2023

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

At the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, citizens expressed their support for improving the Tony Butler Golf Course in Harlingen, citing its potential to foster lifelong sports skills, provide opportunities for college scholarships, and increase tax revenues and charitable contributions. The Assistant City Manager for External Services presented the improvements to the course, including a new irrigation system, bunkers, tee boxes, fairways, greens improvements, and drainage. The city is currently considering three options for the improvement of the course, including doing nothing, allocating an additional $500,000, or spending an additional $2 million to expand and improve the course fully. While the course has been improving and attracting more customers, the revenues generated are still not enough to break even, leading to discussions of improving greens and irrigation. The city is considering options to fund the project, including using revenue from other projects and amending the budget.

00:00:00 In this section of the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, the board members confirm a quorum and discuss conflicts of interest. They also read through the minutes and listen to citizen communication, which includes comments on the importance of maintaining and improving the Tony Butler Golf Course from a golf enthusiast and women's golf coach.
00:05:00 In this section of the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, several individuals spoke in favor of improving the Tony Butler Golf Course in Harlingen. Among them were a former golf player turned teacher, a current high school golf student, and a representative of the Harlingen Sunburst rotary. They stressed the potential benefits of fixing up the course, such as fostering lifelong sports skills, providing more opportunities for college scholarships, and increasing tax revenues and charitable contributions. They also pointed out that the course is heavily used by a diverse group of players, including high school teams, college-bound students, and families, and that its popularity has grown significantly in recent years, which indicates a strong demand for a well-maintained and accessible facility.
00:10:00 In this section, two community members speak about the importance of the Tony Butler Golf Course as a destination for tourism and as a source of revenue for Harlingen. One speaker notes that quality golf courses attract tournaments which bring people from all over the state, while another speaker urges the city to prioritize fixing up the golf course's infrastructure rather than putting taxpayer money in a CD account. Both speakers stress the importance of investing in the golf course to attract more tourism to Harlingen.
00:15:00 In this section of the transcript, the speaker, who is the Assistant City Manager for External Services, presents the improvements to the Tony Butler Golf Course to the Community Improvement Board. The renovations to the golf course include a new irrigation system, a new pump station, drainage, bunkers, tee boxes, fairways, and greens improvements. However, the bid came in at twice the budgeted amount, and they had to ask for a reduction in scope to fit within the budget. Additionally, they discovered two urgent requirements, one being the repair of a pedestrian and golf cart bridge on the 20th hole of the executive nine-hole course, and the other being the replacement of a single operational raw water pump on the system that has three.
00:20:00 In this section of the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, Jeff Hart, director of golf operations, discussed how renovations at Tony Butler golf course are critical to the success of the course and the city. Hart explained that the current push-up greens have a lifespan of about 20 to 25 years, and the clay base seals up when it gets wet, which makes the water not penetrate down to the roots of the grass. He also stated that they are shifting to sand-based greens, which would allow the water to penetrate into the soil and go down into the roots. However, the process of changing to sand-based greens is a slow one. Hart emphasized the importance of having a well-maintained golf course to attract visitors to Harlingen.
