Loading...
2003-07-09BEVERLY GOLF & TENNIS COMMISSION 134 McKay Street BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS 01915 Commission Members John D. Kenney, Chairman Michael P. Pierce, Vice Chairman Marianne M. Doane Eileen R. Duff Kevin F. Hobin Donald E. Jones Martin J. Lawler, III Elliott C. Margolis Ida Beaver, Recording Secretary August 8, 2003 Minutes of Monthly Meeting July 9, 2003 Present: John Kenney, Chairman; Kevin Hobin; Martin Lawler; Marianne Doane; Michael Pierce, Vice Chairman; Elliott Margnlis; Eileen Duff; and Donald Jones Guests: Doug Johnson (Johnson Golf Management); Peter Harrison (Par for the Course); Art Daignanlt (ADA Coordinator); Peter Iovanni (President of the Men's Association); Steve Follensby (Attorney for Johnson Golf Management); and Lou Bennett Call to Order: . Mr. Kenney called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. At this time he announced that Larry Nelson had resigned from the Commission and that another appointment will come from the Mayor's office. Next, Mr. Kenney handed out an updated email address list and asked the Commission members to check it to make sure the information on it was correct. A motion was made by Many Lawler to accept the minutes of the meeting of June 11, 2003. Mike Pierce seconded the motion, and it was approved with all in favor Management Contract: Mr. Pierce reported that the Ad Hoc Grounds Committee met with Doug Johnson for the purpose of discussing the condition of the course. He stated that as a result of all the snow, cold and ice during the past winter in addition to a cold, wet spring the greens were severely damaged. When asked about getting covers for the greens, Mr. Johnson said it would cost about $4,000 - $5,000 to purchase 20 covers but he could not guarantee any better results from using them, although he felt that they could probably help. He did mention that his lack of presence possibly contributed to certain work not being done in a timely fashion, but he also noted that other courses in the area were in just as bad shape. Mr. Johnson indicated in response to a question that he followed the schedule in the contract in fact he felt he has done more than required, such as aerating the greens. When asked about the sand traps Mr. Johnson said that they needed work. He also indicated that for years the course was not as well kept as it should have been, and this led to certain shortcomings as we've seen this year. Mr. Pierce did point out that the Ad Hoc committee did find that Mr. Johnson and his crew were working very hard over that last few weeks and the improvement was clearly visible. Mr. Johnson reported that the snack shop project has been put on hold because the project was more expensive than expected and it would not provide a return on the investment. Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission Minutes of the July 2003 Monthly Meeting Page 2 of 4 Mr. Johnson noted that the USGA will be visiting on August 6 at 8:30 a.m. to tour the course and report on the conditions. Commission members were invited to attend. Next, Mr. Johnson wanted to clarify that they did use a snow blower to clear the greens, but it was not effective. So he felt that it would not be necessary to do it again. As far as new sand in the bunkers, Mr. Johnson said that new sand is not usually put in bunkers every year. He felt that the wording in the contract was wrong. What the contract should state is that there should be a minimum of 3 inches of sand in the bunkers. It also mentions edging the bunkers in the fall. Mr. Johnson stated that this was done in the spring and again a few weeks ago. He said that it makes no sense to edge them in the fall when the season is over. He also made reference to the USGA report of 2001 wherein it pointed out the poor conditions of the bunkers before Johnson Golf took over responsibility for the course. He also referred to Dave Tormey's letter, which states that any large-scale bunker renovations hadn't been done since the 1980's. Mr. Kenney handed out copies of this letter to the commission members. Mr. Johnson felt that Johnson Golf should not be blamed for the poor conditions of the bunkers. They have also aerated the greens twice and top-dressed them at least five times this year. He is doing ail the steps that he feels are necessary to get the course in good shape. Having consistent sand in every bunker would be a capital improvement and would cost approximately $50,000 to $60,000. Next, Mr. Kenney passed out a letter from Mr. Johnson to the Commission wherein he suggests that the contract should be amended to require aeration of the greens up to two times and top dressing of the greens up to five times per golf season. Steve Follensby, attorney for Johnson Golf Management stated that he would be happy to work out the language of this proposed amendment to the contract regarding aeration and top dressing and send it to the City Solicitor. Mr. Johnson said that the Certificates of Insurance had been given to the City. Next, Peter Harrison spoke about the liquor license. He said that he would be attending a meeting of the Liquor Commission on July 18th. The liquor license allows alcohol to be sold in the building but not outside or on the course. He has stopped the sale of any liquor outside the building. Marianne Donne stated that she looked into this and what is needed is another permit to extend to the boundaries of the existing license. Marty Lawler suggested that Mr. Johnson work out a long-range plan with recommendations for upkeep and improvements on the course. A comment was made by Mr. Joe Devito who plays at Beverly Golf & Tennis regularly that in the last 30 years he has never seen this much work done to the course. He commended the greenskeeping efforts of Johnson Golf Management. Facilities: Mr. Lawler handed out the Monthly Income and Expense Reports. He noted that we are ending the year with a positive balance of $18,000. The largest expense was to Goldberg Energy for heat and repairs. ($7,467) Most of this was for repairs to the heating system. He suggested that there is a need to update these old systems for the next bonding round. He next pointed out a $30,000 encumbrance