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Home My WebLink AboutFeasibility Study & Conceptual Design - Cvc Ctr Skate Park - Budget FY 2011/12 CITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATION BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION TO COMPLETE A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR AN EXPANSION OF THE CIVIC CENTER SKATE PARK SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works DATE: November 18, 2010 CONTENTS: Vicinity Map Related Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Recommendation By Minute Motion, that the City Council defer the recommendation to complete a feasibility study and conceptual design for an expansion of the Civic Center Skate Park to the budget process for Fiscal Year 2011/2012. Executive Summary Approval of the staff recommendation would defer this project to the upcoming budget process for Fiscal Year 2011/2012. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended completing the feasibility study in the current Fiscal Year; however, with limited funding staff is recommending that the study be reviewed through the upcoming budget process. Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendation At its meeting of June 1, 2010, Mr. Chad Rivera addressed the Parks and Recreation Commission and requested that consideration be given for an expansion of the existing Skate Park in order to accommodate more advanced users. Mr. Rivera noted that there are approximately 15,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. of turf area to the south of the existing Skate Park that could accommodate an expansion. The Commission directed staff to work with Mr. Rivera and report back to the Commission on the feasibility and potential costs. At the meeting of July 20, 2010, staff informed the Commission that the approximate cost for a more advanced expansion ranges from $250,000 to $750,000, depending on the features. The Commission requested that staff perform further research and return with information from similar facilities to include programming, and to address additional staffing that may be required. Staff reported back to the Commission at its October 5, 2010, meeting and recommended, if the Commission wished to move forward, that this project be implemented through the five-year Capital Improvements Budget. The Commission agreed, but would like to see the expansion take place more quickly than five years in the future; possibly even next year. The Commission also indicated that they would like any expansion to also include bicycle Staff Report Civic Center Skate Park Expansion November 18, 2010 Page2of2 (BMX) use. Commissioner Dawson was unsure how the expansion would flow with the existing Skate Park, and asked if an inexpensive conceptual design could be created. Staff suggested performing a feasibility study that would include outreach to the users of the park asking what amenities they would like to see, and would also include a conceptual design. The Commission concurred and by unanimous vote recommended to the City Council that staff proceed with a feasibility study and conceptual design for an expansion of the existing Skate Park. Backqround Staff has visited the Skate Par.k during evening hours and has seen how popular the park has become. Use by both skate boarders and BMX riders continues to increase and both groups have made suggestions for the park. Mr. Rivera pointed out that no facility in the Coachella Valley offers the advanced features that the users desire. Users looking to improve their skill to competition levels must frequently travel outside of the area for practice or competitive events. A BMX retail location, Kings Rideshop, recently opened on Highway 111 in Palm Desert, and the owner has indicated that opening the Skate Park up for BMX use has certainly helped his business Fiscal Analysis Staff estimates that a feasibility study, including a conceptual design, would be approximately $5,000 to $10,000. The study would include outreach meetings, developing a scope of amenities, identifying site constraints, cost estimates, and a conceptual design illustrating integration with the existing Skate Park. The Parks and Recreation Commission indicated that completing a feasibility study would help to determine if this project should be pursued. Staff is requesting that this item be placed in the list of proje ts to be considered for Fiscal Year 2011/2012. Pre are By: Depart t � . � , Ryan Stendell Mark Green od, P.E Senior Managem st Director of Public Works � P� CiTYCnUNCILA ION GG APPROVED � DF.NiED Paul Gibson, irect r inance RF,C�IVED OTHER App ved By: / ��-��/U MTETI'�1G DATE_.�I� �� AYF,S•%�'rlsc"TI.1`��i�l��.SCl1,�C �� , ��5'��i��r�, �� nt�i nlc»� �� NOES: -- � ABSTNT: ��z � J M. Wohlmuth, City Manager ��,�,�yN. �}��. `��t?I�E F f�D i3Y: �� ' ��7�'!Y Or•i�inal on File with City � crk's Office PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 1, 2010 111. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Chad Rivera addressed the Commission by asking them to consider upgrading the local skateboard park in order to accommodate skating competitions. Currently, the skate park is not set up to have competitions, but does have the space to add a competition ramp. The permanent ramp will be heat resistant with an estimated cost $110 thousand including delivery and installation. According to Mr. Rivera, extreme athletes reside close to the area and would only take a couple of events for the park to be noticed. These types of competitions have the potential of brining in more than $10 thousand in revenue per event. In addition, other skate parks charge a usage fee during non-competition days and use the same supervision as a regular skate park. According to Mr. Stan Ford of the Desert Recreation District there is a demand for this type of sport, but he will need to further study a proposal. Chairman Dash suggested Mr. Rivera meet with Mr. Ryan Stendell and produce a formal proposal for the Desert Recreation District to review. