Loading...
1997-04-17 CITY OF ENCINITAS ENCINITAS RANCH GOLF AUTHORITY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 17,1997 at 3:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chairman Kaiser called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Present: Directors Ed Kaiser, Kathy Riggins, Lauren Wasserman, Alan Archibald and David Wigginton. Also Present: John White of Carltas Co., Manager Jim Benson, General Counsel Roger Krauel, Meeting Secretary Pat Drew, Scott Bentley and John Mason of J.C. Resorts. Guest Presenters: James Dout, Exec. Dir., and Craig Kessler of S.C.P.L.G.A. Public: John Conover, Newell Pinch, Art Beardsley and Ken Evory of Encinitas Golf Association. ORAL COMMUNICATION None REGULAR AGENDA 1. Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 20,1997. On motion by Director Riggins, seconded by Director Archibald, the minutes were approved as presented. 4 -0 -1 Director Wasserman abstained because he was absent from the March 20 meeting. 2. Presentation by SCPLGA Craig Kessler, Public Affairs Chairman of Southern California Public Links Golf Association, gave an introduction to his organization. Mr. Kessler also serves as the Chair of the City of Los Angeles' Advisory Commission. Southern Cal PubLinks is a 25,000 member, non-profit organization which consists entirely of golfers who are members of clubs attached to golf courses - i.e. municipally owned or daily fee golf (privately owned) courses. The association is sanctioned by the US Golf Association to provide the basic infrastructure for golf - in their case exclusively for public golf. In that capacity they provide the electronic handicapping services, which in Southern California is the identical service. Provide course ratings, championships, a tournament schedule, as well as tournaments for general members. He and Jim Dout are USGA committeemen; Jim Dout with the Regional Golf Association Committee, and he (Craig Kessler) serves on the Public Golf committee which is a national committee. The distinguishing feature of SCPLA is that it is the largest exclusively public golf association in the nation. Formed in 1931 by a small core of municipal golf courses in Los Angeles that sought membership in the existing sanctioned golf association, the SCGA, they were denied entry. The USGA asked them to set up a separate public links golfing association. Southern California has had two separate associations since that time. Their perspective is exclusively public golf, with tournament services geared towards individuals who are members of their clubs who are exclusively public players. Executive Director James Dout continued with presentation of the services they offer. Handicapping of golfers in the United States is, for the most part, governed by USGA. Most people now carry a USGA handicap index which converts to a handicap-to-golf-course depending on the slope. The Association provides a computer to each golf course facility to do the handicapping and posting. This includes a~ computer, printer, monitor and keyboard which they maintain at the sites. They give seminars on the use of the computer and also on the tournament packages included in the soft ware. They have many people who belong to both PubLinks and SCGA; their membership ID number is the same. They are using the same test system that SCGA is using, mainly because they have so many multiple members. The Association has four paid staff people. Course Ratings: Have been doing course rating since the inception of the Association. Four of the raters have eight or more years as course raters. Have a 15 member rating team who are all volunteers so they serve as many years as they wish. Upon request will measure the 100, 150, and 200 markers on the fairway at no charge. Send four-man teams out who rate one day, and in the case of a new course, generally come back three or four months later when it is ready and play the course. Tournaments: These are geared mainly for the working class and held on Saturdays and Sundays. They do have a few weekday tournaments. Their amateur championship is held in the first part of the year. They have three tournaments this year in San Diego area: Coronado (have been doing for past twenty years), their "Partners Best Ball" has been in the San Diego area for over thirty years, and this year they are holding a Senior Championship in Escondido at the San Luis Rey Downs and Castle Creek. Also, in May of every year they put on a Showboat tournament in Las Vegas (partners event). Next year they will be hosting the 1998 National amateur PubLinks championship event at Torrey Pines - this is a week-long event. The last time they did this event was in 1974 at Brookside, Pasadena. At the end of the year they have the Dessert Classic Tournament which is a four-man event held at Palm Springs. Team Play: A little different from the Southern Cal. It is a six-man team and a club can enter as many teams as they wish. It is all flighted by handicaps. The only participant in recent years has been the San Diego Golf Association. Encinitas has not participated. The closest .Iocation has been Riverside County, and San Clemente this year. Support USGA PubLinks Committeemen by helping them run their tournaments. There's one in the San Diego area and also one in the Los Angeles area. Last year the winner (Tim Hogarth) came