New rules for Millbrae skate park

To address the interests of both parties, the Millbrae City Council approved Tuesday, April 23, a set of policies and regulations for the recently renovated park near Taylor Middle School and the Spur Trail.

The park used by skateboard, bike and scooter riders was closed earlier this year for repairs and the improved version returned in late March to much acclaim, said City Manager Tom Williams.

“So far we have seen significant improvements. I’ve seen more kids out there in the last couple weeks than I have in the last seven or eight years,” said Williams, according to video of the meeting.

During the weeks when the park was closed, workers refurbished damaged ramps, cleaned graffiti, removed trash and spruced up other elements of the facility which has been operated by the city since 2007.

In an effort to assure the fixes last, councilmembers agreed during the meeting to approve a set of rules to be posted at the park which will become eligible for police to enforce.

The regulations require riders to wear helmets and pads, limit the city’s responsibility in case of injuries, restrict alcohol or drugs, establish hours of operation and other standard mandates.

To further monitor the grounds, officials set up two surveillance cameras which can capture the entirety of the site. Such technology is needed to discourage misbehavior and vandalism, as officials documented prior to the cleanup some of the equipment was abused and garbage was dumped at the site. Beyond the city’s contribution, a user group was formed to help keep the park clean.

Looking ahead, officials questioned the future of the nearby restroom. Williams said an examination is underway to establish a use policy which will keep the facility open and also protect it from vandalism. Vice Mayor Reuben Holober suggested if such a solution cannot be identified, placing a portable toilet at the site might be a reasonable compromise.

“We are looking at all those options and the cost benefits and we will report back,” said Williams.

While more work remains on the horizon to assure the park keeps its sheen, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Julie Turner said the scene appears in much better condition than it has in years.

“Every time I drive by it looks really great,” said Turner, who claimed feedback from park users has been positive as well.

Councilmembers voted 4-0 in favor of establishing the new park rules, with Councilwoman Ann Schneider absent from the meeting.

In other news at the meeting, Holober said officials had been interested in negotiating a contract with former bike sharing company Lime to introduce services in Millbrae, just as the company abandoned its bikes in favor of focusing on scooter rentals.

While there was no discussion around allowing Lime to offer scooters in Millbrae, Mayor Wayne Lee suggested officials refine liability policies to assure the city is not responsible for injuries potentially caused by scooters.

Also, Councilwoman Gina Papan said officials have been contacted by companies who have expressed interest in operating the hotel to be built in the Gateway at Millbrae Station mixed-used development on BART land at the city train station. While the project developer has worked with the Residence Inn to design the hotel, Papan called for allowing other hoteliers such as Hyatt to operate the 164-room establishment. No decision was made, and the discussion of the development is slated to return before officials next month.

Also returning before officials at a later date is the proposal to build a mixed-use development on the former FlightCar parking lot on El Camino Real. Councilmembers were slated to make a decision on the proposal to redevelop the site into an office, retail and residential building with eight units at the meeting, but the item was pulled from the agenda and postponed to a later date.

And finally, Councilwoman Anne Oliva announced her candidacy for state Senate in a press release Thursday, April 25. Oliva joins a race with Menlo Park entrepreneur Josh Becker, Burlingame Councilman Michael Brownrigg, former assemblywoman Sally Lieber of Mountain View and Redwood City Councilwoman Shelly Masur in the race for the seat occupied by state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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