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010. Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Chairman Dash, second by Commissioner Dawson, and 9-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS None VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. AQUATIC CENTER UPDATE As the Commission requested, the Aquatic Center Study Group that was formed at the last meeting presented their meeting conclusions. Vice Chair Guyer stated that the group believes it is extremely important to determine what the actual annual operational cost will be (which they believe will be fairly high) in order to have a more accurate cost recovery percentage. The group also concluded that the design should accommodate the possibility for expansion. According to Vice Chair Guyer, this could be achieved by moving the sidewalk south and including the infrastructure (plumbing, electrical, etc.) in the design incase the 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES July 20, 2010 Commissioner Housken recalled the Commission previousiy discussing the possibility of having dedicated pickleball courts for an estimated cost of $25,000. She suggested contemplating the idea again, but because of the noise that pickleball generates, especially near the tennis courts, she asked for them to be constructed at a different park. Commissioner Dawson inquired about the Cahuilla Park's pickleball usage and was informed that they are not used as often because of the tennis usage. The Commission agreed that because of Cahuilla Park's isolated location, it will the best place to construct four permanent pickleball courts. Upon a motion by Chairman Dash and the Commission concurrence, staff was directed to prepare a cost estimate for the conversion of one Cahuilla Hills' tennis court to four permanent pickleball courts and present it to the City Council for consideration. VII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. SKATE PARK UPGRADES Mr. Ryan Stendell informed the Commission that Mr. Chad Rivera, who at the previous meeting had requested the Commission's consideration to add an advance section to the Civic Center Skate Park, was unable to attend the meeting due to a skateboarding competition. At their meeting of June 4, 2010, Mr. Rivera indicated that many of the parks in California have been designed and built by California Skate Parks, a landscape architecture firm. Therefore, Mr. Stendell contacted California Skate Parks and they have indicated that the 15,000 square feet area that is adjacent to the existing skate park would be more than enough area to provide a more advanced section to the existing facility. California Skate Parks also indicated that an expansion size as small as 5,OOOsqft is viable. The advanced features, such as the ones Mr. Rivera is requesting, would be at an approximate cost of $50 per square foot, ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. Vice Chair Guyer inquired on how will adding an advanced section to the skate park affect management and the current risk factor? Mr. Stendell answered that it may require an additional park ambassador to oversee the skate park, but risk will increase at a minimal cost since it will still be protected under the State Law. He also noted that although the small skate park is frequently used and advance skating has become a popular trend; he is still unaware on how popular it is in the valley. Vice Chair Guyer noted his concerns with the height issues and the size of the extension (15,OOOsqft). Mr. Stendell stated that the highest feature will be a ramp at approximate 12' to 15' high, but will not have the exact information until a plan is developed. 6 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES July 20F 2010 The Commission suggested staff gather additional information on the sport, its growth in Southern California, especially the Coachella Valley, and present it to the Commission at a later meeting. In addition, Commissioner Dawson requested for staff to inquire to what extent children have shifted to long board. Mr. Mark Greenwood mentioned that the X-Games will air from July 29, 2010, through August 2, 2010, on ESPN, should the Commission be interested to see what the sport involves. B. SKATE PARK BIKE HOURS Currently, the Civic Center Skate Park is open for limited hours to the BMX bicycle riders due to staff's initial concern with additional damage that could occur as the result of the bikes. Mr. Stendell received a number of calls from BMX bicycle riders requesting additional hours in the park, especially during the evening hours. After speaking with the park inspectors and realizing that there has been no increase in damage to the park, staff has extended the Wednesday hours from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Staff will continue to monitor the use of bikes and add additional time as needed to achieve an equitable use of the park by all users. C. UPDATED COMMISSIONER INSPECTION FORM As discussed at the previous meeting, Mr. Stendell presented the Commission with a simplified Parks and Recreation Commission Inspection Form. Staff noted that the time of the inspection will no longer be required. Also