Ratliff Ranch Golf Course, the Wildcatters Trail and industrial districts are on Tuesday’s agenda for the Odessa City Council.
The council is scheduled to discuss conditions at Ratliff Ranch Golf Course and go over and prioritize a $615,000 list of possible solutions during its 3 p.m. work session Tuesday.
According to a priority list put together by Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Matt Christman, the golf course is suffering from a number of issues.
In a document provided to city council members, putting greens were damaged in May 2022 and the irrigation system has been invaded by zebra mussels, which is resulting in irrigation heads and lines becoming clogged by them.
In addition, the main line gate valves have been broken for five years, the bulkhead is corroded and tee boxes that were built too high are leading to irrigation issues. Christman also notes the current control panel for the irrigation system is out-of-date.
Among the possible solutions:
- Installing a filter system to the irrigation system to flush broken down zebra mussels from irrigation heads at a cost of $30,000 to $40,000.
- Replacing most irrigation heads at a cost of $50,000 to $100,000.
- Installing a new control panel for irrigation system at a cost of $128,890.
- Installing a new bulkhead in pump station for $87,442.
- Cutting down 20 tee boxes to bring in clean dirt and sod tee boxes at a cost of $100,000.
- Installing desert landscape to allow the city to shrink the irrigated areas of the golf course and remove 50 to 100 irrigation heads. Estimated cost $50,000.
Christman is also suggesting the city install solar lights in the parking lot and replacing the wooden banisters around pro shop and tournament pavilion at a combined cost of $100,000. Metal railings would discourage birds from landing and be easier for staff to clean.
The council will also discuss at its meeting the possibility of leasing old Fire Station 6 during its work session.
During the council’s regular meeting at 6 p.m., members will discuss renewing and executing two industrial districts.
During the council’s last meeting, the council indicated they intend to amend Grow Odessa’s Industrial District 1-B and District 1-C’s contracts so they are three years instead of 15.
Grow Odessa pays fees to the city in lieu of taxes and those fees are equivalent to any taxes they’d pay the city.
During their April 25 meeting, city council members, on the advice of Odessa Development Corporation Chairman Kris Crow, also agreed they’d like to “clean up the language” in the contract so it’s clear to the appraisal district the company must pay fees on all structures on the property. Right now, the contracts state any offices and warehouses.
Lastly, the city discussed adding teeth to the contract so that if the company doesn’t pay its fees, any liens placed on the property by the city must be paid before any future lenders are paid.
The council will also discuss whether it wants to fund $7 million in Texas Department of Transportation projects with the understanding the city will be reimbursed later.
According to documents submitted to the council, the vast majority of the money would go to Phase 2 of the Wildcatters Trail, $600,000 would be spent on Sherwood Park pedestrian signals and $350,000 would be devoted to an 87th Street sidewalk.
The Permian Basin Metropolitan Planning Organization says the future 19-mile Wildcatters Trail would run from UTPB in Odessa to the Scharbauer Sports Complex in Midland. The two-way, 12-foot wide trail would accommodate pedestrians, runners and cyclists, have marked crosswalks and trailheads with shade pavilions, restrooms, bike racks, drinking fountains, seating areas, information kiosks, public art, emergency call boxes and wayfinding signage.
Building the trail is expected to cost roughly $55 million and $225,000-$248,000 a year to maintain during its first six years.
Officials have said at least 80% of the trail build would be paid for by the federal government through TxDOT grants.
The City of Odessa, City of Midland and UTPB are all involved in the project.
