OJAI : Council Delays Vote on Skateboard Park

Worried that the city is facing another tight budget year, Ojai City Council members have delayed voting on a proposal to build a skateboard facility in Sarzotti Park.

After an hourlong discussion Tuesday night, council members voted to take up the issue again in May, when they review the city’s 1994-95 budget, or earlier if backers of the project identify private funds to pay for the facility.

The push for a skateboard park began gaining momentum in December, 1993, after some merchants and residents voiced concerns about youths skateboarding at the downtown Arcade.

Skateboarders then complained to the city that they were forced to ride through streets and parking lots, and noted that other California cities have provided public facilities that were widely used.

In August, the council endorsed the concept of a skateboard facility and formed a task force to study it further. And in December, a committee of the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that landscape architect Ken Wormhoudt be hired to design the park for $5,000.

But because the city’s sales tax revenue fell short of expectations in 1993-94 and the first half of this fiscal year, city staff recommended delaying action until revenue figures for the full year are available.