Meetings have been set to gather public input to help Maple Valley officials and the members of the Lake Wilderness Golf Course Task Force to determine the course’s future.
The task force has been asked to look at five specific areas while considering the future of the course, which Maple Valley purchased for about $4.5 million in November 2006.
Among the topics of discussion are evaluating “the role of the golf course in the community,” according to information provided by city officials, as well as the possibility of creating a local improvement district.
Maple Valley city officials brought the idea of a local improvement district to homeowners who live on the golf course in March 2008 when it sought to recoup $2.4 million of its original purchase price.
At that time a survey conducted by an Everett firm, Macaulay and Associates, determined the payments into the LID by the owners of the 263 lots could be broken into three classes, with those in class three living furthest away and in a preliminary scenario paying the least at $3,750. Those living in class two would pay $7,950 and those in class one, being closest to the course would pay $11,850.
The City Council, however, chose not to pursue the option at that time after a pair of public meetings and receiving a significant amount of written comments.
Also up for discussion will be the idea of adopting a conservation easement that would preserve the land as open space — something the council also considered in 2008 — as well as issues related to establishing Transfer of Development Rights.
The task force will look at how the restaurant, bar and banquet facility fit into the overall operation of the golf course and discuss the current business model for the course then make a recommendation on whether to continue with the existing model or suggest a new one.
There are three members from the Lake Wilderness Homeowners Association on the task force, Chuck Blanton, John Sheppard and Bob Watson, who is an alternate.
Two golfers were chosen, Jim Kurtzman, a city resident and Jodie Brewer who is from the Issaquah/North Bend area.
At large members from the city are Geoffrey Goebel, Steve Howells, Michael Moffat and John Paust.
There will be five members who are special advisors to City Manager David Johnston, Kelly Beymer, a city resident and director of the Renton Parks and Recreation Department, which includes Maplewoods Golf Course; Tom Frets, also a city resident and general manager of the Glendale Country Club in Bellevue; Gary Habenicht from Ravensdale who is a community leader; Don Habenicht, an area resident and he was formerly affiliated with the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course Design firm and Phillip Wertheimer, a city resident who works in the food and beverage industry.
Council members Layne Barnes and Dan Parnello will act as the City Council representatives on the task force.
The city manager is asking the task force to provide recommendations by August.
Premier Golf Centers, based in Seattle, currently operates the course for the city. The contract with Premier expires Dec. 31.
The task force will be taking public testimony at 6:30 p.m. July 15 and Aug. 5 at Lake Wilderness Golf Course Banquet Hall, 25400 Witte Road S.E.
The task force will meet 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 12 at the banquet hall. The meeting are open to the public.