00:25:00 In this section, Jeff and another speaker discuss the financial status of the Tony Butler Golf Course and its potential for generating revenue for the community. Jeff explains that while the golf course has been improving and attracting more customers, the revenues generated are still not enough to break even. Therefore, he suggests rebuilding the greens and irrigation system to attract even more customers. However, there is a funding gap of around $2 million required to award the $4.7 million renovation contract. The board discusses funding options and compares the original bid to a reduced scope bid that would require a third bidding effort.
00:30:00 In this section, the Community Improvement Board discusses three options for improving the golf course, which include doing nothing, allocating an additional $500,000 to add sand beds, revamped irrigation systems, and past pound turf to the greens, or spending an additional $2 million to expand and improve the course fully. The revenue generated from the golf course includes membership, daily fees, snack bar sales, alcohol sales, and apparel sales. The board also discusses maintenance and preventive measures, including adequate staffing and equipment and the recent replacement of a 15-20 year old bridge on the course.
00:35:00 In this section of the meeting, the board discusses the self-sustainability of the city's golf course. It was previously profitable and was able to accumulate cash reserves and purchase equipment from the revenues generated. However, there has been a decrease in the number of players, with only about 10 percent of the population of the city of Harlingen using the course, and some Winter Texans not playing due to the quality of the greens. The most critical improvement that the board is considering is to the greens, and they have already done the architecture of the project. They are ready to execute it and plan to finish around Thanksgiving to have a full period of the winter Texans' golf season.
00:40:00 In this section, the board discusses the timing and impact of a project to improve the golf course with new greens and an irrigation system. The project has been delayed due to rising prices, but the board is considering options to fund it, including using revenue from other projects and amending the budget. The board also notes that the nine-hole course will remain playable during construction, and that any additional funding would not require public hearings as the project has already been vetted. Additionally, the board discusses the current sales tax revenue, which appears to be higher than budgeted, and notes that funding this project will likely affect other projects for at least a year.
00:45:00 In this section of the transcript, the discussion focuses on the possibility of closing the entire golf course to work on improvements, with the option being considered to close two or three holes at a time. However, this approach is deemed impractical as it might inconvenience golfers and compromise playability. There is also talk about an increase in prices that happened three months ago, as well as the potential for further incremental increases in the future. Marketing efforts are also discussed, with authorization being given to offer monthly discounts and for media to promote the course's improvements.
00:50:00 In this section of the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, the topic of funding for renovating the greens and adding sidewalks is discussed. While there is no specific dollar amount proposed, the need to address greens that have washed out and the lack of sidewalks in the area is emphasized. It is mentioned that the agenda item for the meeting can fund one of the requests. Other concerns such as the need to fix barn doors and the importance of doing things right the first time are also brought up.
00:55:00 In this section of the transcript, a motion is made to approve funding for renovations to a golf course, which has been around for over 100 years. The board votes 4 to 3 in favor of the motion. Later in the meeting, the executive director of the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society presents a request for funding for a veterinarian, to address the issue of overpopulation of stray animals in the community. The request is deemed eligible for funding by the city attorney. The director explains that offering low-cost access to veterinary services is the long-term solution to the problem, which currently results in overcapacity at the shelter and a large volume of animals being put down.

