03-11-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE • ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING , Monday,March 11,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (11. EVAL UATION OF OPTIONS PRESENTED BY RESIDENTS FOR THE ORONO GOLF COURSE, Continued) Struve indicated some of the initial action items are items that can be done right away. The 2013 budget has funds which could be appropriated to provide the material costs for some of the clubhouse and ground updates. Based on the projected work load for the Public Works Department,there is limited staff time available to assist in these projects and it would be recommended the Public Works Department limits the amount of involvement and instead rely heavily on volunteers to partake in doing the majority of the work. Struve stated the Public Works Department would be able to provide some of the equipment and replace some of the stones,but in terms of the painting and other items,they would need to rely on the volunteers. Additional action items for this spring and summer include promoting the golf course through Course Trends and the City newsletter. As it relates to the long-term options, at the last meeting Bradley Hanson spoke about a potential $2,500 donation from the Lions Club for the creation of a disc golf course. Struve stated he is not aware of any official action by the Lions Club which says that money is for that direct purpose,and until that happens, he is not sure if that money is available or not. The Lions Club would like to start with a nine-hole disc golf course and then see what the interest level is. There has not been a formal design done at this point and it would be the recommendation that if disc golf is to be pursued at the golf course,they bring someone in who has worked with other golf courses on integrating disc golf. Struve stated if disc golf is to be explored, it would be his recommendation the City obtain a formal design and cost estimate. Struve stated he is not sure where the estimated costs contained in the information he was provided came from, and that in speaking with the assistant general manager at Theodore Wirth Golf Course, he indicated they spent approximately$13,000 to$15,000 for the installation of an 18-hole disc golf course. The City of Independence installed a 9-hole disc golf course and the total cost was approximately$11,000,which included engineering and designing of the disc golf course. Struve indicated he is open to exploring disc golf since it is another revenue stream, and according to the information he has received,the price averages around$5 for adults and $2.50 for juniors and seniors. In terms of the existing clubhouse and maintenance facility,the improvements should be evaluated and prioritized. Struve indicated those items can then be factored into the 2014 budget or future budgets as well. Struve stated his recommendation for other long-term items would include fundraising, a bike ride, a l OK run, and that if fundraising efforts are done,they should be done by volunteer organizations which could then donate the money back to the City for use at the golf course. Levang indicated she would be supportive of everything listed on Page 1 be completed except for the disc golf since a closer look would need to be taken as it relates to that item. McMillan stated in her view the domain name and branding can be done and the volunteers can help with the branding. McMillan indicated she does not know anything about Course Trends,but that they already have volunteers from the community to assist with that and that she is not sure another organization needs to be involved. Page 14 of 27