Legislation Details

File #: HIST-1919    Version: 1 Subject:
Type: Historical Status: Action Item
In control: City Council Meeting Agenda
On agenda: 3/6/2006 Final action: 3/6/2006
Title: Reconsideration of Approval of Conceptual Design and Location of the New Skateboard Park in Culver City Park and Authorization of Advertisement of Bids (Considered Initially by the City Council on January 9, 2006).
Attachments: 1. A-2 Skateboard Park Reconsideration Staff Report.pdf, 2. A_2 Reconsideration of Skateboard Park.pdf
Contact Persons/Dept.: Bill La Pointe,: PRCS Director :t).0.00::::Nurriber;• !•i::(31:9): :2666•62: Bill La Polnt 63101100 act ,:Yes : Public Hearing: [ ] Public Notification • nera Action Item L.)q [X] Attachments: [X] X] City ApprOVel m : • arl ee- • hang (03/01106) jCeArO ryABp . F pr t j o iw va o lo : d (03101/06) City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report Me ing Date 03/06/06 Item Number AGENDA ITEM: Reconsideration of Approval of Conceptual Design and Location of the New Skateboard Park in Culver City Park and Authorization of Advertisement of Bids (Initial Action taken by the City Council on January 9 2006). RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council reconsider its approval of conceptual design and location of the new Skateboard Park in Culver City Park and Authorization of Advertisement of Bids (Initial Action taken by the City Council on January 9, 2006) and direct staff as deemed appropriate. BACKGROUND: On February 20, 2006, the City Council adopted a motion to reconsider the subject action. Therefore, this item was scheduled for tonight's meeting. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Staff Report from January 9, 2006 Meeting 2. Excerpts from the Minutes from January 9, 2006 Meeting MOTIONS: That the Council: 1. Reconsider its Action of January 9, 2006 and Direct Staff as Deemed Appropriate. mi|1013| MEETING DATE: March 06, 2006 AGENDA ITEM: Reconsideration of Approval of Conceptual Design and Location of the New Skateboard Park in Culver City Park and Authorization of Advertisement of Bids. ATTACHMENTS Pages 1. Staff Report from January 9, 2006 1-7 2. Excerpts from City Council Meeting Minutes of 8-9 January 9, 2006.Meeting Date. 01/09106 Item Number A-6 AGENDA ITEM: Skateboard Park Approval of Conceptual Design and Location of the New in Culver City Park and Authorization of Advertisement of Bids. Contact Persons/Dept: Bill La:Pointe, PRCS Director iEEPhorie:::::NOMber.; (310) 253-6682 [X1 Public Hearin Attachments: Act ion :PT: partitierit:Apprqy::41;':: Bill La Pointe (12/29/05) City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report Fiscal Impact: Y xl eneral Fund: Notification Public Notification Master Organizations and SI FE Design Group, Inc. (email on 12/22/05). All ffe t d businesses and residents within a 500-foot radius of Culver City Park and Skateboard Park Stakeholders (postcard mailing on 12/21/05). Culver City Homeowners Association, East Culver City Neighborhood Alliance and those who rented areas in Culver City Park during 2005 (postcard mailing on 12/23/05). Park Users at cuivereit"."" Park (flyer distribution during the week of December 27, 2005). Park Users at VeteeatfY§':. Memorial Park (flyer distribution on December 27 and 29, 2005). Display advertisement in the Culver City News (published 12/29/05 and 1/05/06. City Colntrolle:r: Approval:.:. Marlee Chang ...(01/0.4100Y RECOMMENDATION: Martin R Cole fo Staff recommends that City Council approve a conceptual design and location for the new Skateboard Park in Culver City Park, 9910 Jefferson Boulevard and authorize staff to advertise for bids. BACKGROUND: On August 8, 2005, City Council authorized the design of the Skateboard Park and awarded a contract to SITE Design Group, Inc. On September 8 and 22 and October 20, 2005, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, in conjunction with the Public Works/Engineering Department and SITE Design Group, held public workshops at Veterans Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue. Residents and local skateboard enthusiasts made comments and suggestions regarding the design of the new Skateboard Park to be constructed in Culver City Park. SITE Design Group developed two conceptual designs based on this community input, Concept "E" and Concept "F" (Attachments 1 and 2). The location of the Skateboard Park within Culver City Park was also the subject of discussion. Location options were the lower grassy area or the upper basketball court area within Culver City Park (Attachments 3 and 4). On November 11, 2005, the Skateboard Park Subcommittee met and recommended Concept E as Design Priority 1of the two concepts presented. The lower site wasCity of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report recommended as Location Priority 1. The Parks and Recreation Commission then discussed and took action on this item at two of its regularly scheduled meetings. The first discussion was held on November 16, 2005. The Commission moved to support the