Page 14 May 7, 2015 EL SEGUNDO HERALD City Council from front page An open forum at a recent community meeting narrowed down citizen concerns to nine categories. Parks and recreation core values was the overwhelming top priority followed by an emphasis on practice and instruction, accessibility to multi-generational use that includes seniors and youth, and safety. Other concerns were that the process should include competitive bids, revenue should not be the sole directive in the decision, TopGolf is too risky, the reconfigured golf course will lose length, and play won’t be affordable. Based on the survey, the Lakes Vision Committee advised the Council to explore all opportunities through the RFP process in order to best balance the community’s expectation to maintain The Lakes’ recreation and parks values with the need for financial sustainability. Petit indicated the RFP process would take four to five months. While admitting that taking more time led to a better deal, Dugan said he still had issues with the terms and conditions of the lease contract and that the cost of golf instruction will be prohibitive. He felt it best to “look at all viable options going forward” via the RFP to determine what the community really wants—and to get its full support on the future decision “It’s a very divided issue,” he said. Dugan added that if he hadn’t challenged the initial agreement, El Segundo would now have a TopGolf facility at $425,000 a year and that would have been “a terrible loss for the City.” While stating that she asked for and got concessions on the revenue-sharing and lighting subsidy and that TopGolf is “a cool facility,” Mayor Suzanne Fuentes spoke of concerns about the “purity of the game of golf.” She said that TopGolf is “just not congruent with our mission of Parks and Recreation” and that she “wanted an RFP from the very beginning.” Atkinson contended that “TopGolf is right for the community,” arguing that the facility will drive business to El Segundo that in the past went elsewhere because this kind of attraction was not available before. “Right here is a pot of gold for our city,” he said, adding that he felt there was no reason for an RFP since he doubted anyone would even be willing to invest $3 million “Atkinson contended that ‘TopGolf is right for the community,’ arguing that the facility will drive business to El Segundo that in the past went elsewhere because this kind of attraction was not available before.” in The Lakes (as opposed to $25 million from TopGolf). City Manager Greg Carpenter confirmed that earlier marketplace queries indicated lack of interest in leasing a golf course. Fellhauer admitted that if she could go back in time two years, she would support an RFP—but wanted to move forward with the project given El Segundo’s current economic development momentum and the improved deal on the table. “The numbers don’t lie,” she said. Fellhauer maintained that having the new facility will definitely lead to an increase in the rounds of golf played on the nine-hole course. She also took to task those from neighboring cities who spoke against TopGolf. “The City’s general [fund] budget has subsidized non-resident golf prices for many years,” she said, adding that her responsibility as an elected official is to the people of El Segundo. Fellhauer also suggested that no one seemed to care about The Lakes’ performance until TopGolf came into the picture. She suggested that the “small undercurrent of opposition is run by the golf professionals who work at The Lakes,” but that the same people also knew “how to make The Lakers better and all those years did nothing.” In order to go back into closed session to discuss and finalize lease terms with Top Golf /CenterCal, staff must first provide a 30-day written notice to Debra Geist (who had issued a cease and desist order in late 2013 alleging the Council violated the Brown Act in prior closed session negotiations). The Council at that time sent Geist a commitment letter that it would not hold any further closed sessions regarding the agreement, thinking the deal was done and to avoid unnecessary and potentially significant legal expenses. The written notice lets Geist know the Council will hold a public meeting in another 30 or more days to consider rescinding the commitment so it can schedule a closed session to resume lease discussions. Rescinding the letter will restore Geist’s rights to pursue legal action for Brown Act violations. On Tuesday, Fuentes publicly asked Geist (who was in the audience) if she would look into her heart and waive her right for the 30-day notice. Geist was one of 29 speakers who weighed in on TopGolf on Tuesday night. She cited concerns about the lease’s complexity and lack of contract protection since TopGolf is only obligated to operate the facility for seven years. Others thought the RFP was the way to arrive at the best deal for the City, while additional opponents worried that the TopGolf concept is just a fad, will bring an undesirable element to town, and will deter serious golfers. “It’s basically a big bar with a golf game,” one speaker opined. The mix of those in favor of the project versus those opposed was about even--with more than two-thirds of the El Segundo-based speakers indicating support, but the non-resident speakers almost all opposing the project. Among the TopGolf supporters whether by in-person announcement or via letters read on the dais were the El Segundo Chamber of Commerce, the City’s Economic Development Advisory Council, members of the local hotel industry, Shorewood Realtors, and Continental Development Corporation President Richard Lundquist. TopGolf Chief Operating Officer Randy Starr spoke of the company’s recent major growth spurt and resulting ability to improve its offer to the City. He discussed agreements to open early for practice and provide discounts to El Segundo residents and school team members. He also pledged to maintain the facility as “a youth instruction envy across the United States.” While the Council waits for clearance to go into closed session, the City Manager and staff will get the ball rolling by discussing general revisions to the agreement with TopGolf/Centercal. “There are likely other changes Council will want to see,” Carpenter warned. • C e r t i f i e d a n d L i c e n s e d P r o f e s s i o n a l s painting PAINTERS PLUS INTERIOR • EXTERIOR PLUS IMPROVEMENTS • REPAIRS FREE ESTIMATES LOWEST PRICES • GUARANTEED QUALITY 5 YEAR FREE MAINTENANCE SERVING THE BEACH CITIES FOR OVER 20 YEARS CALL DON 310-798-0450 LIC # 726089 painting RICH’S PAINTING Specializing in exterior Quality interior work Reliable • Reasonable Rates 310-640-9465 plumbing 24 Hour Service Since 1990 • Lic # 770059 • C-42 C-36 C-34 C20 A Full Service Plumbing • Heating • Cooling Sewer Video Inspection • Rooter Service • Copper Repipes 310-543-2001 Free Estimates PLUMBING, HEATING & COOLING KEEP IT LOCAL NEW LOWER RATES! 26 weeks (6 months) is only $400 52 weeks (1 year) is only $750 If you have any questions call us at 310-322-1830. 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