City, OUSD Discuss Skate Park
School board drops opposition
By Sondra Murphy
The next chapter in the Ojai Skate Park chronicles is complete. On Tuesday, the Ojai Unified School District board approved the city’s plans for downtown skate park construction, but not without some adjustments.
During his presentation, Ojai city manager Jere Kersnar asked the school board to approve plans and specifications for the expanded Ojai Skate Park. The site location is where the temporary skate park is currently housed, in the downtown Park & Ride lot, which is on OUSD property and leased by the city. The lease agreement requires school board approval on designs, then City Council, before it may advance to bids.
“This has been, as you know, a long process to get to this point tonight,” said Kersnar. “It’s been well more than a decade that we’ve been collectively working on this project.”
The sluggish pace in which the project appears to move prompted a special committee of city and school district representatives that has been hammering out the specifics since summer and led to the creation of dated goals.
The city committed to $100,000 toward rebuilding the Skate Park. Skate Ojai, an independent group, helped raise the remainder of the $361,000 in the summer of 2008 through a series of benefits and donation requests.
This is considered a small budget when compared to other skate parks throughout the county and Southern California, but the group worked closely with city recreation officials in coming up with plans that would build a permanent, in-ground skate park at that cost.
Negotiations between city and OUSD have been cautious at best, and committee meetings brought up issues that the city hoped to address during Tuesday’s presentation.
Kersnar explained that the plans were scheduled to go to the City Council next week, but first needed OUSD approval. He presented documents that addressed four outstanding issues: fencing, drinking fountain, benches and a rest room.
Originally, fencing along the front of the skate park was to be low, while benches and plumbed features were expected to be added in a future phase as more funds were raised. In response, the city agreed to extend the fencing around the park to 8 feet. Because the other three features were not reflected in construction plans, the city included them as bid alternates during that process, meaning construction companies were encouraged to include the features in their bids.
Kersnar and Ojai Public Works director Mike Culver were hopeful that the competitive construction market would allow for the inclusion of the features.
The rest room as approved by the Ojai Planning Department, is a vault rest room with multiple stucco and tile roofing options, as dictated by the city Redevelopment Agency ordinance. “It is a prefabricated rest room facility, not a port-a-potty by any means,” said Kersnar. “The concern is cost. It is a considerable expense.” Including installation, Kersnar estimated the rest room would run in the $30,000 to $40,000 range.
“I think it’s very exciting that we have reached this point,” said President Linda Taylor. “It’s going to be a beautiful facility.”
Board questions ranged from operational to liability issues. Vice President Kathi Smith asked what the plan would be for rest room maintenance. “We have a schedule where, on a daily basis, we check all bathrooms and this will be on that schedule,” said Culver.
There were also concerns voiced about the side effects of loitering. “We recognize this is a city facility and we need to assume responsibility as if we were owner,” said Kersnar. “I can’t say we’ll never have any problems, but I hope we will find a way to reduce incidents significantly.” He said police patrols of the current facility would continue.
Kersnar also suggested the special construction operations committee “morph” into an operations oversight committee to assure that the park continues to meet community standards.
“I think it would be important to have clearer, more specific language than what’s in this as to what we would be approving,” said Steve Fields, board member. “In essence, more descriptive language of these areas.” Fields then circulated a copy of text changes that required the bid alternates be mandatory features in the first phase of construction. His concern was that if OUSD gave oral approval this week, the City Council might amend it next week.
Clerk Rikki Horne concurred. “I think that as specific as we can be serves everyone,” she said.
Kersnar said that, without City Council direction, he was unable to assure specific amendments.
Smith said that she liked the vagueness of the language. “It depends completely on the accuracy of what Jere said tonight, so if anything changes down the pike, we haven’t approved that.”
“I don’t like the term ‘bid alternates,’” said Horne. “I wish the other members would be willing to amend the language.”
“I don’t see how the city can have a facility that doesn’t have a bathroom and a water fountain,” Fields said.
“It would be ludicrous for the public sector to think these two bodies are hung up over a bathroom,” said superintendent Hank Bangser. “I don’t think that’s where we want to be. In concept, we need to make this work.”
Member Pauline Mercado commented that she was concerned that discussions were degenerating. “I think the city heard what we were saying and yet I see us regressing back to points and demands discussed months ago.”
Mercado asked for a friendly amendment. After much discussion, language was agreed upon:
“Approve the city’s submitted plans and specifications for the Ojai Skate Park, including the items described in Mr. Culver’s memo and subject to approval by the Ojai City Council; specifically, an 8-foot fence to completely surround and secure the skating area, a drinking fountain, benches and a rest room.” The vote was unanimous to collective sighs by city and Skate Ojai representatives in attendance.
“Skate Ojai is happy that the Ojai Unified school board has approved the plans for the Skate Park,” said Wendy Hilgers, longtime skate park supporter. “City staff will be working with them to resolve the remaining issues as the project continues to move forward.”
