An agreement will permit operators of Cedarbrook Golf Course to draw water from a pond on city property for the golf course.
Iola City Council members gathered in a special meeting with Cedarbrook owners Bob and Larry Macha Thursday, three days after they heard about the golf course’s unique arrangement with the city.
The city acquired what was the western half of the golf course in 2009 for potential development. As part of the agreement, Cedarbrook retained ownership of water pumps and other irrigation equipment in one of the ponds acquired by the city.
Cedarbrook typically purchases raw water for the ponds from Rural Water District No. 5. But as summer heat persisted, fears have arisen that water districts may be limited on what they may sell to businesses such as golf courses. And with one pond completely dry, Macha was forced to pump water from a larger pond on city property.
There was little time to waste, Macha said. Without water, the finely manicured grass on the greens would have died, with little hope of being revived.
“When the greens run dry, there are no second chances,” Macha said. “We’ve already replaced the greens several times. They will never be replaced again. If they go bad, the golf course is gone.”
Council members expressed concern earlier in the week that the city was essentially providing free water to the golf course, a private business.
This week’s discussion was prompted by a request by Macha to allow Cedarbrook to clear dirt from one pond so it can hold more water.
“We do not cost the city anything,” Macha explained. Dirt pulled from the bottom will be used to reinforce the pond’s dam or spread out and seeded with grass.
Macha emphasized Cedarbrook’s service to the community as a recreation provider.
Council members voted 5-0 to approve Macha’s request to clear out more dirt within the pond in question, directing City Attorney Chuck Apt to draw up an agreement that spells out the golf course’s water rights.
Councilman Steve French said having a written agreement was vital for the sake of transparency and to assure citizens the city wasn’t giving preferential treatment to a private business.
Apt noted a similar agreement between the city and Cedarbrook expired at the end of 2011. The new pact will run indefinitely, until Macha Enterprises gives up ownership of the golf course or the city uses the land for development or sells the property.
Council members Joel Wicoff, Kendall Callahan and Ken Rowe were absent. Wicoff was out of town; Callahan and Rowe will lose their seats next week after the state certifies a successful recall effort against both in Tuesday’s primary election.
