HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 9/29/2020 - Memorandum From Marcy Yoder Re: Library Park Neighborhood Updates
Planning, Development & Transportation
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 N. College Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2350
970.224.6134 FAX
www.fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 23, 2020
TO: Mayor Troxell and City Council Members
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, PDT Director
Paul Sizemore, Interim CDNS Director
FROM: Marcy Yoder, Neighborhood Services Manager
RE: Library Park Neighborhood Updates
Purpose: This memo will provide a semi-weekly summary of work to compassionately
manage and address issues impacting the Library Park Neighborhood, including recent
trends and communication efforts.
Taskforce Member Updates
Code Compliance had not seen any significant changes prior to September 21st.
On the 21st there was the beginning of an accumulation of rubbish noted in the
Library Park Neighborhood. Contact was made with property owners and the
issue was resolved within 24 hours.
Building Services and PFA completed an inspection of the temporary Community
Shelter to ensure all life safety issues have been addressed.
Social Sustainability continues to work with partners to help the Fort Collins
Rescue Mission open a temporary overnight shelter at 1301 Blue Spruce Dr. by
early October.
Outreach Fort Collins reports ongoing contact in Library Park without major
disruptions happening. They are seeing activity shifting to the Oak Street Plaza
and Linden Street area.
Police Services has observed a significant increase in camping violations near
Linden St. and Jefferson St. over the last two weeks. Overnight camping and
daily congregating are also occurring with more frequency at the Mennonite
Church, but the Dispatch call load for disturbances and camping at the Public
Library is less.
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Councilmember Follow Up/Public Restrooms
Council member Gutowsky met with representatives from Police Services,
Neighborhood Services, Social Sustainability, Outreach Fort Collins, Mennonite
Fellowship and Peak Community Church to gain additional insight on the Library Park
Neighborhood. There was discussion about re-opening the Oak Street restrooms
overnight. City staff explored the background, advantages, and disadvantages. Here is
a summary of findings:
Hours of operation at the Oak Street restroom were reduced from 24/7 to
8:00am-8:00pm (daily) as part of many strategic cost reductions to meet the
2020 budget shortfall due to COVID-19.
The savings realized from this adjustment equate to $75,000-$85,000 in annual
operating costs.
The savings are due to the significant decrease in vandalism, security, and
maintenance, and custodial costs from not being open overnight.
In addition to these costs, people were camping overnight in the restrooms.
When this happens, others cannot use the facilities for their intended purpose.
These issues have not been present since reducing the hours and as a result,
staff does not recommend returning to 24/7 operations.
Gustav Swanson Natural Area is located in the downtown area and has a 24/7
restroom.
Background:
A City task force is coordinating across departments to share updates and advance
strategies to compassionately manage and address issues impacting the Library Park
neighborhood. The task force includes staff from Police Services, Neighborhood
Services/Code Compliance, Social Sustainability, City Attorney’s Office, and the City
Manager’s Office. It also includes Outreach Fort Collins, a community partner
offering support for people experiencing homelessness.
CC: Honore Depew, Interim Policy and Project Manager
Beth Sowder, Social Sustainability Director
Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer
Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police
Tim Doran, Police Assistant Chief
Jerry Schiager, Police Lieutenant
Ingrid Decker, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Nick Verni-Lau, Outreach Fort Collins Program Director
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