HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 22980-11-2017 Ordinance No. 22980-11-2017
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND APPROPRIATIONS IN THE
MUNICIPAL GOLF GAS LEASE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, GOLF IMPROVEMENTS
PROGRAMMABLE PROJECT, FROM AVAILABLE FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$70,000.00, FOR GOLF TURF GREEN COVERS AT THE PECAN VALLEY,
MEADOWBROOK, AND SYCAMORE GOLF COURSES; PROVIDING FOR A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR
ORDINANCES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That in addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 in the
Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increased estimated receipts and appropriations in the
Municipal Golf Gas Lease Capital Projects Fund, Golf Improvements Programmable Project, in the amount
of$70,000.00, from available funds,for golf turf green covers at Pecan Valley, Meadowbrook, and Sycamore
golf courses.
SECTION 2.
That should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid, inoperative or void
for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision, opinion orjudgment shall in no way impair
the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this ordinance, which said remaining provisions shall
be and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3.
That this ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance 22928-09-2017 and all other ordinances and
appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance are in
direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said conflicting provisions of
said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: Cl SECRETARY
Assistant City Attorney ary J. Kayser
ADOPTED AND EFFECTIVE: November 7, 2017
Course Consulting Service
ON -SITE VISIT REPORT
Pecan Valley Golf Course
Fort Worth, Texas
Visit Date: April 3, 2017
Present: Ryan Reimer, Golf Course Superintendent
David Fowler, Golf Professional
Nancy Bunton, Director of Golf
John Daniels, USGA Agronomist
United States Golf Association
John Daniels,Agronomist I Green Section I Central Region
1910 Pacific Ave Suite 14030 1 Dallas,Texas 75201 1 (972)331-3101 1 Fax (972)331-3102 I idanielsCa�usaa.ora
USGA Green Section Mission: The USGA Green Section develops and disseminates sustainable management
practices that produce better playing conditions for better golf.
On behalf of the USGA, thank you for your support of the Course Consulting Service
and the opportunity to contribute to the management of Pecan Valley Golf Course. This
visit was scheduled to address concerns regarding the current state of the putting
greens which have been slow to respond this spring. The purpose of this report is to
assist with recovery of the putting greens and to identify potential causes so that
management programs can be adjusted to limit the likelihood of similar conditions.
Please note the blue hyperlinks which provide supplemental resources and feel free to
contact me should you have any questions.
PUTTING GREENS
Winter Injury
We toured a number of holes from both the River Course and the Hills Course. Varying
degrees of thin turf was present. Damage was often diffused throughout the entire
putting surface and the straw color field pattern was consistent with winter injury
symptoms (Fig. 1). Although the first three months of 2017 have been the warmest on
record according to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport data, there were periods where the
temperatures dipped down well below freezing.
t
Fig. 9 Cold temperatures experienced this winter are to blame for the mottled look of the putting greens.
Ultradwarf bermudagrass putting greens are very susceptible to cold temperature
damage when left unprotected. As such, golf facilities in this region routinely cover the
surfaces in advance of low temperatures. Based on university research and field
experience, I recommend covering anytime the low temperature is forecasted to be
USGA I Course Consulting Service Report Page 2
below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. According to historical weather data, there were seven
such days that met this threshold this past winter in Fort Worth – December 17-19 and
January 5-8.
Unfortunately, covers were not available for the putting greens at Pecan Valley and the
turf was left exposed to the cold temperatures. It is important to remember the purpose
of a cover is not to keep the cold out, but instead help retain the warmth of the soil.
To prevent further damage and compromised putting conditions, I strongly encourage
acquiring covers for all of the putting greens in advance of next winter that can be used
to safeguard plants. In a typical winter in north Texas, there may be five to six different
covering events required when using the 25 degree Fahrenheit rule. Turf covers in this
part of the country should be considered mandatory, not optional.
There are a variety of options available with regard to covers. Two important attributes
to consider is weight and durability. The cover needs to be light enough that it can be
easily handled by crews so they are able to position it in a matter of minutes. It also
must be strong enough to withstand repeated use. A well-made cover shou€d last 15 to
20 years with proper storage and handling. Polypropylene black or white covers are the
most commonly observed option. They typically range anywhere from 15 to 20 cents
per square foot and can be customized to fit each individual green. I suggest contacting
Dick Schulz with S&S Turf Covers at 404-583-0370.
