# Real Briefings - Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Summary --- ## Module 1: Meeting Metadata **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Meeting-Metadata **Meeting Information:** - Meeting ID: BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11 - Date: August 11, 2025 - Duration: 30m 42s - Committee: Parks and Recreation Committee - Chair: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams (Fourth Ward) - Location: City Council Chambers, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA **Attendance:** - Committee Chair Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward - Committee Member Hannah Stone, First Ward - Committee Member Jace Cotton, At-Large - Nicole Oliver, Parks & Recreation Director - Gina Austin, Parks Project Engineer - Steve Janiszewski, Parks Operations Manager - Mike Fosnick, Director of Operations, Troon/Premier Golf Centers **Meeting Type:** Committee meeting (open to public, no public comment period) --- ## Module 2: Agenda Overview **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Agenda-Overview **Agenda Items:** 1. **AB 24620** - Boulevard Park Shoreline and Public Access Enhancement Noise Variance 2. **AB 24621** - Resolution to Increase the Facility Reinvestment and Water Conservation Surcharge Rate at Lake Padden Golf Course **Meeting Structure:** - Call to Order (10:55 AM) - Two substantive agenda items with presentations and committee discussion - Motions and votes on both items - Adjournment (11:25 AM) **Administrative Context:** - Committee recommendations forwarded to evening regular council meeting - Agenda packets available Wednesday prior to meeting - Meetings streamed live via city website and broadcast on BTV --- ## Module 3: Key Decisions and Votes **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Key-Decisions **Decision 1: Boulevard Park Noise Variance** - **Motion:** Approve noise variance for Boulevard Park Shoreline Enhancement Project - **Moved by:** Councilmember Jace Cotton - **Vote:** 3-0 (Unanimous approval) - **Effective Period:** October 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 - **Scope:** Intermittent night work for in-water construction activities **Decision 2: Lake Padden Golf Course Surcharge Increase** - **Motion:** Approve resolution increasing facility reinvestment and water conservation surcharge rate - **Moved by:** Councilmember Hannah Stone - **Vote:** 3-0 (Unanimous approval) - **Impact:** $2 increase for 18 holes ($4 to $6), $1 increase for 9 holes ($2 to $3) - **Implementation Date:** September 1, 2025 - **Annual Revenue Increase:** $35,000 --- ## Module 4: Major Discussion Topics **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Discussion-Topics **Boulevard Park Construction Variance:** - Project delayed from 2024 to preserve summer public access - In-water work requires extremely low tides (fall/winter optimal) - Night work typically 11 PM to 2 AM during favorable tide conditions - Not every night - intermittent based on tide predictions - Day work includes truck hauling operations **Golf Course Infrastructure Investment:** - 53-year-old irrigation system at end of life requiring full replacement - Estimated replacement cost: $3.5-3.7 million with HDPE piping - System encompasses 150 acres, 1,400 sprinkler heads, 20 miles of pipe, 26 miles of electrical wire - Comparable project: Cedar Crest Golf Course in Marysville ($3.85 million construction) **Water Conservation Achievements:** - 25% reduction in irrigation water consumption achieved - Additional 10-20% reduction anticipated this year - Upgraded irrigation controllers and sprinkler heads - Strategic irrigation focusing on high-traffic areas **Golf Course Performance:** - Record-setting revenue in 2023-24: $2.4 million - 2025 projected revenue: $2.5 million - Growth from 27,000 rounds (2018) to estimated 42,000 rounds (2025) - 40 additional annual members in 2025 --- ## Module 5: Financial and Budgetary Items **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Financial-Items **Facility Reinvestment Fund Status:** - Current balance: $204,587 - Annual collection with existing surcharge: $105,000 - Projected additional revenue from increase: $35,000 annually - Projected fund balance by 2031: Nearly $1 million **Golf Enterprise Fund Performance:** - 2024 revenue: $2.4 million (78% above budget) - 2025 projected revenue: $2.5 million - Typical seasonal pattern: lowest in February/March, peak July/August - 2025 tracking slightly lower due to increased project spending and utility costs **Capital Investment Planning:** - Increased capital budget allocation from $35,000 to $250,000 annually in 2023 - Design phase funding target: ~$200,000 (using reinvestment fund) - Construction funding: Bond measure anticipated - Potential grant opportunities through Department of Ecology for water conservation **Surcharge Structure Changes:** - 18-hole rounds: $4 → $6 (+$2) - 9-hole rounds: $2 → $3 (+$1) - Annual passes: assessed in January - Disc golf: No change (remains same rate) --- ## Module 6: Regulatory and Legal Matters **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Legal-Matters **Noise Variance Authorization:** - **Legal Basis:** Variance from Bellingham Municipal Code 10.24.120 - **Previous Action:** November 2024 council action (original timeline) - **Requesting Parties:** City of Bellingham Parks & Recreation Department and city contractor - **Work Scope:** Construction below ordinary high watermark during extreme low tides - **Regulatory Compliance:** Night work authorization for marine construction activities **Golf Course Management Contract:** - **Current Status:** Premier Golf LLC completing eighth year as managing partner - **Contract Expiration:** End of 2025 - **Upcoming Process:** New RFP to be issued soon - **Procurement:** Open bidding process including current operator **Municipal Code Compliance:** - Surcharge rate changes require council resolution - Previous council action: 2023 resolution establishing original surcharge - Enterprise fund operation within municipal guidelines - Water usage monitoring and conservation requirements --- ## Module 7: Public Services and Operations **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Public-Services **Boulevard Park Public Access:** - Strategic timing to minimize summer disruption to public park use - Post-Labor Day construction start preserves peak recreational season - Enhanced shoreline access as project outcome - Community connection to waterfront maintained during beautiful weather **Golf Course Public Recreation