Golf Course Authority

To: NGCA Members From: Barney Caulfield, Chairman NGCA Re: Minutes of NGCA monthly meeting of May 20, 2015 Members Present Bernard J. Caulfield, Chairman David DiBattista Richard Strouse Richard Podurgiel Michael Driscoll Charles Whitty Others Present Mike Svab, Pro Manager Bruce Morse, Superintendent Sandra Kuchta, Finance Department Bob Malouf, Member’s Club Call to Order • Chairman Caulfield called the May 20, 2015 meeting of the Norwich Golf Course Authority to order at 7:00 p.m. Minutes A motion to accept the minutes of the April 15, 2015 meeting of the Norwich Golf Course Authority was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Podurgiel, and approved unanimously. Financial Report Ms. Kuchta presented the financial report. Revenues for the month of April 2015 were $244,103.07, compared to budgeted revenues of $125,461. This figure was $118,642.07 over budgeted revenues and $118,465.77 over comparable revenues in April of 2014. Year to date revenues for April 2015 were $352,944.57. This figure was $2,416.57 over the budgeted revenues of $350,528. There is also $19,623.12 over comparable year to date figures for April 2014 revenue. Expenses for the month of April 2015 were $110,899.69, compared with budgeted expenses of $113,718.14. This figure is $2,818.45 under the budgeted expenses but $19,365.50 over the April 2014 expenses.  Year to date expenses for April 2015 were $284,929.99, compared to budgeted expenses of $316,841.41, being $31,911.42 under budgeted expenses and $28,880.80 under April 2014 year to date expenses. Revenues for the month of April 2015 exceeded expenses by $133,203.38. Year to date revenues through the end of April 2015 exceeded expenses by $68,014.58, $34,327.99 over budget. The cash balance at the end of April 2015 was $97,822.36. This figure is lower than the figure at the end of April in each of the proceeding 10 years. The Caddy Shack rent is paid in full through the end of May 2015. A motion to accept the report was made by Mr. Podurgiel, seconded by Mr. DiBattista and approved unanimously. Correspondence There was no written correspondence received but Mr. Caulfield discussed a conversation he had had with an interested individual about applying to the public and private sector for grants, gifts or assistance in various forms. This individual believes that such are available and is willing to assist in pursuing the same. The Authority would like further information. Restaurant Operations
No report presented. COMMITTEE REPORTS • Chairman’s Report Chairman Caulfield reported on the status of the LED light replacement project. He has turned over necessary information to the city purchasing agent, Bill Hathaway, who will need to arrange a meeting with Jeff Brining at Norwich Public Utilities prior to issuing the bid documents. Chairman Caulfield distributed copies of a letter from the chairman of the city’s Ethics Commission with an attached copy of the Code of Ethics for the City of Norwich to everyone at the meeting. • Clubhouse Committee
No report presented. • Greens Committee Mr. Strouse noted that a local rule had been requested to deal with areas on the fairway where the grass shows effects of winterkill and has been replanted. Mr. Svab indicated that a local rule had been established and brown or dead grass areas in a fairway may be treated as temporary ground under repair with a golfer given full relief. The rule will stay in effect so long as conditions require. • Planning Committee
No report presented. • Marketing Committee
No report presented. • Beautification Committee
No report presented. • Budget Committee Mr. Whitty reported that the Budget Committee is carefully watching the numbers on memberships and greens fees to be ready to act in the event its expectations with respect to anticipated revenues appear to be unjustified. • Superintendent’s Report Mr. Morse reported that the greens have been seeded twice and conditions are improving. The greens are slow at this time as he was not able to use a retardant for the poa annua and has liberally applied fertilizer with a high nitrogen concentration to assist in the growth of new grass. He has also seeded the fairways twice. He has shifted to a rye grass with the second seeding for faster germination and growth. The blue grass of the initial seeding takes 3-4 weeks for germination and growth, the rye grass being faster. Mr. Morse also reported that until May 19, 2015 we had had no appreciable rain for 25 days. He has had to water heavily. There was some rain during the day on May 19 but it was not a soaking rain with only a small amount during the day but a fairly heavy shower for a short time during the late evening. • Pro Manager’s Report Mr. Svab presented a membership category comparison for the years 2013-2015. In all categories, we had a total of 232 members in 2013, 253 members in 2014, and 223 in 2015. Payments in 2015 for memberships are $318,232 including an unpaid balance on the installment plan of $7,020. He anticipates that there will  be several additional junior members joining bringing up the total number of members and increasing revenues by approximately $4,000. Mr. Svab also discussed the daily experience as to course use. The slow time is between 1:00-4:00 pm. It was a consensus opinion that moving the twilight rate to an earlier time is likely only to move the slow time to an earlier hour. • Member’s Club Mr. Malouf indicated that the Member’s Club has been discussing members performing work on a volunteer basis at the golf course. Recognizing that organizing and coordinating efforts will be difficult if done daily or regularly. The Member’s Club is contemplating a one day project at the time the course is aerated in the fall. Discussion will continue. • Adjournment A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 7:45 p.m. by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Strouse, and approved unanimously.