Golf Commission

CHICOPEE MUNICIPAL GOLF GOLF COURSE COMMISSION 1290 Burnett Road Chicopee, Ma 01020 Tel. (413) 594-9295 Fax (413) 594-7596 . www.chicopeema.gov/golf www.Chicopeecountryclub.com Tom Robak Brian Mendes Glenn LaPlante Chairman Vice-Chairman Recording Clerk Meeting Minutes November 15, 2023 The Chicopee Golf Commission meeting will be held on November 15, 2023 at the Chicopee Country Club located at 1290 Burnett Road at 6:00 p.m. The items to be discussed include the agenda items listed below. Anyone recording this meeting other than meeting minutes? None CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER 6:00 P.M. Chairman Robak called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Attendance: Chairman Robak, Commissioner LaPlante, Commissioner Polchlopek, Vice Chairman Mendes via telephone. Director O’Neill, Superintendent Bach via telephone. -1- Suggestion Box Review: None to review Public Input: None a. Each speaker is asked to direct their comments to the Chair and keep their remarks to 3 minutes. Communications: Director O’Neill stated he received a request from Mass Golf requested holding a Public Link Qualifier. Director O’Neill stated he booked the outing for Tuesday June 18, 2024. Acceptance of October 11, 2023, Minutes: A motion was made to accept the October 11, 2023 minutes by Commissioner Polcholpek, the motion was 2nd by Commissioner Mendes. All in favor, motion passes. Director Report: Director O’Neill gave the following report. He mentioned the month had been up and down. He stated that frost has arrived, and starting times have been delayed. He reported there were two outings held this month, also mentioned the Turkey Shoot was scheduled for this coming Sunday the 19th., and there are 92 players signed up. He stated this will be the last outing of the season. The course will be closed on Tuesday November 21st, the greens will be deep tined and because of the weather it is best to close for the day. He mentioned the course will be closing for play on Sunday November 26th for the season. He mentioned that going forward to next year, he had 15 outings already signed up. He also mentioned that there have been 13 passholder sign ups to date, 10 renewals and 3 new passholders. Superintendent Report: Superintendent Bach gave the following report. He mentioned that November has seen a lot of frost, and it has put a damper on his scheduled work. He mentioned that they have been working on the leaves as much as possible, and there about 90% complete. He mentioned that as we near the end of the season he is preparing for all the season late applications. He mentioned they are about 1/3 done core aerating the fairways. He also mentioned the irrigation system has been blown out and winterized. Concession Report: No one in attendance Chairman Robak reminded Director O’Neill that the Concessionaires still need to provide a letter to the Commission to store their equipment during the off season -2- New Business 1. Range Wi-Fi up-grade not very reliable Chairman Robak mentioned that he has received a lot of complaints from people trying to use the ball machine at the driving range that were unable to use their credit card for coins. Director O’Neill will reach out to the city and see if they could look at the situation and see if they can boost the signal to the Driving range shed, he will investigate switching to CEL as a provider for internet. 2. Pine tree on 6 fairway trim back left side and remove dead limbs. Director O’Neill said the Forestry Dept was here today to look at the tree. They will be back soon to do the work. 3. Bid opening for 12th green work, seek funding for request. Superintendent Bach stated he looked over the proposal and thought the details on the scope of the project looked good. Chairman Robak opened the project up for discussion; the Commission reviewed the proposal, and a discussion was held. Director O’Neill explained the process to the Commission on how to move forward. Commissioner LaPlante made a motion to accept the proposal that was received and to have Director O’Neill move forward with the process of getting the funding approval. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Polchlopek. A roll call was taken. Chairman Robak, yes Commissioner Mendes, yes Commissioner LaPlante, yes Commissioner Polchlopek, yes All in favor, motion passes. 4. Concession area mini splits, resolve problems with the two that were installed by city discussion. -3-  Director O’Neill stated that the repairs have been completed. He also stated he scheduled them to be checked again at the beginning of next season. 5. Schedule cleaning of grease trap Director O’Neill will be scheduling this work to be done, usually done at the end of the season. 6. City posting of Golf minutes. Director O’Neill stated he had a discussion with the city about whose responsibility it was to post the minutes. Director O’Neill stated that he was told they want the dept heads to start posting their minutes. Director O’Neill stated he will be posting our minutes. 