The Board discussed at length the decision to remodel instead of replace the Mountain Course Clubhouse. With the estimates for rehabilitation increased to $1.42M from $861,800 (a 65% increase), Trustees Callicrate and Dent stated that feedback from community surveys and the analysis from Global Golf Advisors and the design plans from BJG Engineering concluded a new clubhouse would reduce operational costs and fulfill the wishes of our community. Trustee Horan stated he supports the rehabilitation bidding efforts, but wants to review the outcome before deciding to move forward. The Board approved moving forward to obtain bids for the remodel in a 3-2 vote.  Trustees Callicrate and Dent objected to the motion.
The budget calls for spending over $4M of Community Services funds on the Mountain Golf Course Clubhouse rehabilitation ($1.42M), the Tennis Facility renovation ($1.285M) and other projects and equipment purchases at Diamond Peak. Even with these expenditures in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the District will have over $4.6M in excess funds, over and above the required fund balance, in Community Services. The budget was approved in a 3-2 vote. Trustees Callicrate and Dent opposed the budget approval.
Trustees Dent and Callicrate again suggested the Board revise the Recreation and Beach fees to allow the excess cash in the Community Services coffers to be reduced while infusing more capital to the Beaches in order to fund the Incline Beach building, which has been a priority for several years. This would mean the Recreation Fee would be reduced and the Beach Fee increased by the same amount. (NOTE: funds can’t be moved from Community Services to the Beaches because some parcel owners do not pay a Beach fee.) Trustee Horan suggested this change be discussed next year. The Board approved the current $705 for the Rec Fee and $125 Beach Fee in a 3-2 vote with Callicrate and Dent opposing.
The Board unanimously approved the spending of $424,600 for media buying services to advertise our venues.
The Board had a lengthy discussion regarding the contract for the Incline Creek restoration project (upstream from SR-28). The project budget included a 20% contingency which Trustee Dent pointed out was not the industry standard and would lead to the project being budgeted 20% higher than necessary.  It also authorizes spending without Board approval for the additional 20% which Trustee Dent stated is not in the best interest of our District. Because this project has other contributors, making a change has a ripple effect on funds made available from other organizations. The project was unanimously approved with Trustee Dent recommending staff use industry standard contingencies for all future projects.
The Board began discussing the consolidation of all master plan projects in an effort to prioritize projects across the various plans. The idea is to have a comprehensive overall plan with identified priorities so that if a generous donor wanted to contribute, the projects would all be identified and prioritized. Trustee Callicrate stated he views the top priorities of our community to be a dedicated dog park, a new Incline Beach house, improved picnic areas and the restroom replacement at Burnt Cedar Beach.   Matthew Dent identified a new, but reduced in scale, Incline Beach house, improved entries and exits for cars and pedestrians at Incline Beach, and a dedicated dog park. Trustee Horan listed the Incline Beach house, a dedicated dog park, and ski way improvements. Trustee Morris stated he wasn’t equipped to identify a list at this time. He suggested a survey allowing the community to rank the entire list. Chair Wong seemed to agree with the previously identified priorities and added a new administration building. Although four Trustees cited the Incline Beach Building as a priority, it is notable that this project is not on the District’s 5 year capital plan.  Staff will be reviewing the priority project scopes and updating the estimates for the Board.
What are YOUR top 3 priorities?  Email us and we will share the results.