CC MIN 03152022 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to Councilmember Balch, Landscape Architect Gruber stated the design would most likely require minor but not significant changes if there is a wait of five years before the funding is secured and the bidding process can begin. In response to Councilmember Narum, Landscape Architect Gruber stated there has not been a value engineering study performed on the design but can be directed by Council. He advised staff is unsure of alternative funding sources might be but advised they would more likely be local donors than State grants. Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose advised this is different than the all-abilities playground where spaces were designed specifically for sponsors to be acknowledged. Mr. Gruber noted the cost of doing business has gone up significantly and cautioned there will be other similarly high costs for projects to be presented on April 12. In response to Councilmember Narum, Landscape Architect Gruber confirmed the $8.5 million estimate includes the cost of lighting. He advised the focused lighting was well supported by the public and also by neighbors once the height of the lighting was clarified. Assistant Director of Library and Recreation Crose advised the 10 p.m. curfew was also supported by a majority of neighbors. Councilmember Testa encouraged corporate sponsorships. In response to Councilmember Testa, Landscape Architect Gruber clarified a portion of the parking lot in front of Bill's Café is owned by the City and has a shared-use agreement with the plaza's developer. In response to Mayor Brown, Assistant Director Crose reported the 2014 Parks and Recreation Master Plan was done to assess whether the City was meeting the community's needs. The Master Plan assessed a need for a better skatepark, ranking it relatively high. She advised everything marked deficient in the 2014 Master Plan has all been completed except for the skatepark. In response to Mayor Brown, Assistant Director Crose reported hearing from local skate shops indicating an interest in fundraising opportunities. Staff has not reached out to larger organizations but Ms. Garcia and Mr. Wormhoudt could have connections to larger national companies and donors from the skating community. In response to Mayor Brown, Assistant Director Crose clarified the skatepark was planned for all wheels including, roller skates, rollerblades, bicycles, and scooters. Landscape Architect Gruber advised the new skatepark would also be accessible to wheelchairs while the current one is not. Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. Andrew Lambert thanked everyone who has been working on this project and encouraged City Council action since it has been five years since it was identified as a priority. He advised generations are passing and local skaters do not want to wait longer, noting the price will only increase over time. He encouraged the City Council to move forward with the construction bidding. He advised the skatepark is the highest-demand item from the Parks and Recreational Master Plan and is acknowledged as being overdue. He advised skateboarding is now an Olympic sport. Peter Koff commended the many Wormhoudt Skateparks around the area and lauded the proposed design for Pleasanton. He spoke of the skatepark's community benefits and stated his intention to use it. He noted Olympics now include skateboarding. Jimmy Craig spoke on behalf of his wife, Christina, and encouraged quick action on the skatepark process. He advised the longer the City waits the more expensive it will become. He expressed his excitement for the progress occurring and the design itself. He advised it has been a long time since the need for an enhanced skatepark was identified in 2014. City Council Minutes Page 6 of 22 March 15, 2022