1 TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Ryan Smoot, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Emma Kelley, Recreation Manager
MEETING DATE: May 16, 2023
SUBJECT: Update & Discussion of Golf Classic and Mayor’s Cup 2023
RECOMMENDATION
After discussion, provide direction to staff to cancel or replace the Golf Classic and Mayor’s Cup 2023.
BACKGROUND
On February 2, 2023, the City Council approved the 15th annual Golf Classic & Mayor’s Cup 2023. The annual Mayor’s Cup golf tournament has traditionally been a fundraiser to help offset the costs of youth sports and recreation programs for members of the Lomita community who need assistance, but in recent years funds raised have been minimal.
In recent years, the event has become more expensive and requires a significant amount of staff time and planning. The City’s Recreation Supervisor is generally responsible for facilitating the planning and development of this special event with the assistance of many other part-time and full-time staff members from the Parks and Recreation division. Last month, the City’s Recreation Supervisor left the City for other employment, leaving the division with reduced staffing. Staff has pulled in additional help to cover youth sports and other ongoing programs, and has reallocated workloads to cover other events as necessary.
Revenues raised through the Golf Classic and Mayor’s Cup have significantly decreased over the last five years it has been held (2015 -18 & 2022 – it was not held during the pandemic). Over time, while overall expenses have remained relatively flat (with minor increases), sponsorship levels have gradually and significantly decreased. In 2016, overall revenues were approximately $25,000. By 2022, that total has decreased to approximately $19,000. Net proceeds from the event have decreased from approximately $12,000 to approximately $5,500. These figures include staff time only for the day of the
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. SCH 8d
2 event and do not account for the significant staff time required in planning the event. The table below shows expenses and revenues over the years.
Year Total Expense Total Revenues Gain/Loss
2015 $ 13,326 $ 25,185 $ 11,859
2016 $ 14,655 $ 26,759 $ 12,104
2017 $ 15,960 $ 20,030 $ 4,070
2018 $ 21,912 $ 24,559 $ 2,647
2019
2020
2021
2022 $ 14,216 $ 19,710 $ 5,494
With the Recreation Supervision position vacant, available staff is busy implementing, planning, and organizing Spring and Summer contract classes, Youth and Adult sports leagues, the planning of Memorial Day, Drug & Gang Free Walk, Night at the Museum, and this year’s expanded two-day Founders Day celebration. Planning for the 15th annual Golf Classic and Mayor’s Cup wouldn’t begin until after this year’s Founders Day celebration. Should the City Council direct staff to continue with the planning of the Golf Classic and Mayor’s Cup 2023, staff will move forward with the planning of the golf tournament and we will make it a success. But, given the existing workloads, available staffing, and downward trending revenues from the event, it is recommended that the event be canceled for 2023 and alternatives be explored to raise additional funds when the Recreation Supervisor position has been filled.
Alternatively, the Council can direct staff to consider alternative events immediately. As an example, during the February 2, 2023, City Council meeting there was discussion of a Cornhole tournament at Lomita Park as an alternative to replace the Golf Classic and Mayor’s Cup while reducing staff time required and significantly reducing costs. Staff can research the possibility of this event taking place and report back to the City Council at a later date.
OPTIONS
1. Authorize the cancelation or the Golf Classic & Mayor’s Cup 2023 until 2024.
2. Direct staff to move forward with the Golf Classic & Mayor’s Cup 2023.
3. Direct staff to look further into a Cornhole tournament.
4. Provide staff with other direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
Impacts would depend on alternative directed, and potential events selected. As alternatives are discussed, staff will present expected costs and revenues. 3 Approved by:
___________________________ __________________________
Gary Y. Sugano Ryan Smoot
Assistant City Manager City Manager
Prepared by:
__________________________
Emma Kelley
Recreation Manager