Subcommittee recommendation (3-2, Vice Chair Daly Redholtz and Commissioner Cooper dissenting). Subsequently, one of the members who voted with the majority asked to have the matter reconsidered on December 6, 2005. At that meeting, it was decided to reconsider the action taken on November 16 th (3-1-1, Commissioner Shapiro dissenting, Commissioner Deen abstaining). Upon reconsideration of the matter, the Commission voted 3-2 (Commissioners Shapiro and Deen dissenting) to recommend the upper location with Design Concept E to the Council as Priority One. During the discussion of the reconsideration of this matter, the Commission also decided (4-0-1, Commissioner Shapiro abstaining) that both a majority and a minority report would be presented to Council: (1) Majority Report — Priority One recommendation to Council is the upper location with Design Concept E; and (2) Minority Report — Priority One recommendation to Council is the lower location with Design Concept E. DISCUSSION: Public Workshops At the public workshops held at the Veteran's Memorial Building on September 8 and 22 and October 20, 2005, local residents and those who intend to use the skateboard park were encouraged to provide input to assist SITE Design, Inc. in developing design ideas for incorporation into the conceptual design. The workshops were well attended (averaging approximately 25 to 30 in attendance) and input was generated and incorporated into the design of the concepts for the Skateboard Park. After the three workshops, the design consisted of mainly street features and a small bowl area. SITE Design Group, Inc. produced two conceptual design plans, labeled "E" and "F," which reflected the public's input. Drawings of Design Concepts E and F were then presented for further discussion and reviewed by both the Skateboard Park Subcommittee and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Two potential sites for the Skateboard Park within Culver City Park were discussed during these workshops. They were: 1) the "lower site" or the grassy area near the intersection of Duquesne Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard, and 2) the "upper site", where the basketball court is now situated. The conceptual designs may be inserted into either location. Although there was much discussion about the location, no consensus was reached as far as a preferred location during the workshops. Instead, the discussion mainly focused on the design concepts of the finished skateboard park.City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report Skateboard Park Subcommittee Members of the Subcommittee include Mayor Vera, Councilmember Rose, Commissioner Shapiro and Commissioner Cooper. On November 11, 2005, the Skateboard Park Subcommittee met to discuss making a recommendation to the City Council regarding the Skateboard Park design and location. All members, with the exception of Commissioner Cooper who was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, were present at the November 11 th meeting. The Subcommittee recommended the following with regard to the Skateboard Park in Culver City Park: • Conceptual Design Priority 1 — Skate Park Concept E • Conceptual Design Priority 2 — Skate Park Concept F. • Location Priority 1 — the Lower Site (grassy area near Duquesne and Jefferson) • Location Priority 2 — the Upper Site (basketball court area) The members of the Subcommittee who were present at the meeting indicated that Skate Park Concept E will afford more variety in skating and the lower location will be more visible for security purposes. Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendations At the June 14, 2005 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission approved staffs recommendations for Park improvements in Culver City Park relating to the removal of oil equipment and remediation of the site after equipment removal. The Commission also directed staff to reconsider the location of the Skateboard Park and to bring back a recommendation regarding the location at the July 5, 2005 meeting (Attachment 5). Subsequently, the meetings to gather public input on the Skateboard Park design and location were held. Recommendations considering the Skateboard Park location were brought forward at the meeting of November 16, 2005. The Parks and Recreation Commission met on November 16, 2005 and by a vote of 3-2 (Vice Chair Daly Red holtz and Commissioner Cooper dissenting) recommended Concept E as Design Priority 1 and the lower site as Location Priority 1 (Attachment 6). The Commission also recommended that any loss of green space be replaced in-kind in another location in the park to off-set the loss of green space. In the days following the November 16, 2005 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Chair James reviewed the issues surrounding the design and location of the Skateboard Park. As a result of this process, she began to reconsider her 3City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report|1010|affirmative vote on the motion made with regard