CCMIN12012020 - Laserfiche WebLink

JoEllen Lambert expressed her belief parents share the responsibility in teaching their children about safety. She sees the sport growing in popularity with its inclusion in the Olympics and praised Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose's research into comparable local parks. Ms. Lambert endorsed at least an acre of space and pointed out lights at the park would not face houses. She emotionally thanked those who requested the park be named for her late husband David. Joseph Senner expressed his desire to see lights until 11:00 p.m. and at least an acre of land for rider safety. He feels it would provide a safe environment for skaters to learn and current parks are too small. He endorsed naming the park for David Lambert and requested the park include a variety of skating surfaces including flow and street elements. Danny Santiago expressed his agreement with the other callers of having lights until 11:00 p.m., an acre in size, and naming it in honor of the inspiring David Lambert. Christina Lambert expressed her desire to see a skatepark named for her late father David who supported and advocated for the community's youth through the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ms. Lambert stated the pandemic makes skateboarding potentially more popular being a low barrier to entry activity and an inexpensive way for kids to become active. She stated her belief in needing more lights and for it to be lit later to help discourage nefarious activities. Ms. Lambert also endorsed a larger park for safety along with helmet signage. Cheryl Cook-Craig expressed her belief that not all kids are interested in team sports and the City should add some focus on individual sports like skateboarding. She endorsed the project. Andrew Lambert expressed his belief today's skateboarders do not adhere to outdated stereotypes. He pressed the City's leaders to complete the project in a timely manner citing vocal support for the project since the Master Plan was created in 2014. He endorsed lighting in the park, noting Dublin's park has lights which riders could turn on at any time and Pleasanton's lights would not be in the eyes of residential properties. Mr. Lambert endorsed the Ken Mercer Sports Park site along with upgrading the facility. He stated his appreciation to those asking for a new park to be named for his late father David. He asked the Council to approve the recommendation. Justin Tran expressed his support for the project based on community support from youth, adolescents, and parents. He cited the growing popularity of skateboarding and the inexpensive cost of participation. He advocated for additional lights and leaving them on until at least 11:00 p.m. He requested the park be at least an acre and have additional natural landscaping to enhance the City's beauty. Mr. Tran also called for the park to be named in honor of David Lambert. Caswell Berry expressed his feeling of the most popular skateparks having lights and being larger in size so he endorsed those elements. He stated Ken Mercer Sports Park is a great location. Matthew MacKirdy expressed his support for lights until 11:00 p.m., at least an acre of space, the Ken Mercer Sports Park location, and the skatepark's naming in honor of David Lambert. Kyle Bedell expressed his support of a skatepark as a place of social interaction for people like himself. He would like lights after 11:00 p.m. and an acre of land as a safety concern. Vice Mayor Narum closed the public comment. Councilmember Testa praised the thorough report and agreed with the speakers in regards to the park being large enough to allow for different abilities and one which will not be outgrown, calling for an acre beyond the existing park. She stated her excitement over the report and motioned to support the staff recommendation to begin the design process for a lighted skatepark at least an acre in size at Ken Mercer Sports Park. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 11 December 1, 2020