Sioux Falls Parks and Rec

Get out of the weeds for the golf contract

Councilor Selberg had this to say about the golf RFP;

“I think we need to get back to the facts. I think we are about three miles off in the weeds in some of this stuff, right now, ” says Selberg.

I hope there isn’t any weeds growing at the golf course. Tom Walsh had this to say about the RFP and contract;

“They’re looking at spending $375,000 a year in leasing of equipment, besides what they do up front,” Walsh said. “It’s not right for our taxpayers. If I were a taxpayer that didn’t play golf, I’d really be upset.”

Tom, this is S.O.P. from the Huether administration. Just look at the Huether tennis center. What did taxpayers get from our $500K investment in that building? Not a F’ing thing! Heck, we can’t even use the parking lot for overflow.

I have been hearing the council will probably approve the contract with Landscapes Unlimited, but not because it is the right thing to do, but that certain people in leadership and with the administration have been threatening the council with false threats of being sued by LU if they don’t approve. If that is the case, 1) Who told LU that this was a done deal before it got council approval, and 2) if that is the case, why even have the council approve these contracts?

*Walsh also talks about a meeting he had with the mayor a few weeks ago, and the mayor admitted he pretty much gets what he wants, and the only fight he has lost in 7-1/2 years is the Archives Building (he opposed that because he hates history). Well he better start getting used to losing, because I think the strikes are going to start adding up here real soon.

Tom Jansa of Dakota Golf Management is rallying the troops

Tom sent out this email encouraging people to speak out against the new golf contract with Landscapes Unlimited. I did hear late last week that Tom was planning something in retaliation for talks falling through on selling his equipment to the city. Tuesday’s council meeting should be interesting.

Dakota Golf Passholders,

First of all, on behalf of Dakota Golf Management, we would like to thank you for your support over the past 23 years.  We could not have been as successful as we were without the support of our loyal customers.

We would like to give an update on the new golf course management contract as it pertains to Dakota Golf.   While initially accepting of the City’s decision, Dakota Golf is no longer supporting the selection.  Please join us at the Prairie Green clubhouse tonight, Monday, December 18 from 5-7 to discuss the golf course management contract that will be voted on by the City Council tomorrow night.

We hope that you will spread the word and get your golfing friends to come to Prairie Green tonight and, more importantly, to come to the City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 19 at 7 PM at the City Council chambers on 10th and Dakota.

Thank you for your support over these many years and we hope to see you tonight at Prairie Green.

Tom and Dakota Golf Staff

UPDATE: Golf Contract becoming a real mess

The special NOON meeting of the parks board was held today (see below). It seems the contractor that won the bid, underbid the current contractor to win the bid, than intends to hire them back as the subcontractor. The problem is that the current contractor was unaware of such a deal and planned on turning in the towel if they lost the bid. The city also offered ‘salvage’ pricing for all of the equipment the current contractor owns, which isn’t sitting well either.

This is getting really messy, really quick. The city should just lease the property to a private golf company, and get out of the golfing business. (Full Meeting)

Good thing we bought that $300K Snow Cat Groomer

Great BEARran

You know what they say, always be prepared. Maybe the parks and rec garage could put a mower head on the front of it, may get more use that way (or better yet trade it in for a round bailer). And with all those BRAND NEW hydraulics we needed we could hook up other trimming devices to it. We could use it for Project TRIM. I just hate to see such an expensive piece of equipment sitting around collecting dust. Another prudent purchase by the city council with little debate. But hey, let’s debate for 45 minutes about a electronic church sign.

Another broken promise of the indoor pool?

Remember one of the big promises of the indoor pool? Water rehab for veterans;

The only reason I have been given from people at the VA Hospital for not using the aquatic center is that the two government entities, city and federal, can’t agree on how to fund it. Hard for me to believe.

Not me. The VA said from the beginning said they had no plans of partnership with the aquatic center, but city hall continued to peddle the lie. As you can see, just another broken promise.