1996-10-17
.
.
.
CITY OF ENCINITAS
ENCINITAS RANCH GOLF AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, October 17,1996 at 3:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Kathy Riggins called the meeting to order at 3:09 p.m.
Members Present:
Directors Riggins, Archibald, Wigginton and Wasserman.
Also Present: John White, Manager Jim Benson, Meeting Secretary Pat Drew.
Public Member Present: Arthur Beardsley
Absent:
Director Kaiser, Counsel Roger Krauel.
There being a quorum the meeting was in order.
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Mr. Arthur Beardsley, representing the public golfers, said he had sent a letter to Director
Archibald some time ago requesting that the Encinitas Golf Association be the club of
Record. He referred to two letters he had received from the Southern California Public
Links Golf Association in response to his telephone call regarding the rating of a course
and the costs. The response from the SCPLGA Executive Director indicated that lithe
men's club of Record for the course designates which association does the course rating.
Courses open to the public usually join SCPLGA and private clubs must join SCGA."
Director Wasserman explained that the Board may not take any action on an oral
communication. He recommended that the issue be referred to staff. Requested CJ
Resorts to come back with a time frame relative to the rating of the course. Manager
Benson advised that we won't have a course to be rated for at least a year providing we
stay on schedule; therefore, this is not a time-crucial item. C.J. Resorts, in due course,
will bring back their perception. At that time we will have an agendized item that will
provide for open discussion about alternatives. Staff was asked to work with CJ Resorts
to be sure that we have a complete objective analysis on the options etc. and to
determine when they will be able to come back to the Board with a report.
Manager Benson advised that C.J. Resorts is preparing to give a presentation on the
outline of their marketing of the course, probably at the next meeting. At that time they
will look to the Board members for feedback and hope to move ahead from there. He will
also request C.J. Resorts to give the Board an indication of when the rating issue will be
ready to go on the agenda. Mr. Beardsley will be advised of the date.
REGULAR AGENDA
1.
Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of August 15, 1996
.
Director Wigginton moved that the Minutes of the August 15, 1996 meeting be
approved, seconded by Director Archibald. Unanimously approved.
2.
Presentation on Golf Course Status in the areas of:
a) Financing
Manager Benson advised that the Bond issue was closed on September 24, 1996;
received a 7 3/4% purchase bid from one investor Alliance Capital
Management, the same company that purchased the Community Facility District
bonds last December. Alliance has now invested about $34 million in Encinitas
Ranch. The final bond issuance was $10,760,000. The fact that we got 7 3/4%
rather than 8%, as was in some of the pro formas, means we have a little more
money in the project fund. The distribution of the final document will be later this
month. There will be a copy in the Manager's office and one with the City Clerk
for the permanent records. In the meantime, we still have draft documents here if
needed.
b) Construction
.
Director Archibald reported that, as the Board will see on their site tour, the
grading is well under way. The clearing is being done and they have a stump
grinder for the stumps. The delay in grading was due to the water lines. They have
been waiting on a 20" valve which had a ten week delivery. In the meantime they
are looking into actually doing the tie in without the valve, relocating the water lines
and installing the valve afterwards. However, we still expect to be on schedule
with getting the course planted and through the six months grow-in by the end of
November, 1997, opening to the public March 1 of 1998. We have the advantage
of using the winter period to finish up a lot of the things needed to be done which
allows for more flexibility with the schedule. Director Archibald advised that the
issue of the Yuma Bermuda sod has been resolved and it was planted last week.
The contractor had advised that they couldn't get the same kind of grass sod for
planting the collars around the greens, sandtraps and bunkers. The matter was
resolved when the City Engineer and C.J. Resorts located a grower who would
grow the grass. Director Archibald advised that he is having weekly construction
coordination meetings which will enable them to resolve problems such as the sod
issue, as they develop. When asked if they had any concerns, both Director
Archibald and Manager Benson indicated they had no concerns at this time. .
.
Director Wasserman asked how much damage would be done on the course if we
have heavy rains this winter. It was explained that the exposure would be
Environmental Golfs. However, John White explained that we do have some
responsibility for erosion control. Environmental Golf does plan to have erosion
control measures in place. Director Wigginton said the City Parks & Recreation.. . .,
department have had excellent experience with the new Yuma Bermuda sac:t'at the ~v.'-..
Green Valley park - they have had the first signs of germination in eight days. It is it 1).llii~:
a fast growing grass which should be helpful against the heavy rains. In Arizona?~)
,\ '
it has proven to be a very hardy grass. Asked about concerns of public access -
.
.
.
during this growing and developing period, Manager Benson said they have had
concerns but that it is not really accessible to the public. Director Wasserman
asked about security at the course. John White said that right now there is no
security because there are two people living in the area. However, they are
probably going to have to consider putting back the fencing because there have
been some problems in the last weekends with kids and motor cycles coming off of
Swallow Tail. There are "no trespassing" signs but this has not and does not
deter the kids. John White and Manager Benson explained that they will
probably have fencing installed at the north end on a temporary basis during the
growing period. It was a condition of the Planning Commission and California
Coastal Commission that the course have visual open space for people walking,
etc. - therefore, no permanent fencing is permitted.
3.
Tour of the Golf Course site.
Following the adjournment at 3:40 p.m. Directors Riggins and Archibald left with
John White and Manager Benson for a tour of the course site. Directors
Wasserman and Kaiser are to be given a tour of the site upon Director Kaiser's
return from vacation.
4. Directors and/or Manager Reports
Taken out of order.
Manager Benson said that he had nothing further to report except to advise that
Vice Chair Riggins would not be available to attend the next scheduled meeting on
November 7.
Director Archibald advised that one thing he wanted to report was that the Pump
Station does not have a Pump House. For security reasons and aesthetics, he
feels it is necessary. Will talk to the construction company and Carltas about it.
John White agreed that the pump station should be housed.
5. Items for Next Meeting:
John White asked for the MOU to be placed on the next agenda. Manager
Benson and Chris Calkins to discuss in preparation for discussion at the next
board meeting. Director Wigginton said he would also like to include in the same
subject the question of why we need an MOU. Manager Benson said that since
Vice Chair Riggins will not be available for a November 7 meeting, and since he
would like the full board to be a part of the MOU discussion, he was
recommending that the November 7 meeting be canceled. It was unanimously
agreed that the next meeting would be November 21.
a) Discussion of an MOU between ERGA and Ecke/Carltas Company; why
the need for an MOU.
b)
Briefing on concepts for a Marketing Plan for the golf course by Paul
Reed.
c) Report by Paul Reed on a time frame for addressing the rating issue.
.
.
.
6. Next Meeting - Thursday, November 21,1996 at 3:00 p.m.
7.
Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
,,',
/ \
I .-' ___ .
f. .:-p" , i.....) /
V C\~.>ki..{/LC ..."J.. -.L..~~(c',jJ'
Patricia Drew, Meeting Secretary
/