Gloria Hirashima said the city has cut costs $200,000 a year and spent money on improving the course, but it is still being subsidized by the city about $200,000 a year, down from $500,000.

“They’ve done everything they can do,” Hirashima said, adding a golf course management team could offer marketing and deals the city can’t.

Parks director Jim Ballew said golf play is down nationally, but that management teams can offer discounts at different member courses that might increase play here.

“They are experts in the field that could change this status,” he said.

Staff was asked to look into the 10 management companies that are in this area.

Drainage was improved on the course, and efforts were made to build up the women’s club, but then the golf pro left. Ballew said the course had a great summer, but the rest of the year has been bad. It went from 44,000 rounds of play in 2010 to 28,000 so far this year.

Also at the work session, three council members talked again about the recent shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

Michael Stevens talked about going to a breakfast with first responders as they returned to work Nov. 1.

Jeff Vaughan mentioned how a number of churches worked together to help with the funeral of one of the shooting victims Nov. 1. “There are good people in this community,” he said.

Council Member Stephen Muller said the YMCA is going to continue to allow M-P students to use the facility until the new year. He also said Boeing is donating $25,000 to help victims of the shooting.

Muller also brought up the three-city shooting spree that happened three weeks ago. One Marysville police officer was shot. The suspect gave up when he was shot by Marysville police.

“All of the officers are back to work” except the one who was shot, and he will be back soon, Muller said. “The debriefing went well. They’re emotionally ready to come back. It could have been much worse.”

In other council news:

• There will be public hearings Nov. 10 on the biennial budget, property taxes and emergency medical services taxes.

• The city agreed to maintain landscaping and the Welcome to Marysville sign at the new roundabout at Highway 9 and 84th.

• The city plans to change the Marysville library to a Sno-Isle one.

• A half-time person helping domestic violence victims will become full-time at the Marysville court.

• Marysville Cross-Fit put on a successful Muscles on 3rd benefit Nov. 1 to raise money for M-P.