REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 10, 2015
FROM: MANUEL A. MOLLINEDO, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: IRMA YEPEZ-PEREZ, Senior Management Analyst
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with Building Healthy Communities (BHC) and Street League Skateboarding Foundation (SLSF) to construct a permanent skate park at Romain Park (District 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that Council:
1) Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BHC and SLSF to construct a permanent skate park at Romain Park.
2) Authorize the Director of the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department, or designated representative, to execute and submit all necessary documents related to the skate park, including the MOU with BHC and SLSF, subject to prior approval as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PARCS proposes to partner with BHC and SLSF to replace the temporary skate park at Romain Park with a permanent skate park. BHC will participate by engaging the community and providing private funding for the skate park, while SLSF will implement and oversee its construction.
BACKGROUND
Frank M. Romain Playground Park, located at 744 N. First Street was dedicated to the City of Fresno in 1938. Since the construction of State Highway 41 and 180, the remnant properties on the west side of North Orchard Street have been used for recreational purposes. The property contains two parking lots and a temporary skate park. BHC and SLSF approached the PARCS Department about their interest in constructing a permanent skate park. The proposed “Building Healthy Communities Skate Park” would utilize the same footprint of the current, temporary skate park and provide opportunities to engage youth and promote the benefits of skateboarding.
BHC held two meetings at Romain Park to gather initial feedback from area residents. The public meetings were well attended, with over 150 participants providing input for the new skate park. The majority of attendees were youth.
The Street League Skateboarding Foundation (SLSF) was established by skateboarder Rob Dyrdek with the goal of increasing global participation in skateboarding, and to create healthy sustainable communities. SLSF assists municipalities and private donors with design, development, and construction of legal and safe skate plazas. SLSF hired Zach Wormhoudt of California Skate Parks, a world renowned skate park designer, to design the proposed BHC Skate Park. A preliminary rendering of the proposed skate park is attached for Council’s consideration and approval. All construction funds will be provided by SLSF, and the project will be required to comply with all applicable federal, State, and local laws. Once the Notice of Completion is issued by the City, the BHC Skate Park will be dedicated to the City of Fresno and the PARCS Department will be responsible for long-term maintenance of a minimum of five years.
The temporary skate park is nearing the end of its useful life, and will need to be removed or replaced to eliminate hazards. PARCS recommends approval of the attached MOU with BHC and SLSF to provide for the construction of the BHC Skate Park.
The attached MOU was reviewed and approved by the City Attorney and Risk Management Offices.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The City of Fresno has conducted an initial study (Environmental Assessment No. EA-15-007) and it has been determined to be a subsequent project that is fully within the scope of the Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR) SCH No. 2012111015 prepared for the Fresno General Plan and adopted by the Fresno City Council on December 18, 2014.
Based upon this analysis the following findings are made to support the determination that no subsequent environmental review is required:
1. The proposed application will not facilitate an additional intensification of uses beyond that which would be allowed by the existing zoning and planned land use designation, and
2. The proposed project is fully within the scope of the MEIR because it will not generate additional significant effects on the environment not previously examined and analyzed by the MEIR for the reasons set forth in the Initial Study; and
3. There are no new or additional mitigation measures or alternatives required.
No substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the MEIR was certified.
There is no new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time that the MEIR was certified as complete, that has become available.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered. The construction of the Building Healthy Communities Skate Park will be completed with private funds in accordance with the MOU and conveyed to the PARCS Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the MOU will have no additional impact on the General Fund. There are no matching funds required for the construction of the proposed skate park.
Attachments:
Memorandum of Understanding
BHC Skate Park rendering