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08-29-1989 Special MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 29, 1989 The special meeting of the Miami Shores Village Council was held on Tuesday, August 29, at Village Hall commencing at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Courtney Herb Spahn Spero Canton Stephen Loffredo Marty Stofik Also present: Gall Macdonald Wllilam F. Fann Mayor Courtney opened the meeting and asked Ms. Macdonald to review the budget. Ms. Macdonald spoke about the proposed changes at the golf course In the coming year. Mayor Courtney introduced Mr. Chuck Hart the new Country Club Manager, Mr. Mike Clancy the Golf Pro, Mr.. Ross Saylor the Golf Course Superintendent, Mr. Richard Thornton from the Country Club Advisory Board and Ms. Rene Swing -le the Assistant General Manager. Mr. Hart reviewed his experience In Club Management. He suggested keeping the Club private and not opening It up to open play. He also suggested using other means to fillopen times at the golf course. He suggested a rate Increase which will keep the fees still below other Clubs. Mr. Canton asked how much additional revenue ,will the Club get from working with local hotels. Mr. Hart responded,120 to 150 thousand dollars. Mr. Hart talked about working with the Sheraton Bal Harbour. Mr. Loffredo spoke about banquet servers at the Club and asked Mr'. Hart If he would be able to boost banquet revenue. Mr. Hart replied that he would have no problem raising revenue with regards to banquets. Ms. Stoflk asked If the summer greens fees would be reduced. Mr. Hart replied yes, to $26. Ms. Stoflk asked about tennis with regards to downtown hotels. Mr.' Mike Melanefy responded that the Club has limited facilities except at lunch time. Ms. Stoflk spoke about a Comprehensive Plan for the Country Club. She asked about standard pricing for banquets. Mr. Hart replied that there was a plan In the works but no current plan. Ms. Stoflk asked Mr. Hart If there was anything In the budget that he was not comfortable with. Mr. Hart replied that the funds for Club House maintenance were too low. Mr. Spahn statedthat he he has a problem with non-resident membership going from a 35% to a 50% differentlal. He said that the Club doesn't have the product to Justify that Increase. Mr. Spahn stated that the budget is set up by month not by year so the Council can see where the Departments are going and how they will get there. Mr. Canton spoke about aesthetics. Mr. Hart stated that he has inspected the facilities and changes need to be made, some minor some major. He sald that the Club has been run down. Ms. Stoflk spoke about landscaping and trimming of the hedges at the Club. Mr. Hart spoke aboutdeveloping a Junior Golf Association to get younger members Involved with a more structured environment. Ms. Stofik spoke about dues and phasing In the rate Increases. Mr. Spahn stated that the Council should not fool with dues until the Club has a product to market. He said the Club should first be Improved before Increases are made. Mr. Spahn suggested that If fees must be raised that it be limited to 7% across the board. Mr. Loffredo stated that he was not In favor of any dues Increase at all. He sald that this Is not the time for an Increase. Mr. Spahn stated that Miami Shores Country Club Is different from other clubs. He said that the Club doesn't make the members do alot of things that other clubs do and if the Village Is going to run a Country Club the Village Is going to have to charge for It. Mr. Canton stated that the Club should not drop standards which would be admitting defeat. He said the Council should show members a better product before raising dues. Ms. Stofik stated that the Council should Increase non-resident rates to make resident rates comparably better. Mr. Spahn spoke about summer memberships and stated that the Council should wait on a decision for summer memberships for 3 months. Mr. Canton spoke about marketing of the Club to residents. Mayor Courtney stated that the Village now has experts working on the problems at the Club and should take advantage of their advice. He said that he agrees with a 50% differential for non-residents. Ms. Stofik stated that the proposed budget Is based on a 7% Increase and a 50% differential and she doesn't think It will work. She suggested a phased -In Increase. Ms. Macdonald stated that the bottom line of the budget Is a 5% Increase and a 