The plans will be heard at the Ojai City Council meeting Tuesday. If approved, a formal agreement will be brought back to OUSD. To view Ojai Skate Park design plans, go to ci.ojai.ca.us and click on project update on the right side of the home page.
How much Razor Wire are they going to put on top?
Anonymous
7 Nov 09 at 6:58 pm
Please. All skateboarding does is attract drugs, gangs and kids who didn’t make the team. How about a Math park? Or an Reading park? Kids need a better education, not another way to drop out.
Anon
7 Nov 09 at 7:52 pm
Nothing depicts the current state of cultural decline better than a 20-something “man” playing with his skate-toy.
Indigenous White Tribalist
8 Nov 09 at 5:34 pm
An eight foot fence? Why does it need a fence? I have never seen a skate park with a fence.
anonymous
9 Nov 09 at 12:21 pm
Like I’ve said all along, skateboarding is a counter culture. Counter cultures take drugs. Do we really want to create a safe haven for skateboarders since they all sit around and do the drugs?
Look in the mirror, parents. If you all your children to skateboarding, you are telling them to just say “yes” to drugs. Parents that allow their children to skateboard should be locked up for contributing to childhood drug use, vandalism, and crime.
Ret. Lieut. John Doe
World-Renowned Think Tank Member
Founder, Truth Coalition
John Doe
10 Nov 09 at 9:52 am
get a life John Doe
Joe Doe
10 Nov 09 at 2:12 pm
Joe,
I don’t believe that we are related, though we share the same last name. I have committed my life’s work to problem-solving. I am a dedicated truth-seeker, a sojourner for knowledge, if you will. What greater life goals are there then those that I have sought to achieve?
What do you bring to the table? What do you seek in life? What life do you have?
Ret. Lieut. John Doe
John Doe
10 Nov 09 at 3:18 pm
Could the “Doe” brothers please take their family feud elsewhere.
anonymous
10 Nov 09 at 4:47 pm
skateboarding is just another drug dealing scam. Those tax leaches who are about to take Obamacare (ie. all those who earn under 75k)- please teach your kids something more than skateboarding. Particularly since you’re now taking Obamacare and those who earn a real wage are paying your health care costs. Thanks. (losers)
Nancy
10 Nov 09 at 10:46 pm
to spend all this money on a skate park when so many other things are needed in our schools and community is yet another example of stupidity in Ojai, just one of many.
anonymous
11 Nov 09 at 8:44 am
Nancy,
the mandatory health care(Obama care) will apply to you also…
“and those who earn a real wage are paying your health care costs”
So you are better or worth more than the rest of us??
Why don’t you tell you’re interesting theory to the guy at the gas station or the cook at you’re favorite restaurant.
I think you are an elitist scumbag, just like the thieves looting our country now!!!
Blue collar workers make this country great not you yuppies…
Hyperinflation is coming for you rich people first…
EAT THE RICH
On the topic
Why can’t oak view and ojai split the cost and put the skate park in the oak view rec.center???
??.???.????
11 Nov 09 at 9:39 am
Nancy,
I find your opinions to be repugnant. Why don’t you disclose what you do, what you made last year,what you actually paid in taxes last year, and what you paid in healthcare costs last year? I dare you.
Ret. Lieut. John Doe
John Doe
11 Nov 09 at 1:41 pm
Nancy,
Tony Hawk seems to be doing well, he’s not a drug dealer. Maybe your the loser, why do you need to stereo-type? could it be because you have know physical athletic abilities. BTW, Obama care is not in effect yet.
Anonymous
11 Nov 09 at 5:11 pm
Ret. Lieut. John Doe
World-Renowned Think Tank Member
Founder, Truth Coalition,
What a lame statement, you’re implying all skateboarders are on drugs, have you ever seen the X-Games? I think some of those skateboarders are pretty successful, I doubt that they are all on drugs, in fact I would say some of them are marketing geniuses.
DoeBoySkater
11 Nov 09 at 5:21 pm
Nancy, your statement shows a lack of thoughtfullness.
Anonymouse
12 Nov 09 at 8:48 am
The ignorance in these comments about skateboarding amazes me. I am 33, a parent, a homeowner, and a business professional; and I have been skating consistently for over 20 years. I don’t do drugs; and skating and surfing has always been an outlet for me to relieve stress, get exercise, and do something that is fun. Where is the problem with that? We should be applauding the kids who took the initiative to raise money, attend meetings, and persevere through 10 years of bureaucracy, for something they are passionate about. Few other sports would inspire that kind of dedication. Well-done Ojai skaters! To all you pessimists, give these kids a chance; they are not different than other kids just because they like to skate. It is ridiculous to suggest a causative link between skateboarding and drugs. Why don’t you get rid of all baseball fields because all those kids use steroids? That would be equally ridiculous.
Justin A
12 Nov 09 at 4:42 pm
Justin A 12 Nov 09 at 4:42 pm,
I agree 110%.
