November 16, 2023 |
Photo – Yamaha golf carts received by Rochelle Ranch Golf Course – Rawlins Recreation Department
The Rochelle Ranch Golf Course has received its first shipment of gasoline-powered golf carts.
Earlier this year, the Rawlins city council chose to replace its fleet of electric golf carts at Rochelle Ranch Golf Course. At the time, Recreation Director Jason Sehon said the electric carts did not have enough battery life for an entire round of golf. Instead, Sehon recommended the city go with gas-powered carts. An agreement was made with Masek Golf Car Company to lease 45 gas-powered golf carts for the 2023 golf season.
Instead of renewing the agreement with Masek for another year, the council opted to lease 45 gas carts directly from the manufacturer, Yamaha.
During the November 7th Rawlins city council meeting, the board approved a five-year lease agreement with Yamaha. The contract requires the city to pay $29,025 a year to rent the carts. After five years, the city can choose to buy the leased carts for $160,875. Mayor Terry Weickum asked City Manager Tom Sarvey if those numbers are correct.
Sarvey said after the five-year contract is up, the city can choose to buy the 45 golf carts for $160,875. The city manager said if the council decides not to buy the carts, they will go back to Yamaha.
Councilman Darril Garner asked if Rochelle Ranch required 45 golf carts. Councilman Garner said he was under the impression that the golf course had so many vehicles because they needed to constantly swap out dead electric carts. Councilman Chris Weisenburg said at least 45 carts are needed for golf tournaments.
The council needed to ensure that the contract contained a way for a future council to end the agreement if they chose. The current council is unable to bind a future administration with continuing payments. A clause in the contract states that either party can end the agreement with a 30-day notice.
Satisfied that they were not burdening the next council with an unbreakable contract, Mayor Weickum called for a vote to accept the five-year lease agreement with Yamaha. The motion passed.
Yesterday morning, the Rochelle Ranch Golf Course announced it had received the first round of new golf carts. Golf course staff were inspecting the carts and adding windshields before storing them away for winter.
