We're rolling. >> First item on the agenda is the proposed agenda. Is anybody want something different from what's on the agenda? >> No. >> Hearing no requests for change. The agenda is approved unanimously as
submitted. Minutes from the November meeting are attached. Does anybody have any heartburn about any part of the minutes? >> No. I see heads shaking. >> All right. The minutes will reflect that
the November minutes were approved unanimously. Do we have a golf report today? >> We're working on Paul. Can't find the link. Not coming. >> Okay. We'll set that down until we get further along.
Greg, are you ready for a city council report? >> Yep. >> Let's do that. >> We're at a city council meeting on November 25th. Um, relatively short meeting. We did approve
a a variance that was that was applied for. Um, talked about a budget quickly on a budget update for 2026. And the only other item on the agenda was
approval to purchase a uh we're replacing a an old back hole that the city streets department has. So we made a motion to approve the purchase of a new backhole
for the city and that was all >> that we had on there. >> A brand new one or a new to you? New to the city? >> Brand new one. >> Brand new one. Yeah. >> What do they run these days? >> Um, >> a lot. >> A lot. >> That's great.
>> We have two different uh quotes from two different companies. Let's see which one did we We're taking We're trading in our old one, >> which does help a little bit. Um gosh, I
can't remember. It's a An order of magnitude is sufficient. >> Yeah. I don't know if it was a if we went with we went with a list price. Okay. List. >> How did we do with the caterpillar or the John Deere? >> Cat.
>> Cat. Yeah. The cat was a cheaper price. Two. >> Oh, that's list price. Was it like 180,000 >> roughly with with the >> extended warranty? >> Extended warranty and then some attachments that came with it also. >> Um
>> Yeah. And so what's the status of next year's budget at this point? >> Um, we're going to have another meeting on that, but I believe what were we looking at? Um, have a note here. 2.99%
proposed budget, but um, we have to we haven't had our budget meeting yet. That'll be next. We're going to do that next week or the last one of the month. >> I think it's the last one. >> The last the last the last meeting of
this month is when we'll finalize that budget. >> Does any of what's in the budget impact us the park board at all significantly? >> No. >> Okay. No. >> Anybody have any more questions or
comments on the city council report? No. Seeing none, we'll move on to the parks report, which there's a written version that was passed out. Highlighted as you will, David. Yes. Thanks, Steve. So, we're almost done, right? Last month
of the year. We're still chasing down some uh accounts receivable, some just typical seasonal folks we need to keep track of and get them to settle up by the end of the month. But yeah, just some few leftover bills to pay. And
uh things look really good this year. 1.9 million approximately. That includes golf course revenue. And as we touched on that in the past, it was really good year at the course. About 192,000 at the golf course, which is way up. Last year they did 169.
>> So about a $20,000 jump for the course. Felt really good. Uh but the campground and marina are quite flat. Very flat. In fact, maybe a dip. Occupancy certainly down thanks to our 5% rate hike though. We're coming in even. So, sort of some
bigger drivers there. Fuel sales at the marina were off by about $10,000. Large part of that is the border patrol boat, right? They keep a go fast boat in the marina. Twin 250s generally take it
out weekly putting on hundreds of gallons a week. So easily their lack of use of that boat uh affected our fuel sales by maybe $5,000 >> and that was due to >> their staff their staffing shortages or
trained staff that can operate the boat. They need like four person crew >> and they just haven't they've been struggling with that in the past few years. >> Um but yeah, in general last year was a really good year for the marina just for whatever it was worth. We had more travelers, more transients putting on
fuel. So, that was a noticeable dip. >> How was the moing field doing? >> Morings were great. Actually, up a little. It's a kind of a smaller segment. You know, I think we made about $6,000 this year versus 5,000 last year, but it was good to see those getting used. Um, but yeah, camping as a
standalone was pretty pretty flat. Slight dip in October, about a $10,000 dip for October. So, one of those years we came out okay, but not too far up. So, the good news was folks were happy, right? We really
strive for uh exceptional guest services and that was apparent in our reviews and anecdotal compliments at the front desk. You know, we we always check the Google reviews. We're doing very well there, maintaining our 4.6 star average. So,
that to me is really important and it's a good segue into why we did that. It was our great staff and excellent service, our support team. Uh this time of year, of course, with the Thanksgiving and the holidays, it's always good to thank those that make it happen. The leadership from the city council and you all the park board
members really top down and uh administration here at city hall. We get a lot of support from the finance director and the city administrator and the communications director. Shane Steel, our sustainability coordinators, also come through for us with some
rebates on electric mower purchases. And a great team downtown. And then, of course, our team in the office and the facilities manager, Aaron and Sam, year round, full-time employees, hard at it 12 months a year. Paul, of course, golf course superintendent makes it happen up
on the Gunland Hills. and really our dedicated crew of over 20 seasonal staffers who are now resting and hopefully getting ready. Well, we've got a nice long window here, six months out till next season, but really a thank you to all the team. And
>> I wonder if we might ponder having some kind of staff recognition party at the beginning of the season. >> Well, there there's actually two. That's a good point, Steve. So Patrick here as the communications director does a amazing job with that with a like a barbecue grill out during September. We
do like a down at the picnic pavilion just a informal lunch and then you know free lunch for all staff members citywide. All the departments attend that as well as a employee appreciation Christmas party is being planned for this month.
It would be nice uh if we showed up at what the September gathering this next year. >> That's good. That's good. We can certainly invite you >> put it on the on the agenda for us if you would. >> No problem. I might have to post it as a public meeting, but that's easy to do.
