Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Golf Clubhouse topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Waverly council abandons voter election on $965,000 golf clubhouse bond after public objection
Summary
After public comments urging a vote, the Waverly City Council voted unanimously to abandon a scheduled public election on a proposed $965,000 general obligation bond for a golf clubhouse and approved related bond issuance proceedings for other financing.
The Waverly City Council voted unanimously April 20 to abandon a planned public election on a proposed $965,000 general obligation bond for repairs and renovation of the municipal golf clubhouse, after several residents urged the council to allow voters to decide the measure.
Brandy Clark, who identified herself and read a statement from Amy Schneider, told the council that reversing a prior decision to send the bond to the ballot would “tell your citizens that their voices only matter when they are convenient.” Clark read Schneider’s written appeal that petition signers and organizers followed the formal process and expect the city to honor that decision. “Follow through. Let the voters decide,” the statement concluded.
David Ler, a volunteer on the city’s golf commission, described the clubhouse as “almost 80 years old” and said it is not ADA compliant. Ler said the club has seen “three consecutive years of over 30,000 rounds of golf” and that renovating — rather than rebuilding — is fiscally responsible and necessary to preserve accessibility. Jerry Hankner also urged approval of funding, citing increased use and benefits to youth programming and regional visitation.
Despite the public pleas to keep the election, the council first approved Resolution 26-90, instituting proceedings for the issuance of not-to-exceed $900,000 local option sales and service tax revenue bonds, and then approved Resolution 26-89, abandoning the election on the $965,000 general obligation bond for the clubhouse. Both votes were unanimous by roll call.
Mayor Kristen Hel presided over the meeting; council members voting in the roll calls recorded on the transcript included Harmon, Jones, Kangas, Mackey, Myers, Roie, Wolf and others who registered yes votes during subsequent items. The council did not record any written public opposition during the hearings.
What happens next: The council’s abandonment of the election does not itself authorize construction; staff and council will proceed with the financing steps the council approved and any required project contracts or design work will return for future approvals as needed.
