The meeting was held at City Hall at 5:30. Present were Larry DeKnoblough, Justin Capri, Ed Keller, Jonathan Whipple, Dina Polkinghorne, Jim Mulheren, Marianne Mulheren, Eric Larson, Matt Wilson, John Lattimore and Carole Aleshire (recorder).

Correction to Minutes for March 4: Jonathan wanted to clarify that, although he intends to attend meetings and lend his support, he does enough fundraising elsewhere that he has no energy left or that. He'll help in other ways, but not in fundraising, as suggested in the minutes.

Larry reported that there is still no word on either grant—for construction at Low Gap Park site or for purchase of Clay Street property. He met with the state folks today and they have no word yet. There is no deadline date known as yet.

Larry also reported that Joy Beeler informed him that she had approached the Savings Bank and they are willing to offer the skate park committee a savings account for people in the community to make deposits of any amount, even a dollar at a time if that's what will work. He suggested that we can set up donation cans at Freedom (Justin says that's been happening for about 5 years) and other places. The specifics on this savings account are yet to be worked out.

We still have the $3500 soils sample quote for the Low Gap Park site to act on, but we still want to wait to hear about the Clay Street site before spending that money on the Low Gap site. Some members who may have missed the meeting where this was decided are getting impatient and hate to see another building season go by without a park getting started, but it appears they are prepared to go along with the decision that was made a few months ago. We had hoped to hear much sooner than this about results of the grants. The suggestion was made that if anyone knows any soils engineers, they might see if any of the cost of soils testing could be donated, which could make it feasible to do Low Gap now and then also Clay Street if that becomes necessary. They must be licensed or qualified to do this work for a city government. Larry could help with requirements if anyone has a willing engineer.

Eric announced that he has seen published in the paper recently that Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) is interested in buying from the City of Ukiah the property on Low Gap where they intend to build, and where we had been hoping and they had been willing to co-locate a skate park. They have more recently indicated that they will need all the space in that lot to build their school, leaving no room for a skate park. Eric indicated that should the city sell the property to MCOE, he would be willing to recommend to the City Council that any proceeds from the sale be dedicated to skate park development. Two motions were considered by the committee and passed unanimously. The motions were that we urge the City Council to: 1) support the sale of the property to MCOE and 2) reserve and dedicate proceeds from this sale for purchase of property and/or building of a skate park. Larry will present our recommendations to City Manager Candace Horsley with the hope of presenting them to the City Council in an agenda item.

Larry reported that the hazardous sport exemption for skate parks that has made insurance a non-issue will expire in January 2003. There is currently a bill before the Senate to re-apply this exemption. It could be advantageous to write to our Senator Wes Chesbro indicating our support for this bill. Larry was going to look up the bill and will hopefully email us with that information. If emailed to Carole, she will send it out to all of this committee.

Jim Mulheren announced that he has his wife Marianne ready and willing to design a website for the skate park. Marianne was present and enthusiastic at the prospect, and many ideas were bounced around, including links to other city parks and chamber of commerce, an on-line auction when we are ready to go with fundraising, banners for local merchants supporting our efforts, history, information and frequently asked questions about the skate park, ongoing updates on the status of our efforts, posting of donated materials/labor needed, etc. A website subcommittee meeting has been set for next Monday, April 15, 5:30 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center Meeting Room for development of ideas for the website, which we understand will be donated by Pacific Internet. Marianne is willing to create the website and then update it as we get more specific about our needs. Marianne asks that we jot down all our ideas as we think of them and bring them to the meeting.

Next Meeting: Monday, May 6, 2002, 5:30 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center Meeting Room (1st Monday of each month).

The meeting was held at City Hall at 5:30. Present were Larry DeKnoblough, Jim Mulheren, Jonathan Whipple, Justin Capri, and Marianne Mulheren. Carole Aleshire was unable to attend but will attempt to record meeting notes from emails from Larry and Marianne.

On to the May 6, 5:30 meeting:

Larry reported that Marianne discussed her progress on the website. Larry will be pulling together some historical information for her and Justin will be adding some captions for the pictures. Marianne reported that she will soon have a rough draft put up for us to look at. Before that can happen, however, paperwork needs to be filled out for setting up the website with Jim Perskey at Pacific Internet. Also a name needs to be chosen along with a password. Any volunteers for working through the paperwork with Pacific Internet, and bringing the remaining questions back to the group, either through email or at the next meeting?

Marianne also reported that Jim Perskey said we could have ads on the site, and that he will link the website to Ukiah.com. The hunt for ad sponsors is on. Not sure what information is needed to offer the spots, but I imagine Marianne will know.

Larry also reported that the City Manager has agreed to go ahead and do the soils tests for the Low Gap Park site. That way we can determine if the site is even possible before we get into any further discussions with the Players and the High School.

Next Meeting:

(Unless otherwise decided) Monday, June 3, 2002, 5:30 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center Meeting Room (1st Monday of each month).