the item. After consultation with staff and the City Attorney's office, Chair James requested that the matter be agendized for possible reconsideration. At the December 6, 2005 Commission meeting it was moved by Commissioner Cooper that the Parks and Recreation Commission reconsider the action taken on November 16, 2005 regarding recommendation(s) to the City Council to approve the Skateboard Park Conceptual Design at Culver City Park (Attachment 7). During the ensuing discussion, Chair James stated that the reason she felt this item should be reconsidered was that she had not received enough information on this very important issue to make a well-informed decision. She noted that the Skateboard Park Subcommittee that was appointed was composed of two Councilmembers and two Commissioners. She was concerned that the issue was not adequately reviewed by the Subcommittee since it only met once. It was at that one meeting of the Subcommittee that a vote was taken to make a recommendation on the Skateboard Park design and location. During that meeting, only one of the Commission's representatives was present to give input on the item. After additional discussion, the motion to reconsider the action of the November 16, 2005 meeting was passed 3-1-1 (Commissioner Shapiro dissenting, Commissioner Dean abstaining). Discussion was then opened to reconsider the action taken by the Commission on November 16, 2005 regarding its recommendation(s) to City Council to approve the Skateboard Park conceptual design at Culver City Park. During discussion of this item, the Commission decided (4-0-1, Shapiro abstaining) that the Commission's recommendation concerning the Skateboard Park design and location be presented as both a majority report and a minority report to the City Council. It was then decided that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend to the City Council approval of the upper location and Design Concept E as Priority One for the new Skateboard Park Project (3-2, Commissioners Deen and Shapiro dissenting). Parks and Recreation Commission Majority and Minority Reports In presenting the Parks and Recreation Commission's majority and minority reports, it should be noted that both opinions support the recommendation of Design Concept E for the conceptual design of the Skateboard Park. As noted earlier, Concept E can be adapted to either the upper or the lower location within Culver City Park. The main area of divergence between the majority and minority opinion is whether the park should be located at the upper or lower location within Culver City Park. Majority Report The majority opinion at the December 6, 2005 Commission meeting was expressedCity of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report by Chair James, Vice Chair Daily Redholtz and Commissioner Cooper. Comments along the following lines were made in support of the upper location (for a draft of the full transcript of the meeting minutes, please see Attachment 5): • There is adequate room at the upper location to accommodate the Skateboard Park. • There is much less of a loss of green space in Culver City Park if the Skateboard Park is situated in the upper location rather than in the lower location. • Any safety concerns resulting from a lack of visibility from the street at the upper location can be reduced by trimming the tress and shrubs. • The upper level provides a better view of the skateboard park for Recreation Leaders from the Recreation Hut. Minority Report The minority opinion at the December 6, 2005 Commission meeting was expressed by Commissioners Deen and Shapiro. Comments along the following lines were made in support of the lower location (for a draft of the full transcript of the meeting minutes, please see Attachment 5): • Action was already taken at the November 16, 2005 Commission meeting to recommend the lower site, primarily for public safety reasons. • The upper site is less visible to Police as they patrol the Park, resulting in increased public safety and security concerns. • There is a concern that putting the Skateboard Park in the upper area will be too close in proximity to the basketball court and the Boneyard. • Picnic space is lost whether the Skateboard Park is placed in the upper or the lower location. The Issue of Concurrent Meetincis After comments regarding the pros and cons of both locations were made and the action to recommend the upper site to the City Council had been taken, Commissioner Deen suggested that the Commission call a meeting at the same time as the meeting where this item will be discussed by City Council in order to give all Commissioners an opportunity to state their opinions to the Council in a public forum. Deputy City Attorney Heather lker stated that she and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director William La Pointe would consult with the Chief Administrative Officer and the City Attorney to gather further information on the possibility of scheduling concurrent City Council and Commission meetings for the purpose of Commissioners expressing their opinions on the location of the Skateboard Park in person to the Council.City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report It was ultimately determined that the Commission would convene an Adjourned Regular Meeting on January 9, 2006, for the purpose of allowing each of the Commissioners, if they so desire, to address the City Council during the public comment period on this agenda item. FISCAL ANALYSIS: The amount budgeted in Fiscal Year 2005-2006 for the Skateboard Park Project is $408,000. In Fiscal Year 2003-04, the City received a $204,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. The City has also identified $116,036 in Proposition 40 Per Capita funds, and $87,964 in Proposition 12 Per Capita funds. ATTACHMENTS: 1. SITE Design Group, Inc. rendering of Conceptual Design E. 2. SITE Design Group, Inc. rendering of Conceptual Design F. 3. Rendering of Skateboard Park Location 1 (lower grassy area). 4. Rendering of Skateboard Park Location 2 (upper basketball court area). 5. Excerpt of the minutes of the 6/14/05 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. 6. Excerpt of the minutes of the 11/16/05 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. 7. Excerpt of the DRAFT minutes of the 12/06/05 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. MOTIONS: That the Council: 1. Approve the priority of Conceptual Design(s) of the new Skateboard Park Project as recommended, those being Priority 1- Skate Park Concept E and Priority 2- Skate Park Concept F. AND 2. A. Approve the priority of locations of the New Skateboard Park as recommended, at the December 6, 2005 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, those being Priority 1- the upper site and Priority 2- the lower site. OR 2. B. Approve the priority of locations of the New Skateboard Park as recommended, by the Skateboard Park Subcommittee, those being Priority 1-City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report the lower site and Priority 2- the upper site, and recommend that the City replace any loss of green space somewhere else in the park due to construction in the lower site. AND 3. Authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to advertise for bids to construct the Culver City Skateboard Park. Excerpt from Minutes of the City Council Meeting January 9, 2006 Action Items Item A-6 (out of sequence) Approval of Conceptual Design and Location of the New Skateboard Park in Culver City Park and Authorization of Advertisement of Bids. The following members of the audience addressed the City Council: Anita Shapiro, Parks and Recreation Commissioner but speaking as a resident. Vicki Daly Redholtz, Vice Chair, Parks and Recreation Commission Charles Deen, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jeff Cooper, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Scott Malsin William LaPointe, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, gave the staff report. Discussion ensued regarding the two potential sites for the Skateboard Park in Culver City Park. These are: the "lower" site or the grassy area near the intersection of Duquesne Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard; and the "upper" site, where the basketball court is located. Further discussion ensued safety and security issues and whether the Police Department had prepared a report. The following motion was proposed: MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GROSS AND SECONDED BY MAYOR VERA, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE CONCEPT E IN TERMS OF THE DESIGN FOR THE SKATEBOARD PARK; APPROVE PRIORITY 2 (THE LOWER SITE) FOR THE LOCATION OF THE NEW SKATEBOARD PARK; AND AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS TO CONSTRUCT THE CULVER CITY SKATEBOARD|109| PARK.The following substitute motion was proposed and voted on: MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER SILBIGER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER CORLIN, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE PRIORITY 1 (THE UPPER SITE) FOR THE LOCATION OF THE NEW SKATEBOARD PARK. AYES: Councilmembers Corlin, Silbiger NOES: Councilmembers Gross, Rose, Vera ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None The following vote was taken on the main motion: MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GROSS AND SECONDED BY MAYOR VERA, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE CONCEPT E IN TERMS OF THE DESIGN FOR THE SKATEBOARD PARK; APPROVE PRIORITY 2 (THE LOWER SITE) FOR THE LOCATION OF THE NEW SKATEBOARD PARK; AND AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS TO CONSTRUCT THE CULVER CITY SKATEBOARD PARK. AYES: Councilmembers, Gross, Rose, Silbiger, Vera NOES: Councilmember Corlin ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None Councilmember Silbiger requested that discussion be agendized regarding any green space in Culver City cannot be taken away until replacement green space has already been set aside. The City Council concurred with the request.