Bettendorf Park Board Meeting Minutes for March 8, 2001

Crow Creek Park selected as site for new skate park

MINUTES
BETTENDORF PARK BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 8, 2001

The Bettendorf Park Board held a special meeting on March 8, 2001 at 4:00 pm in the Canteen Room at the Herbert D. Goettsch Community Center.



Present: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
Absent: None



Chairman Hutter stated that this meeting is being held to discuss the location for the Skate Park. He complimented the initiative of the kids and adults who got together to have a Skate Park in our community. Bettendorf will be among the other communities who will have a Skate Park.



Commissioner Glenn asked if the Skate Park were to be located in Crow Creek Park, would we lose the funding from the Scott County Regional Authority?



Steve Grimes stated that the Scott County Regional Authority stipulated that they preferred the Skate Park to be located in Middle Park.

He talked with Patsy Ramicetti, Director of the Scott County Regional Authority, to see if the funding would still be approved if the Skate Park was located in Crow Creek Park.

She said that there is a possibility, but would have to be voted on by the Board.

They will not be meeting until next week.



Commissioner Adamson stated that this is a very difficult decision. He has had a lot of telephone calls and letters.

He feels that the skate boarders have been inappropriately labeled. One of the main concerns of the Board is accessibility. However, one of the factors that was not discussed was how compatible the Skate Park would be with the other activities offered in the park.

We have the band shell with senior citizens coming to the evening concerts, girls' softball, children's soccer, and the bike path that is used by all ages.

Middle Park is a family oriented location. There are concerns about the Crow Creek Park location as well. There is no sidewalk that goes all the way to the park. But, since there are a lot of adult softball leagues at this location, Crow Creek Park is the better location.

He recommended not constructing the Skate Park in the proposed tennis court area.

Commissioner Makoben also voiced his concerns about labeling the skateboarders. He felt there was some misconception of the location. He was in favor of the location in Middle Park near the Band Shell.



Commissioner Kamp stated that he was in favor of the Middle Park location near the Band Shell. It is the most accessible location with the sidewalks, bike trail, and two-lane street. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour at both sites, and he expressed his concerns that the cars travel at a higher speed on Devils Glen Road.

He stated that his highest priority is for the safety of the kids getting to the park, but understands the concerns of the people that live around the park.

Commissioner Glenn stated that he agrees with Commissioner Adamson. The phone calls received indicated that Middle Park was the easiest location to get to. That should not be our concern.

The people that live around the park have a legitimate concern. There are two locations in Crow Creek Park, one was the proposed tennis court location and the other was on a hillside. The hillside should be a better site for a Skate Park.



Chairman Hutter stated that he has had a lot of phone calls, letters, and petitions. In looking at the community as a whole, we are moving to the north and the east. Also, he has looked at other city locations of their Skate Parks.

Middle Park is the most accessible and the police are able to drive by and observe. However, we have eliminated the parking along 23rd Street.

Regarding the Crow Creek Park location, the sidewalks are a concern, but there are sidewalks on the West Side of the street. He observed kids skate boarding at the old Eagles Store and at the museum. There were no adults there. The kids got to those locations without an adult. Crow Creek Park does have plenty of parking, restrooms and drinking fountains. He is leaning towards Crow Creek Park for the Skate Park location.



On motion by Kamp, seconded by Adamson, to locate the Skate Park in Crow Creek Park.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
Nays: None



On motion by Adamson, seconded by Glenn, to receive and file all correspondence and petitions regarding the Skate Park.



Roll call on motion: Ayes: Hutter, Adamson, Glenn, Kamp, and Makoben
Nays: None

The correspondence and petitions are annex #1 to these minutes.



Chairman Hutter thanked everyone present for attending the meeting. He especially wanted to thank the kids and Commissioner Kamp for the work they have done. He hopes they are able to raise the additional funding needed, and the Park Board will apply for another grant to build a nice facility.



On motion by Makoben, seconded by Kamp, to adjourn the meeting at 4:15 pm.