Golf Board of Governors

Golf Committee Meeting April 9, 2019 at 4pm City Hall, 11th floor Park Department Conference Room 455 N. Main Wichita, KS 67202 Present: Eddie Fahnestock, President, Chair, Greg Ferris, At-Large, Thomas West, District II, Cindy Renard, District III, Richard Schodorf, District V, Troy Houtman, Troy Hendricks, Shana Appelhanz, Michelle Haun, Dale Goter, Mike Keck Absent: Dr. Michael Williams, District I, Cory Rainwater, District IV, Debbie Burch, District VI Hendricks called the meeting to order at 4:09pm Public Agenda MacDonald Clubhouse Improvements Schodorf introduced Mike Keck as a local architect that would help redesign the MacDonald Clubhouse. He showed the committee some possible renderings. Schodorf stated that he has been asking for possible donations. Those he has contacted suggested improvements for all of the courses for donors to contribute to. He said they just want to make sure the “city” doesn’t get the money. He also stated that we need a business plan for the clubhouse concession areas. West stated that the sun from the west could be an issue with one of the renderings. Outdoor seating should face east. Hendricks stated that it would be a covered area. Some of the beginner golfers indicated they didn’t like the idea of people watching them practice. West asked if we have considered leasing out concessions and letting them handle the remodeling. Schodorf stated that a vendor would not be interested in doing that based on the numbers. There would not be enough revenue. West stated that the more we can cater to the non-golfers, the better it would be. Schodorf stated that is a selling point, but we are looking at immediately increasing revenue. Ferris stated that the golf course view is the best option. He suggested extending more seating to the north. Schodorf stated that he would like the committee to choose a design that he could start costing and raising money for by June. Ferris asked if we could offer naming rights. Houtman stated that there is a sponsorship program in place. Goter asked if there is a plan to improve the course conditions at Mac. Schodorf stated that we need to get revenue first. Ferris stated that we won’t be able to raise money for course maintenance, so it is a separate issue. Hendricks stated that over that past four years we have been working to convert all of the courses, with the exception of Auburn Hills, to Bermuda. The fall reseeding was put on hold at MacDonald, due to the possible sale of the course. Renard asked if there is a plan to do anything about the geese. Hendricks stated that we continue looking into options. We are currently looking into purchasing a goose dog. Houtman stated that he will be talking with the City Manager this week about adding a goose dog to the budget. Hendricks stated that we have discussed other options with Kansas Wildlife and Game. Houtman stated that the courses added the wire around the ponds and it didn’t seem to help much. West stated he knew of a course that utilized a dog and it worked well, just not at night. Houtman stated that a partnership with the airport would’ve been a good deal, but they were not interested at this time. Regular Agenda Items Approval of Minutes from 1/22/19 Hendricks asked if there were any issues or questions about the previous meeting minutes. Fahnestock made a motion to approve. West second. January/February Rounds Report Hendricks stated that rounds for January and February have not been very good. Schodorf asked if there is a way to do a projected report to show what the financial position could’ve been over the winter if the new pass had been implemented in the fall. Houtman stated that we are currently working with the finance department to look through our information and help us improve our presentation for council on April 23rd. No Show Policy Hendricks stated that when we started the mobile app we had to address no shows. Golfers book multiple tee times, one ahead of the time they want to play so that no one will be ahead of them. Schodorf stated that is illegal. Hendricks stated that we are looking at requiring payment for booking tee times. Ferris stated that we could require a confirmation response via email. Goter stated that he would like to be notified if he is a no show. Schodorf stated we should block them for a year. Ferris stated due to the numbers we should at least temporarily try using confirmation emails. Appelhanz stated that CPS stated a credit card payment is the only option through the system. Schodorf asked if there is a disclaimer on the website. Fahnestock asked if we can require a deposit. Golf System Evaluation Update Houtman stated that the Park Board discussed the evaluation yesterday. He was a bit disappointed with some of the hard data, but other information was not surprising. He stated that working with the YMCA and a player development position sounded intriguing. Overall, there wasn’t as much fact and detail as he expected. West asked if there was anything new contributed by staff. Houtman stated there were no big surprises. Schodorf stated most of their thinking was very standard. Renard asked if we can consider bringing in the NGF. Ferris asked how much that would cost. Renard stated around $40k. Houtman stated that if the GAC determines that is what we need to do, then he will start trying to find the money. West stated that we need to wait for LW Clapp to close to see what impact it will have on the system. He also asked if the City would be willing to change what services we are charged for. Houtman stated that there are services that we do not pay for even though we use the services. We try every year to reduce some of the fees when we do our yearly budget. Ferris stated that if the enterprise fund has to pay then the City should pay us as well. Renard looked at the breakdown of previous fees and asked if we are paying $600k. Hendricks stated yes, and broke down the services we are currently paying for. Renard stated that the admin portion is the largest piece. Hendricks stated that he can’t get a better breakdown of that number. West asked if cash is literally moved between departments. Houtman stated that money is not directly moving to those departments. Finance and budget make the total system balance. The enterprise fund operates in the red over the winter. Reserve funds are transferred into the system to cover expenses. Renard stated that this would be a good time to enlist the NGF study. Houtman stated he will need the City Manager’s approval for expenses over $25k. Ferris asked if there is a timeline to close Clapp. Houtman stated that once a possible plan is in place then there will be a specific date. Renard stated that she has a proposal for council to keep the course as a 9-hole course. Schodorf asked if she has a business plan for that concept. Renard stated they would like to remove Clapp from the golf system. Houtman stated that reviewing the system over the last 3 years, we have too many golf holes, so that is why we are looking at closing the facility. He stated that as long as Clapp remains a golf course, it will create competition and take play from the other courses. The decision is based on the numbers. Next Meeting May 14, 2019