1995-01-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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115 REPORT: SKATEBOARDING FACILITY IN TOWE PARK Mr. Gary O'Connell, Deputy City Manager, stated that staff recommended that a portion of Towe Park be approved for use as a skateboarding facility, subject to certain conditions. Mr. O'Connell noted that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has approved using the Park for this use, subject to City approval, raising of private funds for construction of the facility, and availability of operating funds. Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter, Mr. O'Connell stated that the Towe Park Committee has not discusSed the issue, but no development is scheduled for that portion of the park in the Master Plan. Responding to a question from Ms. Daugherty, Mr. O'Connell stated that other skateboard facilities surveyed are generally fenced and supervised when open. Mr. Toscano asked whether there is any prohibition against leasing property in Towe Park and Mr, O'Connell replied that he was not aware of any prohibition. Mr. Toscano stated that he would prefer to have someone other than the City bear the responsibility of operating a skateboarding facility in return for a $1 per year lease. Mr. Toscano asked whether a proposed operating budget has been developed for the facility. Mr. O'Connell stated that the City and County Parks and Recreation Department staff have only estimated an operating budget of $20,000 annually. Mr, Toscano stated that he feels it will be very difficult for the City to find money for operating a skateboarding~ facility, and Mr. O'Connell stated that City staff have recommended that the facility be self-funded. Ms. Slaughter agreed that the facility should be self-funded given other community needs at this time. Ms. Slaughter stated that did not think the City should be taking on such an enterprise at this time Other than providing the space, and would support the facility on the condition that it be operated by a skateboarding association. On motion by Mr. Vandever, seconded by Ms. Daugherty, Council unanimously approved, with Rev. Edwards absent, granting use of property at Towe Park for a skateboarding facility with the following conditions as reconunended by Mr. O'Connell: 1) that there be a private fundraising effort to construct the skateboard park, without any public funding being necessary; 2) that there be a concrete plan for the operations of the skateboard park that includes how it will be supervised and a plan for adequate private funding (of which some or all may be generated by user fees) for those operating expenses including liability insurance; and 3) no construction work on the skateboard park begin until an appropriate legal agreement is developed between the City, County and the skateboard association outlining the financial and operating requirements and how each will he met. RESOLUTION: AMENDMENTS TO ADA PLAN (CURB CUTS) On motion by Ms. Slaughter, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the ADA Transition Plan revision, including the following amendment language, was unanimously approved, with Rev. Edwards absent: To the extent required by law, whenever streets, roads, and highways are "altered" within the meaning of the ADA, curb cuts will be provided. To demonstrate its ongoing interest in providing all necessary curb cuts, the City wilt continue to install curb cuts on a systematic basis with a plan to provide all of the needed curb cuts within a reasonable time, No less than $50,000 annually shall be devoted to installation of such curb cuts on existing streets until the plan is completed. In addition, the City will continue its current practice of adding curb cuts to all sidewalk reconstruction projects.