Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 02-28-06 ‎(workshop)‎ — reading text

of Fort Walton Beach, Florida ( the " City"), approving areduction of the rate of interest on its First Mortgage Revenue Bonds ( Bridgeway Center, Inc. Project) Series 1998 ( the " Bonds") and other related matters. In addition authorize the Mayor to execute all necessary documents. BEACH, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON FLORIDA ( THE " CITY"), APPROVING A REDUCTION OF THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON ITS FIRST MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS ( BRlDGEW AY CENTER INC. PROJECT) SERIES 1998 (THE " BONDS") AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS. The City Manager pointed out revisions to the resolution reflects interest rate changes. She further explained that the documents do not represent any legal obligation for the City' s debt repayment; the City just serves as a vehicle which they issue the debt and refinance the debt. by can Mr. Tucker moved to approve Res. 04-12, as revised. Mr. Kelley seconded motion and it carried in favor. unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Kelley, and Anderson Councilman Anderson mentioned that the new Chainnan for the Board of Directors for Bridgeway is the City' s CDS Director, Missy McKim. RES. 09 AMENDING GOLF CLUB RATES AND FEES! 04- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH AMENDING THE GOLF CLUB SECTION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW COUNTY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM. The City Manager gave a brief review of the issues that generated the proposed revisions to the golf club rates, that reducing expenditures, increasing rounds, and increasing fees are three key components explained to insure that the Golf Club becomes revenue sufficient, and reported that staff and the Golf Course Advisory Committee discussed various rate structures prior to narrowing it down to three for Council consideration. She reported the Golf Course Advisory Committee reviewed and approved three separate structures to 2) Structure B with present to Council, prioritized as: first: 1) Structure C as revised-corrected, second: inflation revised, and third: 3) Structure E - Committee recommended on 2- 23- 04. She further reported the Golf Club Administrator recommends Structure E. Staff encourages Council to limit new county memberships to 100 initially, as provided in Structure B with inflation revised, and Structure E ( Committee recommendation) until the impact on actual revenues can be determined. Staff recommends the initial rate adjustment occur on June 1, 2004 and annual rate adjustments be implemented as proposed in the rates structures and the Comprehensive Fee Schedule for the Golf Fund each year thereafter on June 1, 2005, 2006, and 2007. Staff will periodically evaluate the rates in relationshipto rounds and expenses incurred and determine what, if any, adjustments need to be played made. Staff requests Council adopt Res. 04- 09 amending the Golf Club rates, establishing a four-year rate Staff adjustment with an initial implementation date of June 1, 2004 by specifying one of the rate schedules. further requests Council adopt staff's recommended plan for new County memberships. The City Jerry Coker, 308 Leah Miller Drive, requested a highlight of the differences in the three structures. Manager gave a brief summary of the differences in the three proposals.  3- 9- 04 IREs. 04- 09 cont~ Billy Mikel, 11 Eagle Street, Chairman of the Golf Course Advisory Committee, discussed the two seasons for golf, winter season and summer season, then explained the reason the Committee placed Structure C as their fIrst recommendation and why the Committee feels it is important to bring in County membership because it will increase membership and increase plays, which will increase revenue. He noted part of the Committee' s recommendation is to re- evaluate the 200 County memberships recommended in Structure C on a continuing basis to see if the golf course can handle more. Discussion ensued on the differences in the rates proposed in the three separate proposals and the impact to the current members. Charles Wheelehan, 613 Palm Drive, expressed his opinion that the new building is an economic burden to the golfers and spoke in favor of increased County membership with no limitation. Jim Frazier, Golf Club Administrator, explained the reason he recommended Structure E is because he understood the initial approach was to get in the black fast, and he stated there would be no problem with the transition. He said he will work with any scenario and commented his job is to increase participation. Discussion continued on the differences in the proposed rate structures. John Franklin, 221 California Drive, complimented the Golf Course staff for the good work they have done at the golf course and said he is looking forward to the