The meeting was held at City Hall at noon. Present were Larry DeKnoblough, Marianne Mulheren, Justin Capri, Elaine Thaler, Randall Feare, Matt Wilson, Joy Beeler, Sage Sangiacomo and Carole Aleshire (recorder). NOTE: This and subsequent meetings had been scheduled for the second Friday from noon to 1:00 p.m. after discussion following the May meeting brought out that Fridays at noon were easier for most of the group than Mondays at 5:30.

Larry announced that we were turned down for both grants the City had applied for on our behalf, one for funds for building a park in the Low Gap Park location, and one to help in the purchase of property on Clay street for a skate park. Willits got one for their skate park. Larry will be meeting with the state grant people this month to see what we can do to be more successful next time around. The City is still in good consideration for a grant at River Park at the end of Gobbi Street. If that grant comes through there may be a chance down the line of siting the skate park there.

Larry says he is still on board for the Low Gap Park site. Sage has submitted paperwork to go ahead with the soils test at Low Gap Park so we will know once and for all if the soils will present a problem that would prevent us from building a park there. The soils test should be conducted within the next couple of weeks and we should have a soils report on the site by the July or August meeting.

Meanwhile, we are still in the running for a site on Clay Street as a backup to the Low Gap site. Eric Larson has put on the table that if MCOE buys the site on Low Gap Road east of the Ukiah Playhouse where we had considered co-locating our park with their classrooms (with cooperation from MCOE until they realized they would need the whole area for their classrooms), that the City should use some of the proceeds from that sale to help with the effort of finding a site for the skate park, with the Clay Street site at the top of the list.

Sage presented an idea he has developed for an alternative or an interim alternative to the long-term cement skate park that is taking so long to site. He pointed out that both Willits and Healdsburg, close by to the north and south of us, will both have traditional cement parks. He pointed out that some skaters get bored with the unchangeable cement parks, and his idea would provide variety and various levels of challenge. Sage passed around some brochures offering preconstructed ramps made of steel reinforced composite board. They carry long term warranties and the configurations of the ramps can be changed at any time. He believes that for $20,000 to $50,000 we could have a very decent park. He proposes that we choose three to four sites such as underused tennis courts or basketball courts, and set up the ramps at one site for about three to four months, then move them to the next site. These ramps are viewed as playground equipment and carry fewer restrictions than a full-on cement skate park. City personnel would be responsible for moving the ramps from site to site, with configurations determined by the skaters. One suggestion is to site it at the Low Gap Park tennis courts for one block of time in the summer when the High School is not is session and they have 4 public courts a block away. Then when school starts we could move it to Oak Manor or Vinewood parks for a block of time. Setting it up at Low Gap Park tennis courts could serve as a demonstration of how well the skaters behave and what a healthy activity it is, at the site where we would like to have the permanent park. Perhaps the public would also then be more willing to welcome the travelling park into their neighborhoods. It was suggested that the Nokomis tennis courts are not used much and are in poor shape for tennis but would be a great surface for skating.

There was a lively discussion about this proposal, with suggestions such as providing space on the ramps to recognize sponsors of the ramps or the skate park in general. It is known that these ramps are noisier than cement parks, as they can act like speakers with the box beneath providing resonance and increasing the volume. It was suggested that we could stuff insulation or other material inside the boxes to deaden the sound. It was also suggested that the new materials and methods of construction used for these ramps could have improved the sound-deadening factors.

Staffing of this kind of park is still under discussion by attorneys—there are two sides to the question, in that staffing is thought to make it a safer activity but then if someone still gets hurt, we could bear more liability than if it was on a skate-at-your-own-risk basis.

There was discussion about tennis players complaining at city council meetings about using their facilities for other activities, but Larry raised the point that as a small community, we have to share our resources. These issues would be decided by the Ukiah City Council.

Larry pointed out that we are a city of 15,000 population that serves the needs of up to 45,000 people countywide. We would like to ask the County for some of their parks money if this proposal receives the green light. Randall raised a question about the value of a letter from this committee supporting an approach to the County and County Schools for funding. Larry thinks that if/when we are ready to go to the City Council with this proposal, supporting letters from members of the committee, the committee as a whole, and from other organizations and citizens as well, would be very helpful.

If all were to go full speed ahead with Low Gap Park as our site, we could still do the ramps to get through until we can build a permanent park, as that effort will take a long time to complete. This would be a much more attainable short term solution, and park bond money could very well become available in the amount of $40,000 - $50,000. The ramps could be incorporated into the design for the permanent park, with a cement bowl as the main attraction.

The committee passed a motion for Larry to make a formal proposal to the City Manager and the City Council to go ahead with purchase of $20,000 - $50,000 in ramps for an interim solution until we can get a permanent park built. We acknowledge that this could divert money and effort from the permanent park, but we are willing to make that sacrifice to be able to provide an interim solution for the skateboarders of our community.

There was some concern about whether this interim solution would jeopardize our chances of future grants, if the need appears lessened. Sage thought it could work to our benefit in providing a demonstration of how popular and well used the temporary parks are and supporting the concept and need for a permanent park. The concept of using the ramps in the permanent park could also help the cause for grant applications.

The committee extended our thanks to Sage for his work on coming up with this proposal and thinking it through so thoroughly. Thanks also to Sage for his efforts to obtain the grants that were not successful this time around.

