Staff report to town council

TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL

FROM: Nancy Richardson, Recreation Director

SUBJECT: Discussion of the Lamorinda Skate Park Project Study and Presentation of the Architectutal Drawings of the Proposed Park

BACKGROUND:

At the second Council meeting in May 1999, Staft requested and received direction to hire Zachary Wormhoudt, a landscape architect specializing in skate park design, to evaluate three potential sites for a park in Moraga. This was prompted by the local skate boarders asking the Recreation Department to consider a skate park for Moraga. Skaters were continually being asked to stop boarding at the schools and shopping centers and had run out of places to practice their sport.

Mr. Wormhoudt visited two sites in Lafayette for inclusion in the evaluation. As earlier reported to Council, the report of the prospective sites stated that the Moraga Commons was the best of the five sites evaluated. Orinda had earlier investigated the Orinda Oaks park but it was determined that their site was not feasible. At Council's meeting of August 25,1999 Mr. Wormhoudt was asked to prepare a Design Development Scope of Services and Compensation schedule for the project. A joint committee of three members from each of the three cities was formed to review the proposal and make recommendations to the Councils. The committee met and agreed to seek approval and funding from their respective cities for Phase A of the project. Upon receipt of approval from the Moraga Town Council, Town Manager Ross Hubbard wrote and asked Orinda and Lafayette to each contribute $2,500 with Moraga to fund Phase A. Upon receipt of the funds, Mr. Wormhoudt was asked to proceed with Phase A.

Phase A called for Mr. Wormhoudt to meet with Staff, the skaters and other interested parties to establish requirements for the design of the facility and the features adjacent to it such as walks and a spectator area. After the requirements were defined and a budget set, a workshop was held with the skaters where they worked with modeling clay to form and shape their ideas of what they would like to see included in their skate park. This model was presented at a subsequent meeting and with a few minor changes, received approval from the skaters and the committee appointed by the Council. On March 28, the model was presented td the Moraga Parks and Recreation Commission. On April 25, 2000 the project was presented to the Moraga Review Board and received a favorable review.

DISCUSSION:

Tha estimated total cost of a skate park as designed by Wormhoudt Landscape Architects is $200,800.00. Staff received a communication from the Orinda Recreation Department informing us that they are forming a skate park fund raising committee. Additionally, the Orinda Park and Recreation Foundation has earmarked $1 ,000.00. with a promise of matching up to $4,000.00 for the project. The Committee plans to recruit members from Moraga and Lafayette in order to optimize the fund raising efforts in the three cities. Moraga skaters have held a dance and participated in a Run/Walkathon with proceeds of .$2,303.00 earmarked for the skate park thus far. The skaters are also ready to plan additional projects to raise a portion of the necessary funding as soon as they receive word from the Council. Lafayette and Orinda are waiting for word that the Town Council is supportive of the project and has approved proceeding before further commitment.
Staff, the cities of Orinda and Lafayette, and the skate park committees from each of the cities are asking the Moraga Town Council for direction.

*Is the Council committed to building the skate park?

* Does Council approve of the proposed skate park location and design?

* Shall the joint committees, youth and adult, proceed with fund raising efforts?

* Is Council willing to commit to a portion of the funding? If so,.how much? Previous discussions with both Orinda and Lafayette have assumed a three way split of the total cost. The arnount to be divided would be deterrnined after the fund raising has concluded.

* Set a time for the monetary donations and pledges received to be totaled and determine whether or not additional funds:are needed. If donations do not cover the entire cost, divide the remainder by three equal shares and ask the three Councils for the required sum.

* If additional monies are required to meet the budget, a cost sharing agreement should be drawn up and signed by the three cities. Council could authorize bidding and construction to start as soon as agreement among the cities is reached.

RECOMMENDATION:

The Moraga,.Orinda and Lafayefle Staff and Commissions recognize that there is a need for a skate park in the Lamorinda area and agree that the Moraga Commons Park is the site of choice. This site alone offers close proximity to transportation, restrooms, emergency telephone, drinking water and other recreational uses. It is easily accessible and visible which helps with secunty. Together we are recommending that the Town Council conceptually approve this project and authorize proceeding with the fund raising efforts.

Attachments:

I Letter from Orinda regarding the fund raising committee
2. Article from the Contra Costa Sun Wednesday, May 31

Prepared by Nancy Richardson, Recreation Director
Approved by Karen Stein, Interim Town Manager

Letter of recommendation to Orinda

June 5, 2000

Orinda Park and Recreation Foundation
c/o of Ms. Marianne Aude, President
64 La Cuesta.
Orinda, CA 94563

Dear Members of the Board of the Orinda Park and Recreation Foundation,

Thank you for meeting with us on June 25, 2000 and showing your support for the Lamorinda Skatepark by your commitment of a $12000.00 donation and matching funds of an additional $4,000.00 for any monies raised by Orinda students. We understand that the Foundation's commitment is contingent on having a dedicated parent steering committee, an account in which to manage funds, and providing periodic updates on the committee's plans and fundraising.

Your pointed questions and suggestions were helpful. For your information, the following steps have taken place since our meeting:

(1)    Parent Steering Committee has been formed with the intent to (a) direct/assist any student fundraising efforts up to at least $5,000 and (b) work with the City of Orinda to obtain additional funds through businesses, corporations, and foundations. The committee, thus far, has 2 co-chairs, a treasurer, and 2 advisors - one experienced in grant wnting and working with foundations.

(2)    Account for funds - One of our members is in finance and can set up a nonprofit account with a tax i.d. number. However, Todd Skinner said that wouldn't be necessary - it can be set up either through the City or possibly your Foundation.

(3)    Fundraising ideas -please see pp.3.

(4)    Update - Our committee is ready to go. In talking more with Jerry Johnston and Todd Skinner, we've learned that since Lafayette has not committed to this project, Moraga and Orinda cannot move forward with their approvals and plans. If Lafayette decides not to be involved, the other cities will have to approve more funds than originally discussed. - It's not known if Moraga and Orinda can afford that extra expense.

Until the final decision is made that the skatepark is a "done deal", we cannot move forward with fundraising. We are waiting for the go-ahead from Todd and Jerry, once the skatepark city commitments are firm.

We have expressed to both Jerry and Todd that we are ready to start "Orinda only fundraising now. We are concerned that waiting to start until later this year may result in less effective summer and early fall efforts. We would like to distribute flyers in the elementary and junior high schools before the school year ends. The flyer would ask for participants from all of the schools (students and parents) and outline some of the summer activities we have in mind. The deadline for students to raise the $5,000.00 would be October 1, 2000. We will let you know when we start. Again, thank you for your support and especially for the consideration, kindness, and enthusiasm you expressed to the students during the meeting. They felt listened to and like they made a difference. What a lesson for second through eighth grade children.

Sincerely

cc: Jerry Johnston
Todd Skinner

Meeting Attendees Students/grade:	Parents:
Peter Danzig - 5	Dianne Danzig
Chris Kendall - 3	Dianne Lavin
Mac Farrell - 5	Louise Hinkamp
Ross Kendall - 5	Sharon Parrague'
Emily Hinkamp - 2
Cassidy Lavin -8
James Hinkamp - 8
Max Parrague' - 5.
William Hinkamp -5
Baback Zavvar - 8