200 E. Santa Clara St., 9th Floor Tower San José, CA 95113 tel (408) 793-5553 fax (408) 292-6299
February 15, 2022
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of San Jose
200 E. Santa Clara St.
San José, CA 95113
SUBJECT: Memo – Municipal Golf Courses Update (Council Agenda 03/15/2022)
Dear Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,
This letter from the Parks and Recreation Commission is to highlight two concerns that the commission has about the three city golf courses. We are relieved that the debt on the City golf courses has been paid so that the courses can now be operated under management structures that protect the City’s finances. As with other agreements that the City enters into, we would like to make sure that there are periodic check in points in the contracts, along with measurable metrics that make sure the company running the property or properties meets their obligations so that these wonderful courses stay open to the public, regardless of age, culture or ability, and financially sustainable. We would like to see a lease not longer than 15 years, subject to extension, as we may need to reevaluate the use of the courses.
Also, we want to make sure that all of the courses are maintained with the current climate crisis in mind. We want operators to continue to use recycled water whenever and wherever possible, and employ maintenance practices, including chemical application, that consider sensitive habitats and riparian corridors. We want to make sure that the provisions in Climate Smart San Jose are followed at the three golf courses.
As you move forward, we would like these two areas to be taken into consideration.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Regards,
Daphna Woolfe,
Chair, Parks and Recreation Commission
Parks and Recreation Commission