Council discusses donor offer of Paradise Golf Course; deed conditions, clubhouse costs and water access flagged for closed-session follow-up

Council members spent a prolonged portion of the July 1 meeting discussing the future of the Paradise Golf Course after staff reported the property owner (referred to in the meeting as Donnie) indicated willingness to convey the course to the city under limited conditions.

At the dais, council members described an arrangement staff said would convey the course by deed with a reversionary interest: as discussed in the meeting, the parcel could be deeded to the city for use as a golf course and would revert to the original owners if the city ceased to operate it as a golf course. Council members noted the deed could include a condition that improvements would not be purchased by the donor if the property reverted (that is, improvements would remain the city’s responsibility while the reversion clause would return the land to the family if the city stopped using it as a golf course).

Council discussion focused on three immediate practical points: - Clubhouse and capital costs: councilmembers said the clubhouse is owned separately and would require additional negotiation and payment; one proposal discussed in the meeting would use city electrical-fund monies to pay for clubhouse costs up front and have the city recover that outlay over a 3–5 year period from a local tax or fee (referred to in the meeting as the “wrap tax”). - Water service and rates: council members said securing water service for the course and associated rate/fee adjustments would be necessary; staff noted that if the city takes title early enough the owner would maintain water service until March 1, after which the city could face full-price water obligations or loss of irrigated operations if not contracted. - Reversion wording and restrictions: council members repeatedly asked for clear written deed language, and some members urged that a deed with a reversionary interest would save taxpayer dollars compared with a purchase price. Others asked for an appraisal or payment at fair market value if the city were to assume long-term ownership and liabilities.

Council members also expressed caution. One member called for an appraisal or a purchase only at fair market value, saying the city risks being encumbered by a maintenance burden and long-term operating losses. Another member argued accepting the deed with a single reversionary condition would avoid large upfront expenditures and keep the property in local control as a golf course.

Given the remaining conditions and financial questions, the council agreed to continue negotiations with the donor’s lawyer and to discuss specific contract terms in closed session. Council members asked the city attorney and staff to produce a clear deed or proposed deed language, identify any contingent payments to third parties, and confirm which physical assets are included (the meeting record shows carts and the clubhouse were discussed as separate items). No final conveyance was approved at the July 1 meeting.

Why it matters If the city accepts ownership with a reversionary clause and runs the course, the city could acquire a community amenity and event space but also assume ongoing maintenance, staffing and water costs. If the city instead buys at market value or leases, the long-term financial exposure differs. Council members flagged water availability, operating deficits and capital improvements as decision points requiring formal legal review and explicit contract language before taking action.

What’s next Council asked the city attorney and staff to draft deed language reflecting a reversionary interest and to return the item to the council after closed-session negotiation. The council explicitly discussed bringing the matter back no later than the August meeting if possible, and some members said they wanted a written offer and appraisal in hand before any vote.