HomeMy WebLinkAbout5L - Boat Slip UsageReport
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4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
July 16, 2007 ~
5L
Frank Boyles, City Manager
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF BOAT SLIP
USAGE AND PATROLLING.
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the City Council with a status
report to date regarding boat slip usage, patrolling and vandalism.
History
The City installed boat slips at Sand Point Beach for the first time this summer.
Prior to that, slips were available on a daily rental basis at Watzl's. With the
installation at Sand Point, the Council reviewed the city's rental policy and
decided that rental should be allowed overnight during the week and weekend.
Current Circumstances
Despite articles in the Prior Lake American, Wavelength and the Website,
overnight rental activity has been low. According to Angie Barstad, Recreation
Coordinator, we have had a total of seven (7) reservations at Sand Point and
none (0) at Watzl's. Some callers have expressed concern about the security
around the boat slips. This may be at least part of the reason for the minimal
usage. I believe we need to do a better job of letting people know how much
police presence is devoted to the boat slips. By contrast, we are seeing greater
first-come, first-served usage at both slips.
As part of the Council's discussion about overnight usage, the gate concept was
discussed. The Council took and wait-and-see approach due to concerns they
had identified, largely relating to gate locks. Since the Council's discussion, we
have learned from the Police Department that much boat vandalism occurs from
the water side rather than the land side. This makes sense since most boat slips
are not immediately adjacent to homes on the lake side. Non-residents walking
through a neighborhood, on the other hand, would have greater likelihood of
being identified than would a boat briefly pulling up to the slips - especially if
done after dark or under the auspices of a fisherperson.
Our current procedure is to notify the Police Department about each rental.
Once advised of a rental, each officer makes a drive-by of the slips at least once
during his/her shift. Most nights this means that from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m., five or six
squads and the Community Service Officer visit the slips. The area also
receives occasional patrolling from the Scott County Sheriff's recreation
enforcement boats. Neither the Police Department nor the Sheriff's office is
aware of any reported vandalism or thefts from the boat docks. The time of the
drive-by varies for a variety of reasons.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
It is the staff's intent to continue to monitor the rentals, police drive-bys and
vandalism, and report our experience to the Council in September or October
once the slip rental season is over.
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The police patrol is incorporated into regular rounds so there is no additional
expense associated with the slips. Revenues, to date, are very modest but we
expect them to increase as more people become aware of the slips and that
vandalism has not been an issue.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Accept this report with the understanding that a year-end report will be
provided in September or October.
2. Take no action and direct the staff to prepare additional information.
RECOMMENDED Alternative #1.
MOTION: