Council tables next Cedar Creek contract

Dec. 13—OTTUMWA — The meeting at Bridge View Center started with three entities making their pitch to be the next operator of Cedar Creek Golf Course.

It ended with residents calling for the removal of Ottumwa City Council member Sandra Pope.

Pope's absence from Tuesday's meeting forced the remaining council members to table a decision about the course's next operator, leaving candidates Doug Techel, Adam Wilson and Maxim's Bryan Minnis in limbo, as well as the current employees of the golf course and current operator Greg Wilson, whose contract with the city expires Dec. 31.

The council decided to table the item until next Tuesday's regular city council meeting, the final scheduled meeting of the year and 13 days before a new contract is set to go into effect, whoever it is with.

"I will do my best to get all five of the council members there," Mayor Rick Johnson said. "But I'm not God."

Council member Cara Galloway said the only reason three presentations were heard was because a vote automatically failed in October when the council voted 2-2 to extend the current contract; Pope was absent that night and an absence is an automatic "no" vote.

She proceeded to read out Pope's contact information, which is posted on the City of Ottumwa's website.

However, others called for more drastic measures that follow Iowa Code.

"We can request to remove Sandra Pope from the council and we will follow that up with a petition, so you guys can move pretty quickly and that can be put in place the next meeting," resident Kim Ardueser said. "Just be prepared. She's missed 23% of meetings, and she doesn't let anyone know why.

"It's important that these people here not waste their time, and her not being here is extremely disrespectful."

Pope did not respond to the Courier's request for comment.

Greg Wilson was concerned about what happens after his current lease is up.

"I've got a lot of inventory tied up. Come Jan. 1, I have to be out there there, legally," he said. "Someone could sue me legally for having my carts there."

Three visions were shared for the future of Cedar Creek.

DTech Enterprises

Techel, who previously owned Champion Bowl for about 20 years before selling it for profit in 2019, offered the greatest lease amount to the city at over $31,250 annually, paid out in May and August, because, "unlike the other two, I'm retired and I don't need to take a lot of money."

He also touted his marketing experience and his time working at the course as benefits to reimagine Cedar Creek.

"You surround yourself with smart people, treat customers and employees with respect, and never settle for mediocrity," he said. "Our price structure will mirror the current pricing."

Techel envisioned the current staff staying on and most of his efforts would go to the look of the course.

"I want a golfer to pull into the parking lot, someone who's never been there, say, 'Wow, this is a pretty nice place. Let's see what it plays like.' I want them to have an enjoyable experience, and bring someone else with them next time."

Techel, like Adam Wilson, believes keeping the course under local management was important. However, both said they would be hesitant to share a plethora of financials to track how the course is doing from a profitability standpoint.

"I understand the city wants to make sure that we're profitable. If I happen to have a really good year, whose business is that other than mine?" he said. "What happens if I have a really bad year? I think it comes down to contract negotiations, and what specifically the city wants to see at the end of the year."

A.A.W. Golf Group

Adam Wilson stressed several times during his presentation that he wouldn't change much about the golf course. He said he would have the equipment on hand, but struggled to answer some questions about revealing finances about profitability, as well as some aspects of course care.

However, he didn't foresee major increases in rates.

"That's how we've done it the past 15 years," said Wilson, who was worked at the course as a professional during that time. "I'm just going to keep on doing what we've been doing. We will maintain the beauty and integrity of the golf course."

Wilson said there's "always a happy medium" when it comes to balancing events at the course and allowing members and the public to play the course.

"We don't want to shut them out," he said. "I think where we're at is pretty good."

Regarding where he saw the course in five years, Wilson said he wants to make it better.

"But we're not going to do anything drastic. I'm not going to chop down all the trees, and I'm not going to grow up all the rough," he said. "We're very playable. It's going to look similar, but better."

Wilson was offering $16,000 annually in lease payment to the city, plus an additional $1 surcharge per round for an estimated $24,000 per year. His group also suggested a portion of the proceeds totaling $120,000 be saved by the city over a 10-year lease for capital improvement projects for the course.

Maxim Golf Solutions

Minnis, CEO of the Missouri-based firm, twice during his presentation committed to retain all staff currently working at Cedar Creek to alleviate any concerns they may have with their future employment.

But Minnis, who has worked in the golf industry for years, also saw the golf course as more than just a course; he believed the clubhouse could be turned into a money-maker itself.

"A great clubhouse amenity could be another great attraction within this community, especially if it's built right," he said. "What we do really well with our clubs that have clubhouse facilities is they allow people to come in for wedding receptions, birthday parties, class reunions — some of those things that are later in the year."

Maxim manages golf properties in four states and said the company's staff is capable of overseeing all aspects of the course, from the environmental issues to the rates to play. He said if awarded the contract, he will hire Darin Fisher, the club pro at The Preserve, to be the pro at Cedar Creek.

"There's no profitability if you make your course too hard to play," he said.

Council member Bill Hoffman Jr. asked whether Maxim would utilize local businesses when necessary and Minnis recalled losing $15,000 worth of business from a local office supplier in Kansas because a national outfit told him they had to use national accounts.

"That was a real sting for us, so you always want to do business with people locally if you can," he said. "The return on that investment is obvious."

When asked how he would come up with the equipment needed to run the course, Minnis said they likely already have it.

"We have 14 facilities, so when it comes to merchandise, we have accounts with every major provider in the country," he said. "We have a national procurement agreement with E-Z Go (golf carts) and we have carts in our fleet. It's not an issue for us."

Maxim's lease to the city would be $5,000 per year, with an annual increase of $1,000, but not to top $12,000. He said a Cedar Creek pass would be good at other golf courses the company manages.

"We're the outsider, and I get it," he said. "And that might be a detraction for some people. The attraction though is that we have figured some things out at our operating golf facilities. The fact that we have a network of properties is a benefit to not only member, but to patrons as well."

'Time is of the essence'

Techel expressed concern about the possibility of delaying the vote because of suppliers he must get in contact with if he's awarded the contract.

"I have to get all my ducks in a row really quick because time is of the essence," he said. "I don't want to this to be a tie. I want it to be unanimous."

Greg Wilson agreed.

"Time is running out," he said. "This is urgent."