HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS Boyd Park Re-OpeningCITY OF�Afl
Agenda Item No: 5 • b
Meeting Date: March 16, 2015
SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community Services
Prepared by: Carlene McCart ,, City Manager Approval:
121Ca,11rs
SUBJECT: Re -Opening of Boyd Park
RECOMMENDATION: Accept report and allocate funds for the short term and long term response to the
re -opening of Boyd Park.
BACKGROUND: On January 26, Boyd Park was temporarily closed to the public in response for an initial
30 -day period to allow response to the health and security issues created by chronic littering, illegal
behavior, the presence of abandoned drug paraphernalia suggestive of illegal narcotics activities, and
vandalism.
On February 2, the City Council accepted the report on the Emergency Closure of Boyd Park enacted
January 26, 2015. The report stated the closure would continue for 30 days while City staff created a
strategy for a coordinated strategy to secure, restore and re -open Boyd Park with family friendly
community activities.
The action was taken in response to Illegal activity in Boyd Park has steadily increased over the last five
years. The presence of drug use and sale, alcohol consumption, overnight camping, after hours use and
dangerous debris has continued despite concentrated efforts of the Police Department, Park Ranger staff,
the Parks Division of Public Works Department, and outreach to local service providers.
The Director of Community Services is authorized in the San Rafael Municipal Code, Chapter 8.10.160 -
Park closure, to close a park or recreation facility.
Staff from the City Manager's Office, Police, Public Works, and Community Services teamed with
Economic Development and Volunteer Coordinator to create a strategy for re -opening Boyd Park to the
public. At the first meeting on February 5, it was clear that a comprehensive plan to secure clean, restore,
complete community outreach, plan and schedule community activities will require more than the initial 30 -
day closure to execute. At a regular meeting of February 16, the City Council accepted the additional 30 -
day closure during which time the City continued to secure, and initiate clean-up and refurbishment of
Boyd Park.
ANALYSIS: The progress to date includes:
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
File No.:
Council Meeting: 0/s
a�...
Disposition:
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
Security: From January 26 through March 1 there were fifty-five incidents recorded by the Police
Department at Boyd Park. Forty-eight of those incidents were the result of patrol of the site by Officers
and Park Rangers.
Two of those incidents resulted in Citations for being in a closed park, along with violation of juvenile
probation and providing false identity to an officer.
Three Reports were filed for a homeless encampment, a suspicious circumstance and Citations issued.
Police staff estimates 20 hours of staff time has been dedicated to this effort.
Restoration: Based on the findings of a field meeting with the City Manager and staff members of the
Police, Public Works, Community Services Departments and Economic Development, Public Works
personnel initiated clean up operations of all debris, camping and personal equipment and possessions
within the park as well as mobilized all crews to perform vegetation removal, tree pruning, pathway
modifications, landscaping improvements and removal of old and damaged features such as tables and
benches. Public Works authorized contractual services to assist with tree removal, vegetation clearing,
removal and replacement hardscape such as the driveway entrance and sidewalk, and reinstatement of
the electrical service to the existing lighting system. .
Public Works Parks and Street Crews continue to clean the park with a focus on creating clear sight lines
into the park for security enhancement. Personnel installed new landscape at the entrance on Mission
Avenue and other property frontage areas.
Staff coordinated with local Boy Scout Troops to repaint the black wrought iron entry gate and fencing on
Saturday, March 14.
Re- Opening: Community Services staff solicited venders, program providers and events for short term
(3-6 months) ongoing activities, designed to entice community residents and local business employees to
use Boyd Park on a regular basis.
The following chart summarizes the City response to the Boyd Park Closure to date:
snort I erm rtes OnSes
to the r-mergency
laOSure OT rso 'a
rarK
MIY � ,. ,1, nil71 ,..
