SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
11:30 AM
City Hall Council Chamber
44950 Eldorado Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210
Present: Mayor Sanders
Mayor Pro Tem Whitman
Council Member Peabody
Council Member Griffith
Excused: Council Member Reed
_____________________________________________________________________ A.CONVENE THE INDIAN WELLS CITY COUNCIL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Sanders convened the Special Council Meeting at 11:32 a.m. on October 15, in the City Hall Council Chamber.
It was the CONSENSUS of the City Council to Excuse for Cause Council Member Reed from today's Special Council meeting.
B.APPROVAL OF THE FINAL AGENDA
Mayor Sanders requested General Business Item C.1 - Award of Bid for Redesign of the Players Course at the Indian Wells Golf Resort be moderated as a Study Session.
Mayor Sanders also requested the matter to be delayed for approval to the October 24, 2024, City Council meeting.
It was the CONSENSUS of the City Council to Approve the Agenda as Amended.
C.GENERAL BUSINESS
C.1 Award of Bid for Redesign of the Players Course at the Indian Wells Golf Resort
Mayor Sanders provided a background relating to the golf course redesign project. Mayor Pro Tem Whitman thanked the Council and City Manager for
Special Council Minutes- October 15, 2024
2 delaying the approval to the October 24 City Council meeting. Council Member Griffith provided a report regarding meetings held through the years where the Indian Wells Golf Resort golf course facility and redesign were discussed.
Mayor Sanders congratulated Assistant City Manager Peter Castro for taking a new position with the City of Rancho Cucamonga. City Manager Christopher Freeland outlined the Indian Wells Golf Resort redesign objectives and benefits.
Mr. Freeland provided an overview of the rehabilitation and remodel costs.
Troon Senior Vice President of Golf Course Development Ron Despain provided an overview of the request for proposals process, bids, and costs. Finance Director Kevin McCarty provided options to fund the golf course should the Council move forward with the project. Mr. McCarthy clarified the financial impact of Player's course closure on Indian Wells Golf Course.
Council Member Peabody questioned the project costs and breakdown. Mr.
Peabody requested clarification regarding the upfront cost for the project. Mr.
Peabody expressed further concerns regarding the facility closure being scheduled between March and October 2025, and concerns for funding the project from the General Fund. Mr. Peabody suggested that newly elected Councilmembers advance the project, suggested delaying the project until the residents have returned, and recommended a three-year plan for the traps and irrigation maintenance.
Mr. McCarthy outlined the financial implications of the golf course closure between March 1-November 1, 2025. There was a clarification regarding the golf revenue loss calculations and the use of the Structural Fire Tax funds.
Mayor Pro Tem Whitman expressed concern about the scope of the project being doubled from 25 acres to 42 acres and the $4.8 million increase from the initial estimate of $8 million. Mr. Whitman suggested not removing the 18th hole but instead considering a reroute and recommends staff provide other options.
Mayor Sanders recessed the Special Council meeting at 1:38 p.m., and reconvened at 2:48 p.m.
Mr. Vern and Mrs. Sandra Byggdin, Mr. Ron and Mrs. Ruth Agresti, Mr. James Crawford, Ms. Maureen Emswiller, and Mr. Marc Lily, residents, submitted written comments relating to the award of bid for redesign of the Player's Course. Dr. Bruce Morgan, the resident, suggested the City re-evaluate the project costs and suggested soliciting additional bids to compare the scope of work. Mr. Dennis Pindiak, resident, suggested analyzing the project in detail as the project is a significant expense and requires maintenance.
Special Council Minutes- October 15, 2024
3 Council Member Griffith questioned if the Indian Wells Golf Resort Advisory Committee resident members were included in the process. There was clarification of the City Manager and Committee resident members discussing the proposal for the redesign of the Players Course. Mr. Griffith expressed concerns relating to the increase in the project costs. Mayor Pro Tem Whitman suggested not eliminating the 18th hole, but instead to consider a reroute and recommended providing other alternatives. Mayor Sanders expressed concerns about the increase in labor and material costs. Council Member Griffith requested a source and uses analysis for current and future projects. Mayor Sanders thanked the Council and Troon team.
D.ADJOURNMENT
At 2:37 p.m., Mayor Sanders ADJOURNED the Special Council Meeting to a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held at 1:30 p.m. on October 24, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chamber.
Respectfully Submitted,
_________________________
Angelica Avila, MMC
City Clerk