Amsterdam public meetings in 2021
6 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Golf Commission
The Amsterdam Golf Commission met to discuss operations at the Arthur Carter Municipal Golf Course. They approved a 2.5% credit card surcharge to offset annual card expenses, and lowered the membership rate for pro shop employees to $500. The commission also discussed equipment purchases, cart path repairs, and a new league.
- Approved 2.5% credit card surcharge to reduce $10K annual card expense
- Approved $500 membership rate for pro shop employees
- Discussed using $28,000 equipment budget plus other funds for new equipment
- Toro mower delivery expected second week of January
- Approved 3 free guest greens fees passes per member (6 for couples)
The Golf Commission approved the second year of a 5-year maintenance contract with BrightView, agreed to order tires using leftover Brightview budget funds, and approved a 2.5% credit card surcharge. They also approved a $500 membership rate for pro shop employees and free guest passes for members. Several items were discussed but not finalized, including cart path repairs and equipment purchases.
- Approved second year of 5-year maintenance contract with BrightView
- Agreed to order tires using leftover Brightview budget funds
- Approved 2.5% credit card surcharge to offset $10K annual expense
- Approved $500 membership rate for pro shop employees (all in favor)
- Approved 3 free guest greens fees passes per member (6 for couples), cart fee applies (all in favor)
- Approved adding 3 more tee times per hour for public play
- Approved paying Foreup one more month to overlap with Lightspeed software
- Approved free passes with membership purchase
Golf Commission
The commission will review progress on golf software, cart paths, and winter greens preparation. The meeting also includes discussions regarding the driving range, a marketing plan, and a 501C3 application.
- Maintenance committee/BrightView financials report
- Driving Range updates
- Golf Software progress
- Cart paths progress
- 501C3 application discussion
The Amsterdam Golf Commission approved a proposal for a new driving range, to be marketed through the Recreation Department, and approved a policy requiring non-members to prepay greens fees before league play. The commission also discussed maintenance issues, golf software, and membership drive plans.
- Approved driving range proposal, with ball washer included, to be marketed through Rec Department.
- Approved motion requiring non-members to prepay greens fees prior to league play, with option for two payments.
- Approved minutes from September 26, 2021 meeting.
- Discussed but took no action on cart paths.
- Decided Dolly tournament will stay with United Way.
- Discussed membership drive and open house for February roll out.
- Discussed marketing tag line contest.
- Discussed league feedback, including fee concerns and prepay resistance.
Golf Commission
The Amsterdam Golf Commission discussed routine maintenance, a costly driving range netting quote, and a switch to free golf software. They tabled tee and divot sign repairs until spring and discussed course closing due to wet conditions. No final decisions were made on the range or rates.
- Driving range netting and pole quote: $123K, deemed out of price range; alternative quotes sought
- Golf software switch to Lightspeed Golf (free) from current $300/month service
- Rough mower ordered, delivery expected in December
- Roof repair on chemical shed still not done by city
- Initial rates discussion for next season
The Golf Commission tabled tee sign and divot sign repairs until spring, ordered a rough mower for December delivery, and discussed but made no decision on a driving range netting quote of $123K. They also reviewed a new golf software option and initial rates discussion, with no formal votes recorded.
- Tabled tee sign repairs until spring
- Tabled divot sign repairs until spring
- Ordered rough mower, delivery in December
- No decision on driving range netting quote ($123K)
Golf Commission
The Amsterdam Golf Commission is meeting to approve previous minutes, hear public comment, and discuss old business including tee signs, divot signs, rough mower, diesel tank, roof repair, grants, and financial reports. New business includes initial discussion of rates and a possible fundraising partnership with Waterfront as a 501C3.
- Tee signs and divot sign repairs
- Rough mower and diesel tank maintenance
- Roof repair for chemical shed
- Grants report and maintenance committee financials
- Initial rates discussion and possible 501C3 fundraising with Waterfront
The Golf Commission approved a motion to allow Kevin to pursue changing golf software from Fore Up to Lightspeed, which could save $4,000 per year. Tee signs were tabled until next year pending course layout decisions. The rough mower purchase was noted as ordered and will be voted on at the next common council meeting.
- Approved motion to pursue change of golf software to Lightspeed (Skip/Bo)
- Tabled tee signs until next year
- Tabled adding new divot signs; Kevin to ask Brightview about purchasing
- Noted rough mower ordered; vote at next common council meeting
- Discussed fall greens fee specials ($25 weekdays, $35 weekends with $5 coupon)
- Discussed possibility of new members paying this year's rate for rest of year
Golf Commission
The Golf Commission met to discuss course maintenance, equipment purchases, and potential grant funding for cart paths. The body approved the purchase of a Toro rough mower and discussed emergency plans for a new 500-gallon diesel tank.
- Voted to move forward with purchasing a Toro rough mower
- Approved $90 estimate for 'repair your divot' signs
- Discussed $5,300 quote for a new 500-gallon diesel tank from Bovee
- Discussed cart path replacement costs estimated between $360,000 and $700,000
- Proposed a new 'Commissioners Cup' golf tournament for next season
The Golf Commission voted to move forward with purchasing a Toro rough mower, with Kevin to recommend it to the Common Council. They also approved ordering divot repair signs and discussed various maintenance and improvement projects, including tee signs, cart paths, and a potential tournament.
- Approved motion to move forward with Toro rough mower (all in favor)
- Approved ordering 'repair your divot' signs (estimated $90)
- Approved minutes from 07-27-21 meeting (all in favor)
Golf Commission
The Commission reviewed the golf course's financial position, including insurance issues and a projected net loss. The Mayor discussed debt restructuring plans and the sale of the current Pro-shop to the Executive Group.
- Projected net loss of $127,822
- Decision to charge a 2% fee on all credit card purchases
- City will sell the current Pro-shop to the Executive Group and rent space in the new facility
- $69,000 for asbestos removal to be placed into the golf fund
- New mower expected to arrive in July
The commission approved a 2% surcharge on all credit card purchases, with a motion by Bill and seconded by Tim. Mayor Cinquanti reported a projected loss of $127,822 for the golf course, citing insurance and asbestos removal costs, and stated that if the course does not become profitable, other options will be considered. The driving range discussion was tabled due to lack of financing. The city will sell the current pro-shop to the Executive Group and rent space in the new facility, with rent equal to the property's value.
- Approved 2% surcharge on all credit card purchases
- Tabled driving range discussion due to lack of financing
- Confirmed city will sell current pro-shop to Executive Group and rent space in new facility
- Noted mower will arrive in July, with funding encumbered
- Discussed chemical storage building repair, possibly using capital improvement fund
- Resigned with Fore Up for golf software, which will manage website and social media
- Set open house for April 2 to sell 10-packs and unlimited memberships
- Confirmed free rounds: 3 for full memberships, 6 guest rounds for couples memberships