'Ahead of schedule and under budget'
“Ahead of schedule and under budget” are words not frequently used when referring to a program undertaken by a government-run entity at any level--municipal, state or national.
Yet, Yorba Linda taxpayers who’ve been funding financial shortfalls at the city-owned Black Gold Golf Club for several years might be happy to learn that an expensive, five-year kikuyu grass transition plan is, at present, “ahead of schedule and under budget.”
The plan to covert 112 acres of fairways and rough at the 11-year-old facility to kikuyu grass--considered more suitable to local climate and growing conditions than rye grass-- is more than 50 percent complete with costs 10 percent less than anticipated.
City Council approved a $967,764 kikuyu grass transition and soil enhancement plan in 2010, and, so far, $442,505 has been spent, $97,348 under budget, according to a report from Parks and Recreation Director Bill Calkins.
Two more years of expenditures are expected, $250,175 this fiscal year and $177,735 in 2013-14, with Calkins stating, “The transition is occurring faster than expected and with less interference to the course players than anticipated.”
Black Gold reported hosting 108,073 guests in the 2011-12 fiscal year: 56,352 for golf rounds; 14,464 at the practice facility; 16,200 for weddings; 9,775 for tournaments and events; and 11,282 for dining. (See my Oct. 18 column for more on Black Gold finances.)
Of course, not all of Yorba Linda’s endeavors are “ahead of schedule and under budget.”
Renovation of the kitchen at the Community Center needs $163,000 more to complete a project that originally was estimated at $400,850.
That approval, which includes a $64,000 contingency for unanticipated costs, came with the contract awarding on a 3-2 vote at the Dec. 4 council meeting, with Gene Hernandez, Tom Lindsey and Mark Schwing in favor and John Anderson and Craig Young opposed.
The renovation, expected to take place during the first three months of next year, will add commercial-style cooking capabilities needed under a new pact with Black Gold manager KemperSports to operate non-exclusive catering services at the center.
The expenditure is expected to be recouped in the next five-to-six years, if added rental revenue from the center is taken into account. The catering services could boost profits $100,000 to $200,000 each year after the initial payback period, according to an estimate.
A Final Note: The usual suspects lined up for more-of-the-same charges and counter-charges during hours-long public comment at the Dec. 4 council meeting regarding a possible re-opening of the city’s police contract issue.
Here’s how the matter stands now: one or both of the newly seated council members, Gene Hernandez and Craig Young, will cast a deciding vote on Dec. 18 on whether or not to seek more information on a “last offer” from Brea for a contract to begin May 3.
Tom Lindsey initiated the discussion--with John Anderson and Mark Schwing opposed-- leaving Hernandez and Young to decide if the city will open a Pandora’s Box of potential litigation over a now-signed county contract.
Yet, Yorba Linda taxpayers who’ve been funding financial shortfalls at the city-owned Black Gold Golf Club for several years might be happy to learn that an expensive, five-year kikuyu grass transition plan is, at present, “ahead of schedule and under budget.”
The plan to covert 112 acres of fairways and rough at the 11-year-old facility to kikuyu grass--considered more suitable to local climate and growing conditions than rye grass-- is more than 50 percent complete with costs 10 percent less than anticipated.
City Council approved a $967,764 kikuyu grass transition and soil enhancement plan in 2010, and, so far, $442,505 has been spent, $97,348 under budget, according to a report from Parks and Recreation Director Bill Calkins.
Two more years of expenditures are expected, $250,175 this fiscal year and $177,735 in 2013-14, with Calkins stating, “The transition is occurring faster than expected and with less interference to the course players than anticipated.”
Black Gold reported hosting 108,073 guests in the 2011-12 fiscal year: 56,352 for golf rounds; 14,464 at the practice facility; 16,200 for weddings; 9,775 for tournaments and events; and 11,282 for dining. (See my Oct. 18 column for more on Black Gold finances.)
Of course, not all of Yorba Linda’s endeavors are “ahead of schedule and under budget.”
Renovation of the kitchen at the Community Center needs $163,000 more to complete a project that originally was estimated at $400,850.
That approval, which includes a $64,000 contingency for unanticipated costs, came with the contract awarding on a 3-2 vote at the Dec. 4 council meeting, with Gene Hernandez, Tom Lindsey and Mark Schwing in favor and John Anderson and Craig Young opposed.
The renovation, expected to take place during the first three months of next year, will add commercial-style cooking capabilities needed under a new pact with Black Gold manager KemperSports to operate non-exclusive catering services at the center.
The expenditure is expected to be recouped in the next five-to-six years, if added rental revenue from the center is taken into account. The catering services could boost profits $100,000 to $200,000 each year after the initial payback period, according to an estimate.
A Final Note: The usual suspects lined up for more-of-the-same charges and counter-charges during hours-long public comment at the Dec. 4 council meeting regarding a possible re-opening of the city’s police contract issue.
Here’s how the matter stands now: one or both of the newly seated council members, Gene Hernandez and Craig Young, will cast a deciding vote on Dec. 18 on whether or not to seek more information on a “last offer” from Brea for a contract to begin May 3.
Tom Lindsey initiated the discussion--with John Anderson and Mark Schwing opposed-- leaving Hernandez and Young to decide if the city will open a Pandora’s Box of potential litigation over a now-signed county contract.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 AM
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