>> So, yeah. Really, thank you everyone. Thanks to the seasonals and the full-timers and the public servants. >> Uh and then here's the best news all day, right? We made it. We made our million-dollar grant request. This was just came through yesterday. >> The commission met on uh Wednesday
before Thanksgiving the 26th. Had their final round of evaluations and awarding of the legacy grant money. We've been talking about this all year, right? We did our application in July just in time. Our team from LHB were super. Mike
Fischer and Doug Zan and I really worked this project uh as much as we could. And then when the when this commission came to town in October, was it or September? October they were here >> and we got some immediate feedback from
the evaluation team of like you know we like your project scored very high but the money is very tight. We had like $20 million of requests. We only have $11 million to spend. Could you would you look at a prefab structure to get kind
of the bottom line price to do this bath house? At which point we jumped right back into action. The LHB team went to work, contacted the prefab folks, got a price for that unit. It saved about $300,000
on our initial ask and that was the just what that team was after as far as like being able to fund more projects by spending less on us. Our initial ask was about 1.3 and change. >> And so here they are. They've come
through for us with 1.066. Um so this is a long road to actual construction. Now we have to attend I have to attend this mandatory meeting next month in St. Cloud. Uh it looks like an all day meeting. Other parks that were awarded will be there. I'm
sure we'll be going through the the you know where's and how's and wins as far as getting this money from the DNR. It's appropriated for the 2026 27 budget cycle of the state which starts on July 1st of 2026.
So that is when contracts will be signed and money will become available after July 1st >> assuming the legislature appropriates the sufficient. >> Yeah, there is that little bit of you know they always go with the recommendations was kind of my read from
speaking with the the executive director of this group. Uh she sent out that kind of a press release actually that says you should announce this far and wide. we like to kind of, you know, get the word out for the projects we funded and here's a template for a press release. I
sort of paused and thought, well, what what if the legislature doesn't approve that? Well, don't worry about that. They always approve it. So, >> hopefully not a jinx. Um, but yeah, it's going to be some time now until we actually see this fund. And that's fine.
We need to do some initial like uh state historic preservation association where the organization shipo as it's known as. It's like a historic branch for the state to make sure the site we're developing doesn't have any
artifacts or any sort of historic uh significance that we need to protect which is I don't foresee any problems as this is a developed campground and we've already dug here and put in utilities and talking with a few of the
archaeologists who do these kind of reviews. We shouldn't have any problems with that. Um there's some environmental assessments and just the general red tape of dealing with state grant money that we'll have to get in order before
we actually start spending. But there will be this process of design which I'm very excited for us to go through. Um the application as you know was built around a custom bath house that LHB would design that was the like the 1.5
for the you know design and build um the prefab for a million I don't have pictures to share but these next few months I think is what we'll be going through that as far as what would we want to build we do have that option to go custom we just have to increase our
local match >> okay so you can go above Yeah, >> you've got theirs and you can add your own. >> Exactly. >> No, no hassle with it. >> No hassle. >> They don't mind. >> They don't mind. >> Great. >> As long as we build a bath house. >> Great.
>> And you know, whatever we spend locally is up to us to decide >> the design will drive. >> What's the minimum match? >> Uh well, it was like 5% or something small. We signed up for a 25% match so that we were putting real, you know, big
boy money like $300,000. We had already committed as a match towards this 1.06. So, you know, because we have this healthy capital fund for BA for, you know, recreation area has its own
capital fund within the general fund and right now it's about $900,000 and every year we contribute aundred 60 or so to it. So we have our own money to build what we want.
>> Is that 25% 25% of the million? So that No. So it's in addition to the million. >> Exactly. >> Okay. One other question I had and that is on the prefab thing. Your your report noted that uh >> that it's short of windows. Uh is there
a less expensive way to use the prefab by putting more windows into it? >> No. They're quite modular and concrete in that there's no >> I was thinking of the roof particularly for >> Yeah, it's concrete roof. They're literally just concrete.
>> Okay. >> No overhangs. Not just the natural light we would lack, but we'd lack overhangs. We'd lack any sort of architectural elegance. >> Okay. I think as I say over the next few meetings now we'll have this review of
design and options and aesthetics and all that will come into play and it will be up for us to decide. The same for our entrance sign and wayfinding and interpretive signage throughout the park. like they don't necessarily fund
the design of some of these things so that we can get started on that now and would just be spending out of pocket but it'll be so we're in a position to build and construct after July 1st after the money is available. Our loose timeline
based on the grant application was, you know, next fall of 2026, get the foundation in and then build the new bath house in the spring in the building season of 2027.
>> The signage would be done in 2026 >> possibly if we have our designs in order and the money comes through in July. Yeah, we could build those in the fall of 26. But the bath house itself wouldn't be constructed until 27.
>> And and where are they being the the prefab? Where are they being made? >> Uh Wisconsin. >> Huff cut was the name of the group we expect based on other parks use of them and their positive reviews.
>> Is there I wonder if it's I wonder if it's worth looking at the people who built the heights. That's all modular construction and it's far more varied than what you're describing. I wonder if we should give them a chance to think about it be before we make a final
decision. >> Yeah, possibly. I have a feeling they're kind of in a different segment of prefab, but there's Yeah. So, we got a few names from this group from the GMR PTC. They supplied like the reference to
Huffcut. There was another South Dakota firm that was mentioned. It was like had concrete in the title, but of the two, they recommended Huffcut. They used them in other projects. Other parks had used them. We reached out to that. Lion
County was there. Like, call this guy at Lion County. He's done six of these. They're great. They're on time. They're on budget. They're durable, easy to clean. So, they do have some advantages there,
but again, it's the aesthetics that we want to be aware of because this thing's going to sit down by the water >> before we spent the extra money. I'd be interested in knowing what the people at the heights, the contractor that did that. >> Sure.
