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Saturday, May 25, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
June 20, 2012
DALLAS -- Starting Tuesday, skateboarders weren't the only riders allowed in the Dallas Skateboard Park.
Monday night the Dallas City Council approved, and put into effect immediately, a four-month trial period allowing bikes in the skatepark. They had been banned previously.
The trial period allows skaters, bikers and the city to see if lifting the ban permanently would be feasible.
"It was a lot of hard work, but I'm glad it's done," said biker Jamey Scott after Monday's meeting.
Scott and fellow biker David Solvedt have been lobbying to allow bikes in the skatepark for more than a year. They began meeting with city staff about two months ago to request a trial period.
Dallas bikers have attempted to build their own park on several occasions, but were unsuccessful. The skatepark has always had all the obstacles they were looking for -- except they weren't allowed to ride there.
"Not having to worry about being kicked out of the park will be nice," Solvedt said.
The trial period ends Nov. 1.
Solvedt said between now and then, he will be encouraging bikers to be respectful of other skatepark users and park rules, including wearing helmets and picking up trash.
"We are going to ride our bikes and take care of the skatepark," Scott said.
The city council will revisit the issue again after the trial period ends.
In other business, the council:
* Approved a resolution adopting its 2012-13 budget in the amount of $28.1 million, $9.7 million of which is in the general fund.
* Approved a resolution creating a "pretreatment program" fee schedule. The city's pretreatment program controls waste discharged in the city sewer system, mostly by industrial users and restaurants. The fee system, affecting about 70 businesses, will help cover the cost of the the program. Fees vary by type of business and residential users, offices and most retail businesses are excluded.
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