Ocoee sets special meeting, clears way to draft RFP as Forest Lake lease talks continue

The Ocoee City Commission on Thursday scheduled a special meeting for March 27 at 5:15 p.m. to consider a proposed seventh amendment to the ground lease for Forest Lake Golf Club and authorized staff to draft a request for proposals for a permanent operator of the course.

That action followed lengthy discussion about a mediated settlement with the current operator and competing proposals for an interim operator. Kurt Arderman, attorney with the Fishback Dominic law firm, told commissioners the city and Forest Lake reached a mediated settlement that outlines terms to be implemented in a Seventh Amendment to the lease, but the amendment was not ready for public release because counsel for the operator requested certain contractual framing; Arderman said his office expects final comments back this week.

The commission’s vote to set the special meeting and allow staff to prepare the RFP passed 3-2. Mayor Johnson and Commissioners Firstner and Wilson voted in favor; Commissioners Kennedy and Oliver voted no.

Why it matters: The commission is moving to secure continuity of operations at the 18‑hole course while a long‑term operator is selected. Commissioners pressed staff for clearer financial projections and asked that any interim operator and permanent RFP include comparable pro formas and past operating data so the city can compare bids "apples to apples." That request prompted the commission to delay a final interim operator decision to the special meeting.

City staff described a compressed timeline. Robert Yutze of ZHA, who led the interim‑operator solicitation, said staff sought three qualified interim operators to cover May 1 through Nov. 1 and invited proposers to the meeting to answer questions. Two firms participated in the discussion: Tamarac Golf Management (Rocky Hodge, on the phone) and Down to Earth (Nick Dunleavy, in person). Hampton Golf submitted a proposal but did not attend.

The firms proposed different fee structures for a six‑month interim term. According to Yutze’s summary: Down to Earth proposed an $8,000 monthly management fee; Hampton provided a range of $12,000–$16,500 monthly; and Tamarac’s proposal was structured to pay the city $10,000 a month rather than the city paying a management fee. Rocky Hodge said, "the green fees will will stay, the same as what they have in the past," and that he proposes a 15% resident discount for Ocoee residents without a separate $25 associate membership fee.

Commissioners and staff pressed for more complete financial information before awarding an interim contract. City Manager Craig recommended asking each proposer for a pro forma that breaks down estimated expenses, revenue, rounds of golf and the city's anticipated costs. "Request each ... of these three qualified operators to break down their estimated expenses, revenues, rounds of golf," Craig said, adding staff would seek historical operating data from the current operator.

Commissioner Scott Kennedy moved — and Commissioner Wilson seconded — a separate direction requiring applicants to submit pro formas and for staff to compile last season's May–October data and present it at the special meeting. Kennedy said, "I would say anybody that's not complying with your request is disqualified in my opinion as a commissioner." The commission agreed that missing information would be grounds for disqualification.

Staff also outlined logistical and legal constraints. Arderman advised commissioners that the mediated settlement remains confidential until both parties consent to public release and recommended treating the special meeting notice as a public meeting under Florida’s Sunshine Law; he suggested 48 hours’ notice as reasonable to meet public‑notice obligations.

What's next: Staff will prepare the RFP draft for commissioner review and ask interim‑operator proposers to submit detailed pro formas and historical data ahead of the March 27 special meeting; the commission will consider the Seventh Amendment to the Ground Lease and the interim/operator recommendations at that session.

Ending: Commissioners closed the discussion by setting clear expectations for the next meeting: staff will circulate the proposed amendment and RFP materials with adequate notice, and proposers must provide the requested financial documentation to be considered.