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Supervisor seeks amendments and delay on golf course task force bill; board continues items for further stakeholder work
Summary
An ordinance to authorize a golf course task force and appropriations for Golden Gate Park stables prompted amendments and a request to continue the item. Supervisors agreed to accept amendments and continue the item until Oct. 16 for further stakeholder negotiations.
An ordinance to allow the Recreation and Park Commission to modify golf course hours and fees and to create a golf-course task force drew extended discussion on Aug. 14 and was continued to Oct. 16 after the item’s sponsor proposed multiple amendments.
The measure (item 23) would add section 12.46 to Article 12 of the San Francisco Park Code to give the Recreation and Park Commission authority to review golf-course operations and assemble a task force to explore ways to reduce general-fund subsidies for course operations and identify alternative revenue sources. Related items on the agenda appropriated funds for Golden Gate Park stables and added a senior administrative analyst position to staff the task force (items 24–25 and associated salary ordinance amendments).
Supervisor McGoldrick requested more time and introduced amendments intended to broaden stakeholder representation on the task force, shorten reporting timelines and add more golfer representation. Among the proposed changes: shorten a reporting period from three years to 18 months with six‑month interim reports, increase the number of golfers on the task force, convert certain Recreation and Park Department members to non‑voting seats, and require gender balance among golfer reps.
After the sponsor distributed the amendment language in the chamber and described the outreach underway, the board approved an amendment of the whole and — without objection — continued the items as amended to Oct. 16 to allow additional stakeholder meetings during the August recess.
Why it matters: Golden Gate Park’s golf operations have long drawn scrutiny as city managers seek to limit general-fund support while preserving recreational services. The task force is intended to assess operational efficiencies, alternative revenue sources and to recommend actions that could reduce the city subsidy required to run municipal golf courses.
What comes next: The ordinance and associated budget/salary amendments are continued as amended to Oct. 16. The sponsor and staff will meet with stakeholders to refine task-force membership and reporting language before the board reconvenes the item.
