May 2001. Council (Schmidt, Borak, Collacchi, Kinney, Jellins) directs staff to begin process to commission a feasibility study of possible revenue-generating uses for Bayfront to cover landfill and maintenance costs.
October 2001. Council OKs contract with consulting firm to conduct feasibility study.
During next few months, Parks and Recreation Commission conducts at least one public meeting addressing the issue.
March 2002. Consulting firm presents preliminary findings to council, including public comment. Council decides not to proceed with feasibility study, and “to terminate consideration of development options.” Council directs staff to explore possible alternative funding sources for park, at least for landfill-associated costs.
June 2002. Council OKs new agreement with same consulting firm to do funding analysis for Bayfront landfill and assess possible non-development funding alternatives.
October 2002. Staff briefs council on funding options. Council agrees an increase in garbage rates is best option to cover landfill costs. Directs staff to return with ideas on private, active-user partnerships
January 2003. Council (Collacchi, Kinney, Jellins, Duboc, Winkler) approve increased garbage fees to cover landfill costs. Jellins, Winkler move to further study active recreational uses in park. Vote not taken.
April 2003. Staff asks council for direction on possible active recreation uses for park. Council OKs staff proposal to seek developers to partner with city in providing active recreational uses at Bayfront. No minutes/audiotape for this study session, held in City Hall conference room.
September 2003. City sends out requests for qualifications for development, construction, management and operation of sports fields and golf facility for park. (Four responses received.)
January/March 2004. Committee including Kinney and Duboc review four respondents; asks staff to seek more information from three of them. Staff ultimately asks three to submit proposals.
May 2004. Interview committee decides to pursue proposal from Big League Dreams for playing fields and a golfing practice facility. After several months of talks, city ends discussions with Big League Dreams.
January 2005. Staff begins contacting golf course developers, including Highlands Golf LLC, to explore possibilities for Bayfront.
March 2005. At annual Saturday priority-setting session, council (Jellins, Duboc, Winkler, Fergusson, Cohen) directs staff to continue pursuing options for active recreational uses for Bayfront. There is no written record of the deliberations or directions to staff from this meeting, held in recreation center.
November 2005. Council votes 3-2 to proceed with negotiations with Highlands to develop golf course and playing fields. Fergusson and Cohen oppose.
—Information from city staff, reports and meeting minutes.