Services:** - 42,000 annual rounds serving diverse demographic - Full and sold-out junior programs - Large ladies group with continuing growth - Annual membership increased by 40 members in 2025 - Best value pricing in Whatcom County compared to competitors **Facility Improvements and Technology:** - Planned driving range technology upgrades (virtual golf, entertainment games) - Would be only course in Whatcom County with such technology - Food and beverage menu improvements to attract broader park users - Creating communal space for mountain biking and general park community **Water Quality and Environmental Stewardship:** - Ongoing water quality testing program - Scientific water budget study for Lake Padden (Public Works/Natural Resources) - Stormwater improvements targeting dog park (primary concern vs. golf course) - Modern irrigation system design for maximum water efficiency --- ## Module 8: Community Impact and Concerns **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Community-Impact **Construction Impact Management:** - Night work limited to 11 PM - 2 AM window during low tides - Intermittent schedule based on tide predictions, not continuous - Daytime truck hauling operations anticipated - Seasonal timing (fall/winter) reduces impact on peak park usage **Golf Course Community Benefits:** - Record participation levels indicating strong community engagement - Diverse user base including families, seniors, women's groups, juniors - Canadian golfer participation (though decreased recently) - Annual pass holders average 50 rounds per year **Accessibility and Affordability Considerations:** - Competitive pricing maintained despite surcharge increase - Still considered best value in Whatcom County - Gradual fee increases to support infrastructure needs - Long-term sustainability approach to preserve public facility **Environmental and Climate Concerns:** - Council member raised climate action plan compatibility questions - Water conservation measures showing measurable results - Aging infrastructure causing inefficient water usage and flooding - Modern systems would provide better environmental controls **Broader Park Integration:** - Efforts to attract mountain biking and general park community - Food service improvements to serve broader public - Technology additions to appeal to diverse age groups - Creating inclusive recreational space beyond traditional golf demographics --- ## Module 9: Policy Implications and Future Planning **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Policy-Implications **Long-term Infrastructure Investment Strategy:** - Multi-year capital improvement planning with dedicated funding stream - Bond financing strategy for major infrastructure replacement - Design phase preparation for construction readiness - Grant funding exploration for water conservation projects **Municipal Golf Course Policy Questions:** - Council member Stone raised fundamental questions about municipal golf course commitment - Climate action plan alignment considerations - Environmental impact assessment needs - Public funding prioritization in context of budget constraints - Policy discussion requested for full council consideration **Water Resource Management Policy:** - Lake Padden water budget scientific study informing policy - Stormwater management improvements beyond golf course - Regional water conservation coordination - Technology upgrades supporting environmental goals **Public-Private Partnership Evolution:** - Golf management RFP process for contract renewal - Performance-based management evaluation - Revenue sharing and operational responsibility balance - Community benefit maximization through partnership structure **Sustainable Recreation Planning:** - Integration with broader parks and recreation strategic planning - Multi-modal recreation facility development - Community demographic changes accommodation - Technology integration for enhanced public services **Regulatory Framework Development:** - Noise variance procedures for essential infrastructure projects - Enterprise fund management optimization - Fee structure methodology for sustainable operations - Environmental compliance integration with operational needs --- ## Module 10: Cross-References and Related Issues **File:** BEL-CON-PRC-2025-08-11-Cross-References **Related Municipal Initiatives:** - **Climate Action Plan**: Council member concerns about golf course sustainability alignment - **Water Budget Study**: Public Works/Natural Resources comprehensive Lake Padden analysis - **Stormwater Improvements**: Targeting dog park and county property runoff issues - **Boulevard Park Enhancement**: Broader shoreline and public access improvement project **Interdepartmental Coordination:** - **Public Works**: Water budget study and stormwater management - **Natural Resources**: Environmental monitoring and conservation programs - **Parks & Recreation**: Facility management and capital improvement planning - **Mayor's Office**: Bond measure considerations and policy direction **Regional Comparisons and Benchmarking:** - **Cedar Crest Golf Course, Marysville**: Direct comparable for irrigation system replacement ($3.85M) - **Whatcom County Golf Facilities**: Competitive pricing analysis and service benchmarking - **Regional Water Conservation**: Best practices and technology adoption **Contractual and Procurement Connections:** - **Premier Golf LLC Management**: Eight-year performance history and upcoming RFP - **Construction Contractor Selection**: Boulevard Park project implementation - **Design Professional Services**: Irrigation system design procurement planning **Financial Planning Integration:** - **Enterprise Fund Management**: Self-sustaining operations model - **Capital Improvement Program**: Multi-year infrastructure investment planning - **Bond Program Consideration**: Major capital financing strategy - **Grant Funding Coordination**: State and federal environmental programs **Environmental and Regulatory Linkages:** - **Bellingham Municipal Code 10.24.120**: Noise ordinance variance procedures - **Department of Ecology**: Potential grant funding and regulatory compliance - **Water Rights and Usage**: Lake Padden pumping station operations - **Environmental Impact Assessment**: Policy-level evaluation needs **Community Engagement Aspects:** - **Golfer Advisory Committee**: Quarterly stakeholder meetings - **Public Access**: Boulevard Park community use patterns - **Demographic Inclusion**: Broadening recreational facility appeal - **Technology Integration**: Modern amenities for diverse user groups