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1971-04-22 Special CC MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL AND THE RECREATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA HELD JOINTLY ON THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1971 The meeting convened at 4:00 o'clock p.m. at the Bay Farm Island Recreation Center with President La Croix presiding. President La Croix opened the discussion by stating there would be no participation from the floor as this was merely a work session to familiarize the members of the City Council with what the Commission had in mind in its Golf Course Study report. He thanked the Commission for the report and Mr. Jack Clark of the Alameda Times -Star for his excellent job of reporting on the subject. ROLL CALL: The roll was called and Councilmen Fore, Levy, Longaker, McCall and President La Croix, Jr., (5), were noted present. Absent: None. On roll call of the Recreation Commission, noted present were Commissioners Blanchard, Heaney, O'Maley, Tebaldi, Towata and Chairman Kranelly, (6). Absent: Commissioner Steele, (1). Also present were Messrs. H. D. Weller, City Manager, F. M. Cunningham, City Attorney, D. Grant Mainland, Director of Recreation and Parks, John D. Goss, Assistant City Manager, and Chris Garcia, Superintendent of Maintenance at the Golf Course. NEW BUSINESS: 1. On invitation to speak, Chairman Kranelly remarked that he had received a letter from Commissioner Steele expressing his regret that he would not be able to attend the meeting because of press of his duties at the U. S. Coast Guard Base and setting forth some of his ideas on the subject under discussion. Chairman Kranelly stated the report by Mr. Mainland was a thorough study with some additions by the Commission. He said it had been put together to indicate the problems existing and to offer some solutions, that the Commission had had sessions on the report, held open meetings and listened to the public on the subject. He said he felt the Commissioners had formed some conclusions which at the appropriate time would be presented to the Council and this meeting was for the purpose of giving the Council the oppor- tunity to question the Commissioners individually or collectively and to provide the Council with answers to any questions its members might have from their own analysis of the Golf Course Study. President La Croix then stated the Golf Course operation had been a losing venture insofar as the tax- payers of the City were concerned. He said it had been agreed that recreation facilities should not necessarily have to be a break -even venture as it was the desire of the City to provide recreational opportunities for the people of the community and for others in the area. He said he felt since Mr. Mainland had taken over the supervision of the Golf Course operation there had been a number of improve- ments; however, it was agreed there were areas for further improvement such as the manpower structure and revenue - producing factors. He called for discussion. Chairman Kranelly said there had been rumors to the effect that the City planned to sell the South Course and the Commission was opposed to any such proposal. President La Croix said the Council had never gone on record or said it considered such a proposal, but it was looking for answers to some of the problems which beset the City. Mr. Mainland was requested to review the revenue situation. He said the report pretty well showed what had happened during the last year. There had been a drop in play over the past few years; this year it appeared the play would increase but the revenue had not been increasing. He pointed out that the report suggested a number of factors affecting the revenue and ways to approach a situation like this, such as increase in fees, cutback in staff, a more efficient operation, settling of the general economy and, most of all, the number of golf courses in the area. He said at the present time apparently the number of golfers was not increasing as fast as the number of courses. He said the problems on the City Golf Courses should be borne in mind, such as water leakage problems, the extensive drainage across the South Course and over and above type of activities participated in by the Golf Course personnel. He said this type of thing could not be compared with other courses, that it was necessary to look strictly at the courses involved, and he offered the services of Mr. Garcia to answer questions. He said the problems continued to grow to where it was not possible to correct them by manpower alone. Councilman Fore raised some questions with regard to the effect of the fill project on the drainage problem and the maintenance of the pump, with City Manager Weller responding. President La Croix commented that he felt the South Course was in better shape than it had been for some time. He asked Mr. Mainland if he and his staff felt this was where the main thrust should be made, if the Course would then be in better shape and receive more play. Mr. Mainland said he felt a decision would have to be made as to the future of the South Course, although there was no point in thinking that the correction of the situation on that Course would be a panacea for all problems and money would be made. He said he felt there would have to be a decision as to whether the community wished to subsidize the project. He said he had tried to cover all aspects of the problem and the solution in the report. Mr. Weller explained certain policy questions involved which must be considered by the City Council as to how it felt about the South Course and the methods of correcting its losses. President La Croix brought up the point of disposing of land. He called attention to Mr. Weller's state- ment that it was not possible to continue pouring money into the Course; if it was to be retained the 235 question was where the funds were to be found to keep the South Course in proper condition, also how it would be possible to derive more revenue. He asked if it would be possible to shorten the holes. Chairman Kranelly said this had been considered. He said one thing brought out most clearly was that the public wanted to see the City retain the South Course and the question of what