>> If they're at all interested, if they're not, that makes it easy. And if they are interested, then might be worthwhile talking to them longer. >> Sure. >> Okay. I have a question. Um, is there a deadline for the money to be spent, the
DNR grant? >> Yes, but it's like multiple years out. >> Okay. >> Right. I don't believe we would have trouble with it. Yeah. >> I think it's two years. >> Okay. >> Just top of head. >> Like 26, 27. Well, through July.
>> 28. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And so, you know, keep in mind this is a moving project of we still need to design it, >> spec it, price it. All this is going to be the next year really intense I think
come July >> and if busy with camping that'll only add to the pressure, but we'll get it done. The existing bath house too will be fine, remain open and accessible and available. And that's a kind of an advantage to the construction season of
like not needing to build this thing in the winter, which would really drive up the costs. >> Similar when they built bath house 4 years and years ago, 20ome years ago, that was like a start in the fall, had to be finished by the spring because it
was replacing an existing bath house on the same location and it they had to envelope it and heat it and really drove up the cost. Is there any reason not to keep the existing bath house that we're replacing
in service for as long as it's useful? >> It's very difficult to say that we have the potential to put a couple of really high value sites in there. So, there's a revenue loss. >> That's true. That's fine. I I I just didn't know what the plan was. >> It It's a It's an endearing old bath
house, but it is old. The pipes are scaled with galvanic corrosion and it's it's for what it's worth, it's just not it's not worth keeping. It's kind of our read. Now, it is right next to the office. We don't offer public restroom in the office itself. A lot of people
come in off the road like you got a restroom and we say like it's right out back. >> And so we've even this summer when we're doing this and thought, oh no, what if we don't have Bath House 2? Like where are we going to send folks? So there's some there's some nuance to
this. >> Well, the one that's to the northeast is not all that far, >> right? But it's not visibly like right there. It is true. It's only 2 minutes away, but it's not one minute. >> And when you got to go, you got to go. >> You're not proposing a a portaotti
there, are you? >> Oh gosh, no. >> Yeah. >> Maybe portable restroom trailer bucket. >> Too late. So, can you talk talk about the design of the signs and then find like who's doing that or how's that working? What is that?
>> That's the fun part. Arts and crafts for us really. So, we have CJ Fernandez as my top like recommendation to work with based on what he's done in the past, >> right? >> Uh he was, you know, obviously designed the landing which we're very happy with. He did put together like an entrance
sign that was, you know, complimentary to the landing five or six years ago when that was being designed. It was the idea was like more of a monument signage though and it had the stone and the the pillar and it was like six figures and so we didn't go for that just based on
price and get the get the landing done first was kind of the idea. I >> think you're talking the George Morrison landing. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So, yeah. So, because CJ's kind of already sketched out a sign, an entrance sign, and it's a really nice one, and he did scale it
back and it's something we included in the grant application as an example of >> what we do for the entrance sign. Um, his scaledback version was like 50,000 and so we put in for 60,000 in the grant application for signage
>> designing >> for the whole package. Yeah. for design and build. And that included the wayfinding signs, the little like smaller kiosk or interpretive panels or whatever we decide to go with. We're pretty pleased with the Morrison panel as well that sits next to the landing as
an example of like what we would do here, there, and here. The master plan does have a map where that's identified like where these interpretive and wayfinding points would be throughout the park. So, we have a pretty good, you
know, base for where would the signs go. We just don't have the creative what would it look like? >> Can you send us a copy of the sign material that went to the to the uh grant people?
>> Sure. >> Great. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I feel like that's kind of the fun part of this project is the signs or not fun but >> easy. >> And um and I would suggest we, you know, work with CJ and
even like the local team that helped with the Morrison project like um Sweetwater Design kind of set the tone for fonts and colors and that sort of business. >> But yeah, really good news here. Couldn't have come at a better time.
That's great. >> Congratulations. >> Well, thank you to all of us. >> Uh so, and then the last bit of business here, board member Nesam, we talked about this last meeting briefly, just the idea of like he I believe serves with the dark sky uh committee or is it
a board you're on? >> There's a state board and a local sort of a small consortium of 20 or 30 people. >> Yeah. And so they're they've been keen on obviously our dark sky status is pretty well known throughout the
marketing world. You know, Viscook County does a Northern Lights page and a dark sky page is one of the most heavily visited pages. Folks just love the dark sky up here. And so here we are uh encouraging that and putting out this message now on our confirmation emails
that we send out to the reservation folks. Bob asked how many reservations we do. It's probably close to 8,000. So, this will definitely get some eyes on it. And then when we reprint our big map that's, you know, for sight, you know, wayfinding we give out at the front desk. On the back of that map is all of
our campground standards like, you know, firewood and pets and whatnot. We can add this same language to hopefully get the message out. >> Got some brochures in the office. >> Aside from the time that Dave and I put into this, which was what, 15 minutes, it's free.
>> Yep. >> Yeah. You know, it goes to all those people. It raises the bar on aesthetics and it's free. >> Yep. >> And if it doesn't go well, we'll find out with feedback. >> Yeah. I can't imagine it not going well. >> Yeah. And I'll tell the dark sky crowd
that that they've got a a hand in here and maybe they'll send us a letter or something. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But thank you very much for doing that. >> You bet. Thank you. That's all I have. Is there more on the parks report?
Questions, comments? >> We're at the bottom. >> I see Paul is with us. We can go back up to the golf report item on the agenda. Paul, it's uh Paul, >> can you hear me?
>> Yep, we got you, Paul. Thanks for joining us. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, yeah. What was that corrosion you were talking about? That sounded like a I like that word. Galvan. >> Oh, galvanic corrosion. >> Galvanic. >> Yeah. >> Corrosion.
