Galt council approves design contract for Chipola skatepark after public asks for more outreach

The Galt City Council on Tuesday voted 4-0 to award a design contract to Helix Environmental Planning for the Chipola Skatepark Enhancement Project, a concrete “poured-in-place” park the city has sought for more than a decade.

The vote follows staff presentations describing a consultant team that includes skatepark designers and subs identified in the request for proposals; the panel selected Helix from five submissions. Councilmember Reid moved to approve the contract and the motion passed on a roll call vote with Vice Mayor Sandhu, Councilmembers Reid and Rodriguez and Mayor Farmer voting aye.

City staff said the Helix team will perform environmental work and manage subconsultants, including a skate-park designer noted in the staff report. Public Works staff said the award covers both environmental and design phases and that the consultant selection will lead to buildable plans and public outreach before returning to the council or the Parks and Recreation Commission for final design approval.

Several speakers representing local skateboard, scooter and BMX communities thanked the council and urged more community meetings than the single outreach meeting listed in the consultant’s proposal. A member of the public asked that the actual skate-park designer be present at outreach so users can give direct input; Council members and staff said they will confirm how many public meetings are included in the contract and seek additional opportunities if needed. Councilmember Rodriguez specifically said she would meet with local skaters to gather feedback if the consultant’s scope proved limited.

Staff clarified that the design will be reviewed by the Parks & Recreation Commission before coming back to the council, meaning at least two public opportunities to comment: consultant outreach plus the commission review. The council directed staff to confirm the number and format of outreach sessions and to make meeting notices available online and through city channels.

The city will return to the council for approval of final plans and construction funding once the consultant finishes design work and the Parks & Recreation Commission issues a recommendation. The staff report said the project will be funded from budgeted CIP funds; no construction contract was awarded at Tuesday’s meeting.

The award was accompanied by public reminders from council and staff that involvement by local youth and users in the design process is important to long-term stewardship of the park.

Votes at a glance: motion to award design contract to Helix Environmental Planning — passed 4-0.