NO GOLF PRO WILL BE HIRED AT CITY COURSE

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Without formal action, the City Council Monday accepted a Golf Course Advisory Board recommendation not to hire a professional manager at the Jaycee Municipal Golf Course.

The golf course board Thursday had voted unanimously to recommend the city not hire a "golf pro" for the municipal golf course.

The board recommended instead that the city continue to utilize Carroll Williams, a golf instructor at Southeast Missouri State University, as a course "consultant." The board also recommended that the city draft a five-year master plan outlining course development and management strategies.

Williams will work on a volunteer basis to help improve the course's "playability."

City Councilman Al Spradling III, who has pushed for the hiring of a golf course manager, said at Monday's City Council study session that he still isn't "totally" satisfied with the board's recommendation.

"I'll go along with this," Spradling said. "I think it's a step in the right direction. But I think there's a place for a (Professional Golfers Association) professional out there.

"I think we're going in a positive direction, but I still think looking for a professional manager is another direction we should continue to look at."

The golf course board and Parks and Recreation Department has said it plans to implement a much more "hand-on" management policy at the course this year, which the board says should alleviate some of the problems at the course identified last year by Spradling and others.

Spradling said Monday he looks "forward to seeing what happens this year" at the course.

Councilman Hugh White said he thought the board was taking a more active role to improve the course than have past boards.

"It sounds to me like the golf board is on top of the situation better than any time I've seen in the past," White said.

Acting Parks and Recreation Director Dan Muser said he also thought the city was "headed in the right direction" to improve the course.

"We do have a plan, and as we go through it, we'll be better able to adjust it to address some of the problems," he said.

Muser said the Parks and Recreation Department this year plans to alleviate past problems with management shortages at the course. He said course personnel are working to schedule managers to work during "peak playing times.

"We've addressed the periods of peak times at the golf course," Muser said. "I think that's where a lot of problems you're talking about would arise."

Spradling encouraged the board and Muser to work to assure someone is at the course daily to provide "hands-on" management, not only to assure the course's condition, but also to assure that golfers are moving along the course without unnecessary delays.

"There needs to be someone there basically on a daily basis more than one hour a day, hopefully, and more than one day a week, hopefully," he said. "That's my concern. I want somebody there on a hands-on basis rather than just on an as-need basis."

In other action, the council:

Approved a motion to conduct a "homecoming ceremony" for local troops that participated in the Persian Gulf War when they return from the region. Mayor Gene Rhodes made a motion that the city work with the Joint Veterans' Council to organize the event.

Granted special-use permits to Hanover Lutheran Church, 2949 Perryville Road, and Mount Auburn Christian Church, 930 Mount Auburn Road, for church building additions.

Approved a resolution to extend the Municipal Airport's air-traffic control tower contract with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Approved a resolution that will allow the city to assume operation of the airport restaurant.

The city will pay $6,000 for the outstanding lease rights for four years from the restaurant's current owners, J.D. and Joyce Treadwell. The city also will purchase the Treadwells' unused inventory and restaurant equipment for a price not to exceed $2,000.

Approved a resolution acknowledging receipt of annexation petitions for property situated along Route K west of the city limits. The council also set an April 1 public hearing on the petitions.

Gave initial approval to an ordinance prohibiting parking on Siemers Drive and Campster Drive.

Gave conditional approval of a retail liquor-by-the-drink license for Billy Watkins, managing officer of "Bill and Chas', Too," 829 South Kingshighway.

Accepted improvements to Siemers Drive south from Route K for a distance of 2,848 feet; and of Campster Drive, from Siemers to the outer road for a distance of 635 feet. The improvements will cost about $240,000.

The cost of the project will be assessed to adjoining property owners at a cost of $37.36 per front foot.