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01-29-88 Parks Comm MinutesSanuary 29, 1900 • Ladies and Gentlemen of the Parks Committee: Thank ,your for the opportunity to provide input on my personal views regarding Lawrence Park and the Kalispell Golf Association's (KGA) use of City property. My name is Bob Allen, 005 4th. Ave. W. Kalispell First of all I want to be right up front with you and state that I have a personal interest in trying to discourage any more donation of public owned lands to the KGA. I realize that the arrangement is called leasing, however, once the land is turned into a golf course it no longer is available for use by the vast majority of city residents. The property is available to only a minority of those residents whose interest in golf and who can afford or wish to pay the fees for such use. If you question this statement I invite you to view the six to seven foot fence topped with barbed wire surrounding large portions of the golf course. I invite you to go to Lawrence Park: and view the fence and locked gate, which has been in place for many years, blocking access to the north end of Lawrence Park:. I invite you to view the intrusion of the • golf course into park area with the addition of a green on the northwest corner of Lawrence Park. While there perhaps you can also note the orange survey stakes marking the line where additional park land will be lost. I will be delighted to relate my own experiences of the past year with the KGA while attempting to use the outside perimeter of the golf course for jogging in the early a.m. Lawrence Park might not be much to look at now but it is the only area within city limits that affords some freedom from traffic noise and exhaust fumes, where one can take a relatively quiet walk: or run and enjoy the experience. Much of the present golf course has been built and improved with the use of public monies. I sat on the City Council when much of this work: was taking place and today I must admit that I believe we were somewhat remiss in our duties by allowing KGA to almost dictate the terms of their use of City lands. Also, the funding for much of the golf course work around 1975 came from Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR). What was never thoroughly discussed was the fact that had those funds not been used for the golf course, they could have been available to improve other community recreational services, such as parks. 0 As I recall, when the KGA was making the presentation for City lands and monies, there was discussion regarding the use • of those lands by the general public. This was all verbal and nothing in the contract or lease specifies such. I do recall that about 1978 there was some fairly serious discussion about having a ski rope tow installed on one of the hills of the golf course and to my knowledge there was no outcry from KGA. There has always seemed to be at least an implied consent that since the property belonged to the City that it could be used by the public so long as there was no damage being done or interference with golf activities. This policy seems to have been changed by the KGA, with no discussion with the City. There is some public use during the winter months for cross country skiing activities. On the matter of the fees paid to the City by KGA for the use of this very valuable and prime property: the $1500.. 0 per year paid by KGA for this lease is an insult to the taxpayers of the City of Kalispell. Especially in view of the fact that the City must pay for fire insurance on the club house and just a few years ago paid many thousands of dollars to install a new roof on that building. Adding to the gross unfairness of this lease arrangement is the fact that KGA admits to a 1986 gross income of $1,140,780.00. That is not too bad for a "non-profit" organization. I did some checking on a parcel of open land adjacent to the City that is leased from the State of Montana for agricultural • use. The fees charged for this property are twenty five percent (25 %) of the gross income from the crops grown. I do not suggest the same fees for the KGA, however, it certainly seems that a major increase in the lease_ payment would be in order. Perhaps enough to fund the budget for the Kalispell Parks Department would be just. It also seems that the lease agreement needs to specifically state exactly what uses, if any, can be made of the City lands leased to KGA. Perhaps a public hearing on this whole matter might be in order. I would not expect unlimited public access but to me it seems unreasonable to have some of our best land available only to a relatively few citizens. Thank: you very much for your time listening to my statement. 