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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-12-08-92-Adjourned w CDC MINUTES OF THE r 046 CITY COUNCIL /COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1992 The City Council /Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:00 p.m., December 8, 1992, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor /Chairman Diane P. Boggs presiding. PRESENT: Council Members /Commissioners: Diane P. Boggs Mayor /Chairman Robert S. Brazelton Mayor Pro Tem /Vice - Chairman Barbara J. Riley Gary P. McCaughan, M.D. Joyce L. Lawrence Recreation & Community Services Commissioners: Jean S. Brazelton Chairman Gloria Neer Vice- Chairman Connie Sz i ebl Carol Rowland Bobbie Samperi ALSO PRESENT: Gerald Caton, City Manager Peter Thorson, City Attorney Judith McDonnell, City Clerk - Treasurer Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Jim Jarrett, Director of Commu n i ty Services Art Rangel, Director of Community Development Richard Redmayne, Director of Public Works Bonnie Kehoe, Recreation Division Manager Kevin O'Connor, Theatre Manager Bruce MacDonald, Golf Pro /Manager Bert Spivey, Golf Course Superintendent The meeting was called to order and immediately recessed for relocating to the second floor training room. The meeting resumed at 4:15 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners present. Recreation Commission Chairman Brazelton announced the Commission meeting is being recessed to a joint meeting with the City Council. Mayor /Chairman Boggs declared a recess of the Community Development Commission. JOINT MEETING BETWEEN CITY COUNCIL AND RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RIO HONDO GOLF COURSE MASTER PLAN AND IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULE Mr. Jarrett' commented on the City's ownership of the golf course since 1970, estimating its current value somewhere between $25 -$30 million. He Council /Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 12/8/92 (Adj.) noted the importance of maintaining the property, emphasizing that revenue from the golf f r has • g course as been used to fund numerous recreational activities, as well as being • g a sound financial investment. The golf course was built in the 1920's and it h as deteriorated substantially. Mr. Jarrett , commented on the need to prepare the course for receiving reclaimed water, emphasizing the deteriorated conditions of the irrigation system 9 and the reens as well as the need for cart paths. A number of safety conditions also need to be addressed. Mr. Jerry Pirkl , a golf course architect, has been retained to develop a golf course master plan, and the master plan was discussed with the men's and women's golf clubs, who have supported the plan and recommend proceeding on a single phase development program. Mr. Paul Vermeulen, Agronomist ist wi g th the United States Golf Association, � spoke regarding his review and assessment of the deteriorating greens at the golf course, as well as areas of concern regarding public safety, which would involve changing the layout of the golf course and moving the greens and tees further apart. Commissioner Neer commented on reading various reports by the U.S. Golf Association and mentioned it was previously recommended that a monthly deep tine aerification process be performed on the golf course greens. Mr. Kent Davidson, Regional Manager of Satsuma Landscape & Maintenance, replied the aerification process has been done two to three times a year; however, it is difficult to do this monthly since it is very disruptive to the golfers. Mr. Bill Sherman of Golf Realty Corporation was introduced at this time. From his experiences as a financial consultant and past involvement with the Rio Hondo Golf Course when it was first purchased by the City in 1970, he provided a financial analysis of the golf course development project. He noted the golf course has the capability of adding $4 -5 million north of capital improvements due to its location, the size of the improvements, and its past operating history. Mr. Gerald Pirkl, golf course architect, described the review process that was undertaken in developing the master plan for complete renovation of the golf course, which included items contained in a "wish list" provided by the City. Mr. Sherman briefly commented on the impact of doing the golf course construction in two phases while closing nine (9) holes at a time, or doing the work piecemeal while keeping the course open. He said after discussing it with the men and women's golf clubs, it was recommended closing the course for complete renovation over a period of time. Mr. Jarrett stated staff recommends moving forward with the project by adopting a master plan and undertaking a single phase renovation of the course, beginning in fall 1993 and re- opening in spring 1995. At this time, the Council Members and Commissioners asked questions regarding various aspects of the golf course renovation. Discussion was held regarding the financial impact of closing the course for complete renovation as opposed to doing the work in two phases. It was noted by Mr. Jarrett that the banquet facilities would stay open during the renovation process. Council /Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 12/8/92 (Adj.) I G Mayor Boggs indicated she would like the financial impact studied on how this project would affect contractors at the golf course and to see which plan of renovation would have the least impact. Mr. James Campbell , President of Arroyo /Seco Food & Beverage, the food and banquet concessionaire at the golf course, mentioned business last August and September was down 40 percent due to poor condition of the greens. He „'` strongly favored a single phase renovation of the course. Mr. Bruce McDonald, Golf Pro at Rio Hondo Golf Course, favored complete closure of the golf course for a single phase renovation, noting that renovating in phases would disrupt and reduce play on the course, as well as ,,..� creating a loss in tournament play that would never be regained. He mentioned the Niesi Men's Club is also in favor of full closure of the course. Ms. Claire Ittner, President of the Rio Hondo Women's Golf Club, said it was a general consensus of the Club membership in favor of an 18 -hole .closure of the course. Mr. Wayne Rector, Greens Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Rio Hondo Men's Golf Club, said an evaluation of its members resulted in a preference for a one -time closure of the course. Mr. Jarrett responded to questions regarding the proposed fee structure for the renovated golf course, the current annual bond indebtedness, and the balance in the golf course fund. He was a l s o asked if there would be room for possible future expansion of the clubhouse and restaurant, and he replied yes. Also, he will work with the banquet facility to keep that operation functioning during the renovation; the golf pro will keep the pro shop and driving range open. It may be necesary to adjust the fees since there will undoubtedly be a reduction in usage during the construction period. It was moved by Council Member Braze l ton , seconded by Council Member Riley, and unanimously carried to adopt the Rio Hondo Golf- Course Piaster Man and proceed with a single phase 18 -month course redevelopment program. Prior to the foregoing vote, it was pointed out staff will come back for approval of a bond counsel and develop an agreement with Mr. Pirkle to begin the design phase of the golf course. For the record, Mayor Boggs stated she will want to discuss fee schedules at a future point in time and the free play policy. The Recreation and Community Services Commission adjourned its meeting to 4:00 p.m., January 5, 1993, in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall. Ma yor Boggs declared a recess at 6:00 p.m. The Council Meeting resumed in joint session with the Community Development Commission at 6:07 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Downey City Hall , with all Council Members /Commissioners present. CLOSED SESSION Mayor /Chairman Boggs announced the Council /Commission is recessing 1» Closed Session to discuss the following Sections of the Government Code: SECTION 54956.9 - one subdivision (a) matter - pending litigation: Soto, et al . vs City of Downey; Council /Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 12/8/92 (Adj.) SECTION 54956.9 - one subdivision (b) matter; SECTION 54957 - one personnel matter; et4 SECTION 54957.6 • t 957.6 - one personnel matter - labor negotiations. The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:40 p.m. with all Council/ Commission Members present. There were no Closed Session actions to report. The meeting recessed at 7:40 p.m. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS The meeting reconvened '� vened for Oral Communications at 8:32 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners present (see Oral Communications under Regular City Council Meeting) and recessed at 8:34 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:05 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners present. Mayor /Chairman Boggs announced the meeting is recessing to Closed Session to complete discussion of items previously announced on the Closed Session Statement. The meeting reconvened at 9:50 p.m. with all Council Members/ Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report. ADJOURNMENT: 9:50 p.m. , ALi,_.# ... i th E. McDonnell ,4 City _Clerk /Secretary Diane P. Boggs, , Ma /Pairman 99 Mayo Council /Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 12/8/92 (Adj.) • t _