06-07-1989
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CITY OF lIDGEWATER
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
June 7, 1989 7:00 P.M.
City Hall
MINUTES
ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER
The June 7, 1989 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board was called to order by the
Chairman, Harry Montgomery at 7:02 P.M. in the Edgewater City Hall.
Members present were: Harry Montgomery, Jeff Ridgdill, and Lawrence Lanchoney. Sue
Pezanowski and Kirk Jones were absent. Also present was David Garrett/Recreation
Director/Buildings & Grounds Maintenance Superintendent and Mr. Alton Bechtel of
Golf Investment Advisors. There were also several people in attendance from the public.
Kirk Jones arrived later at 7:15 P.M.
OLD BUSINESS
GOLF COURSE PRESENTATION/GOLF INVESTMENT ADVISORS
Mr. Montgomery called for the presentation by Golf Investment Advisors before proceeding
to other Park business and introduced Mr. Almont Bechtel to the Board and audience.
Mr. Bechtel said he had recently left National Golf Foundation where he was Vice-President
of golf course development. His principal job was to promote golf to the extent of
motivating municipalities to build one golf course per day for the next 13 years, which
he said is the basic need for golf in this country at a growth of 2% each year and in
fact it is growing at a rate of 5% per year. He was also previously a real estate de-
veloper and Executive Vice-President of Radnor Corporation.
Mr. Bechtel explained the four basic barriers that kept municipalities from pursuing
golf courses and these items were; is there a need for one, acquiring the land, where
to get financing, and how to go about construction of a golf course. He said his company,
Golf Investment Advisors, would do a feasibility study for the city. This study would
decide if there was enough demand in this area for a course, based on income and ages
of possible users, how much operating costs would be, and a five year forecast on revenue.
If the city already had the land required for a course, they would check the site and
see if it were suitable, however, they don't normally find the land for you, feeling
that a city knows best where a golf course should be located. The cost of the study is
$14,000.00, however, if the city decided to contract with Golf Investment Advisors, it
would be included in the overall cost of the project. If the survey were'to reveal there
was not sufficient need in Edgewater for a golf course, then costs would only be $1,000.00
for expenses. He also stated that the city could purchase only the feasibility study for
$14,000.00 and then proceed on its own to build the course, but without a study it could
be difficult to get bond buyers to finance the project.
Mr. Bechtel stated that if the city decided to contract with his company that they would
find the necessary financing and the city would be responsible for guaranteeing the
mortgage on the loan. Also there is no capital interest on the first two years and would
be spread out over the duration of the loan. The city would also share in the profits
of the golf course and would own it solely in about 20 years when the mortgage was paid
off. He said the total cost of developing an 18 hole, "user-friendly" course for this
city would depend on many factors such as cart paths, land, type of irrigation, kind of
soil, turf, etc., but the cost could be expected to be between 1.5 to 2.5 million doltars,
which would not include the cost of acquiring the land. He said if the city could get a
local developer or an individual to donate the land, it would benefit both parties, as
the land value around the golf course would increase. An 18 hole course, he said, would
require 120 to 150 acres of land which could cost anywhere between $500,000.00 to
$750,000.00.
Mr. Bechtel stated his company had sent the sanle proposal to every municipal Recreation
Department in Florida and so far hasn't had any takers, but felt this was due to Florida
State Statutes which require cities to go out for competitive bids. A member of the
audience asked if it would be a membership course and Mr. Bechtel said he was not in
favor of memberships, as the people who can only play infrequently end up subsidizing the
members who can play frequently. If the city chose to subsidize, they could, but he
would not if it were his decision.
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Mr. Lanchoney asked the circumstances under which the city could get a free golf course,
as was mentioned in Mr. Bechtel's proposal letter, and Mr. Bechtel said that a local
developer could perhaps be convinced to donate the land and the golf course in return
for certain conditions he may want that the city could provide.
At this time Mr. Bechtel concluded this presentation and thanked everyone for their
interest. Mr. Montgomery recessed the meeting at 8:20 P.M. for a short break.
At 8:25 P.M. Mr. Montgomery called the meeting back to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Lanchoney moved to accept the following minutes:
Workshop with City Council and the School Board; and
Mr. Ridgdill seconded the motion and it CARRIED 4-0.
April 5, 1989; April 26, 1989
the May 24, 1989 Special Meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS
At this time Mr. Montgomery wanted to bring up the issue of the ballfield lease with
the School Board that they had not had a chance to address earlier this month. In
response to the meeting with the Council and School Board on April 26, 1989, the Board
decided to send a letter to the School Board stating that the Park Board considers the
current lease to be adequate and we will continue to comply with the current guidelines.
If necessary, we will provide more access to the fields by adding a gate, giving the
school expanded access to the ballfields. Mr. Lanchoney moved to send this letter as
the Park Board's response, seconded by Mr. Jones. Motion CARRIED 4-0.
Mr. Lanchoney also wanted to add that he felt the Council and Mayor could get involved
in helping to acquire land for parks by approaching individuals in the community. He
suggested someone such as Kenneth May who owns the Coronado Farms property. The Board
had addressed this to Council previously on April 10, 1989, when the lease situation
arose, and felt it was time to do so again by sending a letter to the Mayor asking
his assistance.
NEW BUSINESS
PARKS AND RECREATION MONTHLY REPORT/IMPACT FEE MONTHLY REPORT
Due to the time factor, the Board briefly scanned these reports and accepted them as
written.
Mr. Jones asked to bring up an item under New Business. He stated he had located some
property near Volco Road which may be a good parcel for park property. The Board agreed
to individually go out and look at the land and bring comments back to the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Ridgdill moved to adjourn, seconded
by Mr. Jones. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
Minutes submitted by
Barb Kowall
-2- Parks and Recreation Board
June 7, 1989