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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,May 2,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Stofer shared about the name change and that it ties into the history of the club and they are looking <br /> forward to the 100 year anniversary. They want to present the course in a way that has more depth in <br /> marketing and is also an area that is more than just golf including amenities and year-round activities.He <br /> noted the course is doing as well as it ever has and it is really important to keep people there and offer a <br /> fun, casual, and affordable place for all ages. He would also like to keep some energy and marketing buzz <br /> around the course so it does not fall into the challenging financial times it has had in the past. <br /> Lemons stated because it is a City park they will need permission from the City Council to change the <br /> name. Tonight they would need a recommendation to bring it before the City Council. <br /> Benson moved,Porter seconded,to recommend that the City Council approve the name change of <br /> the golf course to Orono Orchards Golf Course.VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. <br /> 6. Orono Public Golf Kitchen Updates. <br /> Lemons stated with the current food license at the golf course they can only offer pre-packaged foods. <br /> The golf course subcommittee has been looking at ways to improve the offerings and expand the menu. In <br /> order for the menu to change,the kitchen would also need to be changed with wipe-able surfaces on the <br /> walls floor-to-ceiling, additional sinks, and maybe a dishwasher to get to the next level of service which <br /> would still be limited to food such as pizzas,hot dogs,and brats. The subcommittee has been working <br /> with the Hennepin County Health Department and contractors and they would like to have an <br /> architectural drawing put together for the kitchen to start looking at the cost of the remodel. <br /> Stofer shared through the effort they would also receive as-built drawings of the building, utility <br /> locations, and even if they decided not to go forward on the kitchen improvement he still feels there is <br /> value in doing this work. <br /> Lemons noted this is not in the budget for this year and would be outside the scope of the budget. <br /> Chair Roath was shocked that the spend-per-round was less than $2.00 on food and beverages at the golf <br /> course. He thinks it is a financial opportunity that is worth exploring with this kitchen remodel. <br /> Lemons replied since it is not budgeted this would be coming out of the Park Fund and the Commission <br /> would be seeking City Council's approval to spend money on the drawing. <br /> Benson asked if is makes sense to hear from the individuals who use this course to get an indication of <br /> who is using the course and how they are using the course. She does not know if there is an appetite for <br /> hot dogs and pizza and she also thinks there are other ways to explore food options such as food trucks. <br /> Part of her hesitancy is that she does not see data related to the return on investment(ROI) and this is not <br /> a small amount of money being proposed. If the kitchen will cost around$70,000 how many years will it <br /> take to get the return on investment. She also questions the fact that they haven't had an open bid process <br /> for the work or architectural drawings that are being done. To be asked to approve or get behind <br /> something that does not have a lot of data is tricky for Benson right now. <br /> Edwards clarified this proposal is to get an RFP for an architect to do the preliminary drawings.As a City <br /> they have not gone out and formally engaged with anyone for this. One architectural firm has assisted <br /> pro-bono in a friend-of-a-friend situation. <br /> Page 4 of 10 <br />