HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works September 25 1996WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
September 25, 1996
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara Brenner in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Kathy Sutter None
Tom Brown
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE FEASIBILITY OF COUNTY
INVOLVEMENT IN A SKATEBOARD, IN-LINE SKATE, AND BICYCLE
PARK (AB96 -286)
Brenner made opening comments regarding the structure and agenda of the meeting.
Sutter commented that there are already proposals to build such a park by a private citizen
and that avenue should be explored.
Brown commented that the BMX organization is a private one and may be too complex
for the County to try to get into at this time. Also, the insurance aspect should be discussed
tonight.
Brenner stated she envisions the County leasing public land and having private monies
build a facility. She referred to the City Council's proposal of a skateboard park and remarked
about financial and other available resources.
Those addressing committee included:
Mark Bjorklund, 2208 Cody Street, Bellingham: He is a concrete contractor and has
analyzed a budget. He doesn't know how much land is going to be available. He has over fifty
people willing to volunteer building this facility. A concrete building would be more stable and a
better choice for this facility. He would be interested in working as a corporation and showed a
model of a possible skateboard "field ".
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Public Works Minutep, 9/24/96, P,iage 1
I Ken Keach, 4134 Angela Court, Bellingham: He works for Whitewater Engineering,
2 which has a contract with the City to allow them to develop an athletic sporting facility at Civic
3 Field. This facility would be specifically for skating (also ice) and hockey. If the details could be
4 worked out, part of this land would be used in order to build this facility. He requested the costs
5 be covered and the insurance be provided. His company would agree to work with responsible
6 groups to support this general concept. This would be available without charge.
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8 John Hartzog, 1784 Harksell Road, Ferndale: He spoke to the BMX. His group has filed
9 for non -profit organization status and is waiting for a site. There is insurance coverage once they
10 become members of the ABA (American Bicycle Association).
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12 Lisa Friend, 1515 J Street: She thinks it's wonderful the city and County are taking this
13 direction and involving the public.
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15 Ron Gahlbeck, 1506 -22nd: He took pictures of Langley and Ladner B.C.'s leisure
16 center - -it is a skateboard park. He stated that all that is needed is some concrete, a steel edge and
17 a drain in the middle. If there is no charge, there is no liability. Also, Seattle Center has a sign
18 that says "Skate at your own risk ", which absolves liability.
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20 Ron Richardson, 2812 Niagra Street: He gave moral and vocal support and would like to
21 offer any help he can give.
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23 Luke Rall (sp ?), 1420 Undine Street: All they need is a place to skate; they don't care
24 about getting hurt, saying that no one would sue if they got hurt. Maintenance would be taken
25 care of by the users of the park.
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27 Bruce Guthrie, 3111 W. Alpine Drive: He is coach of the Whatcom Speed Skating Club
28 and cautioned everyone that the City will probably not donate $25,000. They may, however, get
29 some land. The only way this is going to work is to rally around Mark Bjorkland. They need to
30 get the land and build and police the facility themselves.
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32 Matt Pryor, 2122 Iron: He spoke in very general terms about skateboarding.
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34 Diane Pudell, 1325 Raymond: She commended the committee. She has some
35 skateboarding equipment at her home. On any sunny day, she has up to 50 kids at her home. The
36 kids are responsible and need their own park. She requested the facility be kept on a bus line,
37 there be no charge, the facility covered and lighted. Washington Windsports has a list of
38 skateboarders who are interested in being involved in the development of a facility. She
39 encouraged committee to send notices to all high and middle schools in the County.
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41 Matt Nelson, 1220 Raymond: He is willing to do fund raising, litter pick and anything else
42 to contribute.
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Public Works Minutes, 9/24/96, Page 2
Cameron Barrett, 4517 Lookout Street: His neighbor is a contractor and has a son who
skates. The father is willing to build ramps for the skateboard park.
Bret Vanhof, 2335 Vining Street: He wants to make sure that public streets are not
banned, even if there is a park.
Brad Urses, 1442 Sweet Bay Court: He would be willing to serve on a non -profit
organization, as well as make his business -- Pederson Ski and Spots - -a clearinghouse for
information. It's up to the skaters to do the majority of the work and come up with money, labor
and the things they can do to make it work.
Luke Thrasher, 927 -22nd Street: He asked about the specifics on the layout.
Beau Robui, 237 Bayside Road: He had a video and pictures from a park in Santa Cruz,
CA. He offered his help.
Casey Essex, 3716 Vining Street: His father, Ed Essex, may be willing to donate some
equipment and do some work.
Greg Hipskind, 402 Briar Road: He is a family doctor and coach in various County
sports organizations. As a coach, he's had an opportunity to see various facilities in Western
Washington and is very disappointed in Whatcom County's lack of facilities. He cannot get kids
baseball/softball teams on any publicly funded play fields; only adult teams are allowed. It is
important for the skaters to participate in the construction of any facility.
Chris Hipskind, 402 Briar Road: He stated kids don't have any place in the area to
skateboard. All the good places are illegal.
Tom Dealy, 2505 Ellis: He stated there is nowhere to skateboard.
Zmolek, 35 Strawberry Point: He supported the park. There will be breakage of
equipment, but everyone can contribute to fix it. Skateboarding is fun. .
Jason Florence, 3931 Cliffside Drive: He supported the park and suggested his band,
along with others, would be willing to assist in fund raising.
Johnny Skavara: He is an earth moving contractor and is willing to donate.
Andrew Lunstord, 1241 Sudden Valley: He was willing to volunteer.
Steve Russell, 1415 Grant Street: He was willing to volunteer. He spoke to a specific
park in Portland, OR.
Public Works Minutes, 9/24/96, Page 3
Luke Thrasher (already spoke): He volunteered his father's services, as well as someone
else's father.
Dustin Johnson, 1301 Roland: He volunteered his father's services.
Rob Bunnett, Whatcom County Parks: He spoke to the liability and insurance issue. The
Washington County Risk Pool covers liability originating from the operation of a skateboard park.
The accident rate is not as great as with football, soccer or others. The users are responsible, and
design is very important. He emphasized protective gear.
Brenner listed the topics for group discussion by the audience (incorporation, fund raising,
and education/media /public relations /research), and then adjourned the meeting for 15 minutes.
The meeting was reconvened at 8:45 p.m. Brenner announced that Bob Tull has
volunteered to put together papers for the corporation.
Joanne Allen, 1033 Austin Street, 738 -7668: She spoke regarding fund raising and will be
the contact person.
Bruce Guthrie asked about the Monday meeting night at 5:30 p.m. at the South Campus,
St. Jo's Hospital in the cafeteria, regarding financing.
Dylan Rieck, 2405 Henry Street, 676 -0315: He has a list of people willing to donate
services. Fund raising suggestions included: a concert and selling silk screened T -shirts for the
concert. Also, there was an interest in a skate competition, and Washington Windsports are
willing to sponsor this event. Also suggested was a garage sale, either at the Swap Meet or as a
corporation.
Mark Bjorkland suggested the radio station KUGS may be interested in sponsoring
events. There may be businesses interested in sponsoring a non -profit organization.
Brenner said the Chamber of Commerce may be interested in helping.
Kathryn Jarrett from the South Campus hospital says the cafeteria doesn't hold many
people, so they will meet instead at the Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. on Monday,
September 30.
Public Works Minutes, 9/24/96, Page 4
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ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Dana rown- Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Minutes, 9/24/96, Page 5