transition. He spoke in favor of a rate increase but spoke against the elimination of the senior membership. Lee McDonald, 10 Ru De La Roi, commented on the low rates at the golf course, and expressed his opinion on the need for a workshop to look at the various facets on how much the principle golfer and their dependents will pay, how much the county member and their dependents will pay, golf cart rates, etc., to arrive at a plausible solution on a rate structure that would not have to be changed in a few months. Discussion continued on the differences in the proposed rate structures for residents and non- residents. Chris Johnson, 252 Yacht Club Drive, reviewed the numbers showing an increase during the fIrst three months of the fIscal for membership fees, green fees, cart rentals, and driving range, and he spoke in support for the increase in rates. Rick Deckert, 202 Sotir Street, commented on the low golf rates and spoke in support of raising the rates. He also suggested it be considered to require golf carts on the weekends. Mr. Tucker moved to adopt Rate Schedule C. Dr. Pullen seconded motion, adding that Council revisit the issue in 60 days. It was clarifIed that schedule C will limit the new county membership to 200. Discussion was held on the differences in the rate schedules and the question of what new information could be provided to Council in 60 days that has not been provided at this time. Mr. Tucker withdrew motion. Mr. Holmes moved to adopt Res. 04-09 with Rate Schedule C. Mr. Kelley seconded motion. It was pointed out that the issue will be revisited in one year and adjustments can be made at that time. Jerry Coker, 308 Leah Miller Drive, encouraged Council not to be overly concerned about raising the rates on City membership. He mentioned if the fee for county membership goes over $ 700 then there would not be many takers. He suggested starting with allowing 200 County members in at this time and if it works to consider allowing more county members later. He agreed requiring carts on the weekend from 8- 12 would be acceptable but to require it at all times the rest of the week would be a mistake.  3- 9- 04 IREs. 04-09 cont~ Billy Mikel mentioned that part of the recommendation is to re- evaluate the 200 county memberships periodically to determine if they want to let more county members join. He said there are three or four other issues the committee will review at a later date and return to Council with policy recommendations. Lee McDonald commented it should not be a problem requiring golf carts on Saturday and Sunday. Jim Frazier commented forcing people to ride a golf cart is strictly a private country club atmosphere, and his mission is to increase golf participation and not turn people away. Ted Raymond, Temple Avenue, mentioned his disagreement with the grandfathered county residents never paying the same as the new county members and suggested there should be a graduated scale where at some point in time the grandfathered county members and the new county members are paying the same rate for a membership. Mr. Tucker called for the question. The City Manager received confirmation that the motion is to adopt Res. 04- 09 with Rate Schedule C. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to adopt Res. 04- 09 with Rate Schedule C ( revised corrected) establishing a four year rate adjustment with an initial date of June 1, implementation 2004, and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Kelley, and Anderson in favor. Mr. Holmes moved to authorize the implementation plan for the new County Memberships Program, on a first-come, first-served system to be administered by the Golf Club Administrator to enroll new County members: 1) Elieibilitv: New members must be a permanent full-time resident of Okaloosa County and must complete an application form and provide adequate proof of residency. 2) Enrollment Ooens: Enrollment period begins - April 15, 2004 at 9: 00 a.m. 3) Number of Memberships per Familv: At the time of enrollment the New County Member must specity the number of dependents ( including spouse) up to a maximum of 3 dependents ( including spouse) per family for a total of 4 memberships ( member/ dependents) per family. 4) Deposit and Payment: A deposit of $ 300 for New County Membership and $ 100 for each dependent membership is due with a completed application for enrollment, with the balance of the total membership due by June 1, 2004 at 5: 00 p. m. Applications without deposit( s) will not be accepted. New County Members and/or dependents/ spouse are not entitled to play at the member green fee rate until all fees are paid in full. 5) Enrollment Closes: Enrollment period ends May 15, 2004 at 5: 00 p. m. even if all new membership slots are not filled. 6) Pr02ram Limitations: All 2004 new County Members will be informed of the following program limitations at the time of enrollment: a) This is a one- time program that may not re-