February PRAB Meeting Preview: Final Skatepark Design

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) will meet on Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 pm in the 2nd floor training room of City Hall. On the agenda is a skatepark update, including presentation of Pillar Design Studio's final design for the skatepark. You can find a packet of materials for the meeting, including the design, here. 

Unanimous

At their meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, the Northfield City Council unanimously passed a resolution approving the location, concept design, and budget for the skatepark. You can watch the video of the meeting here. The resolution authorizes the transfer of $50,000 from the General fund to the Park fund to fund the park, and allocates a Park fund balance of $11,537 toward construction of the park. This additional funding will be added to the initial $60,000 allocated by the Council in january 2013 and to the more than $72,000 raised by the Coalition. The resolution concludes that "the budget presented allows the Skateboard Park to be constructed in 2015."

The Northfield City Council voting unanimously to approve the skatepark.

Design work on the skatepark, including preparation of construction documents, is set to be completed in February, with the project going out for bids in March. Construction could begin in May. 

Gavin L. speaking at the open mic in favor of the skatepark. 

Ruth A. speaking in favor of the skatepark. City Administrator Nick Haggenmiller looks on.

Eric T. speaking at the open mic.

Applause as the resolution passes unanimously.

Skateboard Coalition at City Hall and on KYMN

The Skateboard Coalition made a presentation at the City Council work session on Tuesday night, January 13. The Council is scheduled to vote on the location, conceptual design, and budget for the park at their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20.

The Skateboard Coalition's presentation to the Northfield City Council on January 13.

Meanwhile, Kari Nelson, one of the Coalition's adult advisors, spoke to KYMN's Jeff Johnson about the skatepark on Thursday morning, January 15. You can find a link to their conversation here. 

City Council Work Session on Skatepark (Tuesday, January 13)

The Northfield City Council will meet in a work session on Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (801 Washington St.), to discuss the skatepark. Here are some items from the information packet for the meeting:

• A draft of a resolution on the skatepark
• Information from the League of Minnesota Cities on Insurance Requirements (specifications for "Tier 1" skateparks)
• Memo from Pillar Design Studios showing compliance of design with insurance requirements
• Legal review of land use compliance for skatepark
• A list of all official action taken on the skatepark between 2007 and 2014

Also included in the packet are petitions, letters of support, maps, and design documents. 

PRAB Special Meeting Cancelled

Te special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board originally scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, has been cancelled. We'll let you when and if the meeting is rescheduled.

PRAB to Vote on Resolution Approving the Location, Conceptual Design, and Budget for Skateboard Park

At a Special Meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Second Floor Training Room, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will vote on a resolution approving the location, conceptual design, and budget for the skateboard park in Old Memorial Park. The text of the resolution can be found here:

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Resolution 2014-001 Approving the Skateboard Park Location, Concept Design, and Budget

Supporting documents in the meeting packet include:

• Skateboard Park Project Timeline
• Planning Review of the Skateboard Park Project by the City Planner
• A Letter of Support for the Skateboard Park from Police Chief Monte Nelson

The packet also includes a copy of an email the the City's underwriter indicating that the skateboard park will not increase the City's insurance liability. 

The following maps are also included:

An analysis indicating the distance of adjacent property lines from the skateboard park. 

A comparison analysis indicating the distance of adjacent property lines from the pool.

Finally, the packet included a letter of support for the skateboard park from residents of Northfield's east side neighborhood, as well as a letter from NESNA calling for a sound study. The City Planner's memo indicates that the skateboard park is an appropriate use of the park, and exempt from sound standards under City statute.

2014 Northfield Skateboard Coalition Annual Report

2014 has been a busy and successful year for the Skateboard Coalition. You can find out what we've been up to by reading our 2014 annual report, available here.