J i i 11 d .VU. � p iP� � r
�l ,!.. A r ..INICUMMM
Security
POLICE
Patrol/Park Rangers
$2,000 (value)
55 incidents; 48 of
Combined 20 hours
55 incidents initiated
of service
by SRPD officers on
patrol;
0 Arrests; 2
Citations;
_.._...3
Reports. j
Restorationnu
Public Works
Initial Clea ..._„ p „ _
� $44,432
Staff and Equipment j
Contractual Services
$32,688
Tree removal; j
sidewalk repair,
electrical re air.
Materials
$863
Plants, soil prep,
aint, etc
Irrigation
$400
Installed to new
landscape.
Dump Fees
$4,383
Debris disposal.
,._.
Replace Portable
$150/mo
Install new unit at
Restroom
new location on park
site
Replace Park
$14,000*
Single and small
Furnishings
group seating/tables;
announcement
kiosk.
Volunteer Paint
$ 150
Paint gate and
Wrought Iron
wrought iron fencin .
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
Re -Opening
Community
Opening Event
$2,000*
Family picnic, music,
Services
Sunday April 26,
entertainment,
2015 1-4 p.m.
inflatable play
features, games.
Mid Week Instruction
$ -0-
Yoga, Tai Chi, Kung
Fu, Boot Camp,
providers contracted
by CS.
Saturday Birthday
$ 1,500*
Outdoor event tables
Party Packages
& chairs, managed
by CS.
Sunday Fun Days
$ -0-
Ticketed Family
picnic games;
events, contracted
by CS with vender
Going forward the security, maintenance and community use of Boyd Park will require additional services
and resources to protect the site and the City's investment during the Emergency Closure.
The Police Department suggests supplemental patrols by private security to insure an enforcement
presence in Boyd Park. This approach is effective at Falkirk where Barbier Security maintains four patrols
each day of the grounds to interrupt inappropriate behavior and to report issues requiring immediate
response from the Police Department
Public Works reviewed park facilities and amenities concluding replacement of the former restroom, which
caught fire prior to the park closure, with a permanent unit equipped with a timed self-locking feature. The
self-locking door may resolve the issue of abusive and illegal activity that occurs in the portable restroom
unit previously on site. Such timed facilities are successfully in use a Gerstle, Los Ranchitos, Pickleweed
and Sun Valley Parks.
Community Services recommends the following goals for programming at Boyd Park to achieve and
maintain an effective level of community presence in the park:
Goal 1: Provide activities to attract multi groups of regular community users into Boyd Park to
discourage opportunities for misuse and abusive behavior resulting in a cleaner, safer, facility that
remains in good condition with regular and routine maintenance.
Objective: Schedule morning, mid-day and after work classes in Boyd Park, promoting physical
fitness. The YMCA will hold yoga and Boot Camp programs in Boyd Park marketing to the
downtown business employee, but open to everyone. Private Contract Instructors are scheduled
to conduct Tai Chi and Kung Fu classes in the Park. Participants will pay providers directly for the
services rendered. Community Services will assist in marketing and allow the programs use of
the park facilities at no charge to the providers for at least six months.
Goal 2: Provide weekend low cost, low organized family activities to provide opportunities for
recreation and social interaction that precludes establishment of negative behavior in the park.
Objective A: Offer a Birthday Party Package on Saturday afternoons that allows the reserving
party to exclusive use of proscribed picnic area, use of portable tables and chairs, and delivery,
set up and removal of inflatable play features. Fees for the Package will cover costs only.
Community Services will waive the standard rental fee to bring families into the Park on a weekly
basis. The Birthday Party Package will be reevaluated for effectiveness after six months.
Objective B: Schedule and promote Sunday Fun Days, each week for 3 hours with low fee based
entertainment and activities, such as children's musicians, puppeteers, storytellers, storybook
characters, inflatable play features, games. Allow food vending as appropriate. Encourage
picnicking. The inflatable equipment vender is willing to produce these events on a regular basis,
retaining the ticket revenue to cover costs and promote business. Community Services will
schedule these activities and rotate in community group events such as concerts, performances,
and other public events.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4
Goal 3: Stage small events that invite the public to re -discover Boyd Park, promoting use and
featuring the improved facilities.
