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10-02-84SpMtg OCTOBER 2, 1984 A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, was called to order by Mayor Doak S. Campbell in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 7:05 P.M., Tuesday, October 2, 1984. Roll call showed: Present - Council Member Malcolm T. Bird Council Member Marie Horenburger Council Member Arthur Jackel Council Member Jimmy Weatherspoon Mayor Doak S. Campbell Absent - City Manager James L. Pennington Also present was - Assistant City Attorney Barbara Hall Mayor Campbell called the meeting to order and announced that this meeting has been called for the purpose of (1) considering passage of Resolution No. 78-84 voicing the opposition of the City Council to the Unitary Tax and urging its replacement with another revenue source; and (2) considering interviews with and selection of finalist for the lease management of the Municipal Golf Course. 1. The City Manager presented Resolution No. 78-84: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, VOICING THE OPPOSITION OF THE CITY COUN- CIL TO THE UNITARY TAX IMPOSED ON CORPORATIONS BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND CALLING FOR A REPEAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THAT UNITARY TAX; PROVIDING FOR THE FURNISHING OF COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION. (Copy of Resolution No. 78-84 is on file in the official Resolution Book) The Assistant City Attorney read the caption of the reso- lution. Mr. Bird moved for the adoption of Resolution No. 78-84, seconded by Mr. Jackel. Upon roll call Council voted as follows: Mr. Bird - Yes; Mrs. Horenburger - Yes; Mr. Jackel - Yes; Mr. Weatherspoon - Yes; Mayor Campbell - Yes. Said motion passed with a 5 to 0 vote. 2_~. Mayor Campbell reported that they will not necessarily be making a selection tonight. At this meeting they are primarily inter- ested in having the applicants come forward to introduce themselves and give a brief presentation and they will not be getting into a discussion of the lease itself. They have six applicants listed on the agenda. In addition, another early applicant, Bob Spence, made a special trip here and he too will be allowed to make a statement to Council. Although this is a public meeting and it is not required, Mayor Campbell felt that the other applicants should wait outside of the Chambers while the interviews are being conducted. All of the applicants agreed. 2.a. Mr. Gene Stout stated that he has been a PGA Professional for 34 years and gave an outline of his experience. He has had an Agronomist come in and do a comprehensive study on the golf course and, if he gets the opportunity, he plans to put the course back in shape, keep it in shape and make the City proud of it. He would put in a new golf shop as the present one is very bad. He has had an architect do a preliminary drawing of the golf shop; he presented this to Council. He plans to run the golf course operation in a fair and equal manner for all residents. He further described how he would run the course, noting that all records would be available to the City at any time. Lastly, he advised that the entire operation would be supervised by him; he lives at the Hamlet and would be readily available at anytime. He believes he has the experience necessary to run the operation. At this point Mr. Stout answered questions from Council: He advised that he lives in Delray Beach and would personally supervise the course. He feels the summer rates are in line and he feels the course could handle up to as many as 300 golfers. Regarding capital improve- ment, it looks as though it is probably going to take $60,000 to $70,000 on the golf course and about that much at the golf shop. He advised that he was a part owner of the Hamlet golf course, which has since been sold to the members. Mr. Robert French asked how Mr. Stout feels about Mens & Womens Golf Associations? Mr. Stout replied that they would be fine. 2.b. Mr. R.L. Carson, Fort Lauderdale, gave a presentation at this time. He explained that he would be interested in a ten year lease with a flat yearly fee; a total turnkey operation consisting of the pro shop, restuarant, bar, locker rooms, club storage, golf carts, driving range and golf course maintenance. He would run it as a totally public operation for public play; he would also have prepaid and daily greens fees and he would not be raising the prices. He would allow walkers or riders with no set times for the walkers. The pro shop, driving range, golf course, restaurant and bar would be open seven days a week from daylight to dark. He would offer free golf clinics for City residents and junior golfers; also junior golfers would get a summer discount. There would be a fleet of approximately 100 new golf carts. Mr. Carson discussed some of the improvements he would make such as renovating the Pro Shop, adding to and updating the maintenance equipment, putting in wall to wall cart paths and renovating the locker rooms. He also dis- cussed the renovation of the golf course itself. Mr. Carson then gave a detailed outline of his experience in the golf business and stated he also operates an equipment and fertilizer business. At this point Mr. Carson answered questions from Council. He advised that he would be at the golf course on a daily basis. He feels Mens & Ladies Golf Associations are a must, but they also need their daily players. The associations can get out of hand and need a tight control. Regarding starting times, he has found the best method is to let them come in, sign up and play; if there's a waiting list, they wait. Persons with prepaid greens fees would have less of a wait. Upon question, he advised that he has partners in the other golf course he runs. It is self sufficient and it is not necessary for him to be there very much. He runs a restaurant/bar there also. 2.c. Mr. Laurie Hammer and Mr. Bob Murphy, both of Boynton Beach, came forward at this time. Mr. Hammer gave an outline of Mr. Murphy's background and experience in golf. He advised that he (Mr. Hammer) has developed Policy and Procedures Manuals for each of the two golf courses he is presently involved with and discussed the importance of these Manuals in the operation of a course. Mr. Murphy gave an outline of Mr. Hammer's qualifications, noting that Mr. Hammer has been very successful at training young pros who come to work in the pro shop. The Pro they choose to run the operation during their absence will be highly quali- fied and competent. If chosen, he and Mr. Hammer would be establishing a five year plan for the golf course and its operations. Mr. Hammer would be at the course periodically during the spring, fall and winter; he would be there mostly in the winter months. At this point Mr. Hammer and Mr. Murphy answered questions from Council: Mr. Murphy advised that they would prefer having a total operation including the restaurant. Mr. Hammer stated that down in Florida they would have to have a different summer rate. They would probably continue with the method of prepaid greens fees. Starting times have to be handled fairly; one method would be to alternate be- tween the phone callers and the ones who come in person. They would not discourage walking, but would have to consider the timing. They can assure Council that they would keep the golf course in mint condition. If the current personnel fall within their guidelines, they will give them a chance. 