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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/11/1999 BAKERSFIELD ~ /~~/~J Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Alan Tandy, City Manager Patricia J. DeMond Staff: Alan Christensen Randy Rowles AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Thursday, February 11, 1999 4:00 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1. ROLL CALL Call to Order at 4:12 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan, Chair; Patricia J. DeMond; and Randy Rowles 2. ADOPT APRIL 28, 1997 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted 3. PRESENTATIONS None 4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 5. DEFERRED BUSINESS None 6. NEW BUSINESS A. CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER AT BEACH PARK Alan Christensen reported that staff has been working on a request from the Board of Trade to assist with providing a site for altemative curbside parking at Beach Park for RV's and busses to help them achieve their goal of becoming a California Welcome Center. Their current parking lot is not sufficient. Three different options have been developed. ADOPT~) AS SUB~IIT~E~ [IARC. ll, 1999 I:l[[ 0P¥ AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Thursday, February 11, 1999 Page -2- The first is to modify a grassy-tree area to form a pocket parking drive-in area right along Oak Street for busses and RV parking. There are some safety concerns with bus passengers and RV doors opening up into Oak Street. The second is to come off Oak Street into the park and develop an underutilized park area by the soccer field; however, a parking lot, lighting, trees, irrigation and earthwork would cost about $69,000, which may be cost prohibitive as the Board of Trade is funding this project. Marion Shaw explained a third alternative of moving the curb and gutter in on the west side of the existing building on the east side of the street and developing a bus turnout, which would accommodate two busses at a cost of approximately $25,000. Ann Gutcher, Manager and Executive Vice President of the Board of Trade, explained that their application is ready to go to the State, but they must have the dedicated parking for RV's and tour busses to qualify, and that is what they are requesting from the City today. However, the parking option next to their building would require a change in their remodel plans unless it is moved to the park side of the street. The City Manager stated there are concerns with busses circulating through the park on streets with asphalt not structurally built to support the weight. The plan options were designed to get the parking needed and not conflict with other activities in the park with cars parked along the narrow streets, which may not allow busses the turning radius to get in and out. The Committee was very much in favor of the Board of Trade's plan to become a California Welcome Center. As a short-term solution is needed to meet the application requirements and deadline, the Committee directed staff to dedicate 2 bus and 2 RV spaces on the east side of the park access read by the Board of Trade building. The Recreation and Parks Director expressed concerns about the busses looping through the park. The Committee recommended the temporary solution be used for two or three months and directed staff to continue working on a long-term parking solution. The Board of Trade will see if there are any grants or other funding available. B. USE OF CENTENNIAL PLAZA Alan Chdstensen explained that this item is in reference to a letter the City received from the Centennial Celebration Foundation Board. The City Manager has written a response and the Board is primarily satisfied, but have questions they would like clarified. Ms. Jeanette Richardson spoke on behalf of the Foundation stating that the Board is in agreement that there is need for maintenance and fire vehicles to be parked by the Plaza. The only question is that during events there have been vehicles parked blocking the fire lane. The City's Fire Marshall suggested that the vehicles could best be served by parking close to the reader board where there is cement and will not be blocking the fire lane or damaging the bricks. Second, the Foundation is in agreement that the Community Services Committee be the oversight committee for the Plaza. Third, the Recreation and Parks pamphlet outlining fees is good, but the Foundation wants to ensure that the Plaza AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Thursday, February 11, 1999 Page -3- is available to everyone and has a question that if only Ogden can serve food as stated in the pamphlet, how can non-profit groups have community events and sell food for fund-raisers? The City Manager clarified that if a non-profit wants to use the Plaza for a fund-raiser, Ogden is not going to object or exercise their right to food service unless the fund-raiser conflicts with events scheduled in the Garden. However, Ogden is the only liquor license holder who can serve liquor there under State law. Jim Foss, representing Ogden, stated they are handling this on a case-by-case basis and, for the most part, it has been working well. Committee member Rowles reiterated that the City has a good working relationship with Ogden and a commitment that the Plaza be a community-based facility. He suggested that we have a general policy statement on file regarding non-profits. The Committee approved the language of a resolution to include the Community Services Committee as the reviewing body for changes to the Plaza. They directed that the resolution be sent to the full Council. C. FIRST NIGHT EVENTS Jake Wager opened the issue by saying the City Manager directed him to get together with Jim Foss who has been working on this event. First Night was started in Boston in 1976 as an effort to establish a new way of celebrating New Year's Eve with a non-alcohol event that is family oriented. First Night is an affordable annual event with all types of activities, which typically start at noon and last until the 12:00 midnight countdown. Buttons are purchased in advance and worn as access to venues that are available that day; small children are free. It relies on corporate sponsorship as professional entertainers are used and the event budget can be from $100,000 to $500,000. If the community wants to call this a "First Night," a fee is required for the first year of $3,000 with a small yearly fee thereafter. It is recommended that a pdvate, non-profit assume the ownership the first year. The Arts Council of Kern has indicated that they would act as fiscal agents. The DBA has been contacted, as well as John Meroski for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jim Foss said that he has worked on these events for nine years in another city and it's really a great time for the community. The Condors have released December 31st, so the Garden will be available, as well as the Convention Center, Plaza, and the Beale Library. The Committee enthusiastically gave their support. D. SKATEBOARD PARK Stan Ford briefed the Committee on staff's research on skateboard parks. There is substantial demand and community support for a skateboard park. The Citizens Community Services Advisory Committee recommended that this be brought to the AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Thursday, February 11, 1999 Page -4- Council. The Recreation and Parks Division is proposing Beach Park as a possible location. The City Attorney bdefed the Committee on liability issues. SB 1296 does provide limited immunity. For youth under 14 years of age, this law does not shield a public entity from liability. In case of injury, if a skateboard park design is challenged as a dangerous design, those charges would have to be defended in court. The City Manager stated that there is $95,000 from the sale of the racquetball facility that could be dedicated to improvements in Beach Park at the discretion of the City Council. The cost for a skateboard park, as proposed, would be $200,000 to $225,000. Mr. Rowles requested that some neighborhood meetings be held with residents to address their concerns about the project. Cathi Guerrero spoke in favor of building a skateboard park. The Committee agreed that a skateboard park is needed and directed staff to bring information back to the next meeting on funding strategies and additional liability information. If a decision is made to proceed, further information will be needed on a program for neighborhood input, forming an advisory group of local skateboarders, recommending a location in Beach Park, addressing concerns about noise, and exploring the possibility of a privately-owned facility. E. 1999 MEETING SCHEDULE The next meeting was set for Thursday, March 11th at 4:00 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. City Staff in Attendance: City Manager Alan Tandy; Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; City Attomey Bart Thiltgen; Deputy City Attorney Ginny Gennaro; Recreation and Parks Director Stan Ford; Economic Development Director Jake Wager; Public Works'Civil Engineer Marian Shaw; Parks Assistant Superintendent Mike Doyle; Recreation and Parks Business Manager Jane Gardner; Fire Safety Education Specialist Leslie Devitt; and Community Development, Development Associate Jan Fulton Others: Centennial Celebration Foundation Director Jeannette Richardson; Jim Foss, Ogden Entertainment; Vicki Adame, reporter with The Bakersfield Californian; Ann Gutcher, Bart Hill, and Mary Grider from the Kern County Board of Trade; and Cathi Guerrero, Ben Smith, and Kenny Worthen, citizens for the skateboard park. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council S:LAC\CSCommittee\cs99feb 11 summary.wpd