Black Gold Golf Club replaces golf cart fleet; Yorba Linda City Manager gets 2.5 percent pay boost

 

Yorba Linda's city-owned Black Gold Golf Club is replacing a four-year-old golf cart fleet with 86 lithium battery-powered carts and four other vehicles for $585,000, that includes the trade-in value of the older carts with lead acid batteries.

Lithium batteries “have become the new standard for golf cart fleets,” stated a report from Parks and Recreation Director Mike Kudron, who said such carts can be charged in about four hours.

Kudron noted the warranty on the “aging” fleet expired in March, with the carts now needing new batteries costing about $98,000, along with other expensive repairs.

“Lithium batteries will also eliminate the need for a battery replacement during the lifespan of the fleet and will reduce costs because they do not require additional maintenance that is needed for lead acid batteries,” Kudron stated.

And Kudron noted that a cart with a lithium battery will have enough power to complete 36 to 54 holes, while the lead acid battery can complete 18 to 27 holes before needing recharging.

The city is purchasing the carts from Georgia-based Club Car, despite a lower bid from E-Z-GO, also based in Georgia. The E-Z-GO bid was nearly $537,000, including trade-in values.

But, according to Kudron, the Club Car bid was accepted “due to performance and other factors,” including vehicle speed control, which allows staff to set maximum speed levels around portions of the course, including steep hills and tight corners.

During a one-week testing period, “it was noted the E-Z-GO cart was too fast at multiple points around the golf course,” Kudron said. “Although E-Z-GO makes a very good cart, our hilly terrain warrants as much control over speed as possible.”

The purchase will be financed through a Club Car partner firm for a five-year term at 2.83% interest “with payments reduced in the first year to assist the city with minimizing operating losses at Black Gold during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kudron said.

First-year payments will be $4,306 monthly, increasing to $12,103 per month for the next four years. A separate GPS subscription will allow staff to locate each cart on the course.

The GPS also informs golfers of the distance to each hole, bunker, hazard or other course condition; alerts golfers to other carts; allows golfers to order food from the club restaurant and call the golf shop for assistance; among other benefits.

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City Manager Mark Pulone was granted at 2.5% salary increase to $259,554 per year beginning Oct. 1 “based on merit and performance” on a recent unanimous vote from City Council members.

All other terms in his contract remain the same, including a five-year extension to Oct. 1, 2023, which was granted in 2018. Pulone's employment with the city began in July 2013.

City Attorney Todd Litfin stated at a Sept. 15 council meeting that Pulone's 2.5% increase is the same granted to all city employees.