from the Los Angeles area and he played in the recent Masters tournament and did very well. Also belong to the Pacific Coast Golf Association as does SCGA. Send a team to the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. This year it is being held at McKenna, Hawaii. Communicate to clubs through a newsletter that goes out to each club and also a monthly packet that the clubs receive on upcoming tournaments throughout the year. Each President of member clubs is a member of the Association's Board of Directors which gives the clubs a voice in the association. There is a 10-man executive committee that does the day-to-day operations but the Board of Directors make all the decisions for the Association. Each month a Board meeting is held at a different golf course. Dues are currently $ 12/year, per member. This year there is a $1 surcharge having to do with the purchase of some computer equipment. To increase the dues or continue the surcharge in 1998 will require a vote of 2/3rds of the Board of Directors (presidents of clubs). One of the distinguishing features of their Association is that they have two different kinds of member clubs - those attached to golf courses and affiliate clubs, but they have one class of member. They are all voting members - one club, one vote. The SCGA has four classes of membership and only class 1 actually has voting privileges. Under their constitution, then, Encinitas Ranch Golf Course would be a non-voting member of the association. There are both men and women in the Association - some of the clubs which are company clubs or leagues or social clubs, have men and women. There is also a Women's Public Links Golf Association of Southern California. Of the 25,000 membership probably 1-2% are women. They have 42 courses in their membership lineup. (A list was given to the Secretary for the file.) Feel that their advantage over SCGA membership is because they are a public golf entity and they are there to support the public golfer. Understands that Encinitas Ranch is going to be a public course for the public golfer. Feels they are able to see the point of view of the public golfer versus a private individual. As a smaller association believe they can give better service. Director Archibald asked why Encinitas Ranch Golf Club should go with SCPLGA. Craig Kessler gave a personal summation of the way he saw the difference between the associations. If the club he "broke his teeth on" had been a member of SCGA, he would not now be an executive committeeman of a Golf Association in Southern California; nor would he be a USGA committeeman on the Public Golf Committee actively trying to coordinate between Los Angeles and New Jersey to do a lot of exciting things in Los Angeles; nor would he be Chair of a Golf Advisory Commission in the City of Los Angeles, indeed there wouldn't be a Golf Advisory Commission in that City. In other words, the kinds of access that ordinary public golfers get to the levers of real responsibility in the golf world are wide open to members of SCPLGA, but would not have been through the SCGA organization. 3. Policy Regarding Waiver of Greens Fees, Group and Tournament Use of Course. (Gen'I Counsel Roger Krauel) General Counsel Krauel presented a draft policy regarding waiver of greens fees, and group and tournament use, and invited discussion. The purpose of the policy is for use in giving standards and guidance to the decision-maker so that they are not left with just their own resources. Since this is not a private organization with all of that discretion, we are a pU,blic activity, therefore have to have a public benefit in the things that we do. The ERGA Board members are the one to decide if and when there is a public benefit, or if one is seen. General Counsel Krauel is only there to give counsel and try to assist in finding one if there doesn't appear to be readily perceived. To that end the draft policy under discussion is not fixed but simply to start the discussion. Director Riggins asked how a benefit would be measured and attained, relative to item 3. General Counsel Krauel advised that the Board would have to look at a specific proposal to decide if it was going to benefit the public. Scott Bentley advised that J.C. Resorts does have its own set of policies for making decisions on public benefit and type of requests that Board is concerned about. Director Wigginton suggested that the Board delegate to J.C, Resorts the authority to determine the issue of public benefit when receiving a special request. One of their concerns, for instance, would be to keep special requests out of prime time so that the revenue is not influenced. Director Kaiser had a question on the agreement with J.C. Resorts relative to Comps and Courtesies and Scott Bentley had a question on Item 5 concerning the use of the word "exclusive." Mr. Bentley explained that as a company they will rarely ever waiver greens fees for a tournament. The only one he could think of is one course that has a contract with the City which issued the business permit to comp one tournament a year, they name the charity and it is written into the company's contract with the City. Or, if a course hosts the PGA Pro-Am the local chapter of the PGA does not permit them to charge for greens fees when hosting a tournament. The benefits, of course, are