>> Watch out for it. >> Yeah. >> Never sleep. >> I think I think we have some of that. >> Yeah. >> I bet you do. >> Yeah. Anyway, uh yeah, I've got my executive summary. I'll be putting that out last uh this week. I've got things
kind of short up on that, but it's uh yeah, I don't know if all you guys knew, but I had surgery on the 4th of uh November on my knee. So, I'm just kind of a got like a straight leg cast or not a cast, but a confining thing I have to
keep on there until uh uh comes off Friday. So, um, and that's I also need to come up there and, uh, meet with, uh, Dave and Mike and, uh, kind of s secure a few more things that we want to buy for the,
uh, for the course, uh, per our budget and all that. Um, yeah, really the only thing I have for looking at purchases are, you know, between golf carts and and a grinder that we've got up there. And so, we'll be going over those
numbers to see how that that works out. But I'm kind of hoping to get uh uh like we're just going to kind of continue down the avenue of purchasing new carts at the Best Buy that we can from directly from the the company. And uh so
that looks like it's going to be, you know, we're our our thing was about three carts. So I'm going to try to buy uh three carts for this this past year's budget and then three carts for this coming year's budget as well. And then
um the other issue that we have is the equipment. Um and we're we're always trying to tweak that it seems like, but we've got we've got some needs as far as like our grinder grinding equipment. I've just been using my own personal equipment there. So I'm trying to trying to work
up some sort of a formal sale. I haven't been charging anything for the service, but like when I'm doing my paperwork on it, it's, you know, it's a value of probably somewhere around $4,000 annually in service that we're doing. So, um, that's something I want to kind
of try to get cured up. But, um, anyway, the the the golf course I was up there, uh, just prior to my surgery, I think, and then, uh, everything looked good. And then we had a, you know, recently, this last week, we had a good temperature drop and good snowfall. So,
I feel good about all that way that the course was covered. Uh, versus the last few years, it seems like we've had real heavy, wet snow coming down initially. And it causes problems. But, um, anyway, I think that, uh, I think we've got some
good coverage for now. And, uh, let's see what else. Uh yeah, I think that I think that that's that's about it for uh other than I I guess you'll see in our uh in the executive summary, but we
had a we had a good year. You know, our our numbers uh are up this year. They're the highest that they've been, and that's kind of the trend that's been going on here. So, um we're happy happy about that. We're just going to kind of keep building on the same
uh same concepts that we were doing before. Just trying to have really good good maintenance on the course and uh you know have a pleasant experience for people coming through. >> Yeah, well done Paul. Thank you so much. You and your crew knocked it out of the park this year.
>> Yeah, it was was good. We the crew really helped out and you know we had some had some decent weather made us made the course look good and yeah we're happy how it went and all the numbers rol rolled through and I was curious about how that's going to go every single year but uh it seems to keep
creeping up a little bit and you know I was real happy with getting over that uh that mark that I wanted to get at this year which was I don't know it's like 20 209 or something like that gross house and you know once you peel off the sales
tax and stuff I think it was I don't know 193 or 195 but uh yeah was good really good compared to the previous year I think we were up you know I think from we were like 163 to so we were up considerably from the previous years and
that's a I think even a substantial jump from the the growth that we've been having every other year before. So yeah, it's going good. >> Do we know what the ratio is between
member play and stranger play? >> Between member play and stranger play. Well, the well, yeah, we have uh yeah, our visitation play is is a, you know, it's a strong part of our our
revenue. It's probably um Yeah. I'm thinking I can kind of I can put that figure in that report, but it's uh you know our our our membership has been growing uh number-wise, but uh what throws that off a little bit is we've
got a lot of youth participation and um so we're really happy about those numbers, but it doesn't uh their their cost for uh a membership is is minimal, so it doesn't add as much revenue as some of the other memberships. And so,
uh, yeah, our membership has kind of stayed pretty much the same, but it seems like it's probably, uh, you know, about, uh, you know, 25 to 30% of our revenue, our membership. So, that really helps us, uh, as far as, you know, starting
our all of our startup uh, revenue and all that stuff. Have have you had any further conversations with the city about letting city residents know that they can have a membership for 15% less than the than the
than other people? >> Well, as far as for methods to convey that, you mean or uh >> well, you know, suggested we send along something along with the tax notices. I don't know whether we can do that or not, but it seems to me that between you
and Patrick and Mike that we could come up with some way to give a more direct notification to our residents who might uh get off the pot if they knew where it was. >> Yeah, I Well, yeah, I'd be all in favor of that if we can let them know that there's a benefit waiting for him there.
Yeah, absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Why don't you couple months on that question? Uh talk to Patrick and to Mike and see and Dave I suppose would have a hand in it to see
uh what we might do that would generate more revenue that would c it would cost that work for you Paul next >> uh oh yeah you mean oh generate more revenue than it would cost as far as like for marketing advertising that sort
of thing yeah I think it's a good idea to >> the Yeah. Okay. Other comments or questions about golf? We just have to schedule the game with Matt and Dave and me and maybe Craig. If
Are you a golfer? >> He used to do it. >> Well, we have three three people then who don't play very much. Well, he talks, >> but he's got a bad shoulder. >> He can caddy for me. >> Caddy. >> I can caddy. I can drive.
>> There you go. >> I'll drive. There you go. >> Yeah. Never never bet against anybody with an injury. >> Be good to do that at some time. >> Of course, as busy >> and I'm very patient. >> Maybe at the end of the workday like >> can I offer advice? Number five. Number seven.
>> And you can look. >> I'll meet you in the clubhouse after. >> Any anybody can do it. You just have to be able to count to a 100, right, Steve? >> Can't do that. >> That's about all right. Some Some people count higher than that in our course.
>> Yeah. >> Well, do anybody else do we need Paul anymore or may he check out if he wants to? >> Good. >> I'll get that summary out. You know, Paul, send that summary to me. I'll send it to you all via email. >> Okay, I'll do that.
