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Council adopts 2025 golf fee updates; debate continues over private-cart "second rider" charge
Summary
The council approved Resolution 25-19 updating 2025 fees for the municipal golf course, raising certain private-cart fees. Council and Parks staff discussed an outstanding dispute over a proposed "second rider" fee and a memorandum of understanding with the private club.
The Evanston City Council on May 6 approved Resolution 25-19, which sets green fees and related charges for the 2025 golf season and implements several fee changes proposed by Parks and Recreation.
Kim Larson, representing Evanston Parks and Recreation, told the council the changes shown in the resolution's attachment (highlighted in orange) primarily increased cart-related charges to offset costs of a new GPS system. Larson recommended wording clarifications for two private-cart fees and confirmed the specific new amounts on the schedule: the private cart trail fee was set at $2.50 and the private cart storage fee at $3.55 for 2025.
Council discussion focused on a separate charge called the "second rider" fee. Council Member Lind and other speakers described two views: one that the fee prevents nonpaying riders from using private carts and the other that adding such a charge could unfairly tax private-cart owners and might violate an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the private club that donated land to the city. A council member and staff noted that the second rider fee was not changed in Resolution 25-19 and would be considered as part of the broader budget resolution, giving the council another opportunity to review the MOU and fee structure.
Council Member Lind asked for a copy of the MOU; staff agreed to distribute it to council members. The council voted to introduce and adopt Resolution 25-19 during the meeting.
Larson and staff said the Parks and Rec changes are intended to align fees with operating costs and to maintain the partnership with the club; a detailed discussion of the second rider fee and any MOU amendments will be taken up during the budget process, staff said.