that that club gets cart fees, food revenue and a lot of exposure to the golf course. Usually the Pros will bring three players from their course from all over the County. It's a good way to expose our course to a lot of people in one day. It's a good generator of income. About the only time would close the course for a tournament for a full day is if some group wanted a double shot-gun event, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Or, it might be a marathon for a charity when they need a course from sun-up to sun-down. Normally, though, on tournament days they would still have times when course open to public. Shot-gun events are usually run early in the morning and the course is open to the public in the afternoon, or vice versa. So, they rarely ever close the course. Referring to Item 5-b, Mr. Bentley said he was concerned about having a restriction on the number of tournaments that could be conducted per year. Would prefer to establish the number of large tournaments that close the course for a day rather than to any open play. Anticipate having 10-15,000 rounds of group and tournament play that is booked in advance. The average size would be 30-40 player groups - not big groups. They would rarely, if ever, have the course closed the whole day to the public. Would suggest the language be changed to "exclusive use, where the course would be closed all day to the public" if there is a concern about this issue. From the standpoint of J.C. Resorts, they don't wantto limit the number of tournaments. A tournament consists of 16 or more players, four starting times, or more. Larger groups of over 50 players would probably not be more than 50 times in the whole year. To close the course for the whole day would probably only amount to one or two times in the year. Director Riggins suggested that J.C. Resorts bring their policy/guidelines to a meeting so that ERGA's proposed policy can be matched to it. Members felt this would be a good idea. Mr. Bentley said he would plan to bring it to the next meeting along with the list concerning complimentary use that Bob Dobek had previously submitted. General Counsel Krauel suggested that the two documents be merged so that the public can look at one document to see how the course is run. Director Wasserman asked about item 2-a and suggested that the wording indicate that the golf pro is not included in the reference to "while on duty." 4. Consider Logo Design (David Wigginton/Scott Bentley) Director Wigginton said that he and Scott Bentley were working on ideas for a logo design and would bring their suggestions back to the Board at a later meeting. Director Riggins suggested that the logo include something based on history of the area, such as the poinsettias. Director Wasserman said he liked the suggestion. Manager Benson suggested they work with the Ecke's for flower design artwork i I since they had already worked on logos, etc. for other projects. John White said they had worked on a Ranch logo over a period of time and felt they would be willing to share the information and design work. Director Archibald asked if some artwork could be brought back to the May Board meeting. Director Wigginton said they would put some drawings together to include the poinsettia, ocean, and possibly an "alpha" logo, etc. Agreed not to go with a public contest. 5. Discussion of Proposal to Support a City Grant Application to U.S. National Forestry (for trees) (David Wigginton) Director Wigginton explained that there is an opportunity to get a grant - the maximum award is $30,000 which is strictly for the purchase of trees. The downside to the issue is that the trees are no larger than 15 gallons so looking at 800 or 900 15 gallon trees. The grant is reimbursable which means we would incur the costs and not be paid until after the project is finished. The grant does not cover tree stakes, tree ties, fertilizer tablets, and requires the trees be planted by volunteers. They won't fund the labor to plant the trees. Would estimate another $5 or 6,000 for stakes, ties, fertilizer tablets. Asked the Board members to determine if they wish him to go ahead and go through the application process and compete for the money. Advised that there are about 400 spaces to be planted with trees. Need to get application in by July. Only make grants once a year. There is no restriction on how the project is financed. Director Archibald advised that Public Works Director Bob Nelson applies for this grant every year and would be willing to give ERGA the go ahead. They get 200 trees every year which are planted by volunteers from the "People for Trees" group. Said he didn't feel we would want volunteers tramping all over the course once it has been grassed. The best time for volunteers to do the planting would be October of this year through February, before the opening in March,. 1998. Director Wasserman said there would be no difficulty in getting the money up front, would just have to work out the details. City could front the cash and charge interest. Director Wasserman said he felt Director Wigginton should go for it and City staff would work on some alternatives with regards to cash flow. Director Archibald made a motion that subject to working out the cash flow issue Director Wigginton be authorized to apply for the grant. Seconded by Director Riggins and unanimously adopted. 