It seems the city thinks its okay to give false hope to our future, as well as break promises on a regular basis..
Not smart..
Teaching young people its okay to fink out on a deal that you have already agreed to…
These people here like to “lump” things in together,
however I am seeing a pattern here,
late night driving= drug dealing & DUI
skateboarding= drugs & drug dealing
walking= drug dealing
standing= drug dealing
surfing= drugs
paintball= drugs
backpacks= drug dealing
being on the bike trail= drugs & dealing
long hair= drugs
short hair= drugs
red shirts= drugs
Too me it sounds like what they are really trying to say is kids= drugs.
Fun of any kind= drugs..
Some have even suggested if you earn less than 75k a year= drugs…
In the same breath wine/alcohol dispensaries/liquer stores on practicly every corner, plenty of yuppie activities to do in this town golf, tennis, wine tasting etc…
Don’t give up Ojai skaters!!!!
Longboarders Association of America
12 Nov 09 at 6:38 pm
Longboarder,
You pretty much nailed it. I would have included vandalism on the other half of all of the equations. It’s about time others realized what these criminal no good kids are doing these days. The world is coming to an end in 2012, and its probably a good thing, since the kids of this generation sure couldn’t run it.
Ret. Lieut. John Doe
Board of Directors, Ad Hoc Committee on Truth
John Doe
13 Nov 09 at 12:44 am
J. doe,
As usual you missed the point completely.
Being a kid is basically illegal now..
Its only going to get worse from here on…
Kids are good these days just as good as any other time in history.
Putting the blame on today’s generation for today’s problems is more than just a cop-out, it is the prior gen’s fault..
BTW:The world will not end in 2012.
The Mayans are only judging the earth’s “wobble”, and on earth it appears as if the stars, milky-way, sun, moon will align, Planet X/Nibiru passes threw our solar system and a polar shift occurs..
Cute bedtime story, however its just not the case..
If you were observing from the moon, nothing would have changed on 2012, and certainly no Armageddon..
It will be the largest shift in consciousness the world has ever seen..
The new world order and the one world government will attempt to take over and use the ground work they have set in motion, as they believe the same nonsense(2012)…
“since the kids of this generation sure couldn’t run it.”-john d
Point out any time in history when we were free IE the generation of whatever time was running things..
There has always been a Rockefeller or a j.p.morgan, some form of the illuminate blood line running things from behind the curtain.
Funding both sides of the conflict because it does not matter who wins as long as conflict remains…
Put the skate park in Libby bowl….
Ash Johnson
13 Nov 09 at 9:15 pm
Ash,
I preferred you when you were ?. We should call it the Rothschild Amphitheatre. You, my friend, are wrong about 2012. Everyone with a sane mind knows a solar flares will wipe out the planet. Get with the program.
Ret. Lieut. John Doe
Merovingian Descendant
John Doe
13 Nov 09 at 11:38 pm
One World Government in 2012 because the whole world believes in the 2012 movie myth? What a nutcase.
Anonymous
14 Nov 09 at 5:14 am
Anonymous,
The one world government idea is not just from a movie. That idea has been circling around conspiracy theorists for decades. By the way, a recent study by the Trilateral Commission showed that 96% of those that believe in a one world government conspiracy, forged by the Illuminati Bloodline, also believe that either they or a family member was abducted by an alien at one time or another. Nutcase because of a movie? No, nutcase because they simply crazy.
Ret. Lieut. John Doe
Of the St. Clair Family
John Doe
14 Nov 09 at 11:12 am
I would much rather see the skatepark in Oak View than in Ojai. There is a whole open field at the old Oak View Elementary School just 30 feet or so from the bike path. Having the skatepark right at the entrance of the OUSD district office always seemed like a stupid idea to me. The kids don’t stay in the skatepark but end up riding their skateboards through the hallways and off the stairs of the district office. Their also riding back and forth from the skatepark to the bus stop right in front of the cars entering the district office. Just a ridiculous place for it to be…………..
Kathy
20 Nov 09 at 12:38 am
I would much rather see your opinions posted on a board that said, “Rantings of a Lunatic”.
The Vigilante
20 Nov 09 at 3:30 pm
I agree Kathy. Oak View is much more suitable. It is more in line with the more blue collar social demographic of Oak View.
Anon
22 Nov 09 at 12:56 pm
It would be better to spend the money on an upscale wine tasting boutique that appeals to Ojai’s real tax payers.
Anon
22 Nov 09 at 12:58 pm
Real taxpayers can spell taxpayers.
The Vigilante
22 Nov 09 at 10:21 pm
It would be better to spend the money on an upscale medical marijuana store front in the arcade.
Cheech
22 Nov 09 at 11:12 pm
It would be better to spend the money on a shrine dedicated to the great one, Ret. Lieut. John Doe.
new yorker
24 Nov 09 at 3:23 pm