5-7-12 GM Ops Mtg
GM Operations Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
Monday May 7, 2012/ 1:30pm
Governing Board Conference Room
Directors Present: Dave Moeller, Jack Steiner, Griff Williams, Lake Westphal, Ed VanCott, Pat Canfield, and Kenny Jordahl.
Excused: Terry Hamman, Patricia Tomlin
STAFF Present: Mike Whiting
Directors Elect: Nolan Reed and Marion Mosley
Guest(s): James West, Ron Mullen, Larry and Dee Masteller, Annette Parsons, Jerry Parsons, Pat Kelly, Lynne O’Grady, Byron Brothers, Kay Williams, Gale Johnson, Chuck Reott, Paul Piper, Bert Smith, Nancy Smith, and Matt Szydlowski.
The meeting was called to order by President Dave Moeller at 1:32 p.m.
One item was added to the agenda: 4.5 Corte Bella re: Energy Conservation Information.
1.0 The minutes of the April 30th meeting were modified to include an inadvertent omission as follows at #2, line 4 under GM Report: “Was the issue of monetary contribution from either of the 2 clubs discussed at the meeting? The answer was no, it was not a factor in the presentation”.
2.0 General Manager Weekly Activity Report for 5/07/12 was distributed. Discussion followed:
#10- Visitor Passes (VIP) from PORA- not to be confused with the Bowling Center VIP passes referred to in the previous minutes. The PORA VIP Passes are very productive in getting potential home buyers to visit the Rec. Centers facilities.
#11- Stardust Golf Course electrical service for the well pump: Water will be diverted from another golf course while permits and repairs are made to redo the electrical power to the well pump.
3.0 Governing Board Discussion Items: None
4.0 New Business and Open Discussion:
4.1 Strike Zone Eatery Hours and Projected Costs- deferred until May 21st.
4.2 Discussion of Tennis Courts at Palm Ridge- Mike provided a summary of the meeting held with representatives of the Racquet Club and the Pickleball Club. Each club was asked to take Mike’s proposal back to their respective clubs for consideration. The results as reported in the membership minutes were to be submitted to Mike. Discussion followed, including the matter of financial contribution from each club being considered. Remarks were offered that the determination on which type of surface should be depended upon how much money is offered. Mike responded that the final decision should not be linked to how much a club can pay.
Discussion continued regarding the need for an Association policy on the matter of club contribution to projects. A brief outline of the history of proposals from each club was offered. Previous proposals included draft outlines of modifications for re-purposing of RCSCW facilities and properties, including projections of estimated club growth and usage.
A question was raised about the issue of sound which has been mentioned by residents near the Palm Ridge Pickleball Courts. It may be necessary to provide some form of sound barriers to mitigate noise and to accommodate resident concerns.
Guests were invited to offer comments:
- The original location of Pickleball to Palm Ridge was, in part, due to noise concerns voiced by RHJ tennis court players.
- Repair of tennis courts may be required on a twice yearly basis.
- A question was asked about the original Pickleball sound testing. When were the tests conducted and where are the results? The procedure for testing for noise was discussed.
- Could a survey or other process be undertaken to garner Palm Ridge resident concerns about the sound?
- Concerns expressed by a Properties Committee member reminded all present how long the decision process has taken. The Board has enough information, it seems, to make a decision.
- If anyone is frustrated, it is the tennis players. If there were some other location available to expand Pickleball, the tennis players would support it. But they do not want the Palm Ridge courts to be taken over by Pickleball.
4.3 Discussion on Policies Fi8, Fa10, and Fa1:
- Mike provided an update on the situation regarding these policies. The flow chart has been updated to reflect current procedures, which are different than policies. A draft document will be circulated to Directors for review and future discussion. Suggestions were made regarding potential improvements to the flow chart and reporting processes.
- Remarks regarding the draft documents to be circulated were offered as a result of B&F Committee discussion. B&F had thought the setting of a dollar amount that guides the pathway to the operating budget or the capital project might be inappropriate at this time. More information will be forthcoming after further discussion in B&F.
- Is there any estimate on when the B&F suggestions about Fi8 will be coming? Directors were encouraged to provide input as soon as possible.
4.4 Set Workshop Agenda Topics:
- Discussion on GolfNow.com
- Discuss Golf Rewards reward program
- Review of Proposed 2012-2013 Budget
- Corte Bella Electric Energy Information
- Discussion of Palm Ridge courts recommendation
- Governing Board Comments
- Resident Comments
4.5 Corte Bella Offer:
- The President of Corte Bella has offered research and findings regarding alternative gas-turbine electricity being considered to reduce electricity costs. Noise was mentioned as being often associated with this type of electric generation.
5.0 Director Comments:
- The next Idea Exchange Forum is scheduled for May 24th at 7:30am, Directors have volunteered to make the invitation phone calls to the remaining TORCH Alumni that signed up to attend this session. There will be NO Idea Exchange Forum in June. The next one will be in September.
