City Council

CITY OF BRITT – BRITT IOWA – JANUARY 20TH, 2020 The City Council of the City of Britt, Iowa met in pursuant to law and the rules of said Council in special session in the Council Chambers in City Hall at 6:00 o’clock P.M. the 20th day of January 2020. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arndorfer, and the following Council members were: PRESENT: Stacy Swenson, Curt Gast, Karrie Wallen, Paul Verbrugge and Chad Luecht ABSENT: None GUESTS: Denny Drabek – Garner Councilperson/Golf Course Board Member & Daisy Huffman – City Clerk for the City of Garner Britt Golf Course Board – Brad Sifert, Duane Doughan, Lynn Peterson & John Weiland Mayor Arndorfer opened the special meeting to discuss the experience the City of Garner had when they took over their golf course. They spoke of issues they encountered when the first acquired the golf course. One of the biggest issue the course was having, prior to being taken over by the city, was operating cash. They had old debt on top of newer loans, so it was hard to get ahead. Since the takeover Garner’s course has successfully been operating since 2014. They have an agreement with a non-profit who runs the course and the city, for the most part, helps out with the purchase of capital equipment, and does repairs to the building as it is considered to be city property but they do not normally have to subsidize operating costs. The course has been self-sustaining. When asked if the city has representation on the board Drabek responded out of the seven members the city has two seats. This gives them some say in the decisions being made. The agreement, which the city has with the non-profit, renews every two years. When asked if they had to do it all over again would they still make the same decision and without hesitation Garner representation said yes. Keeping an amenity like a golf course is good for a city as it adds another quality of life option. Members of the Britt Golf Course stated their property doesn’t need much repaired. The biggest repairs will need to be to the cart sheds. They offer discounted membership fees if you buy them early and they average around 90 memberships a year. It is apparent that if the City of Britt does not step in the golf course will have no option than to close down. To allow the public input on this topic it was decided we would discuss this matter at the first council meeting on February 4th, 2020. Garner’s agreement will be forwarded to our city attorneys to review. The public is encouraged to come and ask questions if they have any. With no further business it was moved by Verbrugge and seconded by Gast to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Debra R. Sawyer, City Administrator/Clerk Ryan L. Arndorfer, Mayor “These minutes are as recorded by the Clerk and are subject to Council approval at the next regular meeting.”