SKATE PARK LEADERSHIP GROUP MINUTES

CITY HALL

June 29, 2004 - 7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER – Facilitator Becky Arnold

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm

ROLL CALL

Present: Becky Arnold, Randy Ealy, Dianna Turk, Cindy Baker, Susan Viviano, Traci Hovda.

Absent: Richard Bodreau and Kevin Olds, Holly Helzerman.

APPROVE MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2004 REGULAR MEETING

Tabled to next meeting.

CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY GROUP COMMENTS

GROUP BUSINESS

Site Selection - Arnold discussed the letter the City received from the School District this week that outlines the possible locations on school property. She proposes that we go to the Council for a public meeting. She really feels that it should be placed at the City Park where there would be restrooms, the hours of use would not be as restricted as the school property, there wouldn’t be parking issues, and we wouldn’t be setting the kids up for failure. She feels the park location could be small for now, then in five years when the school is offering a larger piece of land, we could build a new larger facility at that time.

A parent in the audience is interested in gathering information; she does not understand the other side’s viewpoint. She doesn’t feel that saying it is not good for the geese explains the issues well enough.

Dianna Turk explained that she is the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and they have had several public meetings and have helped develop the new parks master plan. She explained that when they had their public meetings they asked the public what they wanted when Wade Creek Park was developed. What they heard is people wanted a small play area, benches, trails/paths to walk around, picnic tables, possibly a small barbeque pit area, restrooms, and drinking fountains. Mostly people wanted it to be a nature area within the City. She stated that people never stated they wanted a skate park.

The parent in the audience asked if the park was big enough to host a small skate park in one corner with these other items also. Dianna stated that it is not large enough. She stated that when the Library spoke, they emphasize they wanted an outside area that was more natural, and the two areas would interconnect easily. The total park area is 2.6 acres; the Valberg property is .77 of an acre. The parent stated she cannot imagine the site, she doesn’t understand why both uses can’t cohabitate. Dianna suggested walking the property with anyone that is interested.

The parent feels we need to get the word out about the area and the issues, she feels the parents may choose to support the children instead of just developing the park as a nature area.

Cindy Baker commented on a few parks that have small skate parks within them. She stated the skate areas are often offset, but you still see people walking through them, observing the activities, but not bothered by them in any way.

The parent feels if the choice is the kids or the geese, maybe it’s time to vote for the kids. Turk feels the Library Board also needs to be a part of the final decision.

Dean Holden stated we started out to get a skate park; the geese have gotten along fine until this point, and doesn’t feel that we should let the geese stall this project any further. The parent stated if the geese can survive the construction of the Library and Park, they can cohabitate with the skaters.

Tim Arnold stated that we are surrounded by nature and wildlife areas, the City is where we need more area for the kids. The kids seem to get a bad reputation for no reason. He feels there are more barriers in using the school property than by using the City park area.

Baker feels that we need to work with the Library because the reputation the skaters have with the Library is one of being in the way. Mr. Arnold agrees the only time they are seen around town is in areas that they are not necessarily welcome. If they had their own area then they would have a better reputation.

Bob Austin feels that getting something established quickly will help alleviate some of the anxiety by all sides.

Arnold stated they already voted as a group and they had more people in support of the park area. The Parks and Recreation Commission asked them to go to the school, which they did. The outcome of that meeting would cost the City more and there are huge obstacles and size restraints with this property. She feels that we should work together and pick a site so that we can move forward.

Baker stated it will cost the city less in the long run if we partnership in projects like building restrooms, etc.

Richard Hartwig is concerned about the skate park being developed on the school property, which is right next to his property. He is in complete support of building a skate park and will even volunteer to help build it. He suggested a few other sites.

Kyle stated that Sandy only has 8 parking spaces and they never fill up because most people just ride their boards to the park. Arnold asked him what his feelings are about the park being on the school property versus the park area. Kyle stated there is an empty lot on the corner of 6^th and Wade that would be a good location, otherwise, he feels that it would be good to keep it up around the park area because the kids like to visit the Snack Shop while they are riding.

