TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Idris Al-Oboudi, Recreation Services Manager
Andrew Berg, Recreation Supervisor
SUBJECT:Title
Skate Park Update and Adoption of Resolution No. 16-0005 Formally Authorizing the Submittal of An Application for a Los Angeles County Grant for up to $300,000, and Selection of Marine Avenue Park Location (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 16-0005
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 16-0005 formally authorizing the submittal of an application for a Los Angeles County Grant for up to $300,000, and selection of Marine Avenue Park location.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Kanten Russell from Stantec Action Sports Group was hired to look into the feasibility of a skate park and to develop options for City Council consideration. These options were to evaluate if there is a need for a skate park, and if so, the type, location and funding. Mr. Russell worked with staff to solicit community feedback through e-mail, an online survey and two community input meetings. The top potential sites were discussed at the initial public meeting and residents were notified within 500 feet of each proposed location. The second community meeting included conceptual designs for each site. Additionally, Mr. Russell reviewed all previous community outreach data which was facilitated by staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
After receiving and evaluating all community input, the most recommended site was Marine Avenue Park. This was also the recommended site when the skate park was initially explored in 2001. There are many benefits to the site which are included under Alternative #1. In addition, challenges to the site are addressed with solutions that staff has identified.
With regards to funding, the City received a grant opportunity through Supervisor Knabe’s office with Los Angeles County for up to $300,000. The grant would fully fund the Marine Avenue Park skate spot. Because the grant application deadline was December 3, 2015, staff submitted the grant package with each of the design options and has communicated with County staff that the City Council would be considering the matter at the January 19, 2016 Council meeting. If the City receives the grant, the funds must be used in 2016.
If the City Council directs staff to proceed with the application, staff will immediately notify the County of the City Council’s direction. The City should receive the County grant approval notification by late February or early March. If the grant is approved, staff will place on a future Council meeting environmental review and design and construction documents for Council consideration.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
No City funds are contemplated. The Los Angeles County Grant will fully fund the estimated cost of a skate spot at Marine Avenue Park.
BACKGROUND:
At the July 15, 2014 City Council Meeting, the City Council directed staff to develop a request for proposal to look into the feasibility of a skate park and develop options for City Council consideration.
The specific City Council direction was to “have a consultant who has the expertise and who is a good facilitator (who will not be allowed to bid on the project), keep it at the Parks and Recreation level, with no more ad hoc committee, have a facilitator meeting with a cross-section of the community, and if they propose locations they need to propose what type of park and how it would be funded, and take Polliwog Park out of consideration. A friendly amendment was added by Councilmember Burton to prioritize locations that are nonresidential and explore donations of private property and private funding.”
Based upon the City Council direction, staff developed a request for proposal (RFP) for the skate park feasibility. The City Council approved the request for proposal at the October 7, 2014 Council meeting. Three top consultants in the skate industry submitted proposals and were interviewed by a selection committee consisting of two residents from the Friends of Polliwog Park community group, a Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and a local skateboard park proponent. The Committee unanimously selected Stantec for their background, expertise and commitment to the City’s community outreach process.
The City Council approved the contract with Stantec at the January 6, 2015 City Council meeting.
DISCUSSION:
As stated in the executive summary, staff is recommending the Marine Avenue Park option based upon community input and timing of the grant funds that would fully fund the skate spot.
Skate Spot Funding
Funding was consistently raised as a concern in the community input meetings, on the survey, and in emails. Support for a skateboard park was strongest when not funded by City tax dollars. Alternative funding sources include: community fundraising, grants from organizations such as the Tony Hawk Foundation and private sponsorships from companies such as Vans, Converse and Skechers. A skateboard park could also be built privately in cooperation with the Manhattan Village Mall or similar company.
Los Angeles County Grant
While evaluating funding options, staff received a grant opportunity from Supervisor Don Knabes's office for up to $300,000 in funds from the 1996 Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition (Prop A). The grant opportunity was given to each of the cities in the Fourth District for shovel ready park and recreation projects. The skate spot qualifies for the grant opportunity, as long as it is completed in 2016. The grant submittal deadline was December 3, 2015. Staff submitted the grant (Attachment 1) with each location and design option and stated that staff would notify the County of the City Council’s direction following the January 19, 2016 City Council meeting. If the City Council approves moving forward with a location, the City would receive the official grant notification in late February or early March, after receiving approval from the County Board of Supervisors.