7. Christmas Pro shop hours. Director O’Neill stated the Holiday hours are Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 2pm up until Christmas eve. Old Business: 1. Tree planting update Director O’Neil and Superintendent Bach had discussed where to start planting new trees. They decided to start along the right side of the 1st tee box. Superintendent Bach will remove a few of the dead trees and plant new ones, he mentioned he wasn’t sure because of the frost if they would get planted before winter though. 2. Broken cleat cleaner replacement 11hole update Director O’Neill stated it was ordered received but will not be installed util the beginning of next season. 3. 9th hole cart path update There was discussion on how to go about repairing the cart path. Director O’Neill explained that we would have to create an RFP and send it out to start the process. A motion was made by Commissioner Mendes to have Director create an RFP to do the necessary repairs on the 9th hole cart path. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Polchlopek. All in favor, motion passes. Director O’Neill will prepare the RFP for this work to be done. 4. Golf maintenance contract update -4-  The Commission reviewed the only proposal received for the maintenance contract. Reviewed by all the Commissioners. A discussion was held on the proposal received. \ Commissioner LaPlante made a motion to accept the contract for maintenance that was received, the motion was 2nd by Commissioner Mendes. A roll call was taken. Chairman Robak, yes Commissioner Mendes, yes Commissioner LaPlante, yes Commissioner Polchlopek, yes Director O’Neill / Chairman Robak will move forward and prepare letters informing the Mayor and Purchasing agent that the Commission has approved the proposal. 5. First fairway water ponding on cart path update Superintendent Bach mentioned that he had cleaned up the area. He mentioned he removed the bad soil and brought in some ne soil. 6. Capital equipment request discussion 2024. Commissioner LaPlante made a motion to table this until the next meeting for discussion. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Mendes, All in favor motion passes. 7. Get a quote to replace carpet concession and pro shop area. Director O’Neill stated he has received a few quotes on replacing the carpet in the concession area. He stated the best price he received was from Allied carpet for $2907.20. He also mentioned that we did have the funds available in our account to do this work, and mentioned that this is the best time to do this work as the course is closing. Commissioner Mendes made a motion to accept the quote from Allied carpet to do the work as quoted. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Polcholpek. All in favor motion passes, Director O’Neill will move forward to schedule these repairs. 8. Discussion to purchase strip door curtain kits for back door and back men’s restroom room door. (Have city maintenance purchase and install it) A discussion was held on installing these curtains. Director O’Neill will first reach out to the city maintenance dept to see if they have these curtains and can do these repairs before going out and purchasing them. -5-  9. Continue discussion / review on how we can speed up play for 2024. There was a discussion on how to speed up play next season. Commissioner LaPlante mentioned that communication was key, and mentioned having the rangers carry walkie talkies, this would allow the pro shop staff to communicate with the rangers when they see a problem on the gaps cart screen. Director O’Neill will investigate the price of good walkie talkies and report back to the Commission. 10. List of winter course work that will require outside assistance DPW a. Schedule brush cutting on the 18th tee area and any areas that need it asap while the ground is still firm. 1. Lower parking lot brush 2. 4th fairway brush cut back. 3. 16th fairway left side. 4. 18th fairway Director O’Neill stated that he reached out to the Forestry Dept to help with this. 11. Season ending cart maintenance & Cart brake adjustments. Director O’Neill stated that Club car will be coming in on November 30th to shut the carts down for the winter. He mentioned they will handle the brake adjustments when they come back in the Spring. 12. 13th hole bench missing wood seating area missing. Director O’Neill stated that Mike Bach will be completing these repairs. Financial Review: The Commission reviewed the financials that were provided, and discussion was held. Date, Time, Site, Of Next Meeting December 13, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Chicopee Country Club MEETING ADJOURNED A motion was made by Commissioner Mendes to adjourn, the motion was 2nd By Commissioner Polchlopek. All in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 pm. -6- -7-