Golf Board of Governors

Golf Committee Meeting January 22, 2019 at 4pm City Hall, 11th floor Park Department Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 Present: Greg Ferris, At-Large, Thomas West, District II, Cindy Renard, District III, Richard Schodorf, District V, Debbie Burch, District VI, Troy Houtman, Shana Appelhanz, Troy Hendricks, Michelle Haun, David Buschschulte, Bill Ramsey, Dale Goter, George Kolb, Hoyt Hillman Absent: Eddie Fahnestock, President, Chair, Dr. Michael Williams, District I, Cory Rainwater, District IV Renard called the meeting to order at 4:08p. Public Agenda Regular Agenda Items Approval of Minutes from 11/15/18 and 11/27/18 Renard asked if anyone had any changes to the minutes. West motioned to approve. Schodorf second. December Rounds Report Hendricks stated that accounting just closed December earlier today. Rounds are down 9% and revenue is down 7%. Expenditures are down 6% with net income being down 22% because all of our outstanding payments were taken out in December, except for debt service. Houtman stated that reducing expenses is always a good thing. But that also means that we are not putting money back into our courses. Hendricks stated that nationally, Kansas and Nebraska are showing that rounds are down 6.7% year to date while Oklahoma is down 11%. We are trending with the national averages. Public access is down 4% nationally. West asked if this was the first full year with the new carts. Hendricks stated that it was, but revenue was still down due to decreased rounds. West asked if we noticed a reduction of fleet repair expenses. Hendricks stated that we do not have the exact numbers. Houtman stated that he noticed that there were fewer expenses for carts and more for equipment repair. Schodorf asked why we weren’t working on advertising for the new pass, since this would be the time of year to do it. Houtman stated that council and the City Manager did not want the new pass structure presented until there was a direction for MacDonald and LW Clapp, which should be around May. Schodorf asked if there is any way to make a recommendation due to decreased rounds and decreased revenue. Houtman stated that he can pass along the information but they are the ones that did not want to move forward yet. The committee can reach out to them directly. Renard asked where we are on forgiveness of the debt service. Houtman stated that it is a council decision. Ferris stated that it is not a big issue since we are not paying it. Schodorf asked if there are funds that we may get. Houtman stated that we get tree services and other support services through IT and accounting. Ferris stated that he plans to be on the public agenda at the next council meeting. West asked if City crews clean up trees, do we get billed. Houtman stated that is correct. We also get legal advice and review without charge and other services such as HR as well. West noted, on the national rounds report, that the only areas showing increased rounds played are on the west coast. Despite the nicer weather conditions, just seeing growth, shows they must be doing something. Schodorf asked if we can reach out to some of these areas to ask what they are doing. West stated that he intends to have the First Tee folks look into the growth/decline around the country. Houtman stated that we do a lot of networking already. It is definitely encouraged. Schodorf asked if we can do some fundraising. Houtman stated that one of the challenges is that people think that their tax money already pays for things. How do we reward folks who donate? In the Park Department, it has helped that The Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Schodorf stated that most folks want to make a one-time donation and see that their money did something. Golf System Evaluation Houtman stated that the PGA will be sending an evaluation team in on the 29th for 3 days. They will be interviewing staff and evaluating all of the courses. We have already provided them with data. This analysis is going to be free. They will meet with Schodorf and West and Troy Palmer as well. They will also analyze our community. He stated that he spoke with NGA as well, and their evaluation will cost $40k. We will review what we get from the PGA and then see if we still need to look into having the NGA come in. Burch asked if those results will be reviewed in the determination to close LW Clapp. Houtman stated there will be good information for everyone. Renard stated that the PGA scope will be more limited. Houtman stated if that is the case, then we can still reach out to the NGA later. Ferris stated that the NGA may be able to charge less if we can provide more data. Renard stated that she thinks we need someone with a larger scope. Kolb asked if the Ad Hoc committee can participate in the evaluation and asked if we have laid out the benchmark of where we are going. Houtman stated that we will look at marketing, operations and course management. The Ad Hoc committee should work with the GAC and the Park Board to communicate with the PGA team. Renard asked if she can make a motion to have George Kolb, of the Ad Hoc committee to be included in the evaluation. Ferris second and stated that he didn’t see an issue with it. Schodorf asked if there was a limit on the number of folks they visit with. Houtman stated we have already laid out their schedule. Renard stated that the motion is if the PGA is amenable, to have Kolb included in the evaluation. Ferris still second, motion passed. Goter asked if Kolb can see the benchmarks in advance. Ferris stated they can just find out during the evaluation. Ramsey commended Ferris for making public comment at council. Schodorf stated that he previously asked for financial contributions for a project to improve MacDonald. He was looking at ideas for MacDonald and communicated with the Park Department. At this time, the painting and drywall is paid for. Looking at ideas for improving landscaping and adding a third pond to solve some water issues. Houtman stated we can give credit to those who contribute. Ferris asked if we can sell alcohol. Appelhanz stated we can sell cereal malt beverage. Ferris asked if the City has a policy prohibiting the Pros from selling alcohol. Hendricks stated there is not. The Pros would have to apply for an actual liquor license. Schodorf stated that he wants to combine information from Public Works and the architect prior to meeting with Council Member Johnson. Hendricks provided an update, stating that 91 kids have already signed up for Hook a Kid on Golf. Adult and ladies beginners are not starting until April, but we already have 23 people signed up. We are hoping to see LW Clapp close by the end of May. We are working on moving some groups to MacDonald for this year. We have bridge work going on at Auburn Hills and also repairs to a main irrigation line near 135th St. Sim has clubhouse doors that are in need of repair. Tex is getting new tile in the concession area. We have a staff meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Pros are working on their menu ideas and recommendations. We have tasked the superintendents to add forward tees for women and youth and have tasked the Pros to bring back marketing ideas. Schodorf asked if the developer can come back and build holding ponds at Auburn Hills. Ferris stated that the developer put the original ponds on the property that he donated. Next Meeting February 19, 2019 Adjourned 5:23p