning a) the trading of golf
for services, and b) the customer feedback system. These items were requested
by the Grand Jury in their report as well.
A .. Meeting Schedule for Balance of Year.
Barry said that the Committee is to meet four times per year, and this meeting
would constitute the meeting of the fourth quarter of the year that covers October,
November and December. After discussion, the Committee agreed to meet the
first month of each quarter (January, April, July, October) on the third Thursday.
Therefore, the next meeting of the Committee will take place Thursday, January
17th at 9:00a.m. at the Community Center Conference Room.
5. Status Report on Golf Crouse Renovation.
J. Theilade gave a report on the progress of construction on the South (Willows)
Golf Course and indicated that construction by Continental Golf be done by
November 15th. He answered questions by Committee members. T. Isaak gave a
breakdown of the budget for the renovations of both courses, and indicated that
construction is within budget on the South Course, with the bridge construction
for holes 4 and 6 to be done at the same time as bridge construction on the North
(Redwoods) Course to coordinate engineering work and permits needed . He also
identified access to the golf course by pedestrians, bicycles, skateboards, etc. to be
a major concern from a safety and liability standpoint. He said they are interested
in addressing the behaviors of certain pedestrians rather than try to repeal the
city's ordinance that allows them to use the golf course. Committee members
discussed this issue and, by consensus, thought that the golf course was handling
the matter in a positive fashion.
6. Review of Maintenance Standards.
T. Barry went page by page through the Maintenance Standards that are part of
the lease agreement with CourseCo, previously sent to Committee members, and
went over each section. Questions by Committee members centered on the
aerification frequency for greens (Section 2d). Committee members felt that the
requirement of three times per year was excessive and intrusive to golfers who
have to play around the disruption to the greens. Barry said he would check with
Golf Course Superintendent Dick Rudolph on this point. He said that he has met
on two occasions with Rudolph, gone over the Maintenance Standards, and
Rudolph has given him a schedule for implementation of these Standards. Barry
said he is scheduled to visit the course regularly and review the completion of
major tasks identified in the Standards.
7. Items By/For Committee Members.
J. Theilade answered questions by Committee members concerning the operation
of the golf courses. Barry told Committee members that they would receive a
complete copy of the lease agreement between the city and CourseCo as soon as it
is ready (a preliminary copy is available now, but the complete copy will be ready
soon). Committee members discussed the poor condition of parts of the North
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Course, and J. Theilade responded that any major irrigation and drainage repairs
are on hold until the renovation project begins next spring. The course will
continue to be maintained according to standards, he said. He also said the public
is being notified of the future renovation ofthe North Course through word of
mouth at the golf shop and signage. Committee members also complimented
course management on the condition of the North Course in terms of greens and
fairways. When asked by Committee members, Barry clarified that the landscape
around the cat1 path exits that cross a street on the North Course are the
responsibility of the golf course to maintain. There are currently weeds present in
some locations that need to be removed. Other information was exchanged
between Committee members and J. Theilade.
8. Future Agenda Items.
Barry suggested that the Committee conduct a review of the city's lease
agreement with CourseCo at the next meeting, since they will have their copies by
then. Committee members also asked that a "Public Comment" be added to the
beginning of each agenda to serve any members of the public who wish to · address
the Committee.
9. Next Meeting.
The next meeting ofthe Committee will take place Thursday, January 17, 2002 at
9:00a.m. at the Community Center Conference Room.
10. Adjournment.
There being no further business, Barry adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ti
TB/s
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