Further Discussions Regarding Proposed Skatepark At Council Work Session

The Glasgow City Council held a work session on Dec. 11 in the Council Chambers. The agenda included discussion on requiring disconnection from water/sewer mains on a demolition permit, discussion on the rotational engineer selection process, reviewing House Bill 355 (which is funding coming to the city) project listing and prioritize for funding as well as further discussion on the proposed skatepark on city property.

Work sessions are not regular meetings instead they are used for addressing major issues more effectively. These types of meetings provide opportunities for the city council members to focus on long-term decisions rather than the day-to-day management issues that confront the city. Work session meetings are intended to provide opportunities for council members to study difficult issues, gather and analyze information and clarify problems.

The biggest topic of discussion during the work session was the skatepark with members of Siding 45 committee, the committee in charge of the Skatepark, and proponents as well as opponents in the audience.

“Still a lot of information being passed around. Comments/letters coming in, pro and con. So we really didn’t get much time to discuss the other day but figure we need to take a look at that, and us looking at it more in depth. And share questions, concerns” explained Mayor Rod Karst for the reason the skatepark was on the agenda for this working meeting.

Councilwoman Lisa Koski made it clear that the city council isn’t opposed to a skate park, however in addition to a location being up in the air so is the delegation of responsibilities are once the skate park is put in. “I think we need to get down and create a memorandum of understanding on whose responsibilities of what...basically what we’re going to take care of, what they’re going to take care of...just so we know who's responsible for what,” explained Koski. “That’s the only thing I thought we should discuss instead of waiting and waiting and waiting, so that they know what we expect out of them and vice versa.”

Mayor Karst also mentioned how over the years other entities, specifically the Pioneer Museum and the School District, have wanted a piece of Bundy Park, the proposed location for a future skatepark. “Council said no on both occasions. So the precedence has been sent, just in particular that park,” stated Karst. He also reminded the council of a previous proposed dog rescue facility where the neighbors banded together and though the person who wanted to head up the facility had gone through all of the necessary steps, the council went against approving the facility due to the neighbors not wanting it. “Right now you’ve got a number of neighbors in that particular area saying we don’t want it here. Not saying they don’t want it, they don’t want it there,” stated Karst in how the current situation is similar to something the council has already gone through once before.

Councilman Stan Ozark challenged the precedence mentioned by Mayor Karst stating “As far as the precedence goes, I wouldn’t expect the decision that I make today voting and in 15 years the council go ‘well that council in 2023 was so smart we can’t change that.’ I don’t buy so much into that but I do understand the neighbor aspect of it.” He also reflected on the dog facility decision stating, “The dog thing, that’s my biggest regret, was voting against that. Here was a lady who worked her butt off, went by the code that this council had written and put in. Then several neighbors came and this council caved, including myself. She was devastated by what happened because she followed the rules,” reflected Ozark. “This isn’t the museum or the school. This is an activity that’s going to be put into a park.”

“A public activity, a park for everybody. There’s anybody that can do it,” echoed Koski.

Councilman Doug Nistler also agreed the skatepark would be utilized as another park activity if Bundy Park would be the final location stating “The museum was taking that land, going to do something different or nobody could use it no more....We’re still using the part for park stuff. Every kid, every adult, every traveling person through could still stop and use our park.”

Councilman Nistler also stressed the importance of being open to new things and having these new things come into fruition. “I’ve been on the city council now for about six years. And I never met a town that’s so afraid of trying something different. Anytime somebody brings something new to this community it’s important.....The lack of moving forward in this community is going to kill us. Anything, there’s so many things that this community is afraid of what it might cost them that we’re not willing to advance, we’re at a standstill.”

Councilman Butch Heitman stated the location is still a toss up for him stating, “It’s going to be a big deal. Like I say, I wish we could get more of the neighbors on board with you.”

Discussions then went into the pros and cons of the secondary option, putting the skatepark back where it was originally at the Fairgrounds.

“It’s important to us to look at the Bundy location or to lobby the Bundy location because that’s what we’ve started to plan....We’re looking at spending money on an engineering survey and we just don’t want the rug pulled out from under us,” stated Siding 45 committee member Travis Young. “We want to know how a new location will impact our fundraising amount. We don’t know because everything’s been sort of planned around the idea of a location like Bundy.”

After the discussions, Mayor Rod Karst stated a memo of understanding should begin to be drafted, which also includes a development agreement and hours of operation, while the Siding 45 Committee gets an engineering study completed on the park to see if the space would even be viable for a skatepark. According to President of Siding 45 Tess Fahlgren, they have been in contact with a company in Williston regarding the geotechnical analysis and should be getting a proposal to the committee soon.

The Skatepark is not on the agenda to further discuss at the next regular council meeting on Dec. 18 however the City Council will meet in regular session Tuesday, Jan. 2, and Tuesday, Jan. 16. The meetings will be held on Tuesdays due to the observed holidays during the regular scheduled dates.