Objective: Starting with a Re -Open for Business Event April 26, produce several small events
over a six month trial period to stimulate new visitor presence in the park with twilight movies, after
work concerts, Lego Play Day, Acoustical Music Open Mic etc. Note: Boyd Park is not equipped
as a large event venue. Parking, restrooms, seating, utilities, staging space etc. along with staff
resources to produce, set up and cleanup are all limiting site factors, therefore events attracting
100- 200 visitors will be the scheduling focus.
Community Services also suggests a community planning process be conducted to create a strategy for
improved recreational facilities on site so that the park is well used in the future. The first issue to address
is the repair or replacement of the now closed tennis court. Several ideas have been submitted by
residents. The Park and Recreation Commission will conduct the outreach and determine the best and
highest use options for the court area from which concepts and cost estimates can be proposed for City
Council consideration.
The following chart summarizes the suggested options for sustaining a safe and well used Boyd Park in
the future:
Longi Term Recommendations for Boyd Park
000ioio,, ,ir ,ai
/io �
Security
�„ � o✓��
Police
„ ioi�o��roroo��,o/
Private Security
Patrols
oa, opo o , , a,
$350/month Ongoing, seasonal
estoration
Public Works
Installation of
0 Demolition, site
Permanent
-. purchase
- ..
modular
timed locks.
m u n, it,
Planning Process
Landscape
Services
for improved
architectural
recreational
services to prepare
amenities
. -.
es
•.. . events
_ _ events
0Seasonal
and activities
----------
FISCAL IMPACT:
The value of the City response to the emergency closure of Boyd Park to date is approximately $88,000,
from the existing FY 2014/15 Budget.
Additional expenses will be incurred from the current year's General Fund budget for completion of the
short term response to
• purchase replacement furnishings ($14,000)
• fund the opening event ($2,000)
• purchase supplemental equipment for reserving parties ($1,500)
Total $17,500.
Additional funding is requested to support all or part of the long term response
• private security for 6 months ($2,100)
• permanent restroom replacement, (est. $200,000)
• recreational amenities planning process ($10,000)
• events support continuation ($5,000),
Total $217,100
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5
The replacement of the restroom is the most significant long term item. If the staff recommendation is
approved, costs for the installation of a new restroom facility will be incorporated into the final FY2015/16
General Fund budget and will be added to the 3 -year Capital Improvement Program for Council approval
at a future meeting. The smaller long term items listed above will be added to the Community Services
budget for FY 2015/16.
Accept Report and direct that the additional funding for short and long term response to
Emergency Closure of Boyd Park be incorporated for Council review and approval as part
of the FY 2015/16 Budget process and a future CIP update.
2. Reject Report and direct staff to alternate strategy for completing short and long term response to
Emergency Closure of Boyd Park.
RECOMMENDATION. Staff recommends Option 1 and will return through the FY 2015/16 Budget
process to incorporate Council direction.
ACTION REQUIRED: Accept report and allocate funds for the short term and long term response to the
emergency closure of Boyd Park.
CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
ROUTING SLIP / APPROVAL FORM
INSTRUCTIONS: USE THIS FORM WITH EACH SUBMITTAL OF A CONTRACT, AGREEMENT,
ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION BEFORE APPROVAL BY COUNCIL / AGENCY.
SRRA / SRCC AGENDA ITEM NO. "
DATE OF MEETING: March 16, 2015
FROM: Carlene McCart
DEPARTMENT: Community Services
DATE: March 11. 201
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Re -Opening of Boyd Park
Carlene McCart
Department Head (signature)
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
(LOWER HALF OF FORM FOR APPROVALS ONLY)
APPROVED AS COUNCIL/ AGENCY
AGENDA ITEM:
City Manager ( ignature)
NOT APPROVED
REMARKS:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney (signature)