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Council to vote on skate park move
council preview pic
The ceremony to dedicate the newly named Brandon Koch Memorial Skate Park was held in April. The City Council will decide on Tuesday whether to move the skate park from Starr Avenue to Donnelly Park. - photo by Journal file photo

The decision to relocate the Brandon Koch Memorial Skate Park from its current Starr Avenue location to Donnelly Park has garnered applause, dismay and outcry from the Turlock community.
On Tuesday night, the Turlock City Council will make the final decision on the proposed relocation of the park.
The park is up for relocation due to the impending sale of the land it sits on from the City to the Turlock Irrigation District.
On July 10, the Turlock Parks, Recreation and Community Commission held a public hearing to discuss the redesign and relocation of the skate park. At that meeting, Allison Van Guilder, who serves as Parks Recreation and Public Facilities manager, said the move to Donnelly was the best option for the new skate park, citing ample space, restroom facilities and adequate parking.
Naysayers of the decision however, citied the increased possibility for crime, noise and homeless presence at Donnelly.
Ultimately, the Commission approved the relocation and redesign of the skate park. The $240,000 project would be set to open in April 2014, if approved by council.
On Tuesday, the Council is also set to:
• Vote on a budget amendment to contract for a Fiscal Impact Analysis reexamining the existing public service mitigation fee. The amendment would come in light of the Public Safety requirements set by the new master plan. Due to the fact that tax revenue from CFD #2 no longer surpass the amount of public services, the city will establish adequate funding based on a fiscal impact analysis service.
• Direct the Mayor and City Manager to provide letters to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce in support of an application to host a stage event for the 2014 Amgen Tour of California.
• Consider authorizing the City of Turlock to join the FigTREE PACE Program, a financing model made available through the California Enterprise Development Authority. Operating under Assembly Bill 811, FIGTREE PACE enables property owners to make payments for Property Assessed Clean Energy financing through a line item charge on their property tax bill.
• Consider authorizing the City of Turlock to join the CaliforniaFIRST, a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) finance program for non-residential properties.
The Turlock City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Yosemite Room of Turlock City Hall, 156 S. Broadway.