May 12, 2009

• President Bryce Born
• Vice-President Walt Stickels
• Treasurer Mitch Larson
• Larry Fish
• James Mowry
• Barbara Snyder
• Bill Strannigan

• Phyllis Penzien
• Mark Washenfelder

• Golf Pro Steve Johnson,
• Greens Superintendent Chris Thomas
• Bookkeeper Steven R. Johnson.

• President Bryce Born asked if there were any changes or corrections to last month’s minutes. Barbara Snyder said the date needed to be changed from the 15th to the 14th. No other changes were noted.
• Larry Fish moved we accept the April 14, 2009, minutes as corrected.
• Mitch Larson seconded the motion.
• Motion carried.

• Jim Kennedy asked the Board to approve the “ball drop” for the high school golf team as a fund raiser again this year. They sell chances on golf balls for $10 each. The golf team uses the money for scholarships, shirts and travel expenses to attend junior tournaments in the summer.
• Brian Galitz asked to address the Board regarding the billing for delivery of water to residences in the Riverside Homeowners’ Association. Bryce suggested he direct his questions to Jim Mowry, as Jim is a member of that committee. Brian asked if the Country Club has the authority to regulate the cost and set the watering hours for the homeowners. He also asked if the Board has the original agreement. He said the yearly increases are tough on the homeowners, and asked how long the increases will be in force. He objected to receiving a contract without having any input into the terms of the contract.
  Jim Mowry replied that we have the original contract dated 1977. Both the Country Club and the homeowners have water rights from the LeClair Canal. The Country Club provides the service of transporting the water from the canal to the homeowners’ property line, and the cost of that service is being charged to each homeowner. The Country Club is not charging for the water. The percentage of yearly increase is consistent from one year to the next.
  Mitch Larson pointed out, as a country club homeowner himself, that the cost of irrigating at his home on the country club is so much cheaper than it was using city water at his former residence.
• Bryce Born replied that it is not the responsibility of the Country Club to get water to the homeowners. He explained that the homeowners use much more water than the golf course, and our first priority is supplying water to the golf course. Homeowners are next in line. He explained that Chris, our golf course superintendent, spends many hours of his time helping homeowners with water situations. Bryce pointed out that as more and more houses are built, the need for more cooperation among homeowners and between homeowners and Riverton Country Club will be necessary. Because demand will out-pace the Country Club’s ability to supply water, homeowners may have to go to a day-by-day watering schedule.
  Brian Galitz said they don’t want the golf course to go dry, or their yards to go dry. He would simply like to be included in these decisions. He thanked the Board for the homeowners’ water.

BUDGET AND FINANCIALS:

• Herbie explained the financial report. There are 332 members. Some line items are below budget projections due to the inclement weather and the slow start to the golf season. With the new accounting system, there have been more questions about individual bills. He is taking care of billing questions as they arise. Bryce suggested the new board next year take care of the aging report at the first meeting of the year in order to more accurately reflect the proposed budget.

CLUBHOUSE/RESTAURANT:

• Bryce gave the clubhouse report since Diana was out of town at a conference. The walk-in freezer is set and wired in. The back room electricity was rewired which eliminated the breaker problems. Business has been slow due to the weather.
  Several board members have received complaints about the slow service in the restaurant and bar. The clubhouse committee will meet with Diana to try to alleviate this problem. Mitch called the Liquor Commission and explained children may be in the bar when accompanied by an adult as long as the restaurant is open. When the restaurant closes, no children can be allowed in the bar area, as it is then considered a bar. Since food is being served, workers between the ages of 18 and 21 may serve liquor.
  The hood in the kitchen was inspected by Bill Urbigkeit. He reported we are within code until we remodel the kitchen. According to Curt Paxton, our insurance is also in effect. A barrier has been installed between the grill and the fryer to ensure safety.

PRO SHOP/ TOURNAMENTS:

• Golf Pro Steve Johnson reported 1,865 rounds of golf in April. This is about half as much as last April. Due to weather conditions, green fee and cart rental fees are considerably below the projected budget. He reported a great turnout for the Cowboy Joe Tournament. He said the Saltwater entries and sponsorships are coming along.
• The Board discussed Mr. Kennedy’s request for the fund raiser for the high school golf team.
• Bill Strannigan made the motion we approve the “ball drop” at the end of the Flag Day Tournament on July 4 with permission for team members to sell tickets at golfing events from now until July 4.
• Mitch Larson seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

GREENS:

• Greens Supt. Chris Thomas reported the work on the fairway bunkers is 25% complete. He plans to take out tree stumps, and work on the irrigation trenches and old valve boxes as time permits. The irrigation system is pressured up, and a leak as been fixed on Village Drive and Tam O-Shanter. The fairways still need warmer weather to fill in the dry spots, but Chris assured the Board they will grow when temperatures reach 70’s or better. They have verticut and rolled the greens, so they should be in great shape by the Saltwater. He would like to budget for a new seeder in next year’s budget.
• Chris met with Sparky Olson and Bob Thrailkill regarding the cart paths. Work will begin on June 1 by 71 Construction. All paths will be eight feet wide, and the grounds crew will strip the sod for them. They plan to pave #8 by the green, #9 by the tee and green, and #1 by the tee. They requested the Board donate $2000 toward the project. Unfortunately, there is no available money in the budget this year.
• Chris received notification from Rick Gilpatrick that he has had $3000 of damage to his fence due to golfers hopping over it and water hitting it. Chris will place signs on the fence to warn golfers to keep off.
  The rock and plaque in memory of Glenn Kreklow are in place on #14.
  

STAFF & BUDGET

WATER:

MEMBERSHIP:

• The Board thanked Jim Mowry and Blake Snyder for their work on the new membership application.
• Bill Strannigan made the motion we suspend Art Mejorado’s membership due to a medical disability effective 4-1-09.
• Larry Fish seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

• None

NEW BUSINESS:

• None

• RCC Acting Secretary