noted was that the park inspections submitted by Commissioners Dawson, Hall and Housken were received by Mr. Stendell. D. DOG PARK BENCH IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Stendell informed the Commission that improvements to the University Dog Park have been completed: the maintenance crew poured concrete aprons under the park benches that where originally set on turf; lighting improvements have been done to the pavilions; and water has been made available. E. PARKS AND RECREATION ALTERNATE COMMISSIONER Mr. Stendell informed the Commission that the process of becoming an alternate commissioner is to complete an application and submit it to the City Clerk. The Commission can make recommendations to appoint an alternate commissioner and the City Council will make the final approval. The alternate participates in the meeting's discussion, but its vote cannot be included in the motions. 7 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES October 5, 2010 B. EFFECTS OF TIERED WATER RATES Mr. H. Spencer Knight presented the Commission with a Tier Water Rate tracking sheet that is used by City staff. According to the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), Tier 1 is specifically for residential use and landscape is typically under Tier 2. Mr. Knight stated that staff is currently working on verifying the square footage of the areas and addressed the following concerns: • Civic Center Park is mostly watered from the lagoon, but due to the meter that services the rainbow water feature, it is under Tier 5 category (Wasteful). Staff also noted that although the water is turned off during the winter, the residents find a way to bypass it and turn it on. • The Soccer Park is under Tier 3 (Inefficient) due its turf renovation. • Haystack is under Tier 4 (Excessive) due to a mainline break. In addition, CVWD did not have the accurate square footage of the park, which affects the water charges. VL CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE VII. OLD BUSINESS A. SKATE PARK UPGRADE Mr. Stendell noted that the Park Ambassadors have been asked to update him on any requests for skate park upgrades. Commissioner Housken suggested the YMCA and/or DRD offer skateboarding lessons and asked if the City has a statue that is specific to City parks that requires skate park users to wear pads and does staff keep a skate park attendance log. Staff informed her that skate park users are required to use pads and an attendance log is kept, since members are required to use their membership card when entering the park. Commissioner Housken asked staff to provide the skate park attendance log to the Commission and noted that the articles provided did not recommend supervision on the skate parks. Mr. Stendell responded that staff is aware of the recommendation, but the City has opted �o have supervision, since it helps maintain order in the parks. In response to Commissioner Barnard's inquiry, Mr. Stendell stated that staff would opt for a ramp that will be compatible to both skate and BMX riders. The Commission inquired how the project will be funded ;, and if there is a grant available for this type of project. Mr. Stendell stated that at this time staff is uncertain how the project will be funded or if a grant is available; therefore, staff would like to add it to the 5- 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES October 5, 2010 Year Capital Improvement Project plan. Vice Chair Guyer stated that he would prefer for the project to be considered for Fiscal Year 2011- 12, instead of adding it to a plan that could place it on hold for five years. Commissioner Dawson was unsure how the upgrade will connect with the current park; therefore, he asked if an inexpensive conceptual design could be provided. Mr. Mark Greenwood suggested requesting the City Council's approval to hire a consultant to create a feasibility study that will include a conceptual plan. Upon a motion from Commissioner Dawson, second by Commissioner Bernard and an 8-0 vote of the Commission, staff was directed to request the City Council's approval to hire a consultant to develop a feasibility plan of the skate park upgrades. VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PROJECT TRACKING LOG Chairman Dash commended Mr. Stendell on the project tracking sheet that was provided to the Commission and asked if the City Council's actual vote could be included on the log. Mr. Stendell noted the request and asked the Commission to inform him of any additional information they would like to see on the log. B. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Ms. Kelly Emmer of the YMCA informed the Commission that a new fitness component has been added to all 38 YMCA sites. She also stated that flag football, which is held in the Soccer Park, has 300 participants and the golf cart parade will be opening with a costume contest. Mr. Knight asked Ms. Emmer to contact staff should any issues with the park users arise. C. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Mr. Jeff Ronci informed the Committee that Eddie Money is scheduled to perform on October 14, 2010, and Christopher Cross on October 21, 2010, at the Civic Center Park. Flag Football for adults is also scheduled to commence in October and according to Mr. Ronci, the afterschool program is larger than it has ever been, with most of the attendance coming from Washington Charter School. Outdoor tennis lessons have been added at Civic Center Park and the most rented facility was Pavilion 1, followed by the Amphitheater. 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