01:00:00 - 01:40:00

The Rio Grande Valley Humane Society proposes a funding request to pay for a veterinarian's salary and equipment to support low-cost spay and neuter services for Harlingen residents. The board approves the request for the veterinarian's salary but not the equipment. The funding will allow the Humane Society to provide low-cost services and generate revenue to fund all animal care needs. The project aims to address the issue of stray animal overpopulation in Harlingen, enhance educational opportunities for students and supplement the shortage of vets in the region. Additionally, the board discusses various other community improvement projects, such as the Arroyo Corral bike trail extension and the Lawn Seat Hill Destination Park. The meeting adjourns with a financial report indicating a fund balance of $8,838,450 and total assets of about the same amount, consisting mostly of cash and cash equivalents.

01:00:00 In this section of the video, the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society introduces their plan to address the issue of stray animal overpopulation in Harlingen. They have been doing high volume spay and neuter operations for the past three years, and with funding from the board, they hope to double their efforts. The society aims to outfit their clinic and host a veterinarian in order to provide educational opportunities for students and supplement the shortage of vets in the Rio Grande Valley. By addressing this issue, they hope to make Harlingen the capital for animal welfare in the area and serve as an example to other cities.
01:05:00 In this section, the meeting discusses a funding request submitted by the Humane Society to pay for a veterinarian's salary and equipment to support low-cost spay and neuter services for Harlingen residents. The City Attorney approved the request for the veterinarian's salary, but the equipment was not approved. The Humane Society currently partners with private practice vets to provide surgeries and has not received any negative feedback. The funding will allow the Humane Society to provide low-cost services and generate revenue to fund all required animal care. The Council will have a public hearing prior to making a decision and will give direction to the system.
01:10:00 In this section of the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, Louise discusses the possibility of generating more revenue by having a veterinarian on their property four to five days a week. They also mention the goal of getting letters of support from veterinarians in the Harlingen community and relocating the veterinarian to the City of Harlingen. Additionally, Louise explains that the partial salary request is due to the plan of generating more revenue to cover the rest of the veterinarian's salary. The veterinarian would solely work for the Harlingen Clinic and Shelter. The board members also inquire about the location of the mobile trailer, and Louise mentions that it would ideally be in the same spot as the old trailer behind the building.
01:15:00 In this section of the board meeting, a citizen expresses gratitude for the community's effort to bring down a vet to improve accessibility to pet care. The vet network aims to provide affordable spay and neuter surgeries for Harlingen residents, with a cost ranging from $85 to $125 depending on the size and illness of the pet. The board members discuss the high cost and prolonged waiting period for vet appointments, which can be up to $500 and four months of wait time. They then vote to direct staff to pursue funding for the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society to help reduce this problem. The section ends with a presentation on the status of the Arroyo Corral bike trail extension and Lawn Seat Hill Destination Park by the Parks and Rec Director.
01:20:00 In this section of the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, the speaker provides a brief history of the trail extension project in Harlingen, Texas. The 1.6 mile extension was identified in the city's 2010 Trail master plan, 2016 comprehensive plan, and the LRGV's 2016 active transportation and tourism plan. The project was primarily funded by the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation, with additional funds from the Board to add a parking lot. The extension includes three pedestrian bridges over the Arroyo, with one bridge already complete and the others in progress. The project has experienced delays due to issues with subcontractors and materials, but the completion is expected in the near future.
01:25:00 In this section of the Annual Community Improvement Board Meeting, attendees discussed the erosion around pillars of a bridge caused by runoff from the highway. TXDot has taken up the responsibility to design and permit the project and has already started working on the section. The project is expected to be completed within the next 45 days if everything goes as planned, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be considered after that. Concerns were raised regarding the safety of the area, with the lack of cameras or lights for those who want to access the area after dark, but due to restrictions from the IBWC and fish and game departments, the installation of such infrastructure is not feasible.
01:30:00 In this section, the Community Improvement Board discusses various safety measures that have been proposed, including call stations and a 9-1-1 coordinate program. Additionally, the board announces that Lancia Hill destination park is out for bid, with the Adaptive field and the trail as the primary project scope. The Adaptive field, with artificial turf, will include lights, new bleachers, and umpire boxes. The trail will be used to access the rear of the Kasamisade Natatorium. Lastly, the engineers estimate about 1.4 million dollars needed for the design and trails, which bid will be due April 11th with restrictions expected for other activities.
01:35:00 In this section of the Community Improvement Board Meeting, the board discusses the design for a trail project that is approximately 0.85 miles in length and comes up with an alternate design to be crushed granite. They then move onto discussing the board's financial statements, which includes a total asset of $8,838,450, consisting mainly of cash and cash equivalents, and no liabilities. The board has a fund balance of $8,838,450, with some commitments to Convention Center debt, the hike and bike trail, Tony Butler Golf Course, and Lancy Hill Destination Park. The board also has $1.5 million in funds allocated to unallocated projects and has exceeded their expectations in sales tax collections.
01:40:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the funding for new and existing projects generated by the Improvement Board, which generates over $2 million in annual revenue. There is approximately $621,000 available in the fund balance, and this amount will be added to on an annual basis to fund additional projects in the future. While there is no budget amendment being made at the present time, the financial report is being presented. No questions are asked, and the meeting is adjourned.