AGENDA REPORT S UMMARY

TO Honorable Mayor and Me of the City Council

FROM Rod Go ld C Moo

VINITIATED BY Robert Clark Director of Community Services

lJune Dudas Assistant Director of Community ServiceS

DATE March 3 2009

SUBJECT Poway Skate Park Automated Access Control System

ABSTRACT

The Poway Skate Park currently operates as an unsupervised park There continue to be issues

related to vandalism graffiti and inappropriate behavior at the park To provide more control

without supervising the park staff has researched an automated access system and upgrades to

the existing security camera system to include motion activated irnagery as well as ongoing film

footage

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

This report is not subject to CEQA review

FISCAL IMPACT

The preliminary cost estimate for the project is 50 000 which is available from other capitalproject savings Estirnated ongoing cost is 1 500 per year for maintenance of the system

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

None

RECOMMENDATION

It is recornmended that the City Council approve the concept of the controlled access system and

security camera solution as presented and to fund the project using existing CIP funds available

from savinQs in other proiects

Motion by Councilmember Cunningham seconded by Deputy Mayor Higginson to approveACTION the concept of the controlled access systern and security camera solution Motion carried

by unanirnous vote of those present Cafagna absent

d2

inda A Troyan MMC City Clerk

N cilyshare agenda sum doc On

1 of 7 March 3 2009 Item 3

CITY OF POWAYAGENDA REPORT

TO Honorable Mayor and Me of the City Counc

FROM Rod Gould City Manager

INITIATED BY Robert Clark Director of Cornmunity ServicesJune Dudas Assistant Director of Community servicesP

DATE March 3 2009

SUBJECT Poway Skate Park Automated Access Control Systern

BACKGROUND

The Poway Skate Park opened as an unsupervised skate park in 2003 and has

become a popular venue for youth and adults According to the National SportingGoods Association the ten year period ending in 2007 saw a 93 increase in youthskateboarding nationwide significantly outpacing traditional youth sports such as

soccer baseball and football Over the past five years the Poway Skate Parkrestrooms and surrounding area have had numerous incidents of vandalism graffitiand illegal break ins Illegal alcohol and drug use has been an increasing problemby skaters as well as non skaters Although the vast majority of skate park users

are peaceful and respectful skate park users have been threatening staff and

unwilling to follow direction on many occasions creating an uncomfortable andsornetirnes volatile environment

There are three main issues pertaining to the overall operation of the Poway SkatePark

1 Vandalism and Graffiti

Vandals have rnade the most of the freedom afforded in an unsupervisedfacility Graffiti bent and broken fences and broken locks have been an

ongoing issue at the skate p rk

20f7 March 3 2009 Item 3

poway Skate Park AuiomatedAccess Control SystemMarch 3 2009

Page 2

2 Behavior Disrespectirfg staff putting staff in a volatile situation illegaldrug and alcohol us

The unsupervised setting and relative anonymity for users provides an

opportunity for inappropriate behaviors including drinking and drug use

Some park patrons becorne belligerent towards City staff who are typicallyhigh school college aged part time employees Skaters often refuse to leave

the park at closing and jump the fence to skate after hours The overall

environment at the park creates a deterrent for younger skaters to come to

the park either by their own choice or because the ir parents won t allow it

and has increased part time staff turnover BMX bicyclists continue to

patronize the park despite signage that bikes are not allowed and are

regularly told by staff to leave the park

3 Offsite skating at Creekside Shopping Center and Community Park

parking lot and basketball court

There continue to be skaters who frequent Creekside Plaza and choose to

skate at the Community Park parking lot and basketball court This is

particularly the case during supervised skate sessions when the park has

been closed for vandalism repairs or due to rain

In an effort to provide increased skating opportunities for youth and reduce loiteringat the skate park in early 2008 the City Council approved staffing at the skate parkfor two days per week for a total of hours via minor adjustments to the Mobile

Recreation Program These staffed sessions have proven very popular with youngskaters and their families providing a safe non threatening atmosphere Some

younger skaters still choose to go to Creekside Plaza or elsewhere in CommunityPark because they do not want to wear the necessary safety gear

Effective October 1 2008 the City reduced the hours that the skate park was open in

the evenings from 9 30 p m to 8 00 p m to decrease behavioral issues and late

night loitering around the restrooms and park area A survey of 14 other San DiegoCounty cities found that Poway is currently the only agency offering a lit skate facilityafter dark that is unsupervised Poway Skate Park tends to attract skaters from

outside of town who are shut out of their cornmunity s skate parks after dusk The

benefits of closing the park at 8 00 p rn have been ad crease in the number of out

oFtown skaters that frequent the park after other skate parks close

Community Services staff continues to have an ongoing dialogue with SafetyServices regarding the skate park and recently rnet to discuss the lingering issues

regarding staff safety vandalism and off site skating activities and to consider three

alternative methods to address the problems

A Enhanced Security Camera Upgrading the securitycarnera with rnodels that

offers greater resolution motion and full color images will aid in enforcement and be

a better deterrent to inappropriate activities

3 of March 3 2009 Item 3

Poway Skate Park Automated Access Control SystemMarch 3 2009

Page 3

B Automated Access Control System This concept is based on an 8 foot tall dual

turnstile device as shown in the attachment and allows entry to skaters usingthumbprint biometrics after their information has been entered into a user database

