Parks board discusses golf course issues

By Ralph Pokorny

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada Parks and Recreation director Dana Redburn told parks board members during a work session last Wednesday that she expects work to begin on the clubhouse at the Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course during the first half of 2013.

It will all depend on the weather, she said, adding that the city is getting ready to issue a request for qualifications for firms to design the clubhouse.

The parks board had scheduled a regular meeting for Oct. 24, but the lack of a quorum meant they could not conduct any business; so they used the time to discuss various issues concerning the parks that did not require a vote.

Redburn told the board that she thought they needed to consider some changes in the fees at the golf course before the budgeting process goes much further.

"The question is whether it is better to do a small increase now, or wait and do a large increase when we are in desperate straits," she said.

"We're talking pennies now, while in the future we're talking dollars," she said.

Jeff Post, park board president, said that the board was told that when the city hired a consultant for the clubhouse, that firm would be able to help them with the fee structures at the course.

"I think we should let a professional help with them," Post said.

Redburn said that she has looked at the fees at the golf course and that they need to consider narrowing the gap between the price of an annual pass and trail fees and cart storage.

She said she had called all of the public courses in the area and they are all looking at a 3- to 5-percent increase.

"Their fees are very similar to ours," she said.

Post said they will need to call a special meeting to discuss the fees and to include the local golfers.

"We need to decide how we will address increases in operating costs -- with a small annual increase or a large one every few years," he said.

Redburn told the board there is no time limit for camping at Davis Park, which is the only city park that permits overnight camping.

"You may need to address that," she said.

"We do have people paying taxes and selling camping spots," Post said, adding that they cannot do anything until they have a quorum at their next meeting.

"I don't think anyone should stay there a long time," he said.