In order to receive the County grant, a City Council adopted Resolution and Youth Employment Plan (YEP) must be submitted (Attachment 2). The YEP for the skate spot includes 300 hours to include removal of landscaping and site preparation. In addition to the YEP for the proposed Skate Spot, staff included a YEP for the Joslyn Center and Manhattan Heights Community Center Renovation and Veterans Parkway Access Improvements. The County asked staff to include these locations, as they were not previously adopted by the City Council.
Possible Locations
Community input and discussions indicate support for one or more small skate-spot or skate-dot type facilities located at either Marine Avenue Park or Manhattan Heights Park. The location would receive more support if funded without the use of City dollars, located away from residences, and not built to be a regional destination.
The possible location size, cost and design of the locations are as follows (Attachment 3):
POLICY ALTERNATIVES:
ALTERNATIVE #1 (recommended site): Marine Avenue Park Skate Spot
Skate Path Concept #1:
Size: 2,000 square feet
Estimated Cost: $100,000
Skate Path Concept #2 & #3:
Size: 5,000 square feet
Estimated Cost: $250,000
PROS: Non-residential location does not replace or interfere with existing amenities, ample parking, walking distance from Manhattan Beach Middle School, level site, underutilized area, adjacent to other park amenities (restrooms, utilities, parking, etc.)
CONS: Low visibility and accessibility.
Marine Park Site Recommendation
After reviewing each possible location and considering all community input, staff recommends the Marine Avenue Park location, design option #3. As mentioned above, the benefits include: non-residential location, ample parking, walking distance from Manhattan Beach Middle School, underutilized area, level site, adjacent to other park amenities (restrooms, utilities, parking, etc.). The Marine Avenue Park site was also selected at the top option in 2001, when the skate park was initially discussed.
The proposed site is at the northeast corner of the park, just outside the center field fence (Attachment 4). Visibility to the site is challenging due to the current landscaping. Staff met with Little League to evaluate the removal of landscaping, while still maintaining a “green screen” in center field. Sight lines and landscaping removal will be refined during the construction development design phase. Additionally, Little League proposed adding a concrete pad to support aluminum bleacher seating on either side of the skate spot, allowing parents to watch their children skateboarding or playing baseball.
The current renderings are schematic designs only. The City’s as-needed engineering service contract representatives will prepare the construction designs. The proposed designs will be reviewed by the City Council at 30% of completion. At the same time, the final “Construction Drawings” along with the City’s environmental review will be presented to the City Council for approval.
The proposed area will provide lighting for evening hours and be monitored by Parks and Recreation staff, Park Ranger and Police Officers to ensure safety. The skate spot will open and close with park hours which are 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Accessibility on the proposed site provides access on the west and south entrances via a walking path that runs throughout the park. The site is approximately 350 feet from the parking lot. Emergency vehicles will be able to access the site if needed through access gates on Marine Baseball Field.
ALTERNATIVE #2: Manhattan Heights Park Skate Spot (two locations)
Skate Spot Concept Location#1:
Size: 3,000 square feet
Estimated Cost: $150,000
Skateable Art Concept at Location#2:
Size: 1,500 square feet
Estimated Cost: $200,000
PROS:
Central location near Teen Center and Middle School, skateboard camps and classes take place on site, not immediately adjacent to residences; Public Art Trust Fund contribution may be possible on a skateable art concept which would allow both proposed locations to be funded.
CONS:
Small area, traffic related hazards on Manhattan Beach Blvd.
In addition to these locations, over 20 possible sites have been evaluated within the City. Specifically, staff received a request for the Begg site (along Peck Avenue). Although this may be a potential site in the future, there were a number of concerns when this site was evaluated. These concerns include: proximity to residential homes, long linear footprint, extensive construction cost if the retaining wall is removed, proximity to Polliwog Park which was removed from potential sites, and that the property is owned by the school district.
LEGAL REVIEW
Staff recommends that the skate spot be unstaffed and open to the public during park hours with proper signage mandating the proper use of safety equipment.