This technology is effectively being used in permit only parking structures which

have similar attributes as a skate park operation outdoors isolated unsupervisedand prone to vandalism Although there have been no documented cases of an

automated turnstile access system at a skate park on site meetings with

experienced velldors indicates that this approach holds merit for the Poway Skate

Park Turnstiles without automation have been successfully used in many skate

parks to eliminate BMX bike access

Community Services Public Works Safety Services and the Sheriff s Departmentagree that an access control system would provide desirable control without added

supervision The proposed system along with enhanced security cameras providesmotivation for skaters to follow park rules break the rules and lose your skatingprivileges and gives the City the ability to regulate flow into the park by age group

residency and time of day Opening and closing the park could now be done in an

automated fashion freeing Community Services and Public Works staff for higherpriority tasks A dual turnstile design is envisioned the entry side would lock and

unlock based on a timer and the exit side would operate freely There would also

remain an access gate for emergency services and maintenance

C Increased Supervision Staff has researched the possibility of increasing Citysupervision as well as having the park operated by a private vendor While these two

options certainly provide the ultimate control of what goes on at a skate park theyalso come with an ongoing annual cost to the city of between 60 000 and 80 000

annually Offsetting revenues are difficult to predict since we know so little about

our skating population s ability to pay The City of San Diego experienced a 20

cost recovery when charging admission fees at each of their skate parks In the

privatization scenario the annual cost assumes what the City would need to

subsidize the vendor in order to keep skating fees affordable to skaters based on

other cities experiences Too high of a fee can encourage an increase in off site

skating

Skater Input

City staff recently surveyed 75 Poway skaters to collect their feedback and

recommendations on how to protect the community s investment in the Poway Skate

Park what can be done to attract skaters into the park and away from Creekside

Plaza and other areas and how to make the park experience more appealing for all

skaters The survey revealed that skating is an important part of their lives and

how most get their physical activity Skaters enjoy the free unsupervised experiencebut are frustrated when park rules are not enforced consistently because it results in

inequitable treatment and they don t know what to expect each time they skate

They know it is hit or miss as to whether staff or a deputy will catch someone in the

act of violating a rule as well as whether that person has tirne to stop to do anythingabout it or not

40f7 March 3 2009 Itern

powaySkateParkAutomatedAccessControlSystemMarch32009Page4FINDINGSPowaySkateParkisapopularskatingvenueandrespondstopublicdemandforthisindividualizedsportMorecontrolisneededtoaddresscontinuingandincreasingissuesattheparktoprovideasaferplacefortheparksprimaryaudienceThegoalistoenhancesafetyandtoprotectpublicpropertyAmultifacetedbutholisticapproachisneededtoaddresstheseconcernsAnupgradedsecuritycamerasystemwillassistinvandalismenforcementandhasbeenaneffectivetoolforotheragenciesItwonttakelongforwordtogetoutintheskatingcommunitythatthecameraismoresophisticatedanddeliversmoreaccuratevisualsAnautomatedaccesscontrolsystemusingthumbprintbiometricswillgenerateadatabaseofparkuserspreviouslyregisteredinthesystemThesystemcanbeprogrammedtoallowselectedagegroupstoenteratcertaintimesthroughoutthedayandtheweekwhichcouldbeusefulforyoungerskaterswhoareintimidatedbyskatingwithmoreexperiencedskatersThebiometricthumbprintreaderwouldeliminatetheconcernofskaterspassingamembershipcardtoeachotherthroughthefenceAlternativelyarnembershipcardofferssimilarwaystoaddressthatconcernincludingdailyadmissioncapsbutwouldbelessconvenientforskatersandthecardswouldcarryacostforfirstissuesandreplacementsParentsofyouthundertheageof14wouldalsohaveaccesstotheparkperthelegalrequirementthataparentordesignatedadultmustbeattheparktosuperviseskatersinthisagebracketThroughamembershipdatabaseandenhancedsecuritycamerasstaffandlawenforcementcanmorereadilyidentifyrestrictandprosecuteselectuserschoosingtonotfollowthelawandparkrulesandtocaptureimagesofthosewhoillegallyentertheparkatnightThiseliminatesthecurrentneedtoclosedowntheentireparkpunishingallskaterswhenthereisvandalismorrulebreakingcommittedbyoneoronlyaselectfewskatersTheautomatedaccesscontrolandsecuritysysterneliminatesunauthorizedscootersandbicyclesintheskateparkwhichtheskateparkisnotsafelydesignedforandcreatesadeterrentforunderagedrinkingloiteringandillegaldruguseAutomatedgatelockingandunlockingenablesstaffresourcestobemoreefficientlyfocusedinotherareasandhelpsaddresstheproblemsnowoccurringwhenstaffclosestheparkatnightStaffisalsoevaluatingthepossibilityofusingfencingtoincorporatetherestroomsinsideoftheskateparkinordertoincreasecontrolofthatvandalismproneassetENVIRONMENTALREVIEWThisitemisnotsubjecttoCEQAreview5ofMarch32009Item3