Joy asked if we could get a pledge form together and get out there to get pledges going for the ramps. Justin pointed out that we have developed a pledge form, which he has at his shop. We realize we should get preliminary approval before we make this move. It would certainly be impressive if we could present pledges of demonstrated support from the community when we take our pitch to the City Council.

Justin wants to look into doing an annual skate jam other than the contest he puts on every fall. This would be without a contest but with professionals here to share their skills. We would have bands and vendors and the ramps he normally sets up, at the regular place on School and Clay streets. He is ready to put in the work to make this happen a couple of times a year, but tagging onto the July 4 event at Todd Grove park is out—there is no good surface for skating there.

With little time and few members left, we turned our attention to the website that Marianne has put together. It should be noted that she has done a very impressive job and provided a great start for us. We now need to help provide the information and text and history to flesh it out. Sage will check with Larry (who had already left the meeting) for some history and photos he told Marianne he had tucked away.

Marianne shared with us that Pacific Internet is providing the hosting of the site for free, but there is a $25/year fee for the domain name. Marianne wonders if, instead of paying that fee, we could hook up with the City of Ukiah's website. Sage mentioned that there is a parks area of the website that could probably be hooked into, and he will check with Larry for approval. Marianne will set up the site so that it will come up under many different search topics, to become widely available.

We need to come up with a new Vision Statement and Mission Statement for the website—we would encourage everyone to jot down any thoughts they have to bring to the next meeting to brainstorm. It should not contain any historical information but just be a brief statement of why we are making this effort.

The meeting was held at City Hall at noon. Present were Larry DeKnoblough, Randall Feare, Matt Wilson, Joy Beeler, John Lattimore, Eric Larson and Carole Aleshire (recorder). Larry brought material for Marianne to review for the website, but as Marianne couldn't attend the meeting, he will contact her for a time to go over the material.

A backhoe has been sighted at the Low Gap Regional Park site. Larry confirmed that it is taking soil samples for testing. We could very well have results by our August meeting.

Larry announced that he and City Manager Candace Horsley will be giving an update to the City Council on Wed. July 17. They'll be discussing the grants that we did not receive and the Clay Street property and what the council may want to do about it. There has been one appraisal and the owner is willing to sell but no price has been mentioned. Candace and Larry have met with the Sun House Guild regarding the possibility of siting a skate park nearby on Clay Street and they received a unanimously enthusiastic and supportive response.

Regarding Sage's proposal for purchasing ramps to move from site to site on a rotating basis, there have been discussions with Candace and they will be talking to the Parks Commission about it on Tuesday night July 16. Then it will go on to the next agenda for discussion before the City Council. It is thought that the Parks Commission will favor the proposal.

Matt urges that we use the old ramps we already have and save the $50,000 that we might spend on buying new ramps for a permanent cement park. There was talk, however, about the safety aspects of the old ramps and the amount of work it takes keeping them safe. That scenario would probably not receive approval from commission and council as the purchased ramps might. The current ramps are great for the events we hold now, but they have to be patched and repaired every time they are used. There was discussion about incorporating the purchased ramps in a permanent cement park to add elements that can be changed around to keep it fresh and challenging. There should be lots of community discussion about the design and the skaters will definitely have a large say in the final design of the park.

The portable ramps may prove to be a big boost for fundraising for the permanent park, as we can demonstrate the positive aspects of skateboarding and how well our skaters conduct themselves when they have a designated area for skating rather than using the streets and parks and parking lots because they have no other place to skate. Eric said he intends to encourage the council to match with public funds any money raised through the community, at least for the portable ramps.

In more discussion about where the portable ramps could be placed on a rotating basis, or perhaps in an introductory capacity, it was suggested that the shopping centers could host the ramps in unused portions of their parking lots. The skaters are already skating there without permission, so the liability is already there for the shopping centers so that shouldn't be an obstacle. Larry will talk to some of the people connected to the centers like Pear Tree, Orchard Plaza, Crossroads and Airport Park Blvd. Eric had the idea that perhaps the Downtown Merchants could host an event to kick off the rotation among the shopping centers, with each site hosting an event each month. If this idea were to receive favorable response, Joy could possibly handle press releases and faxing merchants to get the idea off the ground.

Eric brought up that he has been asked about River Park at the east end of Gobbi St. and where it could figure into a skate park site. Larry responded that he could see perhaps 10 years down the line this could happen, after the park is developed with good access and well populated, as isolation and access have been the main objections to this site. Perhaps this could be developed as an additional, smaller neighborhood skate park.

Joy has been asked by a past director of the fairgrounds if we had considered the fairgrounds as a site for the permanent park. The oldtimers among us remember that we had brought this up as a potential site in past years but nixed it because of our impression that the fairgrounds board was only interested in money-making projects being sited there. It is thought, however, that the current board could give a positive response to such a query, which could involve a low-cost lease arrangement. Larry will contact the current director to broach the topic.

Carole hauled out the pledge form that is currently available at Freedom Skate Shop, for possible modification. Joy suggested adding a spot for pledger's email address. We'll also add the website and see where we go from there with the pledge form. Maybe include on the website?

