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City council OKs contract for golf pro
YOUNGSTOWN
With city council approving a contract for up to $76,000 to have the golf pro manage the Henry Stambaugh Golf Course, the facility will open no later than April 1.
If there are a “few nice days” of weather that would allow the “ground to harden,” the course would open earlier, said Jason Whitehead, the park and recreation director and the mayor’s chief of staff.
Council approved a contract Wednesday to have David Boos remain the manager of the nine-hole city-owned course on the North Side. The board of control is expected to finalize the contract shortly.
The city’s park and recreation commission hired Boos over two others interested in managing the course, Whitehead said.
“With the existing tight [city] budget, they felt more comfortable going with someone familiar with the course,” he said.
Boos received $76,000 from the city last year to manage the golf course. Legislation approved by council would pay Boos up to $76,000 this year. The contract runs through Nov. 30.
The city uses its own employees to collect greens fees at the course and pays for grounds maintenance, equipment and utilities, Whitehead said.
The city privatized most of the course’s operations last year in an effort to save money. The course lost about $27,000 in 2010, about the same as 2009, the last year the city ran Stambaugh on its own. The city lost about $100,000 annually in previous years.
City residents pay $8.50 to play the course. Those who don’t live in the city pay $9 a round. Those age 60 and older get a $1 discount.
New this year are coupon books that cost the price of nine rounds with a 10th round free.
Also, council agreed to seek a $183,000 grant from the state to remove asbestos from the City Hall Annex building, 9 W. Front St.
The city should find out if it received the money by late May, said T. Sharon Woodberry, city economic development director.
The building houses the city’s planning department, community development agency, and the Mahoning Columbiana Training Association.
Council voted to make minor changes to its policy on Internet sweepstakes businesses.
The policy eliminates a requirement that each business have state certification because no such certification exists. Another provision eliminates the city law if the state determines the businesses are illegal.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, who is researching the legality of these businesses, will make a statement today at a press conference in Columbus on the issue.
The businesses permit customers to buy Internet time and go on websites to play sweepstakes games of chance. Those who win receive prizes or money.