1986-08-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes August 12, 1986 I Public Hearing, continued Benke asked if the city would create a liability problem if it were to redevelop the park with a substandard ball diamond; LeFevere stated that if there are well-recognized standards of which council is mindful, there is increased potential for liability on the part of the city. Resident asked why none of the ball diamonds are handicapped accessible; Anderson stated we do not have paved trails but do allow people to drive vehicles to the area. Benke asked Anderson to advise the public that they are able to drive to the diamonds. I Lucille Goldman, 857 Third Avenue N.W., had heard no objections to the field; st. John's wants that street vacated. Dahms asked who had been to the park to watch a game and talk to the players; Anderson indicated he had. In response to Dahms's further questions, Proper indicated the improvement of Third Avenue between Eighth and Ninth Streets had been deleted from the bidding pending council's decision, Benke stated grading would begin this Fall and that the process would continue in the Spring, and Williams indicated he would like to proceed with whatever can be done this year. Lang asked for confirmation that Third Avenue will be closed between Eighth and Ninth Streets; Benke so confirmed. Brandt stated she believes this is not a question of having a ball diamond or a street: as the ball diamond in the plan is oriented to women's teams as well as more youthful groups of players, it would be a scheduling matter; with regard to the issue of convenience and safety, we ought to weigh heavily in favor of leaving the street in and develop the park as shown. Brandt further indicated she personally finds it difficult to enter Fifth Avenue from Eighth Street and noted that people going south on Fifth Avenue ought to be able to do so safetly (at the light on Tenth Street and Fifth Avenue); not convinced there will not be more of a traffic problem at St. John's church and there is the potential for vehicles cutting through St. John's parking lot unless barricades are built. For those reasons, Brandt indi- cated she would prefer to see the street left the way it is and the ball diamond considered as a special diamond for a particular use. I In response to Williams's inquiry, Anderson indicated that, under the present circumstances, scheduling the Veterans Park diamond for women's and youth's leagues would not be an appropriate alternative as the city already has adequate diamonds for those lea9ues, and there then would be no other alternate diamond for men s leagues. Page Six