HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-087 - 24/7 Public Washrooms Accessiblity
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
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Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
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Community Services Committee
June 26, 2006
Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director of Community Programs and
Services
Julie Dean, Safe City Coordinator
Grant Egerdeen, Supervisor of Facilities Management
All
June 16, 2006
CSD-06-087
RECOMMENDATION:
24/7 Public Washroom Accessibility
For discussion and Council direction.
BACKGROUND:
On June 13, 2005, staff brought a report to Community Services Committee recommending that
the City of Kitchener investigate the feasibility of 24/7 public washroom access in the downtown
in response to citizen advocacy (CSD-05-079). Input from the community, including the
Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative, the Kitchener Downtown Community Health
Centre and the Working Centre, supported this investigation and emphasized that there is a
recognizable need in the community for this type of facility. On February 06, 2006, staff brought
a report to Community Services Committee, CSD-06-023, recommending that a team be formed
comprised of city staff and community representatives to develop recommendations and costing
for the facilitation of 24/7 public washroom access within the downtown, and deliver the
implementation plan back to Council for consideration in 2006. Research clearly shows that
access to 24/7 public washrooms affects not only homeless people, but families with small
children, pregnant women, seniors and city visitors. Lack of accessible public facilities has been
shown to impact quality of life in urban settings including: a) Tourism and Economy; b)
Environment and Health; and c) social access and integration.
REPORT:
A team was formed to examine the issues and alternatives with regards to 24/7 accessible
washrooms. The team included:
· Community Services Staff,
· Facilities Management/Security Staff,
· The Kitchener Downtown Business Association,
· The Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre,
Report No. CSD-06-087
Page 2
· ACCKWA,
· Region of Waterloo Supervisor of Security Services,
· Kitchener Public Library,
· Waterloo Region Police Services, and
· The Cora Group
Terms of Reference (Appendix A) for the project were developed laying out a two part process.
The first, which this report addresses, is the establishment of a pilot 24/7 accessible public
washroom. A long term strategic plan for public washroom access in the downtown commercial
area is the second part of this process that will be developed, and the team will report back to
Council in fall 2006.
The Pilot Proiect
The team considered a number of factors in the review of alternative spaces to accommodate a
24/7 washroom on a pilot basis. Important elements that were considered included:
· The personal safety and security of individuals using the washroom,
· Risk management,
· Operational implications,
· Budget impact,
· Public health concerns, and
· Location in the downtown core.
The following table lists facilities in the downtown core that provide public washroom
accessibility as well as their current hours of operation.
Location Davs Opened Hours
Monday to
City Hall Saturday 07:00 - 22:00
Sundays/holidays 11 :00 - 22:00
Duke and Ontario Garaqe 7 days/week 06:30 - 20:00
Farmers Market Monday to Friday 07:00 - 18:00
Saturdays 03:00 - 18:00
Victoria Boathouse - summer 7 days/week 07:30 to dusk
Victoria Boathouse - winter 7 days/week 07:30 - 22:00
Victoria Park Pavilion May to November 07:30 to dusk
GRT (Reqional) 7 days/week 05:30 - 01 :00
Monday to
Downtown Community Thursday 09:00 - 21 :00
Centre Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturdays 08:30 - 16:30
Job Cafe 7 days/week 08:30 - 16:30
Monday to
Thursday 09:30 - 21 :00
Library Friday/summer 09:30 - 17:00
Saturdays 09:00 - 17:00
Sundays 13:00 - 17:00
Report No. CSD-06-087
Page 3
The group tested each of the locations against the critical elements mentioned above. Most of
the locations failed because there was not adequate staffing to assist with monitoring the
washrooms after certain hours in the day. Many of the facilities (e.g. the Library, Downtown
Community Centre etc.) would require the addition of staff to open and watch the facility 24
hours/day. Issues of monitoring and personal safety concerns after hours were linked with
facilities such as the boathouse and the Duke and Ontario Garage.
Pilot Ootion: Citv Hall
It was suggested that City Hall best met the requirements necessary to provide safe access to a
washroom facility 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Significantly contributing to this is the fact
that currently the City of Kitchener has security staff on duty, during this time period. Two
options at City Hall were investigated. The first option was using and modifying the existing
skate change room at City Hall to accommodate for a safe 24/7 washroom. The second,
investigated by Community Services and Facilities Management staff, was using the family
washroom on the ground floor of City Hall.
Staff and the investigating team both recommend the first option outlined below.
