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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/26/2005 B A' K E 'R S F I E L D Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Alan Tandy, City Manager Sue Benham Staff: Alan Christensen Irma Carson AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE Monday, September 26, 2005 - 1:00 p.m. Suite 201, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 1. ROLL CALL Called to Order at 1:12 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan, Chair; Sue Benham; and Irma Carson 2. ADOPT FEBRUARY 28, 2005 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Staff report and Committee recommendation on amphitheater seating at The Park at River Walk City Manager Tandy provided a progress report on the construction work at The Park at River Walk on Stockdale Highway. It is a large 32-acre park being built on different elevations with an amphitheater in a beautiful, stunning setting. There will be shallow water flowing through with large boulders, and lights and water jets in front of the amphitheater stage. While touring the construction and looking at the layout, it has become apparent to staff there is a need for more seating for the amphitheater. Recreation and Parks Director Hoover reported that staff came up with the following recommendations to increase the seating capacity: Agenda Summary Community Services Committee Meeting Monday, September 26, 2005 Page - 2 - 1. Change the seating on the second level and instead of just seating with blankets or sitting on grass, reducing the-step width to 2.5 feet, and add permanent curbs on the grass with bench-type seating on the curb. This change would cost approximately $250,000 and would add seating for an additional 1,200 persons. 2. Purchase portable bleachers that could be placed on the flat landing at the top of the hill during major events. Four 30-foot, trailer mounted, portable bleachers would cost approximately $112,000 and provide additional seating for 720 persons. As the bleachers are trailer-mounted; the bleachers could be used at other locations for other events throughout the City. City Manager Tandy explained for the more high-profile acts, there will be a nominal charge, perhaps $5.00 per person to cover the costs involved and the extra seating would help to bring in more revenue to cover costs. There will be free events as well. Staff has also reviewed several options to fence the amphitheater area for crowd control and safety during large events and ticketed events. Staff recommended placing approximately 600 feet of 6-foot permanent vinyl coated chain link fencing between the north side of the amphitheater hill and the bike path. Staff also recommended purchasing 700 feet of 4-foot high temporary fabric fence, which can be put up during events only. In addition, staff recommended purchasing an enclosed trailer to haul and store the temporary fabric fencing. The permanent fencing, temporary fencing and storage trailer would cost approximately $35,000. The estimated cost to construct additional seating, purchase portable bleachers, permanent fencing, temporary fencing and trailer is approximately $400,000. City. Manager Tandy stated due to the fast pace of building 'in the area, revenue from Park Development fees is higher that anticipated and will cover the cost of the additional seating and fencing recOmmendations. Committee Member Benham made a motion to accept staff's recommendations for additional seating and fencing at a cost of $400,000. The Committee unanimously approved the motion. Ben Wageman, Castle and Cooke, spoke regarding parking and cleanup after events. City Manager Tandy also noted that Recreation and Parks Director Hoover is shopping naming rights for the amphitheater. If this comes through, staff is suggesting the money be placed in a performance endowment to cover costs of putting on acts. The City may make money on some events and lose money on others. An endowment set up with money from the naming rights would avoid running expenses or revenue from the amphitheater through the General Fund. Agenda Summary Community Services Committee Meeting Monday, September 26, 2005 Page - 3 - Public Works Director Rojas stated the contract for construction of The Park at River Walk should be completed in late October 2005. Recreation and Parks Director Hoover explained the newly planted grass will need time to get established before crowds of people walk on it, so the grand opening will be planned for late March or April 2006. B. Review and Committee recommendation regarding planning for the next skateboard park Recreation and Parks Director Hoover gave a report on possible locations for future skateparks: 1. Skateboarding is a sport with various skill levels. As there is already a skatepark in Beach Park, another more challenging level could be added to the existing skatepark. This is a central location easily accessed by the bike path. 2. The new housing development off Taft Highway between Buena Vista and Allen Roads is proposing a skatepark in one of their larger parks. Much more discussion with the developer will follow on this location. 3. Another location to consider would be at the Mesa Marin baseball fields. This location could serve the northeast. 4. Another location to consider would be the large 40 acre soccer park being proposed off Jewetta Road and Stockdale. At this time the use for this park has not been determined and there may be room for a skatepark. This location would serve both northwest and southwest residents. Committee Member Benham expressed she would like to see a skatepark at the 40 acre park. The Committee was in agreement that with the population growth in Bakersfield, future planning to expand the skatepark at Beach Park and for at least two or three more skateparks to provide recreation for skateboarders should be considered. There is no funding in the budget for skateparks at this time. An average skatepark is about 20,000 square feet and the construction cost is about $30 per square foot, and this does not include land acquisition, lights, fencing and ongoing maintenance. City Manager Tandy explained three of the locations are in different Park Development areas, so the funding source will be different for each of those locations. Agenda Summary Community Services Committee Meeting Monday, September 26, 2005 Page - 4 - Committee Chair Sullivan expressed before deciding on expanding or new locations, there needs to be a projected plan with tentative time frames on when the locations may be available. The Committee requested staff to come back to the Committee with time frames when each location may be ready for development, as well as a report on funding future skateparks. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS The Committee requested staff to cancel the Committee meeting scheduled for October 24th due to scheduling conflicts. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:12 p.m. Staff attendance: City Manager Alan Tandy; Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; City Attorney Ginny Gennaro; Public Works Director Raul Rojas; Recreation and Parks Director Dianne Hoover; Finance Director Nelson Smith; Public Works Civil Engineer Arnold Ramming; Public Works Civil Engineer Nick Fidler; and Facility Planner Ken Trone. Others: Ben Wageman, Castle and Cooke cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council S:~AC\05 Community Services\cs05sept26summary.doc