The Heights City Council tackled two topics during its study session regarding Warren Valley Golf Course on June 21: the golf course development ban resolution, and the concessionaire agreement.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The Heights City Council tackled two topics during its study session regarding Warren Valley Golf Course on June 21: the golf course development ban resolution, and the concessionaire agreement.
Councilmembers Hassan Ahmad, Ray Muscat and Nancy Bryer were absent.
Opening the discussions was revising the drafted resolution which prohibited development on the golf course, north of the clubhouse.
Councilman Tom Wencel said that he wanted the proposed charter amendment revised to say that any sale of the golf course should be approved by the voters of Dearborn Heights.
He wanted the revision to make the proposal simple. He also suggested that any renovations, additions or improvements over $1,500 to the property be approved by city council, possibly requiring a super majority of five votes.
Later in the meeting, Council Chair Dave Abdallah suggested that amount be closer to $5,000.
Corporation Counsel Gary Miotke said he could draft the amendment language so the threshold can end up being changed depending on what the city council wants to do with it.
Abdallah spoke on a personal level, saying that residents elected council members to make decisions.
Abdallah said in addition to the golf option he is in favor of possibly having other types of entertainment to make the property more more viable, profitable and long-lasting.
Wencel said that the revised language would not involve any of the things Abdallah was mentioning, but instead have any sale of the golf course property decided by the residents.
Abdallah said he envisions the property as a recreation community where golfers could go to enjoy, but also add activities so all residents would be able to use it.
Wencel and Councilman Mo Baydoun agreed with Abdallah’s suggestion of additional activities.
The other topic addressed was the latest drafted concessionaire agreement which is on the city council’s June 28 meeting agenda. An updated version will be shared with council soon for approval.
Miotke said he turned over the latest agreement to Mayor Bill Bazzi and Chief of Staff Mariana Hernandez.
“You’ll see what the terms of the agreement are at this point and probably be able to evaluate whether or not you want to go forward with it based on what you will end up seeing or is provided to you,” he said.
In terms of negotiations, Miotke said there are a few items left to complete.
“I’m talking about the improvements to be made to the premises, how much is paid, how much of a guarantee there is, the matter of the amount of rent, how things are going to be managed, and if they’re going to be managed,” Miotke told the council. “Those types of items are all addressed right now in what has been submitted.”
Mitoke said he sent the proposed agreement to attorney Matthew Schenk — who is representing the concessionaire, the Issa Brothers —with the final details which have to be worked out.
“You’re going to be concerned about the stuff that we’ve already gone over, such as the length, the payment terms, what requirements there are or are not with respect to development, what’s anticipated in terms of development, what’s required in terms of insurance, and those things have already been negotiated,” he said.
Any issues the city council has with the draft still can be addressed, Mitoke said.
During the public comment portion of the study session, a resident asked about an opening date for the golf course.
Abdallah said the administration is working with the concessionaire to open as soon as possible, but that there is a lot of work that needs to be done, contractually and physically.
City Clerk Lynne Senia also spoke during public comment asking when the city council plans to bring the resolution forward for residents to vote on, because the due date to have it on the November ballot is Aug. 2.
Wencel said the plan is to have the resolution ready as soon as possible regardless if it gets on the ballot this year or not.
“If missed, we’ll have it ready for the next time,” he said.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at zeinabnajm92@gmail.com.)