0 4. PEACH TENNIS 425 ICE POND ROAD BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715 (406) 586-4640 December 21 1987 LIL LAIDLAW Kalispell Tennis Club Dear Lit, We are making -plans for next swrer's tennis already! My_personal goal is to have everything down on, the cdlendar by the end of January. This is obviously out of character, but needed! Please accept this manuscript as a proposal to the Kalispell Tennis Club for the purpose of explaining the Professional Tennis Instruction (PTI) summer tennis program. PTI would like to organize, promote, and run the summer tennis program for the City of Kalispell. Our guarantee is that our instructors are well -trained and enthusiastic. Our main goal is to provide a fun activity for the townspeople and to do it in a professional manner. I will be in and out of Bozeman doing recruiting and celebrating the holidays until January 4th. I am available to travel up to Kalispell to meet with you and your group in January... if you can set things up soon enough. I really appreciate you taking the time to look through my ideas. Thanks again and good luck on that ski hill:: Sincerely, Jerry Peach Professional Tennis Instruction QG) - .. of •rryh (.trt �.. Ir`Z�Y. iOV yr PEACH TENNIS 425 ICE POND ROAD BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715 (406) 586-4640 PROFESbIONAL TENNIS INSTRUCTION (PTI) Professional Tennis Instruction (PTI) is a comprehensive tennis program. The basis of the company is Group lennis instruction. PTI's goals include: 1. quality, enthusiastic tennis instruction for all ages and ability levels 2. promotion of tennis in each town and local tennis clubs 3. provision of expertise and motivation tennis tournament for local players 4. initiation of new ideas and events to sharing ideas and time with to run a quality city increase participation -in tennis in the area. PTI had a great summer in 1987. Four towns. (Butte, Bozeman, Livingston, and Helena) enjoyed some good times on the court. Total students taught in the programs numbered over 1000 players. Much was learned from the initial season and plans call for many improvements for 1988. PTI JUN10R TENNIS: Junior tennis can be broken down into 3 main catagories: Beginners, Inter- mediates, and Advanced levels. The following schedule has been utilized: Beginners.... attend group lessons lasting bO minutes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings; groups set up by ages Intermediates .... lessons are one hour in length and students meet Monday through Thursday; groups set up by ability Advanced.... daily sessions Monday through Thursday, with one hour per day; groups are set up by ability Levels ***each group has a specific program with specific goals ***each group has special events open to students of like abilities PTI ADULT TENNIS Adult tennis is catagorized the same as juniors, using the Beginning, Inter- mediate, and Advanced labels to get things organized. Groups meet Wednesday mornings -or -,Monday -Wednesday evenings. Each group is taught with planned goals and special events are available to all students.. PTI INSTRUCTORS Jerry Peach is the Director of the PT1 Program. Peach sets up the programs and supervises each of the activities. City Directors are installed at each site and are responsible for the activities in each local area. Instructors work with the local Directors to assisst with instruction and helping to run events. Peach will spend some time with each program during the summer of 1988. Im 0 V.-Ins-1. 4:0 4:0 4:0 0 40 FINANCE/PARKS COMMITTEES MEETING CONFERENCE ROOM JANUARY 29, 1988 The Committees met at 4:00 P.M. Present were Chairmen Robinson and Furlong, Committee members Nystul and Saverud, Mayor Kennedy, C.A. Neier, Mike Burr, Forrest Daley, Parks Foreman Ken Bauska, Bob Allen and City Clerk Halver. Parks Director Emclovment Letter: Finance Chairwoman Robinson called the Finance Committee meeting to order, stating that new employees should have a letter of appointment when beginning employment, giving details of what they will be doing for the city and what the compensation will be for that work. The new Parks Director will receive a letter such as this. Business Licenses: C. Robinson announced that this item will not be discussed today, but must be reviewed and a decision made on licensing. While the group waited for C. Nystul's arrival and there was a forum for the Parks Comnitte, that agenda was taken up: Summer Tennis Program: Chairman Furlong introduced Lil Laidlaw of the Kalispell Tennis Association and asked her to present her proposal to them. She explained that in the past Kalispell's program has varied from having a local tennis pro, to having students hired by interested people, to the city hiring students. This comprehensive program was introduced to the Board by Jerry Peach, includes juniors and adults. He is a well-known qualified instructor who works closely with the Tennis Association. She defined details