The meeting was held at City Hall at noon. Present were Larry DeKnoblough, Matt Wilson, Justin Capri, Marianne Mulherran, Jim Mulherran and Carole Aleshire (recorder). Randall emailed Carole that he couldn't be at the meeting today and that he had made little progress on the articles he said he would write, but that with new developments, the article could change. Carole brought this up at the meeting and the response was that an article about the history of our effort wouldn't change, but updates could be added as we go along, or the history article could be up to the beginning of the website. Marianne will contact Randall and they can work it out together.

Larry brought material for Marianne to review for the website.

There have been news articles in the local paper about the Clay Street property being viewed favorably for a site for the skate park by neighbors and the Sun House Museum Guild. Also reported in the paper is the Ukiah City Council's agreement to pursue selling the North Fire Station with the proceeds to go toward purchasing the Clay Street property for a skate park and workshop and storage facility for the city's Parks & Recreation Department. The publicity has probably been good for raising enthusiasm for our skate park, but it has been detrimental for the owners of the property on Clay Street, as they are not accustomed to such publicity and only want the opportunity to sell the property back into public use as part of the original Hudson property. The North Fire Station has been declared surplus and will be sold, and is being viewed as a potential alternate funding source for the Clay Street property, but not being sold specifically for that purpose. The North Fire Station appraisal needs to be updated and will be done and released for bidders prior to the October 2 (7 p.m.) public hearing date on the topic. There have already been several calls from parties interested in the property. The lowest asking price will be the appraised value. The public hearing will be for citizens to express their opinions on whatever buyer(s) will potentially be awarded the bid to buy the property.

On the Low Gap Park site, soils tests have been completed by Rau and Associates. Larry will be meeting with the engineers with a map of the area to discuss potential configuration of the skate park with regard to the results of the soils tests. Then Rau's soils report will be completed, and we should have that by our next meeting.

The meeting was held at City Hall at noon. Present were Larry DeKnoblough, Justin Capri, Jill Forshee, John Lattimore, Ed Keller, Mimine Ambrois, Bodhi Idarius, Eric Larson and Carole Aleshire (recorder).

Introductions made: Jill Forshee joined for the first time, bringing some grantwriting experience.

Non-profit status: In the process of planning for the Aug 31 event, Justin checked with a few organizations that we thought were possibilities for us to use as an umbrella of non-profit status. Of the groups he checked with, he found no organization that was willing to provide this umbrella. Boys and Girls Club is not willing to provide the umbrella but they want to back our effort in other ways.

Options discussed were: To do what it takes to become a private non-profit corporation. We would need to set up a subcommittee to take this forward. Liability insurance would be needed against fraud and corruption by board members. Event insurance could be a huge expense if we were not covered under the City's event insurance. We may go forward with a committee to research this possibility if the next option, the Youth Project, doesn't work out.

The Youth Project may be willing to cover us with their umbrella. Mimine has talked preliminarily with Karen Wandrei, who is very supportive. Sage Sangiacomo is on the board of the Youth Project which could be a good link. Mimine will get this topic on the Youth Project's board agenda for Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 a.m. Larry, Mimine, Justin and Sage will be there.

Their umbrella would cover us for insurance purposes and they would become our fiscal agent.

The City could act as our fiscal agent.

Financial Report: Carole reported that before the Aug. 31 event the checking account contained $3,350.58. The event raised $811.67 in food concessions, $504 from the silent auction, $515 in skater sign-ups, $116.16 in donations, $500 in beer sales and $20 in concession fees, for a total deposit of $2,466.83. (Justin reported that he also has a donation jar with close to $50 which would bring us to $2,500 for the event) This brings the checking account to $5,817.41.

Planning for Oct. 5 Competition: This event will be at Alex Thomas Plaza starting at 10:00 with the contest set to start around 11:00. Justin needs a lot more help than for the last event, as the competition is much more labor intensive with a lot more to keep track of. Besides help with collecting entry fees and waiver forms, help is needed to work on the ballot sheets, which Justin's mother Mona coordinates. Other help is needed as well. Justin will set up a planning meeting a few days prior to the event and ask Marianne to put it on the website. Mimine and Ed volunteered to help with the event. John can't be there as it's the same day as the Business Expo, but he will see if he can round up some help from his workplace. Mimine will call Elaine Thaler to see if Rotary can help. Larry will have the parks staff clean up the area and empty trash cans that Saturday morning. Larry will also talk to Sage to round up some help, and he will ask Joy to call Justin to set up help from CCC. Everyone should check the website for the planning meeting time and place. Justin will have some extra-large yellow skate park competition staff t-shirts made to make volunteers more easily recognizable to everyone. These t-shirts would be worn by staff, then washed and returned to Justin to be used at future events. He might buy the shirts separately at a better price than offered by the printing company, and the printing will most likely be donated. Carole urged that if he puts out his own money and wants to be reimbursed, that he should turn in receipts for reimbursement to keep a good paper trail for money spent.

Soils Report on Low Gap Park Site: It's not done yet, but should be in time for the next meeting.

