City council subcommittee approves year‑long junior golf card and clarifies fee ordinance
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Summary
The subcommittee approved staff recommendations to extend junior golf card validity to 12 months, add a $5 daily junior fee including a small bucket of balls, and to amend the golf fee ordinance to reflect legislative intent; council later approved the item by voice vote.
The Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee on April 16 recommended City Council approval of two golf‑related actions: extending the junior golf cart pass from one month to 12 months with the same $30 price and adding a $5 per‑day junior golf fee that includes course access and a 35‑ball practice bucket. Staff also proposed an amendment to the 2008 golf fee ordinance to reflect the legislative intent of the original council action.
Why it matters: Staff said the changes expand year‑round access for youth and formalize a fee practice that has been applied since 2008. The ordinance amendment does not increase fees beyond previously approved limits; staff emphasized the change clarifies the legislative intent and preserves an existing fee model that allows seasonal rate flexibility while capping increases to the lower of 5% or cost‑of‑living adjustments.
Presentation and justification: Brandy Barrett (assistant director, Parks) and Greg Light (Golf Director) summarized the city golf program: eight city‑owned courses (five 18‑hole and three 9‑hole) with roughly 427,000 rounds in 2024 and broad community usage including high school, collegiate, junior, adaptive and nonprofit events. The junior card changes are intended to encourage year‑round participation and practice opportunities for youth. The proposed $5 daily fee would grant course access and a 35‑ball bucket; staff confirmed the small bucket price is $5 for adults and juniors alike.
Council questions focused on who sets seasonal fees (golf professional staff and the director, within the ordinance benchmark), and on preserving affordability. Staff said the ordinance limits fee increases to whichever is lower, 5% or the consumer cost‑of‑living change, creating an upper benchmark staff must not exceed.
Outcome: A councilmember moved to adopt recommendations A and B; the subcommittee voted by voice vote and the motion carried. Staff will forward the ordinance amendment and program change to full City Council for final action.