>> Good luck to you, by the way. I take it you're happy with the surgery on your knee so far. >> Well, it's been kind of depressing because I've just had to like sit around and be uh kind of do nothing, which is kind of what I fantasize about all summer long. It's not it's not very much
fun. So, I'm looking forward to doing stuff. Like my dog just looks at me, wants to go out and do stuff. Well, we've got a yard for him to run in. But anyway, um yeah, I'm I'm looking forward to my Friday. I go in to PT and then the
surgeon comes in and gives me the okey dokie to take this thing off. And but what's interesting is I'm just had like meniscus repair and then um and then they uh it's like a 16 after this it's 16 weeks of where I can't go past a 90
degree brunch I guess or >> you know for they don't want me to go past 90 degrees with I'm when I'm working out with it or whatever. Wow. >> So, it's kind of, you know, so it's it's a long that's a long time, you know. >> Yeah. >> So, the the PT guy was saying, "Hey, how
come they didn't just give you a new knee?" You know, it's about the same same recovery time. I go, "I don't know. >> It's not that simple." >> Yeah, I know. Yeah, I know. It's not like you just click them in like a car part.
Well, it's pretty clear that if your knee is healthier by next spring, you'll probably start counting numbers under 100 again. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I get a little more forgetful each year, too. So, that helps.
>> Anything more for Paul before we let him go if he wants to? >> 16 weeks of PT. >> Thanks, Paul. >> Happy holiday. >> All right, guys. Yep. You, too. Bye. Bye. Okay. New business, board member terms.
Okay. What about that? >> You are due, sir. Of uh our five member board, Steven Aldrich is due for reappointment or you have the chance to be reappointed, but of the terms coming due, it is you. >> This is my second term. Is there any
term limit? >> There is a two-term limit. However, your first term was a partial term. >> Oh, okay. So that's not counted towards the two full terms. So yes, you this will this is your last meeting. >> I enjoy doing this. If you want to
submit my name again, >> send me an email with that message in mind. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Yep. And so council will make those appointments next month. But yes, just one seat coming vacant, Steve Aldridges.
I thought the rest of you would ask where am I at with things? So I lift them up. Bob and Matthew, you were just appointed this w this like January of this year. So you have another two years. You're good through 2027.
And K, your term is up at the end of this coming year, 2026. >> My first term. >> You can renew. Yes. >> And it's a three-year. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. So you have this whole year of 2026 under your first term. And then if you
choose to renew in the January of 27, that would be up to you. >> Um, let's see. Bob, you would, like I say, Matthew and Bob are good until 20 through 27, but then that would be the end, I believe, for you.
>> It would be six years for me, plus the extra month I had on the front end. >> Yeah. So, there's where we're at. Craig, you're just always You're like me.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you all for serving. And yeah, Steve, just send us an email. We'll get that to city council. >> Yeah, your email is in your inbox. >> Thanks. >> Okay. The next item is old business 2026 recreational rates, additional fees,
marinas. So, uh, additional fees marina and seasonal and RV rates. Okay, we have a handout that the top of which reads seasonal RV rates. Who would like to begin the kind? Well,
why don't you tell us whatever you'd like to at the beginning? >> Sure. Thanks. So, yeah, what's left? Seasonal, marina, and additional. Let's go with the seasonal and marina because those are pretty easy to talk about. Generally, we just go the way the
nightlies go just for the sake of parody and keeping everybody relatively happy. You know, we increased our nightly rates 3% two meetings ago because we needed to get those set for reservations starting in November. Um, but now we have the
seasonals in front of us. And like I say, the the trend of what we typically do is the same treatment as nightly. Same for marina. Those those kind of nightly seasonal and marina in the past have generally had the same kind of
crosstheboard increases. With the dip in revenue, we might want to think about whether or not the seasonals and the marinas people are able to absorb a slightly larger increase, five instead of three.
Do we have any reason to believe that the people who use the marina? Well, I'm pretty sure about them, but the seasonal RV people tend to be more able to pay. I can't I can't speak for that. I I can
only say they in the past have been outspoken in their kind of loyalty and several on fixed incomes. So it isn't a matter of you know abundance of wealth and ability to pay. We it's a it's a
sensitive topic at times like uh many many years ago we did a rate a pretty big rate increase. I mean there was the 20% increase well before my time. I think it was like 99 or something. The there was a 20% bump to seasonals and it
it really kind of turned things over. I think at the time a lot of Canadians were like that's it. we're not coming back. There was a big kurluffle over that. You look at the revenue, it didn't really the first year it dipped and then
so the 20% because enough people left didn't really help. But within a year or or I say two years everybody they got you know the the vacant sites were filled and it sort of made up the the lost people who left. Again this is
almost ancient history. >> Yeah. But then seven, eight years ago, we went around and said, "Gosh, these seasonal sites are really nice. They have a view. Let's charge them more." And that's when we kind of broke the seasonal rate apart from and created the
standard rate and the prime rate as you see on your card. Uh that was about eight years ago. And some of the effects to the prime rate were like 10, 12, 14% increases. and nobody left, but they
wrote letters to the editor and didn't like it at all and got out their check registers and showed me how much they spend at bucks and how much they spend at jeans and and it's true they're valuable members of the community
and so we have to be sensitive with their rates but you know it's you know so I look at site revenue per site is kind of what this gets down to where with our software we
have the ability to go to this site and say how much did it make for the whole year and the seasonal sites making 4700 or 5300 or 5500 are pretty much on par with what the overnight site makes, right? Except for
the very prime front row. Those 12 or so sites right down across from the bay that we charge $70 a night for and we don't do a weekly discount. They make about $10,000 per site per season because they're so special and we charge
so much more for them. But the average nightly site out in the west side by the ball field makes about $5,000. So over the years we've had this
discussion about well the seasonal that's a really good price. That's about 40% off the nightly rate. If you were to run the nightly rate for six months, you know, every night full, it would be like $10,000. But those sites don't run full every
night. They sit empty in May. They sit empty in October. They're 75% full in June and September. And so as a composite price per site, yield per site. It's not
that we're giving away the seasonal sites or we're deeply discounting them and they're getting away with a better price than if they were paying nightly. You know, it's it's it's a interesting study in occupancy and rate and because
the occupancy on the composite of six months is not even close to 100%. On the nightly sites, it's more like 60 or 70%. The the yield per site is pretty
comparable. It's it's in that five to $6,000 range on full hookup sites. And that's what we compare because the seasonals are full hookup electric water sewer, right? We don't if you look at a tent site, what that makes a season, it's two
to three,000 because the rates weigh less. It gets a little bit less occupancy. And so I feel I mean I can say this with confidence. We're getting a good return on seasonal sites. we're getting a fair return.
