HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/1999 BAKERSFIELD
~ ~~ Jacquie Sullivan, Chair
Alan Tandy, City Manager Patricia J, DeMond
Staff: Alan Christensen Randy Rowles
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 2, 1999
6:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chamber
1. ROLL CALL
Call to Order at 6:35 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan, Chair; and Randy Rowles
Absent: Councilmember Patricia J. DeMond
2. ADOPT MARCH 11, 1999 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Adopted as submitted.
3. PRESENTATIONS
None
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. DISCUSSION OF SKATEBOARD PARK ALTERNATIVES
Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford stated that staff held a meeting on May 5t~ at Franklin
School on Truxtun Avenue. Notices were sent to neighbors and businesses within 500 feet of
Beach Park. Forty-eight people attended and all were in favor of the proposed skateboard park;
none were opposed.
It came to staff's attention that Vans is building a private skate park facility at the site of the
former Ice Palace. Staff has been in contact with their corporate office who shared information
that their facility would be a for-profit operation. Vans indicated their "theme-type" facility and
the City's proposed public facility would be a good match since there is a need for both types
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AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 2, 1999
Page -2-
of skate parks. Vans is very supportive and has offered to help with design and possibly a
financial contribution.
The meeting was open for public statements. Cathi Guerrero, Herbie Benham, Ben Smith,
Blanca Anderson, Byron Stickler, Paul Anderson, Susan Benham, George Doderlein, Karen
Frederick, Shawn Moran, Art Doland, Emily Evincula, and Terri Eunice all spoke in support of
the skateboard park. No one spoke in opposition.
In response to Committee questions, Mr. Ford responded that at the first public meeting on
May 5th staff compiled a list of volunteers, including young people, who would give input and
ideas during the design process. Staff's research indicates that construction of a park would
take an average of 120 days. Including design, the project could realistically be completed in
six months.
City Attorney Bart Thiltgen summarized the liability issues and a survey done of numerous cities
throughout the state. He discussed the limited immunity given by state law for users over 14
years of age, but youths under 14 cannot be excluded from using the park as it must be open
to anyone who wants to use it.
Mr. Ford stated that the estimated cost to build the skateboard park is $174,000. Based on
expected demand, the proposed facility may be fully utilized from day one, but it is properly sized
for the location. A larger facility would create additional problems such as parking. From the
sale of the racquetball facility there is $95,000 available that can be used for improvements in
Beach Park, but as this is the City's most used park, staff would like to retain some funds for
improvements such as barbecue grills and picnic tables.
The Committee thanked the audience for their participation and encouraged them to continue
with their fund-raising efforts and urge further active community support at the next two Council
meetings for this project.
The Committee was very supportive of building a skateboard park and approved (with Patricia
DeMond absent) this project moving forward to the full Council on June 16th. The Committee
directed staff to prepare a report to the Council with the following recommendations: 1) support
building a skateboard park in Beach Park using Option A location, 2) use $80,000 from the
$95,000 fund available for Beach Park improvements, 3) find an additional $94,000 funding in
the General Fund or other measures to fund this project, and 4) form a committee of interested
individuals to be a part of the design group and direct staff along with the skateboard park
design group to move forward with a time line of January 1, 2000 to complete construction and
open the park.
The Committee requested when Council gives support for this project to move forward, that the
Committee receive updates at their meetings during the six-month window from design to
completion.
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 2, 1999
Page -3-
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. COMMUNITY SERVICES MEETING SCHEDULE
The Committee approved adopting the proposed calendar.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
City Staff in Attendance: Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; City Attorney Bart Thiitgen; and
Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford.
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
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