2.d. Mr. Code House advised that he is a PGA Professional from Tallassee and gave an outline of his qualifications. He is presently a consultant for six different golf courses, most of them rural type courses which do not have golf professionals or course superintendents. - 2 - 10/02/84 At this time Mr. House answered questions from Council: He advised that he would rather not have anything to do with the restaurant or bar. He would plan on becoming a resident of Delray Beach and be at the golf course full time. He would be filling the position of Pro Manager himself. He feels the parking area and entranceways could be improved a great deal. Also, the golf shop needs to be remodeled and restocked. The rates seem fair for this location and he would favor having prepaid greens fees. Regarding starting times, he favors the method of taking one at the desk and one over the phone, alternating until they fill the sheet up. He would not be opposed to walkers but feels they would have to set up certain hours. He would encourage Mens & Ladies Golf Associations. He would probably keep most of the current personnel; however, there might be some weeding out as to who performs well and who does not. Upon question, Mr. House advised that he would consider taking over the restaurant if it were required of him at some time in the future. 2.e. Mr. Burl Dale, Boca Raton, advised that he is the owner/ operator of Florida Golf Shop, Inc., which owns and runs golf courses; they currently own three courses and have a managing contract for one. He provided Council with his background material. At this time Mr. Dale answered questions from Council: He advised that they run all of their own restaurants and would be inter- ested in a turnkey operation. They would not be interested in anything less than a five year lease with a five year option. Regarding capital improvements, everything out there needs improvement. They would hire a food/beverage manager, a golf pro and a golf course superintendent who would all work for him. He has not looked at the current rates. He would set up a limited membership program which would be open to the public. He has his own figures as to what would make it work. Regard- ing starting times, those with prepaid greens fees would get starting times three days in advance; everyone else gets them two days in ad- vance. He would favor having mandatory golf carts, no walking. Upon question, Mr. Dale outlined the rate structure at the golf course he runs in Margate. It includes three types of membership; full member- ship, limited membership and super saver. If the current personnel is good, he will keep them on; however, they will bring in all new super- visory staff. 2.f. Mr. John Byron and Mr. George Beaulieu, both of Boca Raton, made a presentation. Mr. Byron gave an outline of his business experi- ence. If he is chosen, he expects to be on site 95 percent of the time and he would be in charge of management. His associate, Mr. Beaulieu has had many years experience in the golfing field and would be in charge of that end of it. Mr. Beaulieu gave an outline of his experi- ence in the golfing business. He would like to spend more time in Florida, which is why he is here tonight. At this time Mr. Beaulieu answered questions from Council: Mr. Beaulieu stated that they would be interested in a five year lease. He only briefly looked at the course but he feels it will need work. He would be the pro manager, but he would also be bringing in some key personnel and would use some of the current personnel. In the beginning he would spend six months here but eventually he would like to move into this district. He has no objections to Golf Associations. He feels that members should have preference as to starting times. He feels people should be allowed to walk, but he would have to look at the financial situation. 2.9. Mr. Bob Spence, Senior Vice-President and Golf Director for Kemper Sports Management, a Chicago based company, made a presentation. He pointed out that he works out of their southeast office in Tequesta, Florida and he gave an outline on the background of the company. He also described the three public golf courses which they currently man- age. At this time Mr. Spence answered questions from Council: He advised that he would be bringing in a Golf Pro. He likes the layout of the course and feels it has an outstanding range. They would favor a minimum of a seven to ten year lease because of the up front investment they would make to get the facility into a good condition. - 3- 10/02/84 Mr. Bird asked how much time they have left to get the improvements done before the season starts. Mr. Spence replied that this late in the season the problem can only be curbed. It will take one complete growing season to get the turf in proper condition. Mayor Campbell thanked the applicants for coming and advised they will be in touch with them. Mayor Campbell suggested that they make their selection at the regular meeting next Tuesday, October 9, 1984. Council concurred. Mr. James Scheifley stated that, from the responses to the question Mrs. Horenburger asked each applicant, only two of the appli- cants have been financially responsible for golf courses which they owned or managed, those being Mr. Carson and Mr. Dale. He feels this was the most important question asked and he hopes Council will keep it in mind. Mayor Campbell declared the meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M. ATTEST: MAYOR The undersigned is the City Clerk of the City of Delray Beach and that the information provided herein is the minutes of the meeting of said City Council of October 2, 1984, which minutes were for- mally approved and adopted by the City Council on z~.~,/F~F · NOTE TO READER: If the minutes that you have received are not completed as indicated above, then this means that these are not the official minutes of City Council. They will become the official minutes only after they have been reviewed and approved which may involve some amendments, additions, or deletions to the minutes as set forth above. - 4 - 10/02/84