The restaurant space at Litchfield Golf Course has drawn strong interest.
The City Council has received inquiries about the clubhouse space, and more offers could be forthcoming, according to Greg Langmo, a spokesman for the recently formed Golf Course Restaurant Committee.
Two of the proposals came from local business interests and one from an out-of-town company with experience in managing golf courses and restaurants, Langmo told the City Council during its meeting Jan. 16. A couple of the parties were interested in long-term leases, with options to buy, while another seemed more interested in purchasing the entire course, not just the clubhouse.
City Council members unanimously agreed to get an immediate appraisal of the clubhouse building at a cost of “up to $3,500.” An estimate from one of the three appraisal firms contacted indicated that a basic appraisal could be done for closer to $2,500, but since the proposals varied, it could be necessary to survey and break out various segments of the building and its adjacent grounds, which would complicate the appraisal. Some city officials mentioned potential “lease back” arrangements with the city and/or Golf Course Inc. for portions of the building such as the pro shop and racquetball courts.
The process of finding the best tenant or purchaser for the restaurant might involve, as Langmo put it, asking potential buyers, “Tell us what works for you,” and then establishing a small negotiating committee to negotiate the best deal for all sides. Langmo also indicated that establishing a fair value could bring additional interest.
The council authorized Langmo and City Council members Betty Allen and Eric Mathwig to serve as negotiators for offers on the property. Once viable offers are made, Mayor Ron Dingmann could call closed negotiations sessions with the City Council. Any final sale or lease agreement would need to be made by the full council.
CITYWIDE CLEANUP MAY 18
Once again, the Litchfield Lions Club has offered to help the city organize a city “clean up day” for disposing of and recycling old appliances, furniture and other bulk refuse. Lions spokesman Keith Johnson told the council the city spent $8,800 on its clean up day last year and brought in approximately $4,300 to help offset that cost. Council members Allen and Darlene Kotelnicki offered to again assist Lions Club members in checking the residency of people hauling refuse to the collection site. The drive date was set for 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18. More information will be forthcoming in local media and on the city website.
OTHER BUSINESS
The council approved a site plan for parking and fencing at the former school cafeteria in the County Family Services Building at 104 Armstrong Ave. N. Meeker County is in the process of purchasing the structure from the Litchfield School District.
Ian McGuire was appointed to a term on the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission.
Dingmann spoke to the council about a perceived need for council members to understand their roles and, as individuals, to follow standards of conduct related to their relationship to city staff, citizens and contractors.
“We don’t have power to take individual action, only as a group,” Dingmann said. Greater awareness of potential conflicts of interest might also be helpful, it was noted. The council agreed to research and potentially develop a code of conduct for council members to follow. It will discuss the issue in greater depth at work session set for 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5.