Update on Parks Commission and City Council Discussions of Proposal to Purchase Ramps for Movable Use in City Parks: Larry reports that the commission is very interested in this proposal and on Sept. 17 will tour the tennis courts, Vinewood basketball court and other facilities where the ramps could be located.

Possible Use of Shopping Centers for Movable Ramps: Larry has talked to a couple of shopping center owners and found no support for this option. They don't want to encourage skateboarding in their parking lots, even with organized ramps set up.

Concept of a skate park Site at the Fairgrounds: Larry said Joy was going to check with the current director of the fairgrounds board to see what their position would be. Joy wasn't at the meeting, but Larry will call her to see how that went.

Discussion of Willits Skate Park Effort: Ed has been talking with Dave Madrigal from the Willits committee. They have formed a private non-profit organization and have raised $270,000 so far this year! Dave sent Ed their successful grant application for helping us with our effort and suggests we might want to hire a grantwriter or use their model. Jill has experience writing grants, though not for an effort specifically like this. It is thought that we would have a much better chance once we have a site firmly committed. The site would validate our commitment and stability for grants to fund design and construction. Other than parks & recreation and other grants which go to the City, some grants could require non-profit status, in part to demonstrate the stability of the group applying for the grants. It could be that the Youth Project's umbrella could provide a better, longer track record as the organization for the grants. Non-profit status would also help greatly with fund-raising, which we intend to cover the major part of the cost of building the park.

Status of Clay Street Site: Re the potential sale of the North Fire Station, an appraiser will start work in mid-October to update the five-year-old appraisal.

Other Discussion: Ed suggested that we might want to start a petition drive to show community support to the City Council for selling the North Fire Station to allow purchase of Clay Street property for a skate park site. Eric feels our energy could be better spent elsewhere because the City Council is firmly in favor of all of these concepts and committed to doing all they can to get a skate park built in Ukiah. Larry suggested we go to candidates' nights for the upcoming election and get the topic on the table for discussion by candidates.

It was also suggested that we ask City Council members to go public with their support to post on the website. Eric suggested polling them instead, with a list of questions about their support of our effort, and post the results of the poll on the website. Ed will do that.

Mimine said she talked to Randall, who couldn't make it to today's meeting, and that he has started but hasn't completed the history article for the website.

Carole reminded everyone that there is a page on the website for committee members which needs to be fleshed out. Everyone is encouraged to write up a paragraph or something about themselves for posting there.

Carole shared that Ukiah Custom Cabinets has donated $25 for Pacific Internet's fee for Ukiah Skate Park.com domain. This means that the website will no longer have to reside on Marianne's personal web space. There will be a new web address but the old one will have a link so visitors will be redirected to the new site once it is in place.

Action Items:

• Larry, Mimine, Justin and Sage will attend the Youth Project's board meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 a.m. to discuss the possibility of coming under their umbrella for non-profit status.
• Planning meeting will be posted on the web for volunteers to help with the Oct. 5 competition. Lots of volunteers are needed!!!
• Larry will check with Joy to see how discussion with the fairgrounds director went.
• Ed will poll City Council members on their support of skate park effort, for posting on the website.
• Randall will complete the history article for the website.
• Committee members are encouraged to write up a paragraph (or whatever they want—maybe even just name and affiliation) about their involvement with the committee.

Next Agenda:

The meeting was held at City Hall at noon. Present were Jonathan Whipple, Joy Beeler, Sage Sangiacomo, Jim Mulheren, Marianne Mulheren, Randall Feare, Justin Capri, Ed Keller, Mimine Ambrois, Laurel Near and Carole Aleshire (recorder).

October 5 Competition / Financial Report:

Proceeds from the Oct. 5 Skate Competition were as follows:

(Thanks to Ed for keeping track and reporting)

Account balance before this deposit was $5,693.06 with $64.35 spent on trophies, balance now $8,143.50. Yet to come from this balance are about $260 spent on recyclable staff t-shirts and some small amounts spent on food for the concession.

For future fundraising, Justin would like to do a full-blown rummage sale separate from any events. Laurel said the parking lot of the old catholic church (now owned by SPACE) could be used for such a rummage sale.

Laurel asked if we have thought about selling t-shirts to raise money, but Justin's experience is that it's hard to make money at that. Laurel suggested sponsors could have their logos on the back with our logo on the front, or to save money (and print only on the front) perhaps the sponsor logo could go on the front at the bottom.

Justin also reports that the ramps will make it through the PumpkinFest and then be retired, as they are trashed. They are stored at Anton Stadium where they inevitably get pulled out by others and used without getting put away, exposing them to the weather. If we get or make more ramps for next year, we will need a secure storage of 300-500 square feet. Jim believes he can supply the storage that would be needed.

Reporting back on Oct. 2 Youth Project board meeting and non-profit umbrella:

Sage, who is on the Youth Project Board, said that the skate park didn't make it onto the Oct. 2 agenda, but will be on for next Wednesday's meeting, Oct. 15. We are hoping to come under their 501(c) umbrella just for the fundraising effort, to provide nonprofit status for donations. Sage is checking with Mike Harris, the city's fiscal manager, to look into REMIF, the City's insurance company, for liability (fraud) coverage if we were to be under the Youth Project's umbrella. It is unlikely they would provide the liability coverage we would need.

