District 4 Advisory Board

District IV Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 9, 2012 www.wichita.gov The District IV Advisory Board Meeting was held at the 6:30 p.m. at the Lionel Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian. Eight (8) DAB members, four (4) staff and approximately eight (8) citizens were present. Members Present Staff Present Councilmember O’Donnell II Kelli Geier, City Manager’s Office Matt Goolsby Bryce Mumford, Park and Recreation Bruce Werth 1 fire staff Nancy Wilhite 1 police staff Jerry Warren Michael Ackerman, Jr. Josh Blick Ben Sauceda June Bailey Order of Business Call To Order Councilmember O’Donnell II called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Due to number of citizens present, Councilmember O’Donnell suggested that the golf item be heard before the other agenda items. Otherwise, the January 9, 2012 agenda was approved as submitted. (Sauceda/Blick: 8-0) The approval of the December 5, 2011 meeting minutes was deferred until the February meeting to give the Board more time to review them. (Goolsby/Bailey: 8-0) PUBLIC AGENDA The public agenda allows members of the public to present issues not on the agenda to the District Advisory Board. Each presentation is limited to five minutes unless extended by the Board. 1. Scheduled Items No items were submitted. 2. Off-Agenda Items No items were submitted.  STAFF PRESENTATIONS Public Safety Reports 3. Community Police Report Police staff present reported the following: Police bureau boundaries have changed. Everything southeast of K-42 is now in the South Patrol Bureau. Poaching still continues in Pawnee Prairie Park, but none reported since December 19th. Auto larcenies still occurring at West Kellogg motels and at 4500 W Irving. Over Christmas shopping season there were only 3 auto larcenies reported at Towne West. Officers were on bike, foot and mounted patrol to watch the area. McCormick NA has a new president, Jesse Sheffield. Increased burglaries in the area of Maple to Irving and Walnut to Fern. The self-storage units at 1400 S Tyler are being broken into. Action Taken: Received and filed. 4. Fire Report No report was given NEW BUSINESS 5. Golf Fund Sustainability Recommendation Randy Brown, Park Board, presented information on the Park Board’s suggestions for maintaining its golf fund. At the request of the City Manager, the Park Board gathered input from the public, reviewed the City golf course system, and developed a recommended plan for sustainability of the enterprise fund. The objectives of the Park Board were to review the Golf fund status, review the projected CIP schedule, establish and maintain high levels of customer service, and be responsive to the community. The Park Board has conducted six (6) public meetings and presented their recommendations to the City Council in a workshop on December 13, 2011. The Park Board has presented the following recommendations: 1. Improve customer service. 2. Increase marketing. 3. Reduce Capital Improvement. 4. Adjust the Park CIP to assist the golf fund with existing debt. 5. Increase green fees and other revenues. These suggested changes are projected to result in sustainability of the golf fund through the year 2020 while allowing for some needed capital improvements to golf facilities and decreasing the Auburn Hills debt by $6 million. Mr. Brown stated that the Park Board decided not to ask the City Council to forgive the debt on Auburn Hills and is trying to keep it self-sufficient.  Blick asked what the amount spent versus the amount of return will be once this plan is implemented since there is a significant amount of money being spent on repairs and marketing. Brown answered that this plan is expected to reduce the golf course debt service by $5.1 million, but it will be hard to tell the extent of the benefit of this plan until it has been implemented and in place for several years. Werth said that we have to figure out why people go to Hesston and Newton to play golf instead of stay here. Brown stated that with Sand Creek golf course in Newton, the City of Newton is responsible for the debt service and it is privately owned. Werth also asked how they were going to increase the number of golf rounds played when the fees are increasing? Brown replied this will be accomplished through more marketing, improved customer service, the economy turning around. He further explained that the City of Wichita has the lowest golf fee rates in the City and around the area and that when the you are facing reduced spending and budget cuts, these are the types of solutions that you must put in place. Councilmember O’Donnell II stated that you still must consider attrition so there is no guarantee that people will still not go elsewhere. Goolsby stated that the Park Board has done a great job trying to save money, but there has been a lot of financial loss that is trying to be reversed and hoped that this plan works and if not, try something else. Bailey asked what it is costing to defer Auburn Hills golf course debt service? Brown replied that there is $3.98 million from the golf enterprise fund and $3.12 million that still needs to be repaid through 2015, so it is suggested to take portions of the Park and Recreation CIP to offset the debt. Bailey then inquired which project is being removed to help do this? Brown explained that the project in Planeview will be delayed. Bailey also asked who is putting together the golf committee and asked who to contact if interested? Brown responded that they are not sure yet. We do not want the committee too large, but also want enough public input. Bailey also asked how the $34,000 in marketing is being spent? Brown stated that the advertising money is being used for radio and television ads and new brochures. Warren commented that due to this advertising, park and recreation class enrollment has increased 28-30%. Warren stated that we had a $12 million dollar problem with golf course finances and we now have a $7 million problem and that he appreciates staff and the Park Board’s efforts to resolve this and will see if it works. Citizens present also expressed the following concerns (Mr. Brown’s responses are in italics): Private ownership of golf courses could result in decreased customer service and decreased maintenance of golf courses facilities, as there could be only a strong personal financial motive in their operation. Increase in junior golf fees discourages young citizens to continue to play golf.  Is there insurance on the Clapp golf course building? The City is self-insured, so if a maintenance cost arises, it will be out of the City’s pocket. Could you make the Creek into a water system? I am not sure. Hopefully we will not have another summer like last year’s. There are three different CIP’s when discussing the golf course financial situation, so please clarify which one you are referring to when presenting this information. What is the City’s philosophy of golf courses? The City is supportive of keeping all six golf courses open. The City has been lucky that our golf courses break even without having to spend additional money on them. Clapp Park needs a women’s golfing league If Clapp golf course were to close it would be a violation since the donation was given specifically to be used as a golf course. The golf courses do great, but it is difficult to sustain them due to the Auburn Hills debt. Things have changed in golf course operation since new staff management has taken over. This is a hard economy and people have other expenses to take care of, but golf rounds are not down significantly enough to close any golf courses, otherwise we may not be able to get them back. Action Taken: Received and filed. OLD BUSINESS 6. No items were submitted. BOARD AGENDA 7. Board Updates and Issues Bailey requested that all DAB meeting materials be sent out a week in advance of the meeting to have adequate time to review and research the meeting agenda items. Goolsby asked if anyone new had been appointed to the CDBG Grants Review Committee since Craig Gabel cannot serve. Councilmember O’Donnell II stated that he had not appointed a new person to this committee yet. 8. Adjournment With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.