for the veranda. Tom Durkin has put that aside. A motion to accept the Monthly Income and Expense reports was made Beverly Golf & Tennis Commisaion Minutes of the July 2003 Monthly Meeting Page 3 of 4 by Kevin Hobin, which was seconded by Marianne Doane and passed unanimously. Ms. Doane asked what happened with the $10,500 bill for the refurbishment of the tennis courts that was sent back to Doug Johnson. Mr. Kenney passed out a letter that he sent to Mr. Johnson for clarification of E.B.Rotondi & Sons invoice. He then handed out Mr. Johnson's letter explaining that this was intended to be an invoice, and that ail 10 of the tennis courts were done instead of 6 as in the past. Mr. Johnson apologized for not going out to bid, but he did get two prices. Even Rotundi's price was originally $14,000, but he had the Johnson Golf Manngement crew do some of the work to reduce the cost. Mr. Johnson stated that major refurbishments of the tennis courts hadn't been done for many years, and it is necessary to encourage tennis play. He said that if you ask any tennis player they would tell you that the courts have never been better. Marianne said that it was wonderful to see how much the courts are being used. She commented that they did a fabulous job, and the reputation goes out to the community that this a nice place to play. She also asked if the refurbishment was necessary every year, and Mr. Johnson replied that clay courts should be done every year, but it would probably be less expensive next year. Marty said that this particular bill was more like a proposal, and that it needed to be in an invoice form to submit it to the purchasing people at City Hail. Mr. Kenney said that when the Commission receives a proper invoice, the Commission would vote to approve it. Next, Mr. Kenney said that Peter Harrison took him on a tour of the locker room and the carpeting looks great. Peter said that it's not quite completed. He hasn't put any of the furniture down there yet, because he didn't want them to get any paint on them. The finish cmpanters miscalculated their timeframe for the installing the little intricate pieces to keep the historical appearance of the exterior. He says it's going to be beautiful. It will be open for the member / guest this weekend, and they will be done by the end of the following week. Mr. Harrison stated that in the late afternoon the veranda gets a lot of sun, and he wants to have roll down canvas type shades installed. Elliott suggested that he talk to Richard Strauss (a permit holder) who does this type of work. Marty Lawler made a motion to authorize payment of up to $1,700 for shades. Marianne Doane seconded the motion with all in favor. Mr. Kenney handed out a letter from Gail Brady regarding broken slats in the fence on the 14th hole that abuts her property. Mr. Doug Johnson said he would have his crew repair the damage. Kevin Hobin was asked to comment on the Recreation Department's pool program. He said it was doing well, but they were in dire need of patio furniture. He felt that the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club should pay for this furniture because it would stay here and become the property of the club. Eileen Duff made a motion to authorize $1,200 for the purchase of table, chairs and umbrellas. Mike Pierce seconded the motion. After some discussion it was agreed to amend the motion by authorizing $1,500 instead of the $1,200. This amended motion was approved with all in favor. Kevin also reported that emergency repairs to the holes in the pool house needed to be done as soon as possible. He made a motion to authorize $300 for this expense. Marianne seconded this motion that passed unanimously. Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission Minutes of the July 2003 Monthly Meeting Page 4 of 4 Art Daignault of the ADA office complimented Peter Harrison on his efforts for providing reasonable accommodations for getting disabled guests upstairs. Mr. Kenney asked if there was a piece of equipment at the high school that they could borrow for this. Mr. Daignault said that it was only for manual wheelchairs. He is trying to get organizations to donate $10,000 for a device that will carry an electric wheelchair plus a person up the stairs. He said that he was hoping that the elevator gets in before they go that route. He also stated that he noticed that someone was illegally parked because the handicapped parking signs need to be put in the proper positions. These signs had been moved by the city during the veranda renovations. Mr. Kenney said that he would ask Ray Bouchard to have the signs made permanent. He also asked Eileen to work with Art on the ordering and proper positioning of signs. Mr. Daignault handed out the results of the ADA survey of March 17, 2003. Some of the things he noted was that the three entrances to the building on the side of the tennis courts and pool must be made accessible to wheelchairs. A lift must be installed for the pool, and the pro shop was easy to get in but difficult to come out. Old Business: Elliott Margnlis stated that because of misinterpretations made by the press that only the Chairmen should be allowed to speak to reporters. He made a motion as a matter of public policy the views of the Commission should be expressed only by the Chairman. Marty Lawler seconded the motion. Mr. Kenney then asked for a vote on this motion. The result was two in favor and four opposed. The motion was defeated. Mr. Pierce gave compliments to Tom Smith and Dave Tormey on an excellent job with the course. Marianne complimented Clifton the beautiful job with the flowers on and around the course. New Business: Mr. Johnson announced that a Junior Golf Tournament (The Junior Open) would be held on Tuesday, July 22nd. He said there would be a nominal fee of $5, which would include hot dogs and soda. Adjournment: Mike Pierce made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Marty Lawler seconded the motion with all in favor. The next regular Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Augnst 13, 1003, at 7:00 p.m. at the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club. Respectfully Submitted, Ida Beaver Recording Secretary