Golf Course Authority

To: NGCA Members From: Bob Malouf, Chairman NGCA Re: Minutes of NGCA regular meeting of April 17, 2024 Members Present Bernard Caulfield Susan Dutilly David DiBattista Richard Podurgiel Todd Postler (remotely) Richard Strouse Bob Malouf Ray Lathrop Michael Driscoll Others Present Mike Svab, Pro Manager Eric Kundahl, Superintendent Micky Busca, Member’s Club William Warzecha, Guest CALL TO ORDER Chairman Malouf called the April 17, 2024 meeting of the Norwich Golf Course Authority to order at 6:00PM. MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2024 meeting of the Norwich Golf Course Authority was made by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Caulfield, and approved by a vote of 9-0. Chairman Malouf turned the meeting over to Mr. DiBattista to introduce Mr. Warzecha who was present at the request of Mr. DiBattista to discuss the flooding which has occurred at the golf course periodically particularly affecting the 2nd hole. Mr. Warzecha is retired from the Connecticut DEEP for which he worked for 37 years. Mr. DiBattista discussed the flooding which has occurred periodically on the 2nd hole and on some other portions of the course. Chairman Malouf described recent efforts to clear the area near the bridge carrying New London Turnpike across Trading Cove Brook and he and Mr. DiBattista described conditions east of that bridge to the area of the dam which carries Route 32 across Trading Cove Brook. 1 Mr. Warzecha explained that his responsibilities with the DEEP did not deal directly with the problem faced by the Authority but he had spoken with a number of individuals at the DEEP and would arrange to have Mr. Christopher Samorajczyk, a dam specialist with the DEEP and Mr. Garrett Timmons, the district conservationist for the National Resource Council covering this county to meet with him, Mr. DiBattista, Mr. Svab and Mr. Kundahl on May 1, 2024 and May 15, 2024, respectively. Mr. Warzecha suggested that the fact that there was a fish ladder in association with the dam might be included in the topics for conversation. Mr. Strouse noted that there has been erosion at other areas of the course, including the 9th hole, which also should be considered. Chairman Malouf and members of the Authority expressed their appreciation to Mr. Warzecha for his assistance. FINANCIAL REPORT Mr. Lathrop presented the financial report for March 2024. OPERATING REVENUES for the month of March 2024 were $344,697.83 compared to budgeted revenues of $308,299, $36,468.83 over budgeted revenues, and $55,093.66 more than March 2023 revenues. EXPENSES for the month of March 2024 were $73,854.29 compared to budgeted expenses of $121,982.36, $48,128.07 under budgeted expenses and $16,266.73 under March 2023 expenses. NET GAIN for March 2024 was $270,843.54 compared to NET GAIN for March 2023 of $199,483.15. CASH BALANCE for March 2024 was $277,798.06, in comparison to the February 2024 figure of $15,488.82. This is an increase of $262,309.24. YTD YTD OPERATING REVENUES were $395,750.52, compared to YTD budgeted revenues of $373,855. This is $21,875.52 over the YTD Budget, and $34,466.17 over the prior year. YTD EXPENSES were $237,456.27 compared to YTD budgeted expenses of $269,147. This is $31,690.73 under the YTD budget and $10,728.38 over the prior year. YTD Total Revenues exceeded Expenses by $158,274.25; which is over budget by $53,566.25 and $20,737.79 over YTD March 2023. 2 Items of interest on the Balance Sheet: • The Restaurant lease payment has been paid in full through March 2024. • The balance in Accounts Payable (products/services received but not paid for as of 3/31/24) is ($11,371.75). • The Due to General Fund is the NGCA’s cash balance as of 3/31/24. An amount in the Asset section means the City owes the NGCA those funds of $277,798.06. NOTE: March Cash Balance less Accounts Payable equals Cash (Shortfall): $277,798.06 ‐ ($11,371.75) = $289,169.81 ARP FUNDS – BRIDGE REPLACEMENT Included with this month’s package is an additional sheet documenting the Bridge Replacement Project. The budget for the Project is $295,000. The amount expended to date is $48,850.27. There are open purchase orders for the Project totaling $245,772.73, leaving a remaining available budget of $377. In response to a question by Mr. Podurgiel, Mr. Svab noted that the play at the course is holding up despite adverse weather. The combination or overlap of cold and rain has persisted through April. A motion to approve the Financial Report as received was made by Mr. Podurgiel, seconded by Ms. Dutilly and approved by a vote of 9-0. CORRESPONDENCE Chairman Malouf noted no correspondence had been received. CADDY SHACK There was no report beyond that contained in the Financial Report. Chairman Malouf indicated that this line item might be deleted in subsequent agendas absent a reason to continue to include it. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Chairman Malouf noted that he had spoken with the Tournament Committee Chair for the Member’s Club in response to inquiries he had received from senior members. Some 3 senior members are not participating in Member’s Club tournaments given the requirements set up for such tournaments prohibiting play from the tees which seniors have been playing. The Tournament Committee Chair will recommend that, with the exception of events listed on the boards displayed within the clubhouse, seniors be allowed to play forward tees in events sponsored by the Member’s Club. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Mr. Kundahl advised the Authority that the two new bunkers on the 2nd hole are complete and have stood up well to the recent rain storms. He also advised that the fountain has been placed in the irrigation pond but has a short which will need to be repaired. He also noted that he had ordered six new recycling containers to replace those showing excess wear. Mr. Kundahl advised that on April 29th he plans to aerate the course. The course will be closed that day given the work that is to be done in the Clubhouse and in the parking lot with the Caddy Shack to be closed as well. If weather conditions do not permit all of the planned work some accommodations may need to be made. Superintendent Kundahl alerted the Authority there is a condition at the course affecting some greens. The condition, known as golden rings, is apparently a new turf disease and he is taking weekly samples to the University of Connecticut for analysis. The conditions does not interfere with play at this point and is possibly related to a condition known as fairy ring. Cleanup work has been continuing at the course and is mostly completed at this time with the more regular summer maintenance to commence. Mr. Strouse inquired about plans to limit or eliminate foot traffic on the first tee as it presently has more foot traffic than any other tee on the course. Chairman Malouf indicated that this is being considered, plans possibly including a relocation of the starter shack and more aggressive efforts to reduce congregations of players on the 1st tee. Discussions included inquiries as to whether shrubs separating the practice putting green from the cart path adjacent to the 1st tee should be removed as they were overgrown. Consensus was they should be removed. PRO MANAGER REPORT Mr. Svab described the new delivery arrangements being used for the Caddy Shack keeping the delivery trucks out of the parking area. Deliveries to be made to the Caddy Shack at the first-floor level of the clubhouse. Jason Bromley has been working with Mr. Svab and the Pro Shop staff to arrange to have trucks making deliveries back in at the lower level by the dumpsters. 4 Mr. Svab described in more details the plans for April 29, 2024 which will also require the Clubhouse to be closed as there will be no water supply to the Clubhouse as work is done to replace a valve in the basement in connection with the replacement of the water heater. He acknowledged that a rainy April 29th will complicate matters, but the work needs to be done. Mr. Svab advised the Authority that in the recent heavy rains there had been some slippage of boulders in the brook on the 11th hole. Larger boulders may be needed at crucial points to keep the rest from slipping, but this will require some access by heavy equipment. Plans will be made to remove the stones in the parking lot traffic islands as part of the work improving the parking area. Parking area improvements will include the replacement of up to 100 feet of curbing allowing repairs to damaged curbing in the parking area. MEMBER’S CLUB Mr. Busca reported that there are 80 golfers for the ABCD Kickoff Tournament, which went well. He also indicated that he had relayed the message requesting that parking under the trees adjacent to the parking area be discontinued. The message seems to have been received and accepted. NEW BRIDGE REPORT Chairman Malouf advised that delivery of the bridge from the manufacturer has delayed at least two weeks. He now expects it will arrive sometime from the end of May to the middle of June. Wiese Construction will be performing the tree work in-house. Play will start at the 10th hole while work is being done. Mr. Svab advised the Authority that it is his plan to have players start on the 10th hole and finish on the 9th, essentially reversing the front and back nines, while the work is performed. This should speed play and be helpful to greens fees players who may be unfamiliar with the layout of the course. The senior league may start with a shotgun on the back nine and he anticipates there will be some adjustment for about three weeks. The consensus of the Authority was this will help maintain play and avoid unnecessary delays. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Podurgiel raised his concerns about individuals bringing beer and other alcoholic beverages to be consumed while they are playing golf as well as the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the parking lot. For alcoholic beverages to be consumed at the course they are required to be purchased at the Caddy Shack Restaurant, or on the course from its approved vendors. General discussion followed. 5  ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting of the Norwich Golf Authority was made at 7:50 PM by Mr. DiBattista, seconded by Mr. Lathrop and approved by a vote of 9-0. 6