For more information on protecting the putting greens from winter injury, please review
the following:
Ultradwarfs in the Off-Season –A Winter Wonderland
Turf Covers For Cold Weather Protection of Bermudagrass Putting Greens
Turf Recovery
Soil profiles were sampled from multiple putting greens and the root systems were
examined. Depending on the location sampled the roots typically ranged from 3 to 4
inches which is very good. There were even some examples where the roots extended
6 inches in depth in channels created during aeration. This progress is the direct result
of a more aggressive cultivation program implemented by Mr. Reimer and his staff—
excellent work!
Given the healthy root system and collection of rhizomes present in the majority of the
putting greens, I would anticipate the surfaces on the River Course to recover by May,
assuming temperatures continue to warm as forecasted. Some of the putting greens on
the Hills Course (e.g. Hole Nos. 9 and 18) will lag behind by a few weeks given the fact
that they are in a more shaded environment and have less viable rhizomes. Although
the daily highs may seem warm enough for turfgrass recovery, bermudagrass growth
will be slow until the nighttime lows increase. Bermudagrass really doesn't grow rapidly
L)SIGA,. I course consulting Service Report Page 3
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 11/7/2017 Ordinance No, 22980-11-2017
DATE: Tuesday, November 7, 2017 REFERENCE NO.: **G-19153
LOG NAME: 80GOLF GREENS COVERS
SUBJECT:
Adopt Ordinance Increasing Estimated Receipts and Appropriations in the Municipal Golf Gas Lease
Capital Projects Fund, Golf Improvements Programmable Project, in the Amount of$70,000.00 for Golf
Turf Greens Covers at Pecan Valley, Meadowbrook and Sycamore Creek Golf Courses (COUNCIL
DISTRICTS 3, 4 and 8)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance increasing estimated receipts and
appropriations in the Municipal Golf Gas Lease Capital Projects Fund, Golf Improvements Programmable
Project, in the amount of$70,000.00, from available funds, for golf turf greens covers at Pecan Valley,
Meadowbrook and Sycamore Creek Golf Courses.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication is to purchase golf turf greens covers for the two
18-hole courses at Pecan Valley ("River" and "Hills"), the 18-hole course at Meadowbrook and the 9-hole
course at Sycamore Creek. In the past two years, several greens at these courses experienced turf
damage and disease, primarily due to low ground temperatures experienced during the winter months.
The courses incurred non-budgeted expenditures to treat the turf and also lost revenues due to
discounted green fees caused by sub-par turf conditions. The United States Golf Association (USGA)
agronomist inspected several greens in March 2017 and recommended greens covers for the 2017 fall
and 2018 winter seasons. These non-permeable greens covers overlap and protect the golf putting
surfaces from winter temperatures, precipitation and disease while accelerating springtime grass growth.
Similar turf greens covers were purchased for the grow-in period for the new Rockwood Park Golf Course
in late 2016 to protect the newly established turf and accelerate the growth of those putting surfaces.
Greens covers have a life span 10-15 years. Funding was not originally included in the Fiscal Year 2018
Capital appropriation ordinance, this project will be added to the Fiscal Year 2018 5-year capital plan that
is expected to be presented to the City Council in December 2018.
This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION /CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the
attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the Municipal Golf Gas Lease Capital Projects
Fund. Prior to an expenditure being incurred, the participating department has the responsibility to
validate the availability of funds.
Logname: 80GOLF GREENS COVERS Page 1 of 2
FUND IDENTIFIERS (FIDs):
TO
Fund Department ccoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # moun
ID ID Year Chartfield 2
FROM
Fund Department ccoun Project Program ctivity Budget Reference # moun
ID ID Year Chartfield 2
CERTIFICATIONS:
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Susan Alanis (8180)
Originating Department Head: Richard Zavala (5704)
Matt Quinn (5758)
Additional Information Contact: Nancy Bunton (5717)
Logname: 80GOLF GREENS COVERS Page 2 of 2