could be done to improve the Course and its maintenance had been given consideration. He said he felt the Commission wanted some direction as to the Study and what the Council thought of the report. He said many people would like to see the thirty - six -hole complex continue to operate as it would be an asset to the City in the future, and the consensus was to keep it and to figure out a way to keep it more playable and, hope- fully, this would produce more revenue. In reply to a question by Councilman Levy, Mr. Mainland stated he did not believe it would be possible to operate the South Course as at present, with no additional funds spent on it, for too long a time. Councilman Longaker said he felt it was a shame that the South Course was criticized so drastically as he felt it was not such a bad course. He said he felt the number of people coming from out of the City and using the Course was one for thought, as well as the sale of land, although he would not want to see any more land sold than necessary, if this must be done at all. In discussion, it was stated if the City were to absorb the $80,000 deficit this would mean an additional seven cents on the tax rate. There was discussion with regard to shortening the South Course. Chairman Kranelly said it could be shortened six thousand feet and still be a regulation course. Councilman Fore suggested the excess areas be put out on short -term leases, for instance for a use such as mobile homes. Chairman Kranelly stated modern day places of this type were very attractive and developers were very willing to use land of this kind in this way. Chairman Kranelly said Mr. Mainland had been working on plans which would be reflected in next year's budget as saving manpower and expense. He said he felt the concerns of the Commission were to find a way to re- arrange and refurbish the South Course and when its formal recommendation comes to the Council it would be found to be somewhat along these lines with a workable plan included. President La Croix stated the main thing touched on was - were there available areas where revenue could be derived. He said he felt the Commission should look into this question for a positive recommendation. Commissioner Tebaldi quoted statistics of play on the Courses, reflecting that the play was inexpensive. He said pass play tickets took up prime time during the week and revenue was being lost which should be gained. Commissioner Blanchard suggested there were three choices - more play, absorption of the $80,000 loss by an increase in the tax rate and selling off some of the land. It was remarked that the matter of some of the land in question had been discussed with the School District for one school site and it was deemed not an adequate and valid site. President La Croix stated the City Manager looked very closely at the needs of the City in trying to save the tax dollar. He asked Mr. Weller to express his thoughts on a look at the revenue loss, the possibi- lities of refurbishing and ultimately coming close to a balance in the retention of the two courses. Mr. Weller first suggested that one method of increasing revenue would be to permit alcoholic beverages to be served at the Golf Course Clubhouse. He then explained that for a number of years it could not be expected to have a thirty- six -hole complex break even, so it would be necessary to come up with some other solution. He said it would cost not less than $500,000 to rebuild the South Course and that Course would be worthless during the period of rebuilding. He said it was necessary to look at the aggregate cost and it must be a policy judgment as to how close the Council would want to get to breaking even and if it was prepared to operate without a hope of getting back something in the range of $600,000. Chairman Kranelly indicated on the Map Parcels A, B and C and commented that the latter area had been mentioned with regard to being utilized for residential development. President La Croix stated he would like to give the Commission some direction as to the thoughts of the Council on this subject. He said he would like to receive a recommendation from the Commission as to how it might plan to raise revenue, for instance in the concession, the restaurant and by green fees. If the Council should agree, he suggested it consider a recommendation from the Commission on personnel, possibly on making some changes; also, if the direction would be proper, with the stand of the Commission against selling land, a recommendation to the Council as to what steps might be taken in the refurbishing of the South Course and where the funds should be derived. Councilman McCall said he was trying to reconcile last year's budget with the Golf Course report and ques- tioned the number of personnel. He commented on Parcels A, B and C and inquired as to deed restrictions on the lands. He expressed his opinion on the use of the individual areas and said he felt Parcel B was not needed and should bring in a large sum of money. He said he would prefer a mobile home development at that site rather than on the new portion of Bay Farm Island. He suggested the South Course be shortened and the money derived from sale of the excess lands be put into the project to correct the problem condi- tions. He said a decision should be made as to what should be done with Parcels A and B but he felt the City could not afford to sell Parcel C. With regard to a question by Councilman Longaker as to how improvement of the South Course should be financed, Mr. Weller said he felt it was premature to discuss selling parcels, suggesting consideration should be given to what type of course could be built and then the sale of land could be considered. Councilman McCall suggested an appraisal be obtained on the parcels. President La Croix remarked that the Commission deserved a great deal of credit for its work. Chairman Kranelly thanked the City Council for holding the meeting at the request of the Commission and said the Council would have a recommendation with all deliberate haste. ADJOURNMENT: 2. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the City Council and the Recreation Commission, meeting jointly, adjourned. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk Clerk