And yes, it's true. We're transitioning. So someday soon, well, maybe not too soon, but within 10 to 20 years, there won't be this prime seasonal rate. Those are the 31 sites that are transitioning into nightly.
And we've already done that to four of them of the 31. And we're charging nightly rates. And those are pretty nice sites with a view. And we looked and they already made seven or eight,000 this past season instead of 5500.
And so we as these sites turn over and we charge nightly rates and the nightly is more than a standard, we're making our monies on those as well. Are there questions or comments? Based on your discussion, I'm thinking
that that I would be enthusiastic about a 5% increase in the marina and leaving the seasonals at three like everybody else. I tend to think of boat people as people who must have extra money, >> especially those who live in the boats
and and >> but that's not how our marina runs actually. >> Smaller boats in there. Yeah, we have maybe one or two live aboards, >> a lot of small >> and those two are like on fixed incomes like not very fancy boats, but the the
seasonal guests in our marine are not live aboard affluent millionaires. They're local sportsmen and >> you know running little fishing boats. >> Are all the births full >> for the year?
>> And how many balls are empty out in the harbor? We have seven seasonals and two transients. The transients obviously come and go. The seasonals I usually sell them all like get deposits on them all and then like one or two don't show cuz whatever. Boat shopping, boat
fixing, >> whimsical. We get the deposit but not the full $700. >> Uh last year we had six of seven pay full and one just pay the deposit. So, no place to anchor in the harbor.
Really? >> Oh, you can anchor. >> There's little places. Yeah. >> I mean, no place to attach to a ball in the harbor. >> Just >> just a transient. >> Yeah. >> And like the the seventh ball that didn't go to the intended user off the
waiting list actually was resold to a guy that just bought a boat and needed a spot. So, we got our money on it. It's kind of why the buoys did pretty good this year. But yeah, I wouldn't I would caution against kind of a 5% here, 3% there. It
it just people get excited about that. It's not fair is what they would say. I would I would make a motion >> to um >> it would be an order >> increase the seasonal camping rates and
the marina rates um 3% across the board. >> Is there a second to that motion? >> Second. >> Is there further discussion? There being no further discussion, we'll
call a vote. All those in favor, raise your hand. I >> looks like five to zero. Thank you for finding a consensus. >> Nice. Thank you. >> All right. >> You know, we we've reached the end of the written agenda.
>> No, we've got these extra sort of uh additional fee rates, right? The first page, the front page. >> Which one are we talking about now? >> Flip the page. Oh, you didn't get that. >> Oh, okay. >> It's here. This one. >> I got some extras of those.
>> Oh, okay. >> I think that's one. >> I got this. >> Additional fees and seasonal. Yeah, he's got it. >> Yeah, everybody got this? >> So, couple easy ones maybe to look at.
First, the storage rate. Offseason storage. Again, this one sort of goes with the rest of the what we just did. Is it three? Is it five? It's currently $84 a month. >> You got it. >> Uh this is kind of a smaller segment of
revenue. Generally, now that we offer this 12 month plan on the seasonal rate, >> there's a the storage has sort of evolved where most of the seasonals in the RV land pay the 12-month rate. It includes offseason storage.
>> So, we used to have this idea that you could do like a threemonth minimum on a seasonal site and then pay the other nine months on storage. And we're really kind of phasing that out because we're leaving money on the table. Obviously, we want the seasonals to pay like a six-month rate and we'll throw in the
storage. So, not a lot of folks actually pay the offseason storage anymore on the three and nine deal. It's like a the folks that used to get that still get that and there's less and less of those every year. The boats, there's the same idea here where you see the big boats
parked out in the ballfield parking lot. That's this. That's an offseason storage rate. The marina rates don't include like a 12-month plan. And that's is kind of based on how marinas run. They, you know, charge for winter storage. And so we've
got just a handful of boats doing that. There's the three big motor yachts in the parking lot and then a couple sailboats down by the at the marina. The Yordis actually one of them a new customer because they got on a trailer last winter. But yeah, this is not a big number as
far as revenue, but it's maybe an easy rate to set whatever you like prefer, three or five. Looking at the prime seasonal rates, the second item on your list, it talks about $20 more per
night than the standard full hookup on some, but then the other ones then you proposing a $10 difference on the other ones. Is there a reason for that difference? >> Yes, Steve, let me explain this a little better. The the $20 more has already been established, already been charging
for many years now. That's that front row group. That's the right across from the bay sites number one through 18. Three of them are 10 sites. They don't charge that much more, but the 15 of them are RB sites and they're our best
site. They charge the most rate. It's $70 a night. A standard electric water sewer site is about $50 a night. So that we've already been collecting this extra money. That's how those sites earn $10,000 per site per season. and nobody
really bats an eye on that because they're right on the bay. Um, but now this so that so the idea of like $20 more a night that's already set, established, been collecting for years. It's in the context now of these second
tier sites, the ones that are just above them that are transitioning. Yeah. They're not quite as nice. >> They're not quite as viewy and big. So, they shouldn't really get the $20 lakeside charge fee. And Sam and I, you
know, office manager and I have been kicking around this idea of like what should they be charged? They're not standard. Last year, we charged them at the pullth through rate on our rate card for a full hookup. We charge more for a pullth through site, which is standard practice
in the campground, right? It's convenient site, big site, you can pull through. It's about $5 more per night. It's actually $450 versus a standard full hookup site. So figure $50 versus 5450.
