Title
Options for Downtown Public Restrooms
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
General Government Committee forwarded refined options on downtown public restrooms for full Council discussion and consideration.
City Manager Recommendation:
Review information on public restrooms and managing human waste in downtown Olympia and provide guidance on next steps.
Report
Issue:
What are the best options for public restrooms and managing human waste in the urban core to keep downtown safe and welcoming for all?
Staff Contact:
Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager, Community Planning & Development,
360.753.8183
Paul Simmons, Director, Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation 360.753.8462
Presenter(s):
Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City has been working for several years with community partners to explore options for public restrooms. More recently, the Council has expanded that approach to include the consideration of options for addressing human waste left in downtown alleys, alcoves and doorways.
General Government Committee addressed this issue on January 29th (Att #1 Staff Report - Options for Public Restrooms 1/29/16). The Committee reported to the Council on February 2nd. During the report, Council members expressed interest in more permanent restroom options that are available to all users and that would contribute to making downtown Olympia safer and more welcoming for all.
At their February 24th meeting (Att #2 Options for Public Restrooms 2/24/16), the General Government Committee reviewed the options presented by staff. The Committee eliminated the option for expanded hours for existing public restrooms and narrowed their focus to the following recommendations. Their guiding principle was to identify four phases of action: immediate, short term, mid-term and long-term:
1) IMMEDIATE: Human Waste Pick-up - $68,100* for remainder of 2016: It is presumed that even with expanded public restroom availability, downtown businesses will continue to find human waste in the alleys, alcoves and doorways. The Ambassador Program revised their original proposal for an early morning shift to pick up human waste. As shown on the attached map, the locations of human waste are distributed broadly across downtown (Att #3 - Map of Human Waste and Potential Porta-Potty Locations) and many building owners report that locations change due to alley lighting and other factors. The City Manager directed staff to solicit other estimates for this service. * Please note: represents an increase from the original Ambassador Program proposal for $44,160.
2) SHORT-TERM: Porta-Potties - Estmate: $11,100** for First unit / $13,700 for each Additional units = $66,000 for five units for 6 months. Visual Screens: One-time expense of $5,000 per unit The porta-potty option allows for an immediate roll-out in multiple locations through-out downtown to provide restrooms in areas of high need. Staff worked with the Ambassadors and other stakeholders to identify a total of four potentially viable locations and will continue to seek a fifth more central location. Final placement will require negotiating agreements for non-city property locations. (Att #3 - Map of Human Waste and Potential Porta-Potty Locations) While not a preferred long-term option, porta-potties are much lower cost and multiple locations would be far more effective in reducing human waste. **Please Note: The City currently expends $434 per month for the Artesian porta-potty ($434/month @ 6 months = $11,000 /six month).
3) MID-TERM: Permanent Restroom at the Artesian Commons - $413,800*** installation/ $34,800 annual maintenance service: The installation estimate for a Portland Loo-style facility in the Artesian Commons park was revised to run the sewer line along 4th Avenue and include sidewalk repairs and a pedestrian bulb-out at 4th and Jefferson, achieving two additional goals for downtown in walkability and ADA access. This permanent facility would replace a de facto pilot project that featured a highly utilized porta-potty in the Artesian Commons park. It is estimated that this project would take one year to complete. ***Please Note: Represents increased costs to route sewer connection via the 4th Avenue to gain sidewalk and ADA access improvements.
4) LONG TERM: Support the Providence Community Care Center - Cost to be determined: Work with Providence and other community partners to identify an appropriate location for the proposed Community Care Center that is intended to offer restroom facilities during their hours of operation.
ALL OPTIONS:
For each option listed above, the City will need to add the following to ensure success:
A) Safety Monitoring - $61,320 6 months/ $122,640 12 months: The original estimates were revised for a car-based patrol to cover a broader downtown area every 15 minutes. This cost would be an essential component of any public restroom option selected by the Council.
B) Evaluation Metrics: Develop a viable means to establish a baseline, measurements of success and evaluate in six months.
C) Identify Fund Sources Leverage funding from the City’s General Fund with funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) as eligible for funding. Seek additional funds from Thurston County Public Health to support any/all of the above listed options for public restrooms as a public health issue.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
All neