Golf Course Authority

To: NGCA Members From: Barney Caulfield, Chairman NGCA Re: Minutes of NGCA monthly meeting of December 18, 2013 Members Present Bernard Caulfield Charles Whitty Richard Podurgiel Michael Driscoll David DiBattista JP Mereen Richard Strouse Others Present Bruce Morse, Superintendent Tony Madeira, Finance Department Glenn Meadows, Member’s Club Call to Order  Chairman Caulfield called the December 18, 2013 meeting of the Norwich Golf Course Authority to order at 7:00 p.m. Minutes  A motion was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Podurgiel, to approve the minutes of the November 26, 2013 meeting, and approved unanimously. Financial Report Mr. Madeira presented the financial report. Revenues in November 2013 were $18,548.49, down approximately $6,000 from the same period in 2012. Year to date revenues through November 30, 2013 were $1,125,395.07, down approximately $101,000 from the same period in 2012. Expenses for November 2013 were $94,067.18 down approximately $10,000 from 2012 and year to date expenses through the year of November of $1,105,639.57, down approximately $15,000 from the same period in 2012. Mr. Madeira noted that on the revenue side most line items were down with exception of the 9 hole greens fees and outing fees categories. On the expense side the maintenance department expenses were down $65,000 over 2012. Pro Shop expenses were essentially even. The general budget was up $57,000 with insurance up $12,000 and repairs up $10,000.  Mr. Madeira pointed that the debt service of $31,000 was paid in November rather than in December as in prior years including 2012. This would serve to increase the November expenses over prior years but would have no consequence on year end numbers. In November 2013 expenses exceeded revenues by $75,518. In 2012 the gap was approximately $4,000 larger. Year to date revenues over expenses are $19,755 leaving a cash position at the end of November 2013 at $189,167. Mr. Madeira made projections for the next three months anticipating revenues of $3,000 in December 2013, $1,000 in January 2014, and $38,000 in February 2014. Expenses are anticipated to be $58,000 in December 2013, $75,000 in January 2014, and $85,000 in February 2014. The Authorities cash position as projected would be $134,000 at the end of December 2013, $59,000 at the end of January 2014, and $17,000 at the end of February 2014. A motion to accept the financial report was made by Mr. Mereen, seconded by Mr. DiBattista, and approved unanimously. Caddy Shack Mr. Madeira then reported on the Caddy Shack noting that it had paid a total of $54,221 through payments and credits in 2013. As of December 18, 2013 it owed the Authority $369. Chairman Caulfield reported that he and Mr. Podurgiel had met with Jason Bromley and the Caddy Shack had signed a lease for the 2014 year, the lease including an option to extend the lease for 2015 upon the reaching of a mutual agreement as to rent. A motion to accept Mr. Madeira’s report regarding the Caddy Shack was made by Mr. Mereen, seconded by Mr. Podurgiel, and approved unanimously. Correspondence  No report presented. COMMITTEE REPORTS  Chairman’s Report Mr. Caulfield reminded all present that in 2014 the monthly meeting will be held on the third Wednesday of the month commencing with the January meeting on January 15, 2014.  Clubhouse Committee  No report presented.  Greens Committee  No report presented.  Planning Committee  No report presented.  Marketing Committee  No report presented.  Beautification Committee Mr. Morse reported that he had acquired several new benches to be placed on the course next year. One presently is located outside the main entrance to the clubhouse.  Budget Committee Mr. Whitty reported that the Council of the City of Norwich had received and approved the Authority’s 2014 budget both as to revenues and to expenses. He summarized the charges which would increase in 2014 and projections made in establishing the budget. He also discussed concerns which had been raised about a general fall-off in golf nationwide and what appears to be a general aging among the golfing population at Norwich. Mike Svab and others on his staff had been working with the budget committee in addressing such concerns which had also been presented to several of the officers and directors of the Member’s Club. Mr. Whitty then described a promotion for the 2014 year designed to encourage individuals who joined the course in 2013 in any of the several season fee categories to join again and to cause a new golfer to join in 2014 in the unrestricted fee category. When anyone who was a member during the 2013 season, that is an individual who paid to join any of the season fee categories, joins in 2014 and brings or introduces someone who did not pay for any season fee category in 2013, and that individual becomes an unrestricted season fee member in 2014, both will receive a discount of $250 from the applicable fee rate. Both individuals must pay or enter into the installment payment program by April 1, 2014 to receive the discount. A 2013 season fee category payor joining in 2014 may introduce up to four (4) new members and receive a total of up to $1,000 in credits, or the cost of his membership, whichever is less, but no more. Mr. Whitty also indicated that it will be necessary to give Mr. Svab, the Pro Manager, reasonable discretion to deal with the implementation of the program. Mr. Whitty also reported that the budget committee recommended reserving one (1) tee time per hour on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays exclusively for greens fees players. The times selected will be the same each week and will be selected by the Pro Manager based on his experience and judgment.  Superintendent’s Report  No report presented.  Pro Manager’s Report In the absence of Mike Svab, Chairman Caulfield passed out a proposed 2014 schedule listing various events including seven (7) scheduled by the Member’s Club. Mr. Svab had suggested  that three (3) of those be changed to alternative dates and his proposed dates are presented on the schedule. Chairman Caulfield asked the members of the Authority to review the proposed calendar and be prepared to vote on it at the January meeting.  Member’s Club  No report presented.  New Business Mr. Podurgiel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mereen, to approve the membership proposals presented by the Budget Committee as described in these minutes. This motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Podurgiel made a motion that three (3) starting times, one each hour, between 7AM and 10AM on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays be reserved for greens fees players, the time and implementation to be determined by the Pro Manager as best benefits the course in his experience and judgment. This was seconded by Mr. Mereen and approved unanimously. Adjournment A motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Mereen, and approved unanimously.