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City Council Minutes Page 13 <br /> April 18,2016 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Council should consider the needs of all taxpayers or a professional study completed. <br /> He discussed subsidizing the course and options Council could consider. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated his choice would be to sell Pinewood,but to someone who <br /> would maintain it as a golf course. He stated the city should not be in the golf course <br /> business. He stated he is aware of someone with an interest in it. He said he is not in <br /> favor of operating the course as it was operated in past. He is concerned for <br /> continued financial losses. He indicated he would consider leasing it. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated his least favorite option would be housing. He stated if the <br /> course was to a developer,the city could designate how many homes would be built. <br /> He stated if the city wanted the highest and best use of the land it should sell for <br /> housing. He suggested staff research all options and the value to the city in various <br /> ways. He noted the land could be considered for a community center site. <br /> Councilmember Olsen stated he is not in favor of the city operating a golf course <br /> and Elk River Country Club may have an interest in running it. He stated the <br /> Country Club is pleased with the current condition of the course. He suggested <br /> trying a two-year agreement. <br /> Mayor Dietz noted the city would need to go through a request for proposal process. <br /> He stated if there is a lease, the contract would need to state that the city is actively <br /> marketing the course and the lease discontinues when the land is sold. <br /> Councilmember Wagner concurred with the Mayor's comments. She suggested a <br /> volunteer group may want to take over running the course. She suggested,in the <br /> interim having the course operational this summer,incorporating the big cups. She <br /> questioned the city's level of subsidy. <br /> Councilmember Olsen stated the course would help provides seasonal employment <br /> for younger kids. <br /> Councilmember Burandt expressed concerns with selling Pinewood as a golf course <br /> because the owner may want to sell it at a later date as something different. She <br /> stated the main priority of the city should be maintaining Pinewood as a golf course <br /> she stated if it is not working revenue wise the city could consider other options. She <br /> noted there are a lot of people hoping it stays a golf course. <br /> Mr. Portner noted if Pinewood sold as a golf course there could be a contract <br /> provision stating it remains a course for a certain number of years but the cost of the <br /> course could be impacted. <br /> Councilmember Wagner stated she disagreed with the speaker about their being a <br /> lack of a sense of community in Elk River because there is no Pinewood and noted <br /> some other examples. She stated she would love to see the course open this summer <br /> but she knows there is a lot more work needed to figure out. She questioned what <br /> POWERED 9r <br /> UREJ <br />