HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - June 16, 1993 (61)o
CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: Termination of Golf Driving Range Lease
MEETING DATE: June 16, 1993
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council not renew the lease agreement
between the City of Lodi and Mr. Kenneth Choo for the
operation of the golf driving range on the grounds of
Lodi Grape Festival and National Wine Show at the intersection of North
C"rokee Lane and E. Lockeford Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: For several decades, the City of Lodi has leased
space on the grounds of the Lodi Grape Festival
and National Wine Show for the operation of a golf
driving range. The space has then been sub -leased to a driving range operator
who has paid the City a percentage of the revenue derived from golf ball
rentals. The operation has been satisfactory for many years until very
recently. The combination of improved golfing equipment and the increasing
popularity of the game has brought to the range greater numbers of people who
are able to hit golf balls considerably longer distances than in the past.
The residents of Murray Street, which is north of and adjacent to the golf
driving range, have lodged a number of complaints with the City regarding golf
balls clearing the protective fence and landing on private property. City
staff met last week with area residents, the driving range operator and the
Executive Director of the Lodi Grape Festival and National Wine Show to discuss
this matter and review the possible solutions. At that meeting, it was agreed
that, on an interim basis, the hitting of golf balls would be restricted to
iron clubs only (no woods). That restriction did little to prevent golf balls
from leaving the confines of the driving range. Staff received calls from
residents of the area shortly after the meeting regarding golf balls still
coming over the protective screen. An on-site visit confirmed these complaints.
It is obvious that the golf driving range can no longer be accommodated at its
present location. In view of this, it is recommended that the lease with Mr.
Choo for the operation of the range not be renewed. It is scheduled to expire
June 30, 1993.
Staff has scheduled a meeting with Mr. Choo and his representative, Robert
Mertz, Esquire, to discuss alternate locations for a new golf driving range.
APPROVED
THOMAS A PETERSON recycled Pape,
city Manager
i
GOLFCC/TXTA.01V cc -1
Termination of Golf Driving Range Lease
June 16, 1993
Page Two
We will be in a position at Wednesday night's meeting to review the results of
this meeting with the City Council and to seek direction.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Peterson
City Manager
TAP/VC
GOLFCC/TXTA.01V
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93 iu% 16 N 1: 13
June 15,
Irl E M O R A N D U M
To: Mr. Tom Peterson, City Manager
From: Mark A. Armstrong, General Manager
Subject: Golf Driving Range on Festival Grounds
At the June 8, 1993, Executive Committee meeting of the
Lodi Grape Festival Board of Directors, it was decided that
our organization would accept the decision of the City Council
as to whether to extend or terminate the lease with Ken Choo,
Lodi Golf Range operator.
If the range is allowed to stay open beyond June 30,
the currnt lease agreement's time period, while an alternative
site is explored, we recommend that that period of operation
not extend past August 31, 1993. In light of the suddenness
of this decision, we would waive our rent fees for July and
August; however, we want the range to continue to operate
under the "irons only" restriction.
Mark A. Armstrong
General Manager
cc: City Council Members
City Attorney
P.O. Box 848 • Lodi, CA 95241 • (209)•369.2771 . Fax
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(209)•369.9185
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ROBERT T. AIEDEIROS
1427 REIMAN
LORI, G 95242
July 17, 1993
Councilmen, City of Lodi
Lodi, CA 95240
Dear Sirs:
Since the City of Lodi has closed down Lodi's only golf -related facility where thousands of
families have enjoyed using for the past forty years, 1 am asking your support to have a golf
facility built Lb Lodi.
Lodi, which has a population of over 50,OW, it is a shame not to have a golf -related facility. The
City of Tracy has a resident population of 37,0100 and yet, is going to gel a golf course and two
driving ranges. Here is Lodi with sports facilities for every sport except golf.
It was a sad day when the City closed down the Lodi Driving Range just to please a few but
denying thousands of enjoyment.
1 would appreciate ,your support for the proposal of a golf facility in the City of Lodi.
Sincerely,
ROBERT MEDEIROS
r
JULY 23, 1993
MAYOR PENNINO;
RECEI` ED
03 JUL26 tivi 11: 12.
r,LLRX
I AM WRITING TO GIVE MY SUPPORT FOR A NEW GOLF DRIVING RANGE
IN LODI. I HAVE LIVED IN LODI FOR 7 YEARS AND HAVE SPENT
MANY HOURS AT THE OLD DRIVING RANGE TRYING TO LEARN THE GAME
OF GOLF. IT WAS VERY CONVENIENT TO GET TO AND A PERSON DID
NOT HAVE TO FOOL WITH STANDING IN LINE TO GET TOKENS AND
USING A MACHINE TO GET BALLS. I BELIEVE IT WAS A BIG ASSET
FOR THE CITY OF LODI AND WILL BE MISSED BY MANY.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GIVE MY SUPPORT TO KENNETH CH00 AS THE
LEASER/OWNER OF A NEW DRIVING RANGE. I HAD PURCHASED A CARD
FOR 10 BUCKETS OF BALLS FROM HIM A WHILE BACK AND HAD ONLY
USED 5 WHEN I RETURNED TO TOWN FROM VACATION AND FOUND THAT
THE RANGE HAD BEEN CLOSED PERMANENTLY BY THE CITY. I WAS
ABLE TO GET A REFUND WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM FROM CH00. LODI
NEEDS BUSINESS PEOPLE LIKE HIM.
YOUR SUPPORT OF A NEW DRIVING RANGE WOULD HELP KEEP LODI A
GOOD PLACE TO LIVE AND WOULD ALSO BE REMEMBERED BY MANY
PEOPLE LIKE ME WHEN FUTURE ISSUES COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
SINCERELY
JACK & CONNIE AVEY
524 NEVINS DR.
LODI