CCMIN12012020 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ranch Community Park, and Tennis Community Park. These sites had flaws, detailed by Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose, which kept them from being the final choice. The group eventually focused on Ken Mercer Sports Park and Bernal Community Park. Within Bernal Community Park, they considered two locations, one near Valley Avenue and a second near Bernal Avenue. They determined either location would require significant planning and require voter approval so they thus honed in on Ken Mercer Sports Park which checks all of the afore-mentioned boxes for an ideal site. Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose showed images of how the current skatepark can be expanded to up to the desired one acre. She added how the site already possesses most of the necessary infrastructure, shortening the design and construction processes and lowering construction costs. Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose stated noise and light impact is minimal here since it already exists. Limited parking is a constraint of the site although there are opportunities to expand parking. This grassy portion of Ken Mercer Sports Park also receives high usage although these groups could be relocated to avoid space conflicts. Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose reported the Parks and Recreation Commission was impressed by the positive public comments in favor of Ken Mercer Sports Park, suggested incorporating beginner, intermediate and advanced sections, and asked about upgrading the current skatepark. The Commission had expressed concern about heavy uses of the park and recommended this one-acre lighted skatepark be the last addition to Ken Mercer Sports Park. Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose stated should the Council approve the recommendation, they would request quotes for and hire a design consultant, reach out to the public, seek design approval from the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council, fund, and construct the skatepark. In response to Councilmember Pentin's inquiry, Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose clarified staff has looked at expanding the existing skatepark and also renovating the current one with an addition to meet the Master Plan's call for a new skatepark. In response to Councilmember Pentin's inquiry, City Manager Fialho confirmed the City has a number of Master Plans sitting on shelves. The goal of the Master Plan referenced here is to create a balanced recreational environment as the City grows. In response to Councilmember Pentin's inquiry, City Manager Fialho reviewed the process of approving projects from a Master Plan, designing them, budgeting and construction. He stated he expects this project to take 16 months to two years to complete. In response to Councilmember Pentin's inquiry, City Manager Fialho discussed the balancing act between competing projects and available resources in conjunction with the Capital Improvement Plan in putting together a puzzle of City projects. He stated the value judgment ultimately comes from the Council. Councilmember Pentin expressed concerns on setting expectations of a rapid completion for the skateboarders, reflecting the slow pace of completion for Bernal Community Park's Master Plan and fiscal complications from the pandemic. Councilmember Testa cautioned about the lengthy completion time for the Val Vista Community Park BMX Park, but expressed her support for the expanded skatepark project as an asset for the community. City Council Minutes Page 4 of 11 December 1, 2020