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145 <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever asked that staff determine the distance from the Carver Center to the <br />Market Street site, and noted that the distance from the Carver Center location to the Senior <br />Center on Pepsi Drive had been used previously as an argument for not using the Senior <br />Center location. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter recommended that the building planned in Tonsler Park be explored as <br />another location for the Carver senior program. <br /> <br />ORDiNANCE: PROHIBITING SKATEBOARDING AND iN-LINE SKATING ON <br />DOWNTOWN MALL (2nd reading) <br /> <br /> Iv'tr. Toscano stated that a public hearing had previously been held on the ordinance <br />protfibiting skateboarding and in-line skating, but he would allow two speakers to address the <br />Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Walter Jacob, 2445 Cascade Drive, Free Union, a rollerblader on the mall, stated <br />that he does not agree that the volume of skaters is a problem; stated that skaters are in <br />control of themselves; the risk of injury is low; and rollerblading is a form of transportation. <br />Mr. Jacob stated that perhaps it would be advisable to treat rollerblades and skateboards as <br />two separate issues. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jonathon Dillard, 601 Barley Road, a skateboarder and taxpayer, stated that he <br />thinks the mall should be used for skateboarding; he does not think there is validity in the <br />safety issues; and does not think skateboarding takes away business from merchants. Mr. <br />Dillard stated that skateboarders contribute money to the community. Mr. Dillard asked why <br />Council is reconsidering the prohibition against skateboarding. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Clyde Gouldman, City Attorney, <br />stated that there is no law prohibiting skating or skateboarding on sidewalks, but State law <br />prohibits skateboarding or skating on streets. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty stated that she had previously not been in favor of prohibiting skating <br />and skateboarding, but has changed her mind since receiving many complaints about <br />skateboarders intimidating and hurting people. Ms. Daugherty stated that the mall is a <br />commercial area and while it is also a recreational site, it is not an appropriate place for active <br />sports. Ms. Daugherty stated that she thinks people need to have a space to practice their <br />sports and asked staff to continue to work on finding an appropriate location. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the site at Towe Park is still reserved as a possible location for <br />a skateboarding park: <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that while she has not personally witnessed problems with skaters <br />or skateboarders, she has received a number of first hand reports from City employees and <br />feels that the loud noise is very distracting on the mall. Ms. Slaughter stated that she intends <br />to support the ordinance in view of the needs of the entire community who walk on the mall. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards stated that he will vote for the ordinance because of the potential for <br />danger. Rev. Edwards stated that he is disappointed that the City did not continue to work <br />with the kids when they offered to raise money and thinks the City should invest money in a <br />skateboarding park. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that staff has worked with the skateboarders and have identified a <br />location, but that the skateboarders' efforts to raise funds for construction and operating costs <br />have been unsuccessful. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the request to prohibit skateboarding on the mall had originally <br />come from the Police Department as a result of complaints the police officers had received as <br />well as their own experiences. Mr. Toscano stated that he hopes that the skateboarders and <br />skaters will form a club and continue to work towards establishing a facility for their sport. <br /> <br /> <br />