Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Advisory Board

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 25, 2023 4:00 PM https://coralgables.zoom.us/j/82882960727 Coral Gables Country Club Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Advisory Board Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Meeting Minutes October 25, 2023 Advisory Board CALL TO ORDER 4:06 p.m. ROLL CALL a. Roll Call and Excusal of Absences Present: 5 - Board member Ruben Rodriguez, Board member George Navarro, Peter Izaguirre, Board member Don Slesnick III and Board member Albert Sanchez APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Approval of September Meeting Minutes A MOTION TO APPROVE SEPTEMBER’S MEETING MINUTES WAS MADE BY ALBERT SANCHEZ AND SECOND BY DON SLESNICK, III. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. DIRECTORS REPORT City of Coral Gables Page 1 Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Meeting Minutes October 25, 2023 Advisory Board a. General Updates Le Parc Cafe Director Couceyro started the report by notifying the board of significant Country Club Le Parc Café upgrades. He said that there had been rumors regarding the previous operator’s departure. "The initial agreement with the previous operators had a one-year contract and the ability to renegotiate, but unfortunately in the past meetings they couldn't come to an agreement, leaving the city with a three-day notice to switch gears and make an enormous transition," he said. We are now open. We are nearing the conclusion of a 90-day temporary contract with a new vendor. Bonjour Cafe is a restaurant with many locations. Director Couceyro also noted that the brand has not changed, and that the menu has been increased. Board member Albert Sanchez asked whether the city is operating in 90-day increments. According to Director Couceyro, we're on a 90-day interim increment. They want three months. If everything goes well, they'll extend for three months. All we want is a stop gap while we work on an RFP or bid waiver procedure. The new vendors appear cooperative, Director Couceyro said. Due to small-sided catering, we need a partner for everything, not only the café. We also need assistance with other events. b. Special Events Country Club Division Director Mitch rapidly ran over forthcoming events, including a Halloween Member Mixer on Thursday, October 26th at 7 p.m. Mitch invited the board members to the member mixer and to participate in the costume party. Board member Ruben Rodriguez inquired if they had received a large number of RSVPs. The invitation had requested an RSVP. Mitch Zuriarrain responded that they had about 65 RSVPs. He went on to say that for next year, they'll only have a Halloween members mixer and then activate the café area, which they'll be doing on the 31st to hand out candy and have the restaurant space accessible for guests trick-or-treating around. Mitch proceeded on to tell the board members that they are considering doing a trunk-or-treat a more kid-friendly event for next year. Country Club Division Director Mitch proceeded to inform board members on the Roaring 20'a Glamour Bridal Expo, which took place this past weekend on Saturday, October 21st at 12 p.m. Mitch went on to say that while they didn't have the crowd they had hoped for, the merchants did well. They are hoping for a larger attendance next year. Board member Albert Sanchez inquired if they were promoted outside the club. Mitch said that they marketed it on social media, with light posters and postcards distributed to all facilities. Deputy Director Carolina noted that we had a lot of vendor engagements, and as a result, the most important feedback for them is obtaining leads from each other. It was undoubtedly favorable to the vendors. Country Club Division Director Mitch mentioned Cars & Santa on Sunday, December 17th at 9 a.m. He then asked the board members if anyone had a vintage automobile City of Coral Gables Page 2 Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Meeting Minutes October 25, 2023 Advisory Board or something remarkable and wanted to participate in the car event to register. The event, according to Director Couceyro, is a follow-up to their previous car and coffee event. c. Administrative Updates Director Couceyro continued with the Venetian Pool construction project. How they started redoing the whole kitchen because some outdated equipment needed to be replaced. They finally got the five-year capital project authorized. According to Director Couceyro, the Granada Golf Shop will open at the end of the month. We're also considering a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 4th. We're still waiting for Commission and City Manager's Office approval. Construction on the shop's dining portion is set to begin soon. NEW BUSINESS OLD BUSINESS City of Coral Gables Page 3 Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Meeting Minutes October 25, 2023 Advisory Board a. Selection of Chair A MOTION TO ELECT DON SLESNICK, III AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CORAL GABLES GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB ADVISORY BOARD ADVISORY BOARD WAS MADE BY GEORGE NAVARRO AND WAS SECONDED BY PETER IZAGUIRRE. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Selection of Vice-Chair A MOTION TO ELECT RUBEN RODRIGUEZ AS THE VICE-CHAIRPERSON OF THE CORAL GABLES GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB ADVISORY BOARD WAS MADE BY PETER IZAGUIRRE AND WAS SECONDED BY DON SLESNICK, III. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. c. Selection of Board Member at Large Director Couceyro mentioned that the board must select a new Board-as-a-whole member and that they must submit a résumé or a paragraph explaining why they want to serve on the board. Director Couceyro suggested that potential nominees submit their resumes before the next meeting, after which we will disseminate resumes to the whole board, who will then analyze and choose their eighth member. According to Deputy Director Carolina, the City Clerk's office advised applying online and sending applications through the portal, which we would then distribute to the board. Deputy Director Carolina encouraged the board members to share the Boards and Committees link with the possible nominees. d. Country Club Presentation Deputy Director Carolina continued to provide a PowerPoint presentation about the Country Club to the board members. She began by outlining the club's history. She then went on to discuss how the city established its brand. Following that, she discussed the implementation necessities, which include commission waivers and a citizen advisory board. She then went on to explain to the board members the stages of developing an organizational business strategy. She then goes on to describe the various membership types and implementation processes. She went into great depth about the membership packages. She continued to discuss the outcomes of the membership open house and how we had 200+ applications that day. Deputy Director Carolina then proceeded to inform the board members on the building improvements, including kitchen space, café space, café hallways space, exterior and landscaping, pool repairs, and ballroom floor repairs, with before and after photographs. She then goes on to explain the café's operational plan and how the city owns the café's brand and identity. Agreement on licensing. Revenues are calculated using a gross sales revenue split. The city furnishes and maintains the interior setup and equipment. The city retains access to and usage of the café/kitchen area, as well as control over quality control, menu selection, and price structure. City of Coral Gables Page 4 Coral Gables Golf and Country Club Meeting Minutes October 25, 2023 Advisory Board Deputy Director Carolina went on to highlight the operator requirements that can contribute to a successful business relationship with suppliers and vendors. She went on to provide the venue's brand and sales brochure. According to the deputy director, Susan will send out the brochure via email to the board members. She continued to update the board members on the rental of event spaces. She briefly mentions the Coral Gables Golf & Country Club's accomplishments. Then she displays images of past community events. She then begins presenting to the members the ClubGables.com website and its services and programs, which Susan will also distribute to the board. She briefly mentioned the monthly membership newsletter and closed by introducing the Country Club Leadership Team. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Compressed air cleaning station at Granada Golf Course Director Couceyro informed the board members that a resident had requested community recreation to purchase a compressed air cleaning station for the Granada Golf Course, and he asked the board members who play golf on a regular basis whether this is something they should supply. Board members George Navarro and Peter Izaguirre acknowledged it in their years of golfing expertise. They've never come across a compressed air cleaning station. They advise just purchasing fresh brushes. Director Couceyro reminded board members that if they had a discussion item that they would want to put on the next agenda, they should notify Susan. Then we'll put it on the agenda and review it. ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY Next meeting date November 15, 2023 at 4 p.m. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 5:46 P.M. WAS MADE BY ALBERT SANCHEZ AND WAS SECONDED BY GEORGE NAVARRO. ALL IN FAVOR; PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. NOTE City of Coral Gables Page 5