of the plan, copy attached to original of minutes, liability and insurance are covered. School District #5 has agreed to the use of Linderman's Courts and promotion of the program in the schools. She asked for the city to sponsor the program with no obligation involved. Four other courts would remain available for recreation use. C. Furlong asked if the program could be worked out directly with the Flathead Tennis Association, he would prefer this. C. Nystul briefly reviewed past involvement with the tennis program. Motion: C. Robinson moved that approval of the Peach Tennis proposal be recommended to the City Council, seconded by C. Nystul, motion carried. C. A. Neier did not see any problem with this, all we will be doing is having a letter sent from the Mayor endorsing the program. C. Furlong thanked Ms Laidlaw for her presentation and invited her to attend Monday's Council meeting, if she would like,in case any questions came up on the tennis program. Golf Course Lease: C. Furlong reviewed the history of the five year lease which is automatically renewed unless the Council advises the Golf Association of changes in the lease within 90 days of expiration. Changes have been requested by both entities. 1. C. Nystul felt that the language of the lease should be improved and insurance coverage should be adjusted. Mike Burr, Golf Association Secretary, reported that the association wanted to exercise their option on the five year lease renewal. They are also interested in changing the calendar dates of the lease and in discussing wording. They don't want to lose any rights accorded the group under the lease -want to look at amending rather than terminating it. They are flexible in looking at the City's concerns. C. Furlong is not concerned with termination but rather, of renegotiation of the lease. C. A. Neier is not aware of any violation of the lease.. C. Saverud stated there has been some discussion over the years of getting a more accurate legal description of the property included in the lease. This will be very time consuming project, according to the City Surveyor. The Mayor pointed out that it would also be very expensive. Bob Allen asked if the terms would be the same, Neier replied that the annual rent would remain the same unless the Council notified the Association otherwise. Mot ion • C. Robertson moved to request Council to direct the Mayor to notify the Kalispell Golf Association that it is our intention to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the existing agreement. Seconded by C. Nystul. C. Furlong hopes for a good faith effort to address all the questions and problems on both sides. The lease renewal date is July 1, 1988, written 41 notification on either side is 90 days prior to that. No further discussion. Motion carried. Other: C. Furlong asked if there were any other items to come before the committee. Mayor Kennedy and Ken Bauska reported on the tree pruning to be done which will use 2 or 3 Street Department men for the time being. Former Councilman Forrest Daley wants to make a "Fireside Presentation" during the second council meeting in February. Bob Allen, also a former member of the City Council, read his statement on his views regarding Lawrence Park and the Golf Association's use of City property. Copy attached to original minutes. Mr. Allen stressed that he is speaking strictly as an individual on this matter. C. Saverud said that for the benefit of C. Furlong and C. Robinson to ask the Mayor to extract from the City Audit report done by Clark & Torgerson 3 or 4 years ago, the comments made that were relative to the Golf Lease. This should be done prior to any discussion on the negotiation stage. The Mayor so directed the Clerk. Mayor Kennedy has done research on other golf courses around the state and will present that information soon. C. Furlong will schedule another meeting to hear the Friends of Lawrence Park presentation before the second February council meeting. All council members are invited. 2. The Parks Committee meeting adjourned at this point and the Finance Committee resumed their meeting. Parks Director Employment Letter: A general discussion was held of the letter, the original will be placed in the personnel file which is kept in the Clerk's office. A job description and resume should also go into that file. Job description procedures were discussed, C. Nystul suggested that they be standardized in a formal format. Mayor Kennedy stated he asked for descriptions of what each employee's job actually entails, then they will be compiled into a standard form. Clerk Halver explained his comparisons on prices of copy machines and maintenance contracts. The committee will recommend that his selection be accepted. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M. Markie Sabol Recording Secretary • 0 3.