35% differential. Mr. Canton asked how Important Is the 5% to 7% Increase. Mr. Hart stated that the difference In 6 months Is Insignificant but to balance the budget now It Is very Important. Mayor Courtney called for a recess at 9:02 p.m.. The meeting was reconvened at 9:12 p.m.. Mayor Courtney stated that the Council should review the proposed budget for specific questions. Ms. Stofik asked about pro shop revenues and golf course maintenance. Mr. Hart reviewed the revenues and Mr. Saylor explained how the figures were arrived at for maintenance. Ms. Stofik asked If there was any way to reduce the cost of operation with regards to hours of operation. Mr. Hart stated that it Is up to the bartender to call for "last call" and use his Judgement. Mr. Spahn moved to stay with the 35% differential with the non-residential members and charge everyone else a 7% Increase across the board. No second was forth -coming. Ms. Stofik moved to adopt the fee schedule as reflected by column 1 on the provided spread sheet (5% Increase and a 35% differential). Mr. Canton seconded the motion. Mayor Courtney stated that he was concerned with the motion because It departs from the financial picture as developed by Ms. Macdonald. Ms. Macdonald stated that If the dues are decreased then the contingency fund will be reduced but It will not affect the operating budget. Mr. Fann read the caption of the dues resolution and suggested that the motion be withdrawn and worded differently. Ms. Stofik withdrew her motion and moved to adopt the resolution with the following changes: that the fees reflect those fees scheduled on the Membership Proposals under the column entitled 5% plus proposed equity. Mr. Canton seconded the motion. Mr. Hart stated that there Is a need to generate a younger membership at the Club. He said It would be great to keep the Intermediate rate as low as possible. Mr. Dick Thornton, president of the Advisory Board, stated the Club needs more members and anything the Council can do to Inspire the younger members Is indicated. He said that for older members the price Is too low. Ms. Stoflk withdrew her motion. Ms. Stoflk moved the resolution with the the following changes: that the dues reflected be based on schedule B Yearly Increases 6% cost of living, 35% non-resident equity phasing In the Increases in the Intermediate categories as presented to Ms. Macdonald as attached to Ms. Stofik's memo of August 7th. There was no second for Ms. Stofik's motion. Mr. Loffredo moved that the Council repeal Resolution 838-88 and replace It with a new resolution adopting the staff recommended resolution with the change In fees as set forth In the Council's spread sheet called Miami Shores Village Country Club Membership Dues Proposal the column being the 6% plus 35% proposed equity with the sole exception In that column that the Intermediate categories be unchanged from Resolution 836-88. Mr. Spahn seconded the motion. Ms. Stoflk stated that to have no increase In Intermediate category Is a mistake. Mr. Spahn stated that It Is a marketing tool. Mayor Courtney stated that he Is concerned that everyone else In every other category Is faced with an Increase and Intermediate is not. Mr. Loffredo stated that last year there were twice as many intermediate members and If increases go through there won't be any. The vote was taken for the motion on the floor and Is as follows: Loffredo - yes, Spahn - yes, Mayor - yes, Canton - no and Stoflk - no. The motion passed. Ms. Stoflk stated that she Is concerned with continuity from one day to the next with reference to the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Loffredo volunteered to sit down with Ms. Stoflk to create a first draft of a Comprehensive Pian. Mr. Fann stated that a Council workshop is necessary If 2 Council members work together on a committee. Mr. Spahn suggested that Ms. Stoflk get together with the Country Club Advisory Board to develop a Comprehensive plan. Ms. Stoflk stated that the idea of a first draft Is to pull together what Is existing now into one document. Mr. Thornton stated that the Advisory Board would be happy to work with Ms. Stof Ik. Mr. Joe Schwartz spoke about personnel at the tennis area. Mr. Tom Smith asked who makes the decisions to honor contracts signed by Mr. Klug. Mr. Fann stated that he's the one. The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 p.m.. Attest: Gall Macdonald Village Clerk By: ..Ni+�•� Scott W. DIIiv2.s- Deputy Village Clerk