“I already have a group of golf professionals, consultants and experts in the field that I consult as part of my ongoing job,” said Malo. “Explain to me why you think I need an advisory board to run the golf course.”

 

“We are just trying to give you tools you can choose to use — or not — in running the golf course,” said Task Force Chairman Adam Oliver.

 

For months, the golf task force committee has been pouring over the process of putting together an advisory board who would be tasked to create a viable five-year plan to get Pebble Creek either to break even or start making money before or around the five-year mark.

 

Malo said he’s not sure why an advisory board is needed to advise him and the city on how to get the golf course in the black. 

 

“It’s always been our goal to make the golf course break even or better,” said Malo. “That’s some of the reasoning why we’ve had consultants like Keegan and Norby come in and analyze our situation.”

 

Jim Keegan from Golf Convergence was recruited in 2012 to make recommendations for bringing the golf course to a “break-even” status in a few years and those recommendations were as follows:

• Break the deadlock (between council members);

 

• Cautiously invest to prosper;

 

• Utilize technology to better marketing efforts;

 

• Realize the goal is a partnership investment.

 

Kevin Norby of Herfort Norby Golf Designers and Architects  was recruited to provide a comprehensive strategy to restore Pebble Creek’s standards and improve playing conditions.

 

Back in 2007-08 when Malo was hired as golf manager, the golf course was experiencing “red ink” as it is today  and former Mayors Judy Bowatz and Norm Jensen commented to the Citizen that the golf course was built to bring people to Becker, with no intention to make money for the city.

 

And that’s Malo’s contention since his first day on the job and it’s now the contention of the golf task force and advisory board.

 

What the task force wants from the advisory board is a documented game plan for the next half decade on how — and if — breaking even can be done.

 

The task force has debated several options over the last half year or so on what the city should do with the golf course including the possibility of selling the golf course, leasing it, reducing it to 18 holes and/or standing pat. Recently, they agreed the best path was to organize an advisory board to aid the director of golf in building a five-year business plan.

 

With the completion of  the pros/cons and Q&A associated with organizing an advisory board, the golf committee will be advertising for applicants from marketing, banking, planning, coordinating, staffing, financing, PR and golf management business partners to enroll and help partner with Malo to build the five-year plan.

 

“As I’ve already seen from people who I’ve talked to me, there doesn’t look like there will be a shortage of applicants,” said Oliver.

 

Also during the executive session, council reviewed information provided to them by Treasurer Sarah Brunn in regards to the 2015 Budget.

 

Brunn presented two scenarios to council, one indicating a 1.5% increase in the levy and one with a 0% increase. She pointed out the 1.5% levy requires a reduction of $96,973 and the 0% levy requires a reduction of $176,973.

 

Both scenarios assume the fire department budget adopted in July remains unchanged.

 

Brunn also provided council with a two-page document listing the cuts by department and what the ending budget would be after the proposed cuts.

 

Brunn also captured for council details relating to employee benefits, fund balances for future improvements, a BAC parking lot cost and utility aid.

 

City Administrator Greg Pruszinske opened the floor for discussion on two topics brought up by Mayor Lefty Kleis.

 

Kleis first asked Pruszinske to put on the executive session agenda a question in regards to the Hunter’s Ridge lease agreement, but Kleis said he found the answer to his own question and no longer needed to discuss the topic with council.

 

Kleis did however want to discuss the idea of integrating council into the interview process in regards to the city hiring an important department head such as the recent hire of Treasurer Sarah Brunn.

 

“I’ve checked with three or four other cities and they all have a process where council sits in on the interviewing of candidates when it gets down to the final few candidates,” said Kleis. “I think we as council should be doing that also.”

 

Oliver questioned the mayor on why he would want to be part of it and Kleis said he thought it was important for council to be involved leading up to the hire rather than just approving a hire based on the recommendations of city staff interviewees.

 

Pruszinske said when he came on board several years ago, he established the current process of utilizing the expert talents of the interviewees selected and conducting professional and valuable interviews of all candidates involved. Pruszinske said he is sure the current process is working for the city in hiring the best people for the jobs and expressed his displeasure in having the process called into question.

 

Oliver agreed with Pruszinske and again asked what the mayor could bring to the table in an interview that wouldn’t already be addressed by the current interviewee personnel.

 

“We would have the opportunity to ask questions or just get to know the candidate before staff makes the recommendation for the hire,” he said.

 

Member Lynette Brannan said she was not in favor of the mayor’s idea saying she didn’t know what she could ask in that situation since she doesn’t have the expertise to scrutinize the candidate and wouldn’t be comfortable being part of the process.

 

“I think we need to leave that process up to the people who are qualified to do the interviews and ask the right questions.”

 

Member Rick Hendrickson sided with the mayor and said he sees “some value” to council being part of the interview process. However, in a 3-2 vote, council rejected the idea of involving council in the interview process of future employees.

 

“It’s politics getting in the way of process,” said Oliver.

 

The regular council meeting lasted just 11 minutes because there was no new business on the agenda and council only bantered about meeting minutes, committee reports, the consent agenda and service anniversaries.

 

George Peterson, a Pebble Creek mechanic was recognized for his 27 years of service to the city. Mark Wolters from public works was honored for his 10th year of service. BPD Officer Jason Lawson and Community Development Coordinator Amanda Othoudt were recognized for their two years of service.

 

The next Becker City Council meeting is Aug. 19 at 5p.m.