Ealy reviewed a picture of the layout of the area. He feels that ultimately there needs to be several town hall meetings with the City Council before a decision can be made. He agrees that skaters don’t use much parking, and agrees that the 6^th and Wade area could work. He will contact Leathers tomorrow to firm up the situation and to make sure whether or not their property is available. He likes the idea of multi-tasking the area. He has heard from numerous people in the area that were looking forward to this being a quiet area, and for some reason this is thought of as a noisy venture.

Jean Holden stated that every time something is brought up for the kids, it is knocked down for a variety of reasons. She feels it is time to make a change and do something positive for the kids.

The parent in the audience stated that it’s the kids that grew up here with nothing to do that are trying to make a difference and provide something for the kids today to do.

Mr. Austin asked what the highest use of open space today is, is it to provide for the kids? If so, that should be our number one priority.

Arnold stated the problem for the kids is there is not anyplace they can call their own and do their own thing.

Susan Viviano feels one of the things that is attractive about the park site is that it is visible. The police already drive by this area and it’s easy for them to monitor the activities, also it is not in someone’s back yard. It has the most potential for future development and seems like it has more space than some of the areas they have looked at. She feels we can save money by placing the skate park in the Wade Creek Park – and doesn’t’ feel the noise is any louder than kids playing in any type of park.

Arnold feels the way to proceed would be to vote on a site tonight and then have several town hall meetings. She doesn’t feel the school property is a viable option at this time. She feels that in order to get something done, we need to vote and proceed. If the town speaks out negatively during the town hall meetings then we start over.

Kyle asked about the area next to Granny’s that is owned by the church. Ealy has heard from the church that they plan on expanding.

The group and citizens discussed the many reasons to try to site the park up away from the downtown business area.

Arnold does not want to have another meeting where they discuss the sites again. She wants to move forward.

Ealy feels that this is too important to just have a vote right now without having a quasi-facilitated town hall meeting. He thinks this will make everyone feel better about it when it gets to the City Council.

Viviano feels that we should outline our first, second and third choices and present them at a town hall meeting.

Mr. Holden asked when a decision would be made. He doesn’t like to see meeting after meeting discussing the location.

Arnold agrees that we need the town hall meetings with all of the groups involved. She does not want to start out with a project like this and have it be negative.

Turk feels the School Board needs to be invited to the town hall meeting. She feels that there might be people that attend the town hall meeting that propose another location and will offer to help get it done and that a town hall is the best option to get the majority of the people in agreement over a location. She feels that it is important to have a non-bias facilitator for the town hall meeting in order to have a positive outcome.

The group agreed to have a town hall meeting on July 21^st at the Community Center.

Turk stated that Clackamas County has facilitators available. Ealy suggested Craig Smith, RDI, who facilitated the Council retreat. Ealy feels there is money in the City budget to cover this cost.

Oregon River Games Report – Arnold stated that thanks to some anonymous donations we now have $100, and we have over 200 frozen elephant ears left over.

The Group discussed having a table/presence at the 4^th of July events getting the word out about the project.

Arnold stated there is another fundraiser that is looking for volunteers – the Mt. Hood Challenge. Each person that volunteers from an organization will receive $20, which adds up quickly. Ealy explained what the event is and said that it is unclear what the volunteers will do. There is a meeting here at City Hall Thursday that will be informative. Arnold suggested getting the word out to all the kids and parents in the area to get them all to volunteer for the day. Consensus was to do the Mt. Hood Challenge fundraiser. Ealy stated someone should attend the meeting Thursday at 2pm when the details will be provided.

Fundraising/Grant Writing Update – Cindy Baker – Baker stated that she would begin the grant writing when the time comes but she isn’t really available for fundraising.

Name/Logo Discussion – tabled to a later date.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.