There was discussion about other options that would not require us to buy liability insurance against fraud, or be fiscally responsible to the non-profit, as would be required if we came under any existing organization's umbrella. We expect businesses will most likely make the largest share of donations once we have a site and start in on building plans. Businesses can write off their donations (using the City's Tax ID) without our having non-profit status. It was pointed out that individuals must make a large amount in donations in order to benefit from the deduction on their taxes, so perhaps we don't need non-profit status. But what if there are individuals who wish to make large tax-deductible donations? Joy pointed out that the Mendocino Community Foundation is a 501.3(c) organization that takes donations from individuals and gives to organizations for community benefit, as (if) specified by the donor. This could very well cover us for these purposes.

Additionally, Sage pointed out that the City could potentially set up a separate fund to handle donations for the skate park. It would be a trust fund with City personnel responsible for managing and dispensing funds. There were no objections from committee members to this concept. He will take it to Larry and Candace and report back at the next meeting.

Soils Report on Low Gap Park Site: Sage had no update to share, as they are still waiting for the report from Rau & Associates. If it comes out before next meeting we may receive an update via email.

Update on Parks Commission and City Council Discussions of Proposal to Purchase Ramps for Movable Use in City Parks: This topic will be on the agenda for next Tuesday's meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Golf Commission at 5:30. It was suggested that we should have a plan for storing the ramps in place before they are purchased. Jim is willing to donate the storage space needed. Thanks, Jim! Sage will discuss this with Larry and report back next meeting.

Concept of a Skate Park Site at the Fairgrounds: At September's meeting, Larry said Joy was going to check with the current director of the fairgrounds board to see what their position would be. Joy wasn't at the meeting, but Larry wass going to call her to see how that went. Larry was absent this meeting, but Joy was here, and had thought that Larry was going to check on this. Jim stepped up to say he would be happy to take this on. Sage will leave a note for Larry asking him to call Jim with any progress he has to report.

Status of Appraisal of North Fire Station: A temporary use permit has been issued for siting the homeless shelter at the station again this winter. This should not hold up appraisal or sale of the property, as escrow would not close before the end of the winter season anyway. Sage was unsure of the status of the appraisal but he did say that discussion of sale of the property and the purchase of the Clay Street site are still going forward.

The meeting was held at City Hall at noon. Present were Jonathan Whipple, Joy Beeler, Sage Sangiacomo, Marianne Mulheren, Randall Feare, Mimine Ambrois, Rex Eiffert, Matt and son Nathan Wilson, Ginger Cortez, Bob Beltrami and Carole Aleshire (recorder).

Introductions were made: New members include Rex Eiffert who is retired with a background in education and hopes to prod us (or anyone needing it) to “get off the dime”; Bob Beltrami from Ukiah's Parks, Recreation & Golf Commission, who brings the commission's support of our efforts; and Ginger Cortez, who has been a photographer and news writer and hopes to contribute pictures and stories to the website, bringing the energy, techniques and stories of the youth involved in this sport to the forum that is the website. Welcome, all!

The meeting was held at City Hall at noon. Present were Larry DeKnoblough, Robert King (recently of Ukiah), Bob Beltrami, Jim Mulheren, Marianne Mulheren, Rex Eiffert, Joy Beeler, Justin Capri, Matt Wilson, Jonathan Whipple, Mimine Ambrois, Ed Keller, Maggie Lohse and Carole Aleshire (recorder). Candace Horsley came later, as did four other people who came after introductions were made. Pizza was enjoyed by all, thanks to Jim!

Additions to the Agenda: · The matter of appointing a chair was added to the agenda · Matt and Justin want to talk about their discussions with the new City Council at their first meeting

Discussion about need for tax-exempt status: Carole made a motion that we move forward with forming a 501(c)(3) corporation for tax exempt status, and form a subcommittee toward that end. The motion was seconded. Discussion ensued: A grant received from Joy has a requirement that Carole interprets to say that applicants must be 501(c)(3) corporations. There would also be the added benefit that our group would be viewed with more respect and credibility. Rex has called the IRS and learned that if we were to use the City of Ukiah’s offer of a trust fund for the skatepark, and if an individual or business made a donation to that trust fund naming the skatepark as beneficiary, the donation would not legally be tax-deductible. If the donation were made to the City of Ukiah without naming the skatepark, it would be tax-deductible. Larry said the City would be the fiscal agent for the skatepark if we wanted. Ed said he believes that we have been relying on the City of Ukiah too much and if the City doesn’t produce some results pretty soon, we should go off on our own and look for benefactors or donors in the community and buy private property for a park. He feels the City has been great as far as they can, but he thinks that one of the problems is that we’ve connected ourselves to a bureaucracy that inherently can’t get much done. Larry shares this frustration but that even if we had a site, there is still the issue of money to deal with. Rex has some knowledge of 501(c)(3) issue and believes that filing could cost around $300 - $500. The motion was passed without opposition, the objective of the new subcommittee to form a corporation and gain non-profit status Bob suggested that the committee should have an attorney and/or an accountant with tax law experience to make sure time and money is not wasted. A list was passed around for signing up for the subcommittee, with 10 names the end result. Signed up are Ed Keller, Mimine Ambrois, Bob Beltrami, Joy Beeler, Maggie Lohse, Robert Brackett, JR Vaughan, Charlie Byrne, Fabian Ledesma and Justin Capri. Meetings of the subcommittee will start out as the 3rd Friday of each month at noon at the Ukiah Civic Center meeting room, with the first meeting next Friday, Dec. 20. Ed has the articles of incorporation for S.P.A.C.E. which could be used as a model, and the applications can be downloaded from the Internet.

