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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - SKATEBOARD FACILITY (2)City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: Johnathan O. Skinner NEW BUSINESS DATE: May 14, 1996 SUBJECT: SKATEBOARD FACILITY RESOLUTION NO. 96-68 DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services In January 1996, the City Council gave direction to begin the process of determining the need for a skateboard facility in the Santa Clarita Valley. Areas to legally practice the sport are extremely limited. In February 1996, the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, in conjunction with the Sheriffs Department, began a series of public participation meetings. Flyers were distributed to businesses asking for their input and attendance. An additional 500 flyers were distributed to local school students and their parents. In addition to the public meetings held for business input, 48 written comments were received from local businesses. A large majority of the business participants were in support of skateboard facilities. Fifty-two parents and teens attended the two public participation meetings. Extensive information was collected from all groups with a variety of viewpoints. The following are main points that were discussed at the meetings: Need: It was agreed that a site needed to be created for skaters. Due to the hazards to vehicular traffic and pedestrians in parking areas, a location where young people can perfect their skills would be a benefit to all involved. The skaters felt a strong need to participate in helping to maintain and feel ownership of the facility as well. ?n_ cation, facility, and cost: Because most potential participants of the park do not have vehicles, the facility, must be easily accessible to the skaters, yet not pose an undue nuisance to adjacent neighborhoods. Staff is currently reviewing potential sites in several regions, including the Golden Triangle area and one along the Santa Clarity River Trail in Canyon Country. Skateboard parks range in size from 1/3 to 1/2 acre, and development fees to create the facility vary from ��uurr jiLL 91 ""� Agenda Item. $40 to $250 thousand dollars, depending on amenities, design cost, and construction fees. Liability: In 1992, California passed Assembly Bill AB2487, which provided liability immunity for skateboard facilities. In order to qualify, the local government agency must adopt an ordinance requiring the posting of signs at the skateboard park requiring the wearing of safety equipment including helmets, elbow and knee pads, etc. Current legislation being reviewed includes Assembly Bill 2357, which would change the status of skateboarding and roller blading to a hazardous recreational activity, similar to horseback riding or bicycling, thus taking the responsibility away from the facility and placing it on the skater, Graffiti In compiling information for the skateboard meetings, it was found that in many areas, graffiti is an accepted part of the sub -culture. Since the City has adopted a Zero Tolerance Ordinance regarding graffiti, any type of markings and\or tagging for a local facility would not be tolerated. Skaters at the public participation meeting all agreed to help with the prevention and removal of any graffiti that might appear.. Funding: The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department recommends applying for $40,000 of Proposition A discretionary money to be used towards the design and development of a skateboard facility at a yet to be determined site. The Proposition A funds must be approved as soon as possible to qualify for the June 31, 1996 deadline. The project funds maybe adjusted at a later date pending Council approval of the final facility design. A full public participation process will be utilized for this purpose. Law Enforcement: Currently, there are very few places to legally practice this growing sport. The Sheriffs Department has consciously attempted to educate and work with the skaters. As a result, citations are rarely issued. However, should a designated park be developed, the Sheriffs may be predisposed to offer fewer warnings to skateboarders who are clearly in violation of trespassing ordinances and refuse to alter their behavior. Existing ordinances will cover any infractions that may occur. No further ordinances are being proposed at this time. On Thursday, April 4, 1996, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the results of the public participation process for skateboarding, and endorsed the design and development of a facility. RECOMMENDATION The City Council support the following recommendations: 1. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 96-68 approving the application for Proposition A grant funds for the design and development of a skateboard park facility. 2. The City Council support the development of a skateboard park in Santa Clarita on a trial basis and recommend that staff evaluate its usage and report on its desirability. Resolution No. 96-68 JOS pr\council. sktbd514.96" RESOLUTION NO. 96-68 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT PER -PARCEL DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SKATEBOARD PARK FACILITY WHEREAS, the people of the County of Los Angeles on November 3, 1992 enacted Los Angeles County Proposition A Safe Neighborhood Parks, Gang Prevention, Tree Planting, Senior and Youth Recreation, Beaches and Wildlife Protection (the Proposition), which provides funds to the County of Los Angeles and other public agencies in the County for the purposes of acquiring and\or developing facilities for public recreational facilities and open space; and WHEREAS, the Proposition also created the County of Los Angeles Regional Park and Open Space District (the District) to administer said funds; and WHEREAS, the District has set forth the necessary procedures governing local agency applications for grant funds under the Proposition; and WHEREAS, the District's procedures require the applicant to certify, by resolution, the approval of the application before submission of said application to the District; and, WHEREAS, the project has been identified by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services as a valuable addition to its focus on alternative recreational programs for youth and teens in the Santa Clarita valley; and WHEREAS, said application contains assurances that the applicant must comply with; and WHEREAS, the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services can begin the initial designs of a versatile facility for the Santa Clarita valley. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita hereby: 1. Approves the filling of an application with the County of Los Angeles Regional and Open Space District for funds under Section 8.b.1 of the Proposition for the above project; 2. Certifies that said applicant understands the assurances and certification in application form; Certifies that said applicant has, will have, or will create partnerships to provide sufficient funds for the operation and maintenance of the project in perpetuity; and 4. Appoints the City Manager, as agent of the City of Santa Clarita, to conduct all negotiations, and execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests, and so forth, which may be necessary for the completion of the aforementioned project. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS _ day of 11996. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Donna M. Grindey, City Clerk, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting, thereof, held on the day of , 1996 by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS CITY CLERK pr\teenpkmb \skate. res