Skate Change Room - Recommended Option
The team felt that modifying the existing skate change room at City Hall, which is currently used
only during the day in the winter months, would be the most economical and secure option to
pilot a 24/7 public washroom. To ensure the safety of patrons and ease of monitoring by
security staff, the group suggested a controlled access and camera system be added to the
facility. The lockers would not be operational during the night and only one washroom would be
opened, to be used by one person at a time, who would be admitted electronically by city
security staff. The suggested surveillance associated with this pilot project would also benefit
those using the skate change room during the winter months. There would be capital costs
associated with providing the necessary hardware to secure and monitor the change room of
approximately $23, 415 (Appendix B). In addition to this, it is estimated that there would be an
operational cost of $5,300 to cover utilities and cleaning for the washroom. It is suggested
however that this alternative could be implemented without adding City staff contingent to
monitor and support.
Family Washroom -Inside City Hall
Staff also investigated utilizing the family washroom on the ground floor inside City Hall as a
possible alternative for a 24/7 washroom in an attempt to avoid the capital costs associated with
the skate change room. City Hall is currently open to the public 7:00am to 10:00pm, Monday to
Saturday and 11 :OOam to 10:00pm on Sundays. Although the security counter continues to be
staffed after these hours, the doors to City Hall are locked and closed to public use.
There were some major issues identified when staff investigated this option. Perhaps most
significant addresses the layout of the ground floor of City Hall. Because of the open concept
design, it would be very difficult to monitor individuals coming into the facility with only one
security officer on duty at the security counter. Currently, a person coming into City Hall would
have access to the 2nd floor as well as the parking garage. It is possible that security staff could
be taken from their work station for long periods of time pursuing an individual who came to use
the washroom. Also, this could pose a safety risk for other custodial staff that is in City Hall at
this time. Finally, to ensure multiple people do not come into City Hall at once, staff would be
required to lock and unlock doors for the public on a per use basis, unless capital modifications
were made to one or more of the doors. Staff is suggesting that if council were to consider
Report No. CSD-06-087 Page 4
this option, one additional security person should be considered at an operating cost of
approximately $1 ,600 per week.
The team and staff are suggesting the implementation of a one year pilot project with quarterly
review periods beginning November 2006. If council were to approve use of the skate change
room, it is expected that modifications could be made and the washroom open for use in August
2006.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The one time costs to make physical modifications to install a controlled access and
communication system to the existing skate change room will be $23,415.25. Staff is
suggesting that $15,000 come from the Safe City capital account and the remaining $8,415.25
come from capital contingency. Staff are also requesting approval of an over expenditure of
$5,300 to cover the annual operating costs of providing this washroom. (See Appendix 2 for an
estimated budget).
COMMUNICATIONS:
Many of the community partners on this project work with the population of people most likely to
make use of the facility. They have offered to do outreach to that population to inform them of
the project and promote respectful use of the facility. The team will continue to work on the
larger picture and the development of a communications plan, including signage, related to
daytime accessible washrooms and return to Council with a report in November 2006.
Mark Hildebrand
Interim Director, Community Programs and Services
AP
cSD-06-087
Appendix A
TERMS OF REFERENCE - PUBLIC WASHROOM ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT
1. Mission Statement
The Task Group will develop recommendations, including costing and communication,
to enhance public washroom accessibility in the downtown Kitchener area.
2. Problem Statement
· It was noted that there are no 24/7 accessible public washrooms in the downtown
area.
It was also noted that there were limited public access washrooms available in the
downtown area during regular business hours.
3. Boundaries
The area to be considered is bounded by Wellington Street, Charles Street, Stirling
Avenue, and Weber Street.
4. Specific issues to be addressed
· The short term ongoing need for 24/7 accessible washrooms in the downtown.
· The long term strategic planning for public washroom access in the downtown.
· Costing and communications considerations related to washroom access.
5. Desired Outcomes
· Recommendations to City Council by July 2006 for establishing 24/7 public
access washrooms in the downtown.
· Recommendations to City Council by September 2006 for a strategic plan for
public washrooms in the downtown commercial area.
6. Persons Involved
City staff - Community Services, Facility Management/Security Services
and representatives from:
Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre
Kitchener Downtown Business Improvement District
The Working Centre
The Kitchener Public Library
Homelessness Advisory Group (KDcHc)
Region of Waterloo Security Services
Cora Group
Others as appropriate
and others to be consulted with.
7. Timeframes
Recommendations to Council by July/September 2006.
cSD-06-087
Appendix B
24/7 Washroom Uoarades & Onaoina Cost Estimates
Heating/HV AC/Maintenance $ 800.00 annually
Supplies
Staff cleaning
Vandalism
$ 1,000.00 annually (estimate - depending on usage)
$ 3,500.00
$ unknown
Total Projected Operating $ 5,300.00
Security CCTV & DVR $9,463.09 (2 cameras and console)
2 Doors & card readers $5,156.33 (one time install)
Conduits for above $ 7,243.90 (one time install)
Intercom for door $ 1,551.93 (one time install)
Total One-time Cost $23,415.25
One Time Capital Cost $23,415.25
Facilities Management Ongoing Operating
$ 5,300.00