City staff provided an update on the Caswell management agreement and the financial performance of the golf-course operation and asked the council to consider capital and maintenance work.

A staff speaker (Speaker 7) outlined the Caswell agreement, saying the city guarantees the management company up to $50,000 by year-end (the city would pay to 'true up' if net revenue is short of $50,000). Staff reported that through October the operation was approximately $26,000 positive and that earlier years had mixed results, noting a profit of about $3,000 last year after splitting with the manager. Speaker 7 said the golf simulators now run year-round, and while revenues have improved this year the facility still faces maintenance and capital needs.

On capital needs, staff identified an irrigation replacement estimated at $900,000 and said the Parks Commission did not recommend moving forward with that CIP project until an audit of the system is completed to determine salvageable components. "It's in the CIP for $900,000," Speaker 7 said, adding the commission directed staff to secure a contractor to audit the system before committing to full replacement.

Council members questioned the long-term role of the municipality in operating a golf course. One council member (Speaker 3) asked whether the city should be in the golf business while others suggested exploring additional revenue uses for the clubhouse (banquets, weddings) to boost non-golf revenue.

On a related vote, staff moved to "move project in the amount of $39,296" (Speaker 7); Speaker 3 seconded. The council voted and the motion carried (approved). The transcript excerpt does not provide additional detail about the scope or vendor for the $39,296 project beyond the motion language.

Next steps: staff will pursue an irrigation-system audit in spring, bring findings to the Parks Commission, and return recommendations to the council; the approved $39,296 project will proceed as directed by the motion.