VETO OVERRIDE
PROPOSED COMPROMISE
January 21, 2014
For the past few weeks, the Mayor, Council, Golf Commission, golfers and city residents have discussed the organizational structure of the Golf Course.
The Council has voted to renew a contract with current Golf Course Professional Joseph Merendo for a term of two years, with an automatic month-to-month provision once the term is complete. The suggested rate of compensation is $25,500 per year, for a season that runs from April through October. In this scenario, the pro is not an employee of the city. He receives all golf cart, pro shop and lessons revenues and provides for a part-time Ranger, (3) three full-time employees (including him) and (3) part-time high school students. He absorbs the cost of carts and the pro shop.
Richard Scott has been recommended by the Golf Commission for the position of Golf Course Manager/Pro. In this scenario, Mr. Scott would be employed by the city, as well as the additional staff at the course, which involves compensation of $49,000 a year (12-months). The city would receive the golf cart revenues and a percentage of pro shop revenues and lessons fees. The net change in return to the city is projected to be approximately $30,000.
With increased marketing, it is projected that course revenue will increase from year to year.
COMPROMISE POSITION
I propose hiring Richard Scott as Golf Course Manager and Joe Merendo as Pro, provided Mr. Scott’s proposed changes are incorporated. This allows for increased supervision at the course, better marketing, and increased membership/greens fees.
It lifts the burden of managing employees and the cost of caring for carts and the pro shop from Joe Merendo. At the same time, it allows him health insurance coverage and additional benefits, as well as entry into the state retirement system. Mr. Scott benefits from having a popular golf pro on staff.
This hybrid solution will allow for positive changes at the course and satisfies concerns of current golfers. This is in the best interest of all involved.
Respectfully submitted,
Mayor Ann M. Thane
Amsterdancin' 
We are so happy for this good news. Congratulations to everyone! We love this! Nice!!!
Under the proposed compromise whose golf carts would they use? Would they use the one Joe already owns or would Mr. Scott or the city rent a fleet of carts? As the way it works now Joe owns all his rental carts. Would they use the ones he owns and insures or the rented fleet or does Mr. Scott own a fleet of his personal carts or would the city buy Joe’s carts?
The city will lease carts and assume the costs and liabilies.
This is great news and sounds like a win/ win for everyone – so glad this is resolved as there are so many other important issues/tasks this group should be focusing on.
Such a shame that the council never compromised and opted instead to drive this into court. The consequence was unnecessary cost and loss of time.
The real problem is that they continue to refuse to work collaboratively.
I attended a budget session this morning. I guess the Council’s big idea is to cut Community and Economic Development Director, cut the proposed HR Secretary, cut the Corporation Counsel’s only staff person, and reduce the Recreation Department Assistant’s salary. I asked if they’d discussed these changes with Department Heads… ahhhh, NO. I was disallowed from speaking at the meeting. These changes will dramatically impact operations and do little to change the property tax rate, but that does not seem to concern the Council.
Do you think this may be political?
When asked if they have a Plan B for Transportation, which has been bleeding $250K a year from the General Fund, the Fourth Ward Alderwoman stated that they’d look at it if worse comes to worse. Hmmm, rather than plan for any contingency, they are going to wait and see.
I’ve never witnessed such irresponsible governance in my life. I hope people are outraged. This group is downright destructive.