I threw out this idea of like $10 more, but it would it creates a new class of rate, a new somewhat confusing just these sites are that much. How about that site? I mean it to me and and especially Sam she thought let's not go
there with another rate on an already pretty confusing rate card because of tents and electric water and electric water sewer and electric water sewer pullth through and electric water sewer lakeside and we don't necessarily have a name for these that
you know warrants this separate category yet and again we've only got four of them in play they're not 30 of them yet it's an evolving class of sites that every year we'll add a few more to. And so in the meantime,
Sam felt like $10 was too much. They're not that much better than a standard. They don't have the expansive views. Some of them do, but they're not the ones that have flipped yet. The ones that are like above the marina, right? There's like that row that sits
above the marina. Beautiful views. None of those have become available yet. And so the ones that have become available were kind of around the office with like a view of bath house too. >> Right. >> Right. And it's like woodshed. >> Yeah. It's not really worth $10 more.
And I we're recommending to just continue to charge them like at that pullth through rate that's, you know, four and a half more. And maybe next fall or this coming next next round of rate discussion, we we look at it more
strategically with like charging more for both the pullth through and these prime, right? Because we feel like the pullthroughs are very in demand. They're the big 40 foot sites that the billionaires with the buses are going to pay whatever we ask. >> And so four and a half more is not
enough. And yet too late. We've already taken reservations on those sites. People already got a notice here. >> But I don't know any billionaires that buy a bus. >> Well, these motor homes that are a million dollars, maybe. >> Yeah, >> I'm exaggerating.
But it's but it's too late to change the pullthrough rate for this coming season. It wouldn't be it should be something we look at next fall. And in the meantime, we should just continue to price these transitioned into prime at that
pullthrough rate because it doesn't create a new rate. It just it's still getting good money back on these sites. We feel like just leaving that one alone after like thinking about it quite a bit. So that there wouldn't be any further action necessary on the creating
a new rate for prime seasonal. Let's let's pump the brakes on that until next fall. And let's think about a prime/pullth through rate that's like $6 more or 750 more.
>> As I understand it, you're recommending that we adopt all of the suggestions except the venue riddle, which is open for discussion, and the uh you're you're not recommending a $10 increase on those prime sites.
>> Right. Right. I would say like the second paragraph of create a new rate for prime sites. Let's not let's just charge them and you know they are charged more at a pullthrough rate. So we are making more on them than a standard site because they're got a view
they're worth it but we don't need to create a new rate for them yet. Um so yeah don't let's not get too excited about that one. storage I would say go 3% whatever that is a buck or so two bucks
and then yeah we talk about venue rate extra fees that again is nickel and dimming we did some market research Burlington Bay charges $5 more a car bay charges $5 more a car maybe we just keep it at $5 more a car it's really not that
important or it's not a big money maker um but yeah there is chance that I could finally adjust our recall and pavilion fees. And then the uh the top one, this this like cheat fee has been what we've been
kicking around quite a bit. What how do we how do we set that? How do we communicate that? How do we do we even want to do we even care? I personally it's it doesn't so we're not getting burned with like empty sites
because of this. Somebody will book July 20th through August 4th on January 20th so they can get their picnic weekend, right? And not wait till February 1st or
whatever to book August 1st through the 4th. This is the trend. It's other parks. The same problem with with a you know rolling date window and you can stay for up to two weeks. The cheaters are going to cheat. They're going to
book an earlier arrival to capture the weekend they want and they're going to call us or email us back and say, "Oh, change of plans. I'm not coming till the 1st." And so we cancel their first week or eight days that they booked and it
resells because it's the end of July, right? It gets occupied and >> always It always does. Mhm. Mhm. >> And that's where it'd be a problem if it didn't. >> Yeah. Exactly. If we were a small mom and pop and we only had 30 sites and
these folks were doing this and they canceled last minute and the site sat empty for a week, >> we would not be happy. We would charge them for that week. >> Then we need to >> but it's the end of July. >> You know, you're going to sell it. Mhm. And so
it's a tough one to I you know California parks I think you pay in full and you that's it. You change your dates you still pay for what you booked. >> So it sits empty or >> it sits empty but paid for. >> Right.
Well, I think if I mean, you've obviously done the research and if you don't feel like it's worth hassling with >> that's >> I don't I don't think it's worth hassling with them, >> right? Yeah. If we weren't like if half of them weren't selling them, that would be different. >> Yeah.
>> Right. >> I think Yeah. Like you had did the research on it. So, >> and it's a handful of, you know, family like loyal families. Oh, been coming to the picnic for 20 years. It was like the same people that showed up in line when we were like, "Oh, you don't want to wait on the phone or get the busy signal
in January? Come on up. We'll book you in person." >> And so I mean these drive >> 30ome people, die hard people got to get their fisherman's weekend drive up in January and book it. And it's like lo and behold, these same names keep their this is the same name that did this last
they booked you, you know, and we'll say on the phone, >> you're cheating. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, when they when they make that reservation, do they just put a deposit down or pay in full? >> Just a deposit. >> And there's no uh
>> change fee >> or or just Yeah, there's no admin fee like Okay. Because you have to do extra work or >> No. Is there any extra work for that? >> Just a click of the button. >> Not much. Okay. >> Is the deposit for two weeks more than the deposit for one week?
