HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-2021Claudia Meeks
From: Jeanne Stroup <jeannestroup@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 7:58 PM
To: Claudia Meeks
Subject: Paducah Golf Commission
Attachments: March 2021.pdf
Ms. Meeks,
Attached are the minutes from our March Golf Commission meeting. The minutes were approved at
tonight's meeting.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I have taken over the role of Park Secretary
from John Gill. Thank you!
Jeanne Stroup
Park Secretary
Edwin J. Paxton Park
Edwin J. Paxton Park
Paducah KY
March 16, 2021
Meeting of the Paducah Golf Commission
Meeting called to order by Chairman Loyd at 5:00 PM at Panton Park.
Chairman Loyd led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioners Present: Chairman Rick Loyd, Steve Seltzer, Bill Wells, Mark Knecht, Mark
Kettler, Jeanne Stroup, John W. Gill, Secretary.
Others Present: Director Daniel R. Mullen
Motion by Mark Knecht to approve the November 2020 Minutes as written.
Motion Second by Mark Kettler. Motion carried.
Chairman Loyd requested presentation of Old Business:
• Congratulated Chairman Rick Loyd on his reappointment to the Golf Commission.
• Discussion of 2020 financial results and request to approve. Motion by
Mark Kettler to approve, Motion Second by Mark Knecht. Motion Carried.
• Budget was revised for additional notes on Director compensation and 2021 rental cart
rates, information provided to all the commissioners.
• The GoFundMe video has not been received. However, decision made to table this to a
later date due to pandemic related difficulties many people are having. Notification
given to Larry Housman's daughter of the status and plan to revisit at later date.
• An email blast was sent out promoting our early pay discount. Early pay numbers were
up almost $5,000 at the end of 2020 over 2019. We have also had several new members
sign up recently.
• Paducah Sun was running an advertising special about the same time and to promote our
memberships, we took out a 30 -day ad for $300.
• Director Mullen updated the Commission on the parking lot paving and striping
situation and City Manager response via email communication. Felt most prudent
course of action is to move forward with self -striping on the current parking lot, unless
assurances are received re requested paving. Striper has been purchased regardless
because the lot will have to be striped with or without paving.
• Intent to request cold patch from the City to fix cart path surface irregularities, and
driveway potholes, particularly if we cannot get them to get the paving done.
• Chairman Loyd discussed his efforts to obtain concrete barriers to set up organized spots
for sand on our parking lot and our efforts to keep the City on top of debris clean up. We
may be able to use concrete blocks to do the same thing if the barriers prove unavailable.
Commissioner Knecht also had suggestions with respect to planting some pine trees to
help provide a better aesthetic look where we are proposing to dispose/store debris.
Director Mullen stated he had been in contact with the Public Works Director with
respect to picking up the debris.
• Director Mullen updated the Commission on the conversations with Chad Martin re the
City Am. The Country Club is very interested in hosting one day of the proposed event,
but the timing will not work with their schedule in 2021. Director Mullen proposed
moving the event up 2 weeks to the 2nd week of June 2022 and Chad agreed to make the
proposal to his tournament committee at The Country Club.
March 2021 P a g e 11
• Director Mullen recommended we plan to host the City Am 2 -player event in June this
year and possibly move it to the V weekend in May in 2022 because it is a fun event and
unlike any other format we host. Plans to contact Ronnie James at James Marine and
see if he wants to renew his title sponsorship of this event in 2021. We could use another
$3,000 title sponsor if anyone know a potential candidate.
• John Gill has secured a new 3 -year renewal deal on the Cobb title sponsorship with
Banterra Bank. The current title sponsorship arrangement expires following the 2021
event. In addition, Pepsi picked up a letter invoice recently, at their initiative, to get
their ball rolling.
• Director Mullen advised the Commission he has not hired a replacement for Chris on the
golf course crew yet but has begun looking. Hope to find someone by some point in
April.
• Plans to begin working on the new practice green renovation in March. This will be done
in phases. Our goal is to be prepared to sprig the new practice green with Champion G-
12 by May 1, weather and staffing permitting. This will make it usable by the time the
Cobb gets here in July.
Chairman Loyd requested presentation of New Business:
• Discussion on the previous November request by John Gill to find a candidate to replace
himself as Park Secretary. Commissioner Jeanne Stroup had stepped forward in the
interim since November to offer her services as a candidate to replace John as Park
Secretary. Discussion followed regarding the transition progress to date from John Gill
to Jeanne Stroup and the new use of Quickbooks. Payroll has already been automated
and employees are receiving Direct Deposit. John Gill offered his services to continue to
assist Jeanne as needed for a smooth transition.
• Motion made to accept John W. Gill's resignation as Park Secretary made by
Mark Kettler. Motion Second by Steve Seltzer. Motion Carried.
• Motion made to appoint new Park Secretary, Jeanne Stroup by Mark
Knecht. Motion Second by Steve Seltzer. Motion Carried.
• Director Mullen indicated he would be contacting Commissioners on how to properly
recognize John Gill for his exemplary service in this capacity for approximately 30 years.
Commissioners and Director to follow up with specifics at a later meeting.
