SPAC minutes – 11/10/2008

Minutes
Skateboard Park Advisory Committee
November 10, 2008

Committee Members Present: Kim Schwarzkopf, Nancy Chang, Scott Shinn, Ryan Barth, Matthew Lee Johnston

Staff: Susan Golub

Guests: Chris Chambers, Colin Heins, Craig Martin

The meeting began at 7:05 PM

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved with the addition of Roosevelt & 65th skatespot, Jefferson skatepark and Sandel Playfield redevelopment

Public Comments
Chris and Colin noted that they are high school students forming a new skate advocacy group in Redmond, and are here to learn more about working on the cause.

Dahl Playfield
Scott reported that construction documents are 65% done, with Kelly Davidson estimating that bidding for construction will begin in 1st quarter 2009.

SeaSk8 Update
Ryan reviewed the process to-date, noting that the call for builders will likely be posted within the next week, and that the final New Line Skateparks design and the builder qualification requirements are very detailed and specific. Discussion ensued regarding the classic issue of unqualified contractors bidding on skatepark projects due to limited qualification requirements. Current construction timeline estimates that the skatepark will be ready by the end of the 2nd quarter 2009.

Nancy reported that SLAG continues to work with Seattle Center on programming and community-building issues related to this skatepark, with the next scheduled meeting occurring next Tuesday November 18.

River City
Kim reported that the project is submitting the building permit applications this week, with Mark Johnson providing the engineering stamp for this process. Annual insurance costs for the skatepark were also determined this week to be $10,000, which is more than originally estimated. SeaMar Community Center has agreed to provide $5,000 annually for insurance and the rest of the insurance amount is anticipated to be raised from private donations. Discussion ensued regarding various insurance prices and options, including SPAUSA, which provides insurance for Inner Space, and Safeco, which provided a $12K grant for the project. Kim noted that there will be a lot of opportunities to provide design suggestions as construction proceeds.

Delridge Skatepark
No new information is available at this time. A single design meeting has been held with the community and focused entirely on selection of the skatepark footprint within the park and solicitation of concerns. Parks just recently finalized the contract with Grindline Skateparks for design of this skatepark. Discussion ensued regarding the fact that funding from the recently passed Parks for All Levy should not impact the Delridge skatepark project, since it was funded by Council in early 2008. Parks requested $750K for the construction of the skatepark (the design was funded by the Skate Dot Pot budget which the SPAC successfully lobbied from the City Council in early 2008). The Mayor’s budget, which will be finalized by late November, will identify the approved budget for the construction.

Jefferson Update
Susan reported that the $10K SubPop grant is available for design and will be a great source of seed money to get the design initiated. Susan to correspond with the donor regarding the status of their grant. Additional discussion ensued regarding donor dollars that have been wasted in the past (i.e. SeaSk8) on skateparks, the need for city agencies to acknowledge these types of gifts on future projects, and the need to adequately acknowledge donors in future skate features.

Lower Woodland
Ryan reported on the status of recent behavior complaints at the skatepark, conflicts with bikers, new safety netting, and budget surplus use. Susan reported that Parks has requested Seattle Police to increase patrols and presence in this area. To date, there have been two e-mail complaints to Parks about behavior in this skatepark.

Discussion ensued regarding the proximity of the BMX park to the skatepark, the practical means for Parks to facilitate a “friends of” group for this space, self-policing, eyes-on-the park, the skatepark’s proximity to the woods, graffiti, the need for a recycling bin at the East entrance of the skatepark, the need for a drinking fountain, community service opportunities with local high schools, youth outreach, signage that communicates the cost of graffiti clean-up, outreach to local skateshops regarding stewardship and costs of vandalism to the skatepark, and Seattle’s skateboarding community in general.

Ryan reiterated the need for community brooms. Discussion ensued regarding how to get kids more involved in skatepark stewardship and advocacy, and the role of Seattle Schools and Seattle Parks in facilitating this, especially within the domain of Teen Coordinators at Community Centers.

Matt noted the difficulty of programming the skatepark, citing the example of a SnoCon demo that couldn’t be scheduled at this skatepark because of Parks’ policy not to reserve the facility for the first year of its operation, and that private companies like this one have a lot to offer the stewardship process. Discussion ensued regarding an actual RFP process for a private vendor to provide stewardship services of the skatepark.

SPAC to work with Parks on communication about these types of issues. Susan to check on graffiti walls and the “Little Red Wagon” program where citizens get sanctioned graffiti clean-up supplies, on partnerships with private companies to provide programming and events, and on the resources within Parks who handle Teen Coordinators and programming at Community Centers.

Ryan reported that the safety netting has been installed between the baseball fields and the skatepark. No new lights will not be installed at the skatepark at this time. Kim Baldwin, the Parks Project Manager for the design and construction of the skatepark, told Ryan that all surplus money left in the skatepark budget following installation of the netting ($146,511 minus cost of new safety netting), will be absorbed by Seattle Parks, per direction from the City’s Budget Office. Ryan to follow up with Kim to document the amount of surplus absorbed.

Northgate Park n’ Ride Redevelopment
Ryan reported that this redevelopment project is on hold until funding is identified in the Mayor’s budget, due at the end of this month.

John and Summit Skate Dot
No new updates available at this time. Ryan to follow up with Kelly Davidson on the status of this project.

Proposition 2 Skatepark Update
Parks planners have 6 months to create a plan for the $2.45 million levy funding for skateparks that passed in the November 4th general election. Ryan to coordinate a meeting with SPAC members and Parks staff through Kevin Stoops’ office regarding this planning process. Specific allocations to skateparks in the levy include: Myrtle Park skatedot ($250K), Jefferson Park district skatepark ($1M), Judkins skatepark ($600K) and Roxhill skatepark ($600,000).

Roosevelt & 65th Skatedot
Scott reported that WashDOT is ready to move forward with a rental agreement for this space, which would involve a description of the intended use, specific details of the skate terrain, and stewardship arrangements with the community. Discussion ensued regarding what the skate community would like to do with this space if a reasonable rental amount can be determined. Scott to continue corresponding with WashDOT on this skatespot.

Sandel Playfield Redevelopment
Scott followed up with Susan regarding the request for information at the last SPAC meeting about playground improvements at Sandel Playfield. Susan to provide information.

Skate Like a Girl
Nancy reported on the current status of the group, including her run for the 2008 L’Oreal Woman of Worth, which would provide $25,000 to promote skateboarding opportunities for women and girls. More information can be found at: http://www.womenofworth.com/honorees/HonoreeVotingDetail.aspx?nomid=af3e93b5-f13d-4f0c-8e67-7cc7f9311264

Wall of Death Skatespot
SDOT recently installed skate stoppers at the long-standing on legal, covered lit skatespot in all of Seattle at the Wall of Death installation on the Burke Gilman Trail. The SPAC followed up with the City Council regarding the rationale behind this decision and learned that the decision was based on seven complaints lodged to SDOT regarding pedestrian-skater conflicts. Following a collision with a skater and biker in August, SDOT decided to install the skate stoppers (i.e., row of rocks on the bank area) to eliminate this conflict. The SPAC has corresponded with SDOT via Tom Rasmussen’s office and hopes to negotiate use of the flat, covered, lit space just above the bank for a skate dot. Scott to continue following up with SDOT.

Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:45.

The next meeting will occur on Monday, January 12, 7 PM, 100 Dexter Ave.