HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-13 - City Commission Special Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Dressler called the special workshop of the City Commission to
order at 10:33 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at Colony West Golf Club, 6800 NW 88"
Avenue, Tamarac, Florida, 33321. The purpose of the meeting was to have representatives
from Billy Casper Golf provide the Commission with an overview of the operations and a tour
of the facilities and golf course.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Harry Dressler, Vice Mayor Pamela Bushnell, Commissioner Michelle J.
Gomez, Commissioner Diane Glasser and Commissioner Debra Placko were in attendance.
Also in attendance were City Manager Michael C. Cernech, City Clerk Patricia Teufel,
Financial Services Director Mark Mason, Colony West Golf Club General Manager Bob
Ewing, Assistant General Manager Ryan Miller, Golf Course Superintendent Rick Cernera
Director of Sales Pamela Bogart, Head Golf Professional Brent Whittaker, Food & Beverage
Manager Allen Reilly and Executive Chef Deric Officer.
City Manager Cernech said our goal this morning is fairly simple. The City, in conjunction
with our partners at Billy Casper, has been running the golf course now for almost two years.
Everyone remembers where we started and we wanted to get the Commission over to see
the improvements to the course and facilities before the next full season kicks off. City
Manager Cernech said the Commission has asked what is new at Colony West. There have
been a lot of recent improvements made by Billy Casper and Tamarac's own Public Services
Department and we want to inform the Commission about and them. City Manager Cernech
said he thought it would be a good idea to come over to Colony West and hear from our golf
professionals directly about some of the improvements that have been accomplished. City
Manager Cernech said we have talked about the possibility of a hotel on this site with Billy
Casper and indicated that staff will be coming to the Commission in the near future with some
recommendations on this potential project. City Manager Cernech reiterated that it is good for
us to see what is happening at Colony West, get a feel for the conditions of the course, the
condition of the facilities and reacquaint ourselves with our professional partners. City
Manager Cernech said after the presentation there will be a tour and then have lunch.
Mr. Ewing said the plan for this year is to move forward in 2016 and build on the substantial
momentum of 2015 and added that he is excited about the direction the golf club is taking.
Mr. Ewing introduced his staff: Mr. Miller, Mr. Cernera, Ms. Bogart, Mr. Whittaker, Mr. Reilly
and Chef Officer.
Mr. Ewing gave a presentation, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Mr. Ewing
gave an overview and talked about their principles, the team at Colony West and their goals.
Mr. Cernera talked about basic agronomics and Billy Casper's short and long term plans for
the golf course. Mr. Whittaker talked about golf operations, the standards, various programs
and creating innovative approaches. Financial Services Director Mason noted that the Junior
Golf Cap had 28 attendees and Mr. Whittaker is getting ready to start that camp up again.
Financial Services Director Mason said Tavarella H.S. is using Colony as their home course
and that the NCAA looked at Colony West to see if it could hold tournaments here. Financial
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Services Director Mason said the NCAA will come back next year to check out the condition
of the golf course and to determine if it is ready for their tournaments. Financial Services
Director Mason noted that this will be a big deal for a municipal golf course. Mr. Ewing said
Colony West will be hosting the US Kids Tournament next week with 100 participants.
Chef Officer talked about the food and beverage operations of the Golf Club and noted that
they have to work harder to get the word out that the Golf Club is once again open and the
restaurant serves lunch and dinner. The Commission was in agreement that they would be
happy to get the word out to their constituents. Chef Officer talked about upcoming specials
that the restaurant will be having. Mr. Reilly talked about banquet and event standards with
an eye to enhancing bookings. Financial Services Director Mason said the restaurant is now
open on NFL Sundays and on Saturday for the College football games. Ms. Bogart talked
about the initiatives she is taking to market Colony West; i.e. creating packages to make it
easier for clients to book events; competitive pricing to build bookings; be more active in the
Wedding Market and utilizing support from Billy Casper Golf's National Sales Team. Ms.
Bogart said she wants to build the Colony West social calendar and establish Colony West as
a premier golf course with an active event schedule for all of their venues.
Mr. Ryan talked about different ways to market Colony West such as Halloween golfing at
night, Beer Fest and the Super Bowl Scramble. Mr. Ryan gave a brief overview of some of
the events they have done over the past year. Mr. Ryan said they have to think outside the
box for marketing by using text messages, email, social medial and emails. Mr. Ryan said
Colony West will be at the Coral Square Mall, and at the BB&T Center at one of the Florida
Panther's games.
Mr. Ewing, Mr. Miller, Mr. Cernera, Ms. Bogart, Mr. Whittaker, Mr. Reilly, Chef Officer,
Financial Services Director Mason and City Manager Cernech responded to questions from
the Commission throughout the presentations.
There being no other business Mayor Dressler adjourned the meeting at 11.53 a.m.
Patricia Teufel, CMC; , ��!` 1 P'MAR�9
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City Clerk � .�@ p,.•
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