California Health & Safety Code section 115800 makes skateboard riding a specifically included “hazardous recreational activity” for purposes of the hazardous recreational immunity, Government Code section 831.7. To qualify for that inclusion, section 115800 requires that no operator of a skateboard park shall permit any person to ride a skateboard therein, unless that person is wearing a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. The law distinguishes between supervised and unsupervised facilities. Under the law, operators of supervised skateboard parks have a legal duty not to permit any person to ride a skateboard therein unless that person is wearing a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. However, for any facility designed for recreational skateboard use, but not supervised on a regular basis, the applicable legal duty is satisfied if both of the following occur:
1) The local agency adopted an ordinance requiring any person riding a skateboard at the facility to wear a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads and
2) Signs are posted at the facility providing reasonable notice that any person riding a skateboard in the facility must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads and that any person failing to do so will be subject to citation under the local agency's ordinance.
Additional legislation includes AB 1146, which went into effect on January 1, 2016. This legislation expands the immunity to skate park users operating “other wheeled recreational devices” such as non-motorized bicycles, inline skates, roller skates, scooters, and wheelchairs.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST:
Staff worked with Kanten Russel, the project manager for Stantec, to develop a comprehensive community input plan and the specific scope of services to reflect the City Council’s direction.
The scope of work included:
1. Review of data from previous skate park public outreach meetings
2. Conduct a community needs assessment and skate park survey
3. Site analysis and assessment of previously reviewed and potential locations throughout the City (excluding any location in Polliwog Park)
4. Development of community outreach meetings and public input process
5. Selection of skate park location, prioritizing non-residential areas
6. Selection of skate park type
7. Recommendations for funding (explore donations of private property and private funding) and cost estimates
8. Presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission
9. Presentation to the City Council for action
Outreach
Mr. Russell reviewed all data from previous skate park public outreach meetings, which included six ad-hoc committee meetings, three Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, input from the City’s Open City Hall and community survey data. Mr. Russell also toured the City to conduct a site analysis of the approximately 20 previously proposed locations. Per City Council direction, Polliwog Park sites were not reviewed and are excluded from consideration. Mr. Russell facilitated two Community input meetings and discussed skate park location, type, design, funding and cost estimates. In addition to the Community meetings, input was gathered through the City’s Open City Hall online forum, which included a skate park survey. The survey was also sent via e-mail blasts to the department database and school district and also distributed to community groups.
Community Survey
Information on the skate park was also gathered through the City’s Community survey, to determine residents’ positions on building a skate park in Manhattan Beach. The results of the community survey showed that in general, intensity of opposition outweighs intensity of support. The survey also showed however, that support outweighs opposition two-to-one when the proposal does not require City tax dollars. The survey also showed support for a small skate park, and that support declines as the size of a proposed skateboard park increases. In conclusion, the survey showed the strongest support for a small park in an existing public space that used no City tax dollars.
Community Input Meetings
The first of the two community meetings provided an overview of skateboard park designs and terminology and an analysis of potential sites within the City. Polliwog Park and Begg Field/parking lot locations were not considered. Input received during the meeting mirrored the results of the community survey. Potential sites were discussed and the top three sites were identified. Following the meeting, notices were sent to the owners of residences within 500 feet of each of the three locations (Attachment 5), informing residents of the discussion of potential skateboard park locations and design and the community input process. The notices included diagrams and descriptions of site options.
The second community meeting presented the top three potential locations for a skateboard park: Marine Avenue Park, Manhattan Heights Park, and an area at the north end of El Porto beach. There was strong opposition to the El Porto location from meeting attendees, who cited the location’s proximity to residences, distance from schools and the Teen Center, traffic and parking concerns, and impact on open space. Those not opposed to a skateboard park generally supported both the Marine Ave. Park and Manhattan Heights Park locations, noting their proximity to the Teen Center and Manhattan Beach Middle School, distance from residences, and low impact on existing activities and amenities.
Additional feedback was received via email (Attachment 6) and the Open City Hall online forum (Attachment 7). Most of the seventy-one emails received expressed opposition to the El Porto location. Several were written in general support of a skateboard park and several written in opposition.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 16-0005 formally authorizing the submittal of an application for a Los Angeles County Grant for up to $300,000, and selection of Marine Avenue Park location.
Attachments:
1. Manhattan Beach Grant Application 2015
2. Resolution No. 16-0005
3. Skate Park Marine Avenue Location
4. Skate Park PowerPoint Presentation
5. Skate Notice September 8, 2015 Complete Final
6. Consolidated Skateboard Park Emails
7. Open Government Input