Matt and Justin’s requested topic was moved up in the agenda due to the fact that Matt needed to leave early. He said he is pushing for Low Gap Park to be adopted by the City as the site for the skatepark and that we move ahead with it immediately. There are no residences there, only the Ukiah Players and the High School to object. He has talked to the current builder of the Willits skatepark, who suggests that if we had a site, within eight weeks we could start building. We could do a Phase I even before all the funds are raised. This builder would be willing to work with local contractors to get the specifications going, and is willing to put off other work to get going on this project while he is in the area working on Willits’ park, to get a park built by next summer. Matt continued that this property wouldn’t need to be purchased so should be immediately available. He prefers this option to waiting to sell the firehouse and purchase the Clay Street property. He expressed concern for the City planning buy the Clay Street property when there is no money, while the Low Gap Park site doesn’t need to be purchased. Matt has requested that Candace put this issue on the City Council agenda but she is putting it off until February or March pending other sites we’re looking at. Matt doesn’t agree because we have the land we need right now and could just go ahead and get started this spring. Larry pointed out that the sale of the firehouse is not connected to the purchase of any property for a skatepark. Purchase of the Clay Street property is desirable anyway as part of the restoration of the historical estate, part of the museum property. It also happens to be a possibility for a location for a skatepark. The skatepark is just one possibility for use on that property.

Justin feels that the skatepark is being used by the City as a way to bring healthier elements to problem parks in town. He feels that bringing skaters, who are already misunderstood and considered not a good element, into an area that has a bad reputation, would taint the skaters’ reputation further, rather than bringing up the area in question. He wanted to know if the City’s first priority is to upgrade problem parks, or if building a skatepark for our youth is the first priority. Larry’s response was that the first priority is to build a skatepark, and if we get a residual benefit of cleaning up an area or bringing youth activity into an area where there is no youth activity, then that would be great, but the first and foremost goal is to get a skatepark. There was some stimulating discussion on this topic, and Candace Horsley joined us at about this point.

Candace acknowledged that she and Matt had a good discussion and that there are three sites they’re looking at right now for a skatepark. She doesn’t feel we should give up any of the sites in a rush, as we have four months to look at the sites before the fire station is sold, probably around in May, then we’ll have the money and if we need to buy a site we’ll have the money to do that. She feels we should look at every aspect of all three sites rather than give up a really good site because we’re pushing hard for one of them. There’s nothing we can do right now in the winter except maybe get designs going. This is the schedule the City is looking at because the homeless shelter is in the fire station and we have to wait until they are out. In the meantime, we have to go through a process of getting the appraisal, offering it to Parks and Rec or to low income housing if they want to purchase it. If nobody wants it for those reasons, then it can be put on the open market and they can have someone buy it that way. They don’t think it will be a long wait at all, that it will get snatched up quickly as it is prime property. City Council has already agreed to spend some of that money to purchase property for a skatepark. Candace spoke to Rotary two weeks ago and asked them to help the Skate Park Committee with fundraising, and they are thinking about doing that. That would be very positive. The three sites are being analyzed now, asking for some information on the third piece, on South State Street. There are some contamination issues, but we could probably cement over those and it should be okay. They want the Skate Park Committee to make a recommendation based on the facts of those three pieces. By May we should have property nailed down and ready to prepare the design and start the fundraising and go from there. The Council has committed themselves to do that. Matt still feels we should move forward with the Low Gap site since it is available now. Matt had to leave at this point.

Jim expressed concern that we could shoot ourselves in the foot just when we are getting going if we jump ahead to build the park at the Low Gap site when we have other options available that could be in the best interest of the whole community and not just acting out of impatience with the process. We’ve finally got something going with people behind us with some clout to move things through at the City Council level, but if we run off on our own we may cause ourselves some trouble.

Next agenda: Discuss progress on the three sites, soils report on Low Gap site. Clay Street owners will be coming back to Candace with a definite answer in January or early February, either willing to sell or he won’t. We should have answers for the three pieces and we should analyze all the pros and cons and then come up with a recommendation. For clarification, the three sites are Low Gap Park, Clay Street and South State Street (at an undisclosed location).

Justin wanted to clarify that he doesn’t want to alienate anyone, but just to stir up a little energy around it but not to pin it on Larry or Candace or the panel. He and Matt want to make sure we know that this is an immediate matter, that we need to get a site because we can’t raise the money without the land, and not wait and see yet another City Council seated and still have no skate park.

