Councilmember outlines amendment to allow perimeter walking path at Jackson Golf Course; funding and timing remain unsettled

Summary

An amendment under consideration would allow the city to change, reduce or relocate parts of public golf courses to create perimeter sidewalks or trails adjacent to streets; sponsors described a 15-year contract window and said the change is discretionary and would be revenue-neutral to operations but requires funding for fence and pathway work.

Councilmember Strauss previewed an amendment June 30 that would authorize the city to change, reduce or relocate parts of public golf courses in order to create walking paths or sidewalks along the perimeter.

Strauss used Jackson Golf Course (address referenced as 140 Fifth) as an example, saying the fence perimeter sits against the curb and would need to be moved inward if a perimeter path or sidewalk is built. "This would be a very small and incremental change. It does cost money. It costs money that we don't currently have," Strauss said, adding the amendment is an allowance, not a requirement.

The sponsor said the current golf course contracts are 15-year agreements, and if the amendment is not included now the opportunity to revisit may not arise for another 15 years. Strauss said the change would be revenue neutral because it would not affect golf operations; funding to move fences and build paths would still need to be identified.

The amendment will be considered as part of upcoming full council deliberations on parks legislation; no vote occurred at the June 30 briefing.