During Tuesday nights Brentwood City Council meeting, the council will review several options that may allow public access to the Liberty High School campus via the parking structure or through the access road behind the parking structure which is currently closed to the public.
City Staff has provided the Council with five-options which involve a gate/door and its placement. The costs range from $0 if the Council chooses not to move forward or to a projected cost which could be as high as $50,000.
According to the staff report, an amount of $40,000 has been reserved in the Civic Center project budget for this work.
For an explanation of the options, please see the staff report below:
BACKGROUND
Upon the opening of the Civic Center, it was requested by various members of the community that the public be provided access to the school campus via the parking structure and/or through the access road behind the parking structure that is currently closed to the public. The access road was designed to be used exclusively for emergency and City vehicles as well as limited, prearranged deliveries, which is why access is restricted via gates that keep the road inaccessible to other vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The intention was to have the road clear of vehicles in the event of an emergency.
Currently staff is leaving the access road gate (next to the parking structure) open during events, sometimes accompanied with signage, to provide access to the campus when requested by representatives of the Liberty Union High School District (“District”). The access road gate would be locked at all other times.
However, in response to the requests for public access to the campus through avenues other than existing campus entrances, staff has explored several options. The options range in complexity and cost. Each option has pros and cons that should be evaluated prior to a final decision being made.
One of the biggest factors in making a decision to provide public access to the Liberty campus via the Civic Center access road should be safety and security, particularly if public access via the service road is available at all times. Specifically, there are systems behind the Community Center, such as the trash compactor and electrical and irrigation controls, that could potentially be tampered with and/or provide “hiding spaces” that may create opportunities for illegal activities. Therefore, should access be granted, certain security measures will need to be taken to ensure pedestrian safety and facility security, such as adding additional lighting, cameras and/or emergency call boxes. These measures apply to all of the options listed below, except where otherwise stated.
The options are:
- Install a man-gate in one of the swinging gate sides on the fence at the Parking Structure. It is thought that a man gate can easily be installed on the gate itself, which would require no reconfiguration to any existing mechanical situation on the gate or in the access road. See Exhibit A.
Scope includes cutting into the main gate and installing a lockable man-gate and installation of lighting and additional safety measures such as security cameras and/or emergency call boxes and the potential installation of some fencing around City systems and equipment.
Construction costs: $ 2,000
Additional security: $15,000
Total cost for this option is estimated at $17,000.This is a viable and relatively inexpensive option. It provides minimal disruption while allowing the gate to be locked during non-event hours, if so desired. However, installing a man gate into the existing gate can create a tripping hazard as pedestrians will have to step over the threshold of the existing gate, although there may be ways to mitigate this issue if, after further investigation, we can remove the threshold altogether when installing the man gate. Additional modifications may need to be reviewed in order to make this access ADA compliant. In addition, this option has the effect of directing pedestrian traffic from the parking structure into possible automotive traffic, which may require additional caution signage for pedestrians.
2. Install a door at the north end of the parking structure. Scope includes cutting into the parking structure wall to create a doorway, grading the parking structure, removing the landscaping on the corner and adding a sidewalk / handicap ramp into the access road and installation of lighting and additional safety measures such as security cameras and/or emergency call boxes and the potential installation of some fencing around City systems and equipment. This option may also require installing a ramp into the school property on the opposite side of the access road. See Exhibit B.
Construction cost: $ 7,000
Caution signage $ 1,000
Additional security: $15,000
Total cost for this option is estimated at $23,000.This option creates immediate access from the parking structure but it does require some modification of the new parking structure and the loss of some motorcycle parking spaces. It also allows for the installation of a lockable door, if that is City Council’s direction.
If it is decided that the door remains unlocked, this option allows for unrestricted public access to the service road which could be used as a “short cut” from Maple and Second to Oak and Fourth Streets, since you can exit the access road through the gate next to the Community Center. Egress is available through the man-gate on the side of the Community Center. As this option allows for unrestricted access to the road it has the potential to create both security and safety issues after the Civic Center and school are closed.
3. Cut out the middle of the gates at the north access gate, creating a 4’ opening that will allow for pedestrian, but not vehicular, access. Scope includes cutting the iron bars of the gates and sealing the ends to reduce pedestrian hazards and installation of lighting and additional safety measures such as security cameras and/or emergency call boxes and the potential installation of some fencing around City systems and equipment. See Exhibit C.
Construction cost: $ 1,000
Additional security: $15,000
Total cost for this option is estimated at $16,000.This option allows for unrestricted public access to the service road which could be used as a “short cut” from Maple and Second to Oak and Fourth Streets, since you can exit the access road through the gate next to the Community Center. Egress is available through the man-gate on the side of the Community Center. As this option allows for unrestricted access to the road it has the potential to create both security and safety issues after the Civic Center and school are closed.
In addition, this option has the effect of directing pedestrian traffic from the parking structure into possible automotive traffic, which may require additional caution signage for pedestrians. Prior to researching the options above, staff looked at a variety of other options that may have merit and that were presented to the District. The District expressed concern over these options (listed below) based on convenience or feasibility issues. They can, however, be revisited should the City Council wish to pursue them further. These options include:
A. Install a man-gate and sidewalk along City Park Way across from City Hall. This option involves the installation of a four foot black ornamental man-gate, to match the existing fence, and located in the area indicated on the attached map. See Exhibit D.
The cost for this option is estimated at approximately $5,000.
This option is a simple solution at a low cost. The school would be solely responsible for determining when that gate is open and closed. No City involvement would be required and, if applicable, the gate could remain open at all times. No additional security measures taken by the City are needed, although there may be some additional measure required on the part of the District as pedestrians would otherwise have unrestricted access to the campus, unless otherwise determined by the District.
B. Move the automatic gate from the front of the parking structure to beyond the pool in the access road. See Exhibit E. Early on in staff discussions with the District, a recommendation was made to move the North end automatic gate to the middle of the service road, just before the start of the pool area. This option would require the dismantling of the current gate, the excavation of the mechanical equipment and the replacement of that equipment. Upon further investigation, it was concluded that the necessary space was not available due to the existing utilities in the service road. Additionally, this option potentially allows for cars to be parked in the access road before the gate begins, which could be a safety issue in the event an emergency vehicle needs to access the road. Lastly, the expense for this option would likely exceed $50,000.
Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on this issue. Depending on the direction given, staff may return with a follow up report.
FISCAL IMPACT
Depending on what, if any, option is chosen, the cost will range from $0 to $50,000. Should the City Council wish to proceed with a construction option, formal quotes would be sought and a plan developed and brought back to the City Council, if applicable. An amount of $40,000 has been reserved in the Civic Center project budget for this work and the cost will be split between CIP Project numbers 337-37205 (New City Hall) and 337-37211 (Civic Center Parking Structure).
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