Jonathan voiced his own reservations, not on behalf of the Ukiah Players: he is very concerned about the Low Gap site, not just for the Ukiah Players objections, but he believes the High School is not at all happy about this. We won’t have smooth sailing at this site. The Players’ concerns are first the noise, second the parking, and third the hours of operation. Concern that they will be the bad guys when they want to put on a matinee and want quiet for that, he’s afraid that it will be difficult to decide between matinees and skate park operation, which would mean that the Players wouldn’t be able to function and do the kinds of things they want to do. There has been discussion about possibly soundproofing the theater, which would be a help but would require a lot of money and wouldn’t necessarily be easy.

Rex asked if the committee has set specific timelines for step goals. We have been dealing mostly with which step needs to be solved next, rather than specific timelines, but there was a petition a few years ago that had specific timelines on it. Rex recommends that we proceed with timelines to be more goal-oriented.

Marianne wanted to make a proposal that we set a goal of assessing sites and making an objective decision and make a presentation once we have all the information together, rather than arguing out each point. It was acknowledged that the arguing at this meeting has been very productive and that the frustration has needed to be voiced.

Mimine brought the study of the site selection committee which we put together on all the sites around Ukiah, with community meetings and rating every site according to the criteria set by the committee. This was done after we chose Low Gap as our first priority. Most sites have already been eliminated for various reasons. The only ones left are Low Gap and Clay Street. Concern is great about the noise level at the Playhouse, but we should not be afraid to investigate the problem and see what could be done about it in terms of soundproofing and any other issues. Mimine passed around the compilation of site ratings, stating that it took years doing it, and now there is frustration when new sites are brought up. Larry pointed out that as new sites come to our attention, we have to look at them.

It appears that we had a consensus to put on the next agenda to start looking at the pros and cons of the three sites at each subsequent meeting, as facts come to light.

As Robert King had to leave before the meeting broke up, he shared his experience that the sport of skateboarding is not popular but building a park is a better alternative than kids getting hurt and killed skating on the streets when there is no park for their activity.

In response to Rex’s question, Justin said that we have had timelines set in the past, documented in the minutes, but mostly the results are out of hands and we have no power to adhere to the timelines. He questioned how many people who are against having a skatepark have even been to one to see how it looks and feels and sounds.

Maggie said she has been to many parks and they are very nice, positive environments like playgrounds. She feels proud watching the kids accomplishing new skills and using their muscles.

Candace pointed out that the City Council is committed to spending money on a site if needed, which is a big difference over the past. She asks if the committee wants the City to work on an April-May deadline, timed along with the sale of the fire station, to present pros and cons and dimensions of the three sites, for the committee to make a recommendation to City Council., whose decision is final. There was more discussion about the frustration of the years of waiting, as well as Joy urging us to move forward productively to take the steps needed to do this. Ed asked how realistic this April-May goal is. Will Larry be able to produce the information on the three sites in that timeframe? Candace said that in January they will be having talks with the owner of the Clay Street property, the soils report on Low Gap is now in, and they are now monitoring information from the owner of the So. State Street property—therefore, the goal is realistic.

Marianne suggested that when we are ready to make a presentation to the City Council, it should be done in an unemotional, organized way. Bob Beltrami volunteered to be the one to make the presentation.

Mimine proposed that we discuss the sites at every meeting, with any updates available on any of the three sites.

Mendocino Community Foundation’s availability as vehicle for donations to skatepark: Jonathan checked into this and learned that the Community Foundation charges 1-1/2 percent to take the donation and forward it to the beneficiary. That sounded pretty steep to those present, and moot if we are going for a 501(c)(3).

First Night booth for Ukiah Skate Park Committee:

It was decided by the subcommittee that met for this purpose that we will have a booth with a coloring page for kids to color and a big poster where kids would write their thoughts about having a skatepark in Ukiah, that could maybe be moved around, and used as part or a presentation when brought to the City Council. Mimine will provide poster materials and markers and coloring materials, as well as have our promotional boards up. Important to keep the park in the public eye and thoughts. The activities will be available from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. so people will be needed to sign up for coverage during that time. Mimine, Randall and Joy will be contacts. Mimine will be the main contact with email at mimine@pacbell.net.

Ukiah Rotary Presentation: As both Ed and Candace have been approached by perhaps two separate Rotary groups about making a presentation for their groups, they will talk about who the contacts are and see if is the same group or two separate ones.

Action Items:

• Sage will talk to the Ukiah Police Department about the possibility of a low-cost helmet program. (from November meeting)
• 501(c)(3) Subcommittee to meet Friday, Dec. 20, noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center Meeting Room (to be the 3rd Friday of each month)
• Candace and Larry will be gathering information on the three proposed sites for discussion at each subsequent meeting with the goal of a recommendation by April-June, 2003.
• Candace and Ed will talk about which Rotary groups want presentations.

Next Meeting: Friday, January 10, noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center Meeting Room (2nd Friday of each month)

Next Agenda: