Denise Rockenstein–Staff writer
CLEARLAKE — Where there”s a will there is a way and the youth of Clearlake got their way Thursday night at the city council meeting. Following a lengthy discussion that commended the youth for the commitment to ride the council made a couple decisions that left the teens gleaming with appreciation.
After taking into consideration the steadfast determination in seeing the Clearlake Skatepark repaired and re-opened, the council decided to allow dual use of the facility on alternate days with a trust that the riders will follow the rules.
Seemingly more important to the youth was the council”s acceptance of their request to rename the park in memory of Andrew “Andy” Johnson, who they described as instrumental in bridging the gap between skateboarders and BMX riders.
Youth advocate, teacher and church leader Ken Savin offered the council some insight into the life of Andy Johnson and the effect he had on his peers. “When I first started going to the skatepark, there was a clear animosity between the skaters and the bikers. They seemed to glare at each other with an ?evil eye” whenever they got in each other”s way, or when they cut in or ?snaked” when someone was waiting to do a trick. Enter Andy,” he said.
“He was just as talented on BMX as he was skateboarding. Partly because Andy was good at skateboarding and BMX, he was well-liked by both groups. People in both groups respected him. It was also because of his overall bright and happy personality, he brought the skaters and bikers together.”
A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, two days prior to the second anniversary of Johnson”s death. The community is invited and encouraged to share in the event celebrating the initiative taken by youth and honor the legacy and inspiration left behind by their friend.
An effort to rename the skatepark in Johnson”s memory was brought before the council in 2007.
However, policies for such an action were not in place and the council denied the request. Although there are still no policies in place, after a discussion illustrating how hard the teens worked to get the park re-opened and how important it is to them that the park commemorate the inspiration that has united them in the cause, Vice Mayor Chuck Leonard brought forward a motion to rename the park in Johnson”s memory. The motion received a second and was passed on a 5-0 vote.
The council elected to allow dual-use of the facility. Bicycle riders were given priority on even-numbered days while skateboarders get to use the park on odd-numbered days. Should there be no bikers using the park on the assigned days, rules are such to allow skateboarders use of the facility and vice-versa. Safety equipment must be worn at all times while using the facility and violators will be subject to citation.
Included in the discussion was the possibility of applying for a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps build skateparks in underprivileged communities. City staff reported that Clearlake does not qualify for the grant because it already has an existing facility.
Also included in the discussion of the item was $18,006 in undocumented expenses for improvements at The Hot Spot youth center in Clearlake. Authorization was given to the city administrator to repay the California Department of Parks and Recreation the amount from the General Fund.
“We have reviewed the files and cannot justify the $38,878 that has been paid to the city,” City Administrator Dale Neiman reported. “We were able to justify $20,872. There was inadequate documentation for $6,049 and no information on how $11,957 was spent. So, we have to repay the state $18,006 out of the General Fund. It is possible we may have to repay the state more money based on the audit of the records.”
Neiman reported once the state conducts an audit, the facility will be required to be maintained in an acceptable manner and operated for 10 years as a youth center. If the facility is not maintained adequately or operated as a youth center for a 10-year period, the city will be required to return the $20,872 that has been justified.
After the state is repaid the $18,006, there will be $21,570 left in the grant. Staff”s recommendation was that the remaining funds be reallocated toward the construction of a second skateboard or BMX facility. He said staff was making the recommendation to avoid the possibility of having to repay the state $60,448 out of the General Fund in the event that the city cannot afford to maintain The Hot Spot building in an acceptable manner or if the youth center cannot continue to be open enough hours as required by the state.
Councilmember Joyce Overton, who also serves as president of the youth club housed in The Hot Spot, expressed her opposition to the recommendation stating that the money should stay where it was originally allocated. Ultimately, the council authorized the administrator to repay the state the $18,006 and no action was taken on where the remaining grant funds should be placed.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