>> No. That might be the way to make the change. If if people reserve for two weeks, that deposit ought to be more, huh? >> Yeah. Prime time. >> Yeah. And then they cancel it down to
three nights. We keep I mean this the deposit goes towards the total. It's not like a separate extra. There's a $10 reservation fee. That's just standard, >> right? and then and then another 30 towards the camping. So, it's a $40 deposit and that's just applied towards
your total no matter one night or 14 nights. >> I'm just thinking that having a slightly larger deposit requirement for a longer stay would discourage cheaters on the margin. >> No. >> No, >> they're all rich enough. >> Yeah. And it's because it's going
towards the total anyway. It's not like an extra like the way to in the past I've thought about this is create like this VIP fee like a and this is becoming elitist and we're a public park so we don't want to say oh you're rich you can
book early but if if you know we said oh for $250 you can book early >> you don't want to get into that >> people would pay that but I don't think that's the spirit of the public campground >> you don't go there
No. So, I think we leave it alone and we continue to like guilt shame them on the phone. >> There you go. >> There you go. >> Some people nab at them because you know who they are. >> Some people just need a deal. They need a deal in the sense that they have gamed
a system as part of it. >> Yeah. >> It's a Black Friday crowd. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> the door busters. >> I got a good deal. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, yeah. You know, as much thought has gone into this, I I would just say let's continue to be aware of
this, but not really take action on it. >> Yeah. >> For this season, for these for these first two items, >> the last four, I think you can definitely make some motions, have some discussions. >> Although, as I say, the extra vehicle and extra adults isn't worth
>> changing. Offseason camping, again, super small market. We do like less than 50 of these all winter. So, it's like a $200 decision there. I wouldn't mess with it. It's really just coming down to the
storage and the wreck hall and pavilion. >> So, have we addressed the wreck hall and pavilion yet? >> No. >> No. I would move that we go to 50 for each. >> Is there a second? >> What do you mean? I need clarity.
>> 50 for recall for a half day, whole day, any day. >> 50 for a reservation in the recall or for a reservation at the pavilion. >> So, it's $30 a day or could they do two days? 30 a day. >> 30 a day.
>> Here's something to consider. Two different facilities. One of them's got a kitchen and a restroom, >> right? >> The wreck hall. One of them is just a open air pavilion with picnic tables and a fire pit, >> but it's by the lake. >> The pavilion. It is by the lake, but it's always cold.
>> It's always cold. >> There's one warm day. >> There's going to be a new bathroom down by it >> bathroom. Then then we can charge more. So, the only thing we said internally on this is maybe we do two different prices like 75 for the rec hall and 50 for the
pavilion. >> You know, I pulled the sheet on the community center, right? I sent it out last minute on the email, but I also put it in front of you. They get about 75 a day for the log cabin or the community room for what is a private meeting,
parties, family events. That's what we do in these in these two, by the way. We don't really have business individuals. I sent out the numbers. We rent them about 30 times a year each like 34 for the recall, 28 for the pavilion. Eight of those dates though were the week of
the plan air group. The outdoor painters of Minnesota come up September 5th through the 13th or whatever it is and set up the whole week. It's the wreck hall is like their headquarters. The pavilion they use for like workshops and paintabouts. And so they're the one
group that would say, "Oh boy, now we're paying more." But so be it. But yeah, the the like comparables to what the community center does is this private event, community
room, log building, 50 for a half day, 75 for a full day. We don't do the half day, full day thing. I wouldn't recommend it because most groups are only using it for four or five hours, which is technically like a half day. >> I would just say for the day
and suggests like 75 for the rec hall and 50 for the pavilion. >> So, is there a motion to that effect? 75 for the wreck hall and 50 >> Well, there was no second. It's still lying on the table somewhere.
>> Okay. Is there a second to his motion? >> Do this 7550. I'll second that. >> No, his was 50 for both. >> Oh, >> so we got to let it die for lack of a >> I would accept I would accept the uh proposal as a friendly amendment.
>> There we go. I love that sound. >> Is there further discussion? >> All those in favor of Mr. Nesham's motium with regard to the facility usage, raise your hand. >> At 75. Wait, we need a second. >> 75 and 50. >> Oh, no.
>> It was Nesham's motion and Matt second. >> Okay. I seconded before he made the >> but improved. It was improved by Mr. Brown. >> That's it. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> And this is to my own disadvantage because we rent the pavilion. >> So,
>> all right. So, >> no conflict of interest here at all. >> I counted five yeses to the motion as amended or as accepted with the friendly amendment >> for full days. Are there any other motions for any of the other categories that are have been raised in uh Dave's report? Yes, ma'am.
>> Um I'll just make the motion to increase the offseason storage rate at 3%. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second that. >> Any discussion? I did notice this year we only have four
boats stored. Last year we had five. >> Yep. We lost one to the business park heated indoor storage. >> Good. >> Okay. So, is there any discussion? >> All those in favor of that motion.
>> If you can afford heated indoor storage, then you are a billionaire with the bus. >> Maybe still billions. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, call for a vote then on the motion to increase the uh the rate for that category by 3%. All those in
favor raise your hand, please. 5 to zero. Are there any other motions as to any of these discussion points that we've had? >> Do you need any more? >> Do you need any more? >> No. You guys have been great.
>> Very case. I think we've done all of our business that we could possibly do today and it's before six o'clock. Congratulations to all of you for moving the ball forward. Great. >> Thank you.
>> We're here.