05-10-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 26, 2020 6:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 10 12. PARKS COMMISSION CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE – Continued Fourth is increased clubhouse staff hours; right now, the staffing model is one person in the clubhouse with a second person only occasionally. The group feels they should have the capability to have two people there Wednesday – Saturday evenings, to sell food, help with the pace of play, and the first tee. Frankly speaking, many people bring their own liquor, and many people just walk on the course without checking in or paying and there is an enforcement issue that a second person can help with. Finally, is $2,000 for music entertainment. Seals noted they were in the black for the last year $150,000+ and she looks at it like they are just using some of the overage. Mayor Walsh does not have a problem doing any of that stuff and they should see how it works. He noted Ron Olson come back with what has already been established as the budget, and any rollover dollars from last year from roads and bonds that were paid off were put into the building fund. He would like to see what they already have in and what they need to put in to get the funds there. Chair Roath agreed and hopes it will be positive next year. Crosby said if they get more of the kids from the schools coming there for golf events and starting at a young age. Edwards noted they have partnerships with schools and some golf programs come to the course in the afternoons during the season. Chair Roath noted the first CIP item would be the year-round fire-pit and they hope to have the clubhouse open next winter with more parties and activities scheduled. Mayor Walsh hopes some of the yearly items can fit in the budget ($100,000-$150,000) rather than having to come and ask to increase the budget for things. Chair Roath stated 2020 proved that the golf course can be a profitable business and going forward they need to continue to expand capabilities and offerings and reach more customers. He said they also need to be sure they do this smartly and make the right decisions. Gordy Stofer, 190 Orono Orchard Road S, echoed that from his view as a passionate golfer, by all accounts last year was a tremendous year for the sport. People have come back to it or are trying it for the first time and they are excited to be out there. He sees people all day long playing the course and having a great time. He said in looking at Brookview, Braemar, and Chaska, which seem to be nicely thriving businesses for those communities, Orono could be some version of that. His biggest fear as living across the street is that it will continue to bleed red ink and something bad might happen down the road; the best case is it would be a profit center every year.