SF 245

1st Engrossment - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/02/2017 09:14am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; providing for operation of golf course in Fort Ridgely
State Park; requiring an agreement with the city of Fairfax to operate Fort Ridgely
State Park Golf Course; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 85.0505, by
adding a subdivision; 85.054, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 85.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 85.0505, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

Subd. 3.

Fort Ridgely State Park.

Liquor may be sold and consumed by the drink on
the golf course in Fort Ridgely State Park, subject to other laws relating to the sale of
intoxicating liquor when the golf course is operated by a nonstate entity.

Sec. 2.

[85.0507] FORT RIDGELY GOLF COURSE; GOLF CARTS.

Golf carts may be operated on the golf course portion of Fort Ridgely State Park when
the golf course is operated by a nonstate entity.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 85.054, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

Subd. 19.

Fort Ridgely golf course.

A state park permit is not required and a fee may
not be charged for motor vehicle entry or parking for persons using only the golf course
portion of Fort Ridgely State Park when the golf course is operated by a nonstate entity.

Sec. 4. FORT RIDGELY STATE PARK GOLF COURSE.

(a) By May 1, 2017, the commissioner of natural resources must work out an agreement
with the city of Fairfax that allows the city to lease and operate the golf course at Fort
Ridgely State Park. The agreement must include:

(1) lease and operation of the existing golf course;

(2) lease of the irrigation system, including the ability to maintain and repair it;

(3) lease of the upper level of the Fort Ridgely State Park Chalet;

(4) lease of Storage Building 4-292;

(5) the ability for golf carts to be used by users of the golf course;

(6) the ability to offer liquor for sale;

(7) public access to the golf course without requiring a state park permit; and

(8) the ability to improve the golf course, including improvements to golf-cart paths and
the chalet.

(b) The agreement must allow the city to lease the golf course for 12 months and renew
the lease annually for at least ten years. The rental fee must not exceed eight percent of the
total green fees received, excluding golf-cart rental fees. The commissioner must ensure
that the golf course has a playable surface when the lease begins and the city of Fairfax
must ensure the golf course has a playable surface should the lease expire.

(c) Admission to property leased under this section is exempt from state park permit
fees required under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 85.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.