5 - 0 Director Wasserman asked if the City could apply for the grant and give the trees to ERGA. Response was yes it would be feasible and would also solve the cash flow problem. This is another option that could be considered. 6. Cost Overruns/Change Orders (Chris Calkins) , I Director Archibald said he had just got the last of the change orders and that he needs to review so obviously hadn't had time to prepare for today's board meeting. Looking at bringing to next month's meeting. 7. Consideration of Dedication Ceremonies for Golf Course Manager Benson said this originated from the request by the Chamber to put on a special event. Chairman Kaiser made a written response to their request advising that the ERGA board is not yet ready to make a decision. Item was put on the agenda so that some ideas could be generated from members as to what they felt the dedication ceremonies should look like. John White said he felt the dedication ceremony they had had when opening the Phase One Infrastructure turned out to be a nice event. Council and Department Heads attended along with the press etc. Felt it was a fun event. Would suggest something like that. Director Riggins suggested a fund raiser grand opening, possibly the day before first day opening, followed by a dinner. After discussion with a number of ideas tossed around, the whole issue of dedication and timing was turned over to the Task Force established at the March 20, 1997 Board meeting. Members are Directors Riggins and Wasserman, Manager Jim Benson and Scott Bentley from J.C. Resorts. Director Riggins asked if the area outside the clubhouse will be concreted so that it could be used for a patio dedication ceremony, etc. Advised that there will be about 3000 sq. ft. of concreting on the East side of building. Big enough to seat 200 people at tables and a tent if necessary. Scott Bentley said they also do a lot of events on grass without any problems. On two of their courses they only have grass. 8. Discussion of Major Sponsors for Holes Director Riggins asked if this is something the Board would like to do. John Mason of J.C. Resorts, said he had called some local manufacturers, etc. to determine an interest - still needs to get costs for signs etc. Mr. Mason to put proposal together to show them how they would benefit. Director Wigginton said he felt he could support the idea so long as done tastefully. Chairman Kaiser agreed. The sponsor's name would go on a sign for as long as they continue to pay for it. Director Wasserman reminded the Board that care has to be taken with respect to the First Amendment's freedoms that people have. Will require help from General Counsel Krauel on this issue when putting policy/proposal together. Agreed that ERGA would make the rules regarding size, appearance, etc. Scott Bentley and John Mason will work on a proposal with costs, etc. Will look at the legal issues after that. Director Riggins offered to work on the issue, from a fund raising point of view, with Scott Bentley and John Mason. 9. Directors and/or Manager Reports Manager Benson reported that Caltas Co. made a presentation to the City Council at the previous evening's meeting, to initiate the process of modifying their Alternative B plan for development. It is now official that they plan to adopt Alternative B which leaves the flower operation at its existing location with a phased improvement to those operations. That then means that the conceptual plans we have seen will now show residences on the South mesa instead of agriculture. Will move housing along faster than was originally planned. Now using number of 1070 instead of 1200+ that was the potential under the Specific Plan. They will be processing a Specific Plan amendment to recognize the change in locations. Director Archibald reported that construction on the 7.5 million gallon reservoir underneath the driving range is ahead of schedule - working on some ways to expedite the completion including some changes in the alignment of the water line and hoping to get the driving range completed before the opening. This would also mean they should be able to get the eighteenth hole finished ahead of schedule. Will start sodding around the greens and the bunkers next week, followed by seeding the following week. There is an ongoing weed eradication program. John White asked Director Archibald if he would supply a report on the access to the golf cqurse in terms of Leucadia Boulevard and the schedule for completion. Director Archibald replied that if they can reconvince Caltrans that we can do the construction management on the interchange, will have the interchange completed by August, 1999 and the widening of Leucadia Boulevard will be done around August of '98. Access from the East will be done this fall. 10. Next Meeting: Thursday, May 15,1997 at 3:00 p.m. 11. Agenda items for Future Meetings; a) Discussion of SCGAlSCPLA. b) Policy for Waivers c) Logo d) Change Orders e) Golf Cars proposal (Scott Bentley) Dedication/Opening Ceremony (Task Force) f) g) h) Spikes vs. No Spikes (August mtg.) (Scott Bentley) Recommendation from Landscaping Group (John Conover) 12. . Adjournment Adjourned at 4:25 p.m. R~:~rtfUIIY submitted, / (. ~::I 1 '. (' ,f;'_ ~{-P~ 10'\../'V-v'VL/ - j Patricia Drew Meeting Secretary ~2~tJtZ__ . Edward Kaiser Chairman