pages: GolfCommission/2007-09-19.pdf, 6
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GolfCommission | 2007-09-19 | 6 | town that the developer Ron Cowan was interested in moving the Harbor Bay Club to the Mif Albright Course site. The Superintendent stated that the Mif Albright Course is now basically a practice facility the way it is set up now. Customer just use the practice area for free and do not pay to play the par 3 course. The suggestion was made to turn the Mif Albright Course into an 18- hole putting course with only greens. Chair Wood asked if NGF has seen this sort of operation succeed in other areas. Mr. Singer said that the cost to renovate it into a putting course would be just as expensive as it would be to redo the entire course. He said that the best way to attract customers to a par 3 course is to have special events on it or turn it into a lighted facility. Secretary Sullwold asked if currently there are management companies interested in taking over and leasing golf operations that need a large amount of money in improvements. Mr. Singer stated that I it would depend on what sort of deal was put on the table. Commissioner Schmitz asked for a ballpark payment figure the City of Alameda could expect to receive from a lessee. Mr. Singer said that there is generally a guaranteed minimum lease payment and then approximately 8-10% of gross revenue. He did mention that the more constraints that are placed on a lessee, the less the return is. The City of Alameda could expect to earn approximately $500,000 per year. Also mentioned was that in the current golf market it is becoming more common for contracts to have a renegotiation clause. Secretary Sullwold stated that she believes that the way a lessee makes the deal work is by releasing all of the full time civil servant employees and replace them with a part time nonunion work force, significantly lowering labor costs. Commissioner Schmitz asked what sort of commitment and follow through has NGF seen on the part of the lessee to actually do the improvements promised. Mr. Singer stated that it is important to have a reputable vendor to start with, also a contract with specific measurable goals and strong oversight to ensure that the improvements are being done. The question was raised about leasing out separate pieces of the operation. Mr. Singer stated that leasing out separate parts of the operation is done although not as attractive to a vendor and with the maintenance side of the operation there is no revenue source so the City of Alameda would be paying the contractor. Chair Wood stated that he did not think that the Operational Review mentioned the affect of the geese problem at the Complex. He stated that it is a huge problem and is costing the Golf Complex customers. The suggestion was made to look into having the goose control dogs returned. The program was discontinued due to the annual expense of $18,000. Commissioner Delaney stated that he feel NGF did an outstanding job on the Operational Review Report and hit on all of the crucial points. He said that the Complex needs a Master Plan for the long term and additional marketing efforts. He suggested that the Golf Commission accept the report and also form a task force to develop a consensus to bring back to the Golf Commission and from that build a Master Plan. The Golf Commission complimented NGF on the thoroughness of the report. The motion was made by Commissioner Delaney to accept the Operational Review and seconded by Vice Chair Gaul. The Commission approved the motion unanimously. Chuck Corica Golf Complex Page 6 10/11/07 Golf Commission Minutes | GolfCommission/2007-09-19.pdf |