There was a power point presentation from the Dept. of Rec. and Parks’ Concessions Unit “showing” the RFP (request for proposal) process.  The process is excruciatingly cumbersome and awkward.  The timeline handout they had (attached) is totally inaccurate—I know of my personal knowledge that they couldn’t complete the process from start to finish in 12 months under the best of circumstances.  Additionally: all not completed contracts are under a 90 day moratorium.  Attached is the Concessions Unit’s monthly update concerning golf concessions.

Rec. and Parks has 125 layoffs, though none in Golf Division, to take place July 1.  But those people have bumping rights within their general categories.  So, for example, a laid off mower operator at some park who know not the first thing about maintaining golf courses might have the right to bump, say, a mower operator at Wilson/Harding.  Under the early retirement program, 8 have left Golf Div. so far citywide; more will follow in March. (The Golf Div. has 172 employees, 143 of whom are paid from the general fund, and approximately 22 of whom are funded by the golf surcharge account.)

There is the possibility that the City will, as a pilot, “privatize” one golf course “from soup to nuts”—meaning the course, carts, pro shop, range, and so on would go to a single operator (i.e. just as America Golf runs, for example, Knollwood.)  (Hansen Dam is the most likely candidate for this treatment.)  Some report Mukri says this wouldn’t happen for at least 18 months—I’m not so sure if Villaraigosa and/or the movers on the City Counsel really want it to speed through.

The price of renting a riding cart will be collected at the starter window starting March 1.  (FYI: the City receives 47% of the fee.)

The new granite tee monuments for Hansen Dam have finally arrived and will be installed, meaning the two 9’s will probably be reversed by springtime.

The Los Angeles City Junior Golf Championships are scheduled for Saturday, March 27 through Monday, March 29, with the championship flight being on Wilson and Harding.  Volunteers are needed.  If interested contact Chuck Ruiz at 818.246.1764 or chuck.ruiz@lacity.org.

The “communication” from GAC to the Board of Rec. and Park Commissioners (and also to be addressed to Dept. of Rec. and Parks Gen’l Mgr. Mukri) that was created by the group assigned at the last meeting to do so was discussed, approved, and will be sent. (Copy attached.)

Steve Bloom