Feb, 2015 Council Mtg on 6,000sf Skatepark

6,000sf Skatepark Accepted for Submittal Purposes at 02-11-2015 Capitola, CA City Council Meeting

After 3 hours and 15 minutes of discussion, with a packed crowd, and only a single, 8-1/2" x 11", 2-dimensional plan view of the proposed 6,000sf skatepark at Monterey Park, the City Council accepted a proposal for skatepark the promoters to submit a complete project package to the City of Capitola for public review and City consideration. "Motion made by Council Member Bottorff, seconded by Termini, provided authorization to proceed with the proposal of a skate park at Monterey Park which would require further development of the plans to allow for environmental review and project permitting; obtain public input, and pay processing soft costs."

Council members: Harlan - NO; Mayor Norton, AYE; Bottorff. AYE; Bertrand, NO, Termini, AYE MOTION PASSED 3 to 2

Please contact us if you have any questions on this topic. At POPP, we are resolute in getting the facts straight.

Below are some pertinent excerpts from the staff, concerned citizens and Council Members at the meeting. The figures preceding the speaker are approximate time marks from the 02-11-2015 meeting video (Note: The video is currently difficult/impossible to find/view as the City revamps its website):

0:28 MAYOR NORTON: Introduced the proposed skatepark agenda item. 3 possible outcomes, but no final approval tonight to build.
0:29+ STEVE JESBERG, PUBLIC WORKS DIR.: Gave quick background of City skatepark location search beginning circa 2006. Removal of eucalyptus trees is not included in the proposed design.
0:33+ JAMIE GOLDSTEIN, CITY MANAGER: "We would basically be reimbursed for all costs."

Speakers from the Public:
0:42 to 0:47 TRICIA PROCTOR AND MARIE MARTORELLA: These two (2) individuals spoke on behalf of the Locals for a Capitola Skate Park in favor of the proposed 6,000sf skatepark at Monterey Park.
0:47 to 0:53 LISA STEINGRUBE: This individual spoke on behalf of the Friends of Monterey Park and many local neighbors in opposition to the proposed skate park.
1:28+ RICHARD NOVAK: "I am the Landed Gentry---as some people say. I am the donor that is donating the money for the skatepark. And the main reason I am donating the money is for the safety of the children. I've been a long time resident of Capitola. My parents moved her in 1945. The only reason I got involved with it, other than the pressure from my niece, is the safety of the kids."
1:35 DONNA MARROW: This person was struck in the hand with a baseball while attending the January 24, 2015, "Community Meeting" held by Tricia Proctor and Marie Martorella. Her hand was bandaged.
2:32+ LISA STEINGRUBE: Summarized her position opposing the proposed 6k skatepark, stating: Maybe the donors can put their money toward their perception of safety concerns at McGregor Park. "Noise is a big factor." How many skaters will we be serving in a town of 10,000?
2:35+ TRICIA PROCTOR: Summarized her position in support of the proposed skatepark. Addressing the City Council, she said, "In your packet we have letters from Principals and Superintendents up and down the coast that have skateparks slash school combos within 50 feet of each other. All positive. No issues. They incorporate school activities with the skatepark."
(POPP Note: Ms. Proctor was referring to Derby Park and Ojai Park which are nothing like the situation at Monterey Park and New Brighton Middle School and they are NOT positive examples of skatepark/school combos.)
2:36+ MARIE MARTORELLA: "We've discussed it with the School Board. We've had no opposition. You have those in your packet."
(POPP Note: There was a presentation, but never really a discussion with "the School Board" and to say "We've had no opposition" is patently deceptive. She could have said, "We've had no support." and that would have been closer to the truth. The agenda packet has five (5) emails from members of the the Board of Trustees: Amanda Jackson-Miller, Tory Delfavero, Phil Rodriguez and Judy McGooden wrote, in essence, that they had no opinion on the skate park at Monterey Park. Sandra Wallace wrote "...it is my opinion that Monterey park belongs to the City of Capitola and it is their prerogative to develop it as they wish."

City Council Members:
3:10 JACQUES BERTRAND: "It's not fair to the community. We have to have an inclusive process. And I think we need to go back to the drawing board. So I can't support it at this time."
(POPP Note: The neighbors most impacted by this proposal have never been allowed to participate in the design or decision-making process.)
3:11 MICHAEL TERMINI: Striking out names of those signing twice... "Almost 95% of neighbors right against the park opposed. Roughly drops down to 80% opposed as we move out one (1) block."
In the Agenda Packet was an email dated October 26, 2014, from Michael Termini to JoAnn Nielsen, wherein Mr. Termini wrote, in part: "There is a group still trying to locate a skate park on Monterey. Not surprising but, in this instance they are using my name as a supporter.
Half-truths.
My message to them was this 'until I see unanimous support fort [sic] a skate park at Monterey I will not support the proposal' "
(POPP Note: After this, Mr. Termini voted AYE in favor of allowing the promoters of the skatepark to proceed with a submittal.)
3:20 STEPHANIE HARLAN: We have always listened to the local neighbors. Let's see how McGregor goes. "The immediate neighbors don't want it."
(POPP Note: The large majority of the neighbors near Monterey Park support Ms. Harlan's views regarding the proposed skatepark.)
3:25 ED BOTTORFF: McGregor is not a skatepark. "A skatepark has bowls!" McGregor does not have bowls. Maybe we can put up some trees to buffer the noise.
(POPP Note: Circa June, 2015, despite not having "bowls", Mr. Bottorff changed his opinion of the skatepark at McGregor Park, since it has developed into a proper skatepark.)

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