Superior officials can begin negotiating a management agreement for the operation of the Nemadji Golf Course.
Superior's City Council approved a request from Mayor Dave Ross to enter negotiations with Mark Carlson and Steve Flagstaff to operate the golf course in a different way.
The decision to change the way the city's golf course is operated did not sit well with union officials and golfers concerned about the golf course eventually falling into private hands.
"We don't want a country club," said golfer Steve Wasserman, who is concerned that a two- to three-year lease isn't long enough. Wasserman said he supports the idea of Carlson and Flagstaff continuing to manage Nemadji, but he worries about what might happen when the initial agreement ends and management is put up for public bid.
"If I buy it, I can charge anything I want," said Wasserman, who would like the city's golf course maintained for the public.
"I would like to lean toward an initial four- or five-year contract," Councilor Kevin Norbie said. "I think that's a little more realistic."
Golfers would benefit if the city moves to a management agreement, said Carlson, the current manager hired by the city to oversee Nemadji. Carlson said if the city continues to operate the course as it has, golfers would see an increase of $50 to $80 in the price of season tickets next year while maintenance of the golf course would be reduced. With a management agreement, Carlson expects to maintain the cost of season tickets and the quality of maintenance.
The difference would be that city staff would no longer provide maintenance of the golf course and city equipment. Carlson and Flagstaff would be responsible for hiring the staff.
"Organized labor is looking at this as a very serious issue," said James Mattson, president of the Superior Federation of Labor. "This is like a slap in the face to all the members of Local 244," the union representing city public works employees.
The city would eliminate 34 seasonal positions in the union by changing to a management agreement with Carlson.
Carlson said he would hire the current golf course staff; however, they will no longer be members of the public works Local 244.
Mattson said while he understands the city has financial problems to deal with, officials are also taking jobs away from people.
The change in how the golf course is operated could save taxpayers money and garner a return on an asset for the city, Ross said. Ross made the proposal because of recent financial losses of about $70,000 at Nemadji.
Council President Dan O'Neill said he expects negotiations to take time to ensure the city and the golf course both benefit.
"If you choose to go in this direction, I'm confident it can be a win-win situation," Carlson said.
Source: Duluth News Tribune