• Director Mullen discussed his communication with City Manager, as well as with City
Commissioner David Guess over concerns he had with respect to city assistance to
Paxton Park.
• Plans to bring out new City Commissioners as well as the Mayor Bray to our facility for
tour and Q&A about the course.
• Director Mullen made the Commission aware that on February 18 Paxton Park received
an email from Ty Wilson, City Grant Administrator, saying Paxton Park would not have
to complete a Core Services Application for funding this year. This is the application we
have had to complete the prior two years to be considered for City funding in the new
annual budget.
• Discussion with respect to recent cold weather and impact on the course.
• Gratitude expressed for the member of volunteers that came out to help cover and
uncover the greens during cold snap.
• Director Mullen informed Commission he had reviewed greens at 11 other courses with
ultradwarf Bermuda greens in western Kentucky and western Tennessee, he states that
Paxton Park greens have emerged as well as anyone at this point.
March 2021 P a g e 12
• Discussion with respect to cutting some trees to allow greens increased sunlight, which
would also enhance their ability to survive extreme weather situations similar to what we
recently experienced. The trees being considered for removal would not impact player
safety and any trees providing significant player safety will not be removed. Areas where
we cannot remove trees, it was suggested we purchase a second tarp to help protect the
green in extreme temperatures. Our maintenance crew can remove the suggested trees
marked for removal over time this year and their removal will enhance the turf growing
environment on our nearby greens.
• Continued efforts are being made to monitor soil chemistry and modify fertilization
process for optimum growth and performance.
• Financial audit is going on currently with no issues that we are aware of, but tax season
is complicating its completion by Walker & Associates CPA firm, so it is not complete yet.
• New scorecards received and the only sponsor that declined to renew was Michelson's,
however, Starnes BBQ took their place—and we added the 2020 Readers Choice Award
logo to the front of the card.
• Discussion with respect to Cloud phone communications. Considering a change from
our land line service to VOIP. Commissioner Kettler offered to do some research on this
and get back to Director Mullen.
• Discussion regarding concerns about opening the Pro Shop in 2021. Director Mullen
indicated he would like to open the Pro Shop this year after the coronavirus concerns
have lessened, perhaps some time in the latter half of the year after most eligible citizens
have had the opportunity to get a Covid-19 vaccine. Director Mullen feels we have an
obligation to protect our members from out-of-town visitors who may inadvertently
transmit the virus to someone who just happens to be in the Shop at the same time they
are. Staff should not have to police the mask situation as folks enter the Pro Shop.
When we do reopen, we would still RECOMMEND masks be work. Discussion to also
consider removing cart barrier shields at that time.
• Director Mullen asked permission to install natural gas furnace in the cart rooms to
prolong life of batteries and create more heating effectiveness in the meeting room. This
installation cost would be paid for by Director Mullen's company, FMI.
• Cost estimate received for a new printer for event scoresheets. The printer would permit
Paxton Park to computer print scoresheets with color logos for our golf events. This
would create more professional scoresheets and enhance events being hosted, as well as
the image of the facility to the event participants. The cost would be approximately
$1,000 and would be borne by Director Mullen's Company (FMI) and paid for over time
with small amounts budgeted from our larger events.
• Plans to install a new railroad tie bridge on the right side of 6. This will provide an access
point to maintain the portion of our six rough just across the ditch. This will be done
partially with volunteer labor and minimal cost. Alan Tucker is the lead engineer on this
project—he also did the same on 16 bridges which replaced the older, above ground walk
bridges.
• Sometime this year, have maintenance crew remove the wild and unattractive vegetation
to the right of 3 green and upon removal of vegetation, install screening on the chain link
fence. Cost estimate is roughly ($300-$400) and would reduce the grounds maintenance
needed in this area and enhance aesthetics.
March 2021 P a g e 13
• Our maintenance crew continues to remove garbage vegetation from behind the ditch
near 2 and 13 greens. Once this is completed, it will provide more cleaner and expansive
looks to the course from the Parisa Road vantage point. This is a marketing issue.
• Nick Mills, a PGA instructor from The Golf Complex has donated a $1,000 sponsor fee to
the park in return for signage on top of the scoreboard. He will fill an open spot and will
advertise his teaching services. Nick will also be coaching our Paxton Park PGA Junior
League team this season for the 31d year.
• Memorial donations were made on behalf of Paxton Park and Director Mullen to the
Brockenborough Endowment Scholarship Fund in honor of Pat Brockenborough,
Frank's sister and Edwin J. Paxton's daughter. Memorial donations were also made to
the Paducah Tilghman and McCracken County High School golf teams in honor of Tom
Olsen who passed away recently. Both individuals had been supporters of this facility.
• Commissioner Knecht proposed a divot week to repair divots around the course and
accelerate the healing from winter play once carts are off the path.
Director Mullen updated the Commission on status of play over first quarter.
Secretary Gill updated the Commission on financial status.
Motion to Adjourn made by Jeanne Stroup. Motion Second by Steve Seltzer.
Motion Carried.
Next meeting: April 201h, 2021 at 6:00 PM.
Rick Loyd, Chairman
Jeanne Stroup, Secretary
March 2021 P a g e 14