Skateboarding discussed at meeting today

The Carson City Redevelopment Authority Citizen's Committee continues discussions today on a plan to ban skateboarding and rollerblading downtown.

Several businesses in areas such as Telegraph Square have complained skateborders are causing property damage and are dangerous to pedestrians.

For over a month the committee and District Attorney's Office have worked on the ordinance. The difficult issue is how to enforce the proposed ban.

Deputy District Attorney Neil Rombardo said current city ordinances prohibiting trespassing, destruction of property and loitering could be enforced to stop skateboard damage and danger. He said another city ordinance prohibits bicycling on downtown sidewalks and proposed the city add skateboarding and rollerblading to that ordinance rather than creating a new one.

Enforcement would still be a problem, but Redevelopment Authority Chairwoman Robin Williamson said maybe the city's bicycle police officers could patrol the area during the hours when most of the skateboarding occurs.

"It's complicated, really," Rombardo said. "Any time you want to ban something like that, there are a lot of hoops to jump through."

The committee will also discuss what should be done with money from the sale of redevelopment land to Costco.

The land is valued at $3.2 million. Williamson had the discussion pulled from a board of supervisors agenda a month ago so the committee could discuss what the money should be used for.

In a meeting with Fuji Park users, three city supervisors said they were committed to spending the sale money on Fuji Park.

The school district, Carson City library and Parks and Recreation commission have said they'd like to claim some of the proceeds.

Redevelopment Director Rob Joiner said he was more concerned with making sure future property tax dollars stay in the district rather than focusing on where the sale money goes.If you go:

What: Carson City Redevelopment Authority Citizen's Committee

When: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Where: City Hall's Capitol Conference Room, 201 N. Carson St.