Council directs transfer of golf course oversight appointments to council to streamline process

City staff asked the Rohnert Park City Council on Nov. 12 whether the city should move appointment authority for the golf course oversight committee from the Parks and Recreation Commission to the City Council.

Director of Public Works Vanessa Garrett reviewed the committee’s origin, noting it was created after a 2001 grand-jury response and was originally part of the Parks and Recreation Commission with quarterly reviews of maintenance reports and coordination with Corsco, the course lessee. Garrett said five committee seats exist, three were up for reappointment this year and two in 2026, and staff sought direction on whether appointments should be consolidated under council authority to streamline the process.

Councilmembers asked whether current committee members had been consulted; staff said the committee had been notified and could appear but no members were present that evening. Councilmember Sandborn described the proposal as largely administrative and supportive of streamlined, diverse representation; another councilmember said oversight of one of the city’s larger assets made council appointments appropriate. There was broad council support and direction to move forward with the change and allow existing members to apply for reappointment.

Outcome: Council provided direction to staff to transition appointment authority for the golf course oversight committee from the Parks and Recreation Commission to the City Council. Staff recorded no formal roll-call vote on the change during the meeting and indicated further appointment steps would follow.