SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) - It took two weeks and two City Council meetings to get it done, but the City Council voted 5-3 to approve Landscapes Unlimited of Lincoln, Nebraska to manage the city's golf courses.
The debate that carried over into Tuesday's council meeting was emotional, and fiery at times. Several advocates of Tom Jansa and Dakota Golf, who have managed the courses for the past 23 years, spoke at Tuesday's meeting.
"How would you feel if someone said, 'I'm sorry, your business is done,'" said Sioux Falls resident Kelly Nelson. "You've done a wonderful job, but don't even give you a gold watch for working for the city for 23 years."
The council was basing its vote off of a recommendation from the Sioux Falls Park and Rec department, who requested a proposal, or RFP, from competing companies to manage the courses. The committee that headed up the recommendation included Jim Lowe. He said the final three companies were Dakota Golf, Landscapes Unlimited and GreatLife Golf & Fitness. Lowe also said he was upset at how the committee had been portrayed throughout the entire process.
"I was offended by some of the things that were said about the committee," Lowe said. "One of the things that was said it that it was a cult, secret committee. There's a lot of emotion in this whole thing. I'm emotional about it too. But we followed the guidelines."
Council member Christine Erickson, among others on the council, showed frustration at the process. She said it has to stop as the council moves forward.
"We can't be dumping a contract at five o'clock on our laps," Erickson said. "I'm not complaining, however, if you want us to make the decisions with the most time in mind, we've got to do a better job."
The 5-3 vote means the Council votes to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Landscapes Unlimited.