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Home My WebLink About9E - Report Re: Boat Slips, Police Patroling , etc. MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: ISSUES: 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT May 21, 2007 \~ ~~ank Boyles, City ManagV CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT REGARDING CITY BOAT SLIPS, POLICE PATROLLING AND GATING. Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to report to the City Council as directed regarding actions recommended to eliminate or reduce vandalism, primarily at night at the Watzl's and Sand Point boat slips. Historv The City Council has authorized overnight rental of slips both during the week and weekend at Watzl's and Sand Point Beach. One Council member expressed concern about vandalism during the evening hours and asked the staff to look into gating the docks and providing police patrol. Security is not a concern during daylight hours as park personnel oversee both areas. Current Circumstances Park and Fleet Supervisor Friedges evaluated gate construction for each dock. The fence and gate would need to have low opacity and be difficult to climb. They would need to be braced from the top to the dock on both sides as well to resist push down or blow down. The gate height would need to be six feet tall with an overall fence height of eight, ten or twelve feet. Each gate would have to be fitted with a key pad lock. Friedges made estimates regarding the cost of each gate. Fencing materials, supports, gate, hinges, etc. are estimated at $300 each. Installation is estimated at $300. Locks are very expensive at $400 each. The total cost per gate is estimated to be $1,000. Police Chief Bill O'Rourke has indicated that each dock could be visited three to five times each evening (depending upon how many cars are on duty and the activity level) by directing officers to visit them at least once per shift. Conclusion The Council should determine which activities are appropriate to discourage vandalism. To date we have five reservations for overnight use. All are for the week of July 4th at Sand Point Beach. (Watzl's is not available during July 4th because of the fireworks demonstration.) www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 It would be possible to share the rental schedule with the Police Department so they can increase their patrol frequency based upon usage. The other option is to patrol whether there are overnight rentals or not. The dock security gates have some advantages and disadvantages. The gates require people to either go over or around them to get from the shore to the dock or from the dock to the shore. There is no means to know whether this will decrease vandalism or just make it more difficult for a vandal. On the other hand, they may encourage vandalism; e.g. rock throwing, kicking, moving picnic tables onto the dock to climb over or around the fences which could result in damage and personal injury. The biggest problem with the gate is the need for a lock. A keyed lock is not desirable so a push button lock would most likely be used. The lock is expensive because of its outdoor application and the necessity for resistance to damage. The problem with the lock may doom the installation of the gate: · Whether a key or combination is issued, both eventually become public knowledge. · The lock discourages people from using their boat to park at the first come- first served slips to use the picnic tables, concession stand, swimming area or facilities at the park. · The locks could slow emergency service personnel from getting from shore to the lake or vice versa. Staff recommends that we rely upon police patrol and monitor the situation. The City has had experience with installing a gate at a boat launch area and that experience was not successful. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of police patrolling is part of the operating budget. The gates are not budgeted for, and would have to be funded from the Contingency account of the General Fund budget. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and second to direct the construction of security gates on both docks at an approximate cost of $2,000 to be drawn from the Contingency Fund. 2. Motion and second to rely upon police patrol for security purposes. RECOMMENDED Alternative #2. MOTION: