City Council

DECEMBER 14, 2015 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting (Council Work Session), Monday, December 14, 2015, at the City Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho at 3:00 p.m. There were present: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Councilmember David M. Smith Councilmember Ed Marohn Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember Sharon Parry (arrived at 3:30 p.m.) Absent: Councilmember Michael Lehto Also present: Randy Fife, City Attorney Kerry McCullough, Public Information Officer Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director Renee Magee, Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Greg Weitzel, Parks and Recreation Director Tim Reinke, Pinecrest Golf Course Operations Manager Dana Briggs, Economic Development Coordinator John Radford, Councilmember Elect Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. with Mayor and Council Reports. She reviewed the following calendar items: -December 15-16, UAMPS located in Salt Lake City, Utah -December 16, Rotary Luncheon -December 17, City Council Meeting -December 18, 2016-2017 Council Training -December 18, Fire Station Groundbreaking -December 18, Library Holiday Gathering -December 18, City Hall Holiday Luncheon -December 22, Mayor and Council Holiday Open House -December 23, City Hall Annex Holiday Luncheon -January 5, City Leadership Team New Year’s Dinner -January 14, Community Open House Councilmember Hally announced that Pinecrest Golf Course is currently selling merchandise. Councilmember Marohn had no items to report. Councilmember Smith stated the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has doubled their work force at the Idaho Falls Airport and has installed an additional security scanner. He indicated Delta is in current discussion with the Airport director regarding additional flights. Councilmember Ehardt had no items to report. Idaho State Legislature Urban Renewal Interim Committee, Council Update and Response: 1  DECEMBER 14, 2015 Mayor Casper stated over the course of several years Urban Renewal has been on the State Legislatures agenda. A committee has recently been formed with recommended proposals which are not favorable to cities including the elections of board members, resetting the tax base, and amendments of urban renewal plans. Director Cramer believes the proposed changes will delay the current process of urban development. After general discussion, it was decided Mayor Casper, along with assistance from Director Cramer and Ms. Magee, will draft a written response on behalf of the Mayor and Councilmembers emphasizing the value of urban renewal in the surrounding community. Mayor Casper requested Council review the written response prior to submitting to the legislature. Parks and Recreation Department submitted the following item: 2015 Golf Division Review: Mr. Reinke appeared and stated this is an annual golf review for Council. He indicated Pinecrest Golf Course has been in operation for 80 years. His presentation included the following information: 1-The 5-year plan, which concludes its 3rd year, continues to be a success. Online booking of tee times is used frequently and customers appreciate this new technology. 2- The weather, which always plays a part in the yearly financial results, returned good results for 2015. 3-Summary of financial data (2014 vs 2015 Fiscal Year) a) Green fee revenue – up 5%, $31,800 b) Green fee punch pass revenue – down 10.3% c) Season pass revenue – up 4%, $26,300 d) Surcharge revenue – up 6.3%, $5,129 e) Driving range revenue – up 8.4% $8,572 f) Cart revenue – up 8% $34,836 g) Gross merchandise sales – up 7.6%, $34,293 h) Gift card income – up 3.4%, $4,969 4-Season pass sales increased 191 units in 2015, for a total number of passes sold at 1,517. 5-In 2015 there were a total of 120,664 rounds, up 9,566 rounds from 2014. This is an average of 40,000 rounds per course. 6-Merchandise at golf shops increased an additional $18,688 in gross profit from 2014. 7-The superintendents and professional staff stayed within their budgets with budget spending slightly less than 2014. 8-Café concessionaire managed all three (3) courses with just over $15,000 in commissions from the vendor. The recently approved liquor license was welcomed by patrons with no problems created. 9-Due to approximately $5,000 robbery at Sage Lakes Golf Shop, the City is investigating implementation of security system at all facilities. 10-Email notification of 52-week marketing plan increased emails on file to 4,739 with goal of continual increase. 11-$132,000 was collected in tournament entry fees which were all paid out in store gift certificates. There is continual support from loyal local sponsors with $17,500 directly added to tournament playoffs. Golf tournaments include approximately 50 local corporate and company sponsored events. Customers purchased approximately $18,422 in gift certificates. 12-Loyal community corporate and company sponsors, including Dave Smith of Teton Steel and Kelly Sayer of Ron Sayer, and tournament sponsors, tee sign sponsors, scorecard sponsors, and course guide sponsors continued financial support of approximately $60,000 toward the golf program. 13-New programs designed to grow the game of golf in our community included; Men’s League, Family Golf Day, PGA Junior League, and Men’s State Amateur. A nonprofit youth development 2  DECEMBER 14, 2015 organization, First Tee of Idaho, will continue with the program being introduced to 3rd graders within School District 91. 14-$148,000 was raised for local charities. The golf program provides free golf and golf lessons for the five (5) local high school golf team members during the high school golf season. The PGA professional staff continues to be very generous in donating their time. 15-Three (3) GCSAA Certified Golf Course Superintendents on staff are all experts in the field of agronomy and ensure the best conditions for patrons and environmental quality. 16-Several local golf associations along with well-participated golf leagues remain consistent with memberships. 17-Golf Professionals and superintendents have an excellent relationship with the Parks and Recreation staff coordinating invoices, requisitions, and payroll. 18-The Golf Advisory Board thoroughly reviews financial data and ensures the quality of facilities are maintained. 19-The entire staff displays friendly and caring attitudes toward customers and will continue to attend new and existing training programs. Mr. Reinke expressed appreciation to the City leaders for their continual support. He stated the focus has always been to provide a public recreational opportunity that is affordable to residents and visitors while keeping it as self-sufficient as possible. There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Hally, that the meeting adjourn at 4:53 p.m., which motion passed following a unanimous vote. CITY CLERK MAYOR 3