pages: GolfCommission/2008-06-04.pdf, 3
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GolfCommission | 2008-06-04 | 3 | Former Golf Commissioner Tony Corica said he found it strange that Council was being asked to accept a budget that called for a deficit, and also strange that no questions were asked about the reasons for the deficit between revenues and expenses. Mr. Corica has been attending Commission meetings since the start of this year, and has seen the Golf Commission take action to increase tournament play, institute aggressive website marketing, increase demo days by golf equipment manufacturers, institute fee changes (reducing Mif Albright rates and increasing Jack Clark rates) to bring golfers back then increase revenues, end complimentary golf, and request an itemization of service expenses charged to the Golf Complex this year. He thinks that all these interventions by the Golf Commission should be mentioned in the letter to Council, even if they are each small individually. Chair Sullwold agreed that these should be included, and Commissioner Betsy Gammell added another item: the renewal of Saturday morning junior golf clinics, which bring 120 children and their parents to the Golf Complex and increase play on the Mif Albright course. Mr. Corica noted that the Commission's letter to Council will probably not change the ultimate decision whether to lease or not to lease, but at least it will show that the Commission has made efforts to change and improve conditions at the Golf Complex so that an intelligent decision can be made. Former Commissioner Norma Arnerich also mentioned the outside company that is willing to prepare scorecards booklets in exchange for allowing advertising. Former Commissioner Bob Wood cautioned that the Golf Commission may be asked by Council for its estimation of what savings or increased revenue could result from the changes the Commission has proposed. Chair Sullwold said that many of these items could be estimated by someone with access to the underlying information, and that staff should be charged with that task. Mrs. Arnerich stated that she found it discourteous that Mr. Lillard had not arranged for another staff member to attend this Commission meeting since he could not be present. Chair Sullwold noted that she had given notice of the meeting herself when Mr. Lillard refused to do so, and that Mr. Lillard could claim that he never saw any of the posted notices. Commissioner Schmitz, however, agreed with Mrs. Arnerich. Chair Sullwold discussed her conversation with a member of the City Attorney's office about the method of giving notice, and the difference in the City Attorney's interpretation of section 54956 of the Brown Act regarding special meetings. Mr. Corica said that the Commission should not be distracted from its goal of getting the correct information to Council, and Commissioner Schmitz agreed, stating that it was time to get the letters out, then to schedule one-on-one meetings with Council members in an effort to set the record straight. Chair Sullwold said that she has already scheduled a lunch meeting next week with Councilwoman Marie Gilmore, Commissioner Schmitz intends to call Councilman Doug deHaan soon, and Councilman Frank Mattarese is next. Vice Chair Gaul said that he supports Council's suggestion of having another joint meeting with the Golf Commission, or, even better, having two Council members come to a meeting. All Commission members supported the latter plan. Mrs. Arnerich pointed out that this practice was followed during prior eras of the Golf Commission. Mr. Wood emphasized his belief that Council ought to be following what the Commission is doing by reading our minutes, particularly because the Golf Complex finances are so important to City finances. George Humphreys asked if the Golf Commission had seen the detailed budget proposal that has been presented to the Council. Chair Sullwold reported that the Commission was given only the broad outlines, which is why it has asked in the draft letter to Auditor Kearney to see the detailed breakdown of projected expenses. Commissioner Schmitz noted that when he and Chuck Corica Golf Complex Page 3 06/04/08 Golf Commission Minutes | GolfCommission/2008-06-04.pdf |