- Why is the next GM OP’s/GB Monday Meeting being held in the Lecture Hall? To accommodate what is expected to be a large crowd to discuss the Ceramic Club issues and the appeal made to the Governing Board regarding the General Manager decision to authorize a Ceramic Club that has made application under RR&P procedures.
- Palm Ridge renovations- several Directors toured the Palm Ridge locker rooms to learn more about the condition of the lockers and the tile. The locker doors seem to be the largest problem, but all new lockers may not be required at this time. Staff will be consulted about the lockers. The RCSCW staff indicates that the tile does require renovation and the hallway is a safety issue for slippery floors.
- Ceramics Club issues: Conflicts have surfaced within this club resulting in a group re-forming into a separate club. Comments were offered about why personalities become so visceral and divisive. What happened to the “greater good” and sense of “community” we all came here to enjoy? A document was circulated to Directors recounting the history of the situation. This topic will be on the May 14th GM OP’s Monday meeting agenda. THIS MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN THE LECTURE HALL TO ACCOMMODATE THE ANTICIPATED ATTENDANCE.
- TORCH steering committee is meeting May 9th at 1:30pm to discuss the future of post TORCH graduation opportunities for continued education and or service.
- There were approximately 60 residents present at the SCW/ASU Survey “Problem Solving” sessions on Friday May 4th. A report will be made at the Governing Board meeting on May 24th. Following that meeting, the information will be made available on the web-site.
- A list of safety and other projects was shown to the Directors typical of what the maintenance department does over the course of one year. The list was extensive and Directors expressed gratitude for their excellent work on behalf of this community.
6.0 Member Comments:
- As President of a club involved in the Palm Ridge issue of court usage, I would have expected to have had notice of this meeting. An apology was offered for the oversight of not having extended such an invitation.
- Where are the meeting agenda’s published? On the GB web-site.
- Commendation to Pat Canfield for her excellent leadership of the Charter Club/Library clubs.
- SCW/ASU “Problem Solving” forum on Friday was excellent. Special mention was made regarding policy Fi8, and a possible Rec. News section titled “Did You Know” might be helpful to residents to stay current on capital projects and other special updates.
- Encouragement was offered to the GB to continue it’s effort in fine tuning communications and access to information by residents.
- Residents need to be more assertive about accessing information.
- With regard to the Workshop agenda. There is no need to make complex presentations by the clubs because they have already been done.
- Can the day of meetings be changed? Yes, we have considered other times and will do so again. We have considered evenings, but the necessity to have Administration and other resources available is problematic.
- Comments about the Ceramics Club matters dividing the two groups.
- The Bylaws and RR&P’s seem to have conflicts about the process for authorizing charters to clubs.
- Thanks to all GB Directors for their time and efforts in managing the community. The complexities are enormous and endless.
Meeting Adjourned at 3:14pm.
Jack Steiner, Secretary RCSCW
Thank you for your response to my Golf Car Question! I understand that gas golf cars are easier to maintain and that if we can afford to purchase golf cars It is a good way to Go!
In this economy with a three year lease and the “New Improved batteries” available It may be less expensive to Go Electric.
The leasing Co provides new Cars in three years and no need to purchase batteries and less polution! I had understood that we had been purchasing used gas cars.
Thanks for the info.
Bill Noble
Hi Mr. Noble. Thank you for your questions. We are in the process of building the new cart barn, and in the new fiscal year, we will purchase new gas golf cars. These will be fueled at the maintenance yard, as is the current practice. There will be no gas tanks near the new cart barn.
We do not plan to create an electric fleet. We have tried electric carts in the past, and still have some in our fleet. They are limited, however. Not only are the batteries hugely expensive – which makes them costlier to maintain in the long run – but we cannot quickly bring electric carts in and refuel them and send them back out on the course like we can with gas cars. With the electrics, they have to be brought in and recharged, and sometimes they cannot be sent out in the same day depending on when they come in. Gas carts are much more efficient.
We do not have plans to lease carts at this time. We have investigated it. In fact we used to lease much of our equipment years ago, but we ended that practice and started purchasing to save money in the long run.
As to your last question – our golf staff does many of the repairs. If the problems are more complex, our golf maintenance staff does them. If they are very involved repairs, then we outsource them.
I understand that the new Cart Barn has begun construction at the Grandview Golf Course. I also understand that SCW is purchasing gas Golf Cars. Will there be Gas tanks near the new car Barn? or will
the Golf cars be filled at the Maintenance Bldg?
I am hoping that the New Cart Barn will be outfitted for Electric Golf Cars also…as that is the future of Golf Cars! SCW has been using Solar at the Maintenance Bldgs. why not the Cart Barn?
I am sure the RCSCW has investigated leasing a Golf Car Fleet as that is a good way to go!!!!
Last question..Do we (RCSCW) employ golf Car Maintenance personnel ordoe Pohle provide this service?
Thank you,
Bill Noble