PowaySkateParkAutomatedAccessControlSystemMarch32009Page5FISCALIMPACTThepreliminarycostestimatefortheprojectis50000whichisavailablefromothercapitalprojectsavingsEstimatedongoingcostis1500peryearformaintenanceofthesystemPUBLICNOTIFICATIONANDCORRESPONDENCENoneRECOMMENDATIONItisrecommendedthattheCityCouncilapprovetheconceptofthecontrolledaccesssystemandsecuritycamerasolutionaspresentedandtofundtheprojectusingexistingCIPfundsavailablefromsavingsinotherprojectsAttachmentASampleautomatedturnstilesystem6ofMarch32009Item3

FromSarahChristenseQSentTuesdayMarch032009107PMToLindaTroyanSubjectskateparkandwaterIspoketoyouonthetelephoneafewminutesagoReguardingourconversationabouttheskateboardparkIdonHeelinthiseconomythatweshouldhavet6spend50000onitIthinkilcouldbemonitoredbeoneoftheseniorvolunteersIvelivedherefor35yearsandmykidsdidfinewithoutitMaybetheyshouldbechargedtousethefacilityOrmaybeiftheycanttakeofitandnotvandalizeweshouldjustcloseitReguardingthewatertothePowaygradeto67ItseemsthatafewyearsagbwhenalandownerwantedtohavecitywatertherethosesamepeopledidntwantanypartofthatIguessn6wthaflheirwellsaredryinguptheyresingingadifferenttunelImnotsurethatwecanilffordtodothatnowandaUhesametimethewanttobeaddedtothefiowofcitywaterwethathavehaditfof35yearsinmycasewerebeingaskedtOcutback20mallfortryingtosavewaterbutaUhesametimeifthereisntenoughfortheexistingcustorriersthennewonesshouldntbeaddedChrisChristensen1of11March32009Item3

t S OO At d ed

From Barbara

Sent Monday March 02 2009 1 03 PM

To Mickey CafagnaSubject Tuesday March 3rd City Council Meeting

Dear M ayor I agree with the City s fiQding that we the citizens of Poway should not pay for water to be

extenaed to the east end of Poway

In regardsto the skatepark I donlsee why the City should spend any more money to satisfy a few

children That skate park has had its share of problems The first weekthatskate park wasbLiild theydestroyed the bathrooms Some of the parents in my neighborhood do not allow their children togo to

the skate park because of bad language and intimidation I propose that the City get bids from

companies that run skate parks and have them run the skate park

1 It would free up more time fOr the sheriff to do other things

2 It would control some of the bad behavior

3 It would make those who use the park pay for its use

Now of all times when the City face financial instabilitywe don t need to be spending money for the goodof a few Even if the City his to subsidize some of the cost it might beWorth a look see

Barbara November

LindaTroyanFromJuneDudasSentMondayMarch022009201PMTodogcrazyCcMickeyCafgnaRodGouldRobertClarkiPennyRileyLindaTroyanShelleyCollinsSubjectRETuesdayMarch3rdCityCouncilMeetingGoodafternoonMsNovemberThankyouforyouremaiIregardingthePowaySkateParkwhichhasbeenreferredtomeforresponseStaffresearchedthepossibilityofhiringacontractortooperateandoverseetheskateparkoperationsandspoketocitieslhathavedonethisWefoundthatthecost10theCitywouldstillbeinthe8000090000rangewhichwouldbepaidannuallytothecontractorThissubsidyisnecessarytokeepuserfeescomparabletothegoingmarketrangeotherwiscwewouldneedtoexpectskaterstoavoidthcparkandopttoskateforfreeintheneighborhoodsandshoppingcentersTheonlyunsubsidizedskateparksexistinshoppingcentersandarepartofanoverallretailoperationwheresalesofskateboardsaccessoriesandappareloffsetthecostoftheskateparkitselfGiventheCitys10Milliol1investmentintheskateparkthe50000onetimecapitalinvestmentseemedthemostprudentapproachItisourintentthatthesystemdesignwillreducebadbehaviorandvandalismthusreducingcallsforservicetothePowaySheriffThedatawewillhowhaveonparkuserscoupledwiththesecuritycameraswillallowustopenalizethosewhoabusetheprivilegeofusingtheparkandsendtheclearmessagethatthoseactivitieswillnotbeallowedFurtherbecausethisfollowupcanbehandledbyCitystaffdeputiescanfocusonmoreimportantcommunityissucsIhopethatthisinformationishelpfulJuneDudasASSIstantDIrectorCommunItyServIces8586684581StrivingtobethesofestmostfomiyfriendlycommunityinSanDiegoCountyCheckusoutonthewebatwwwl5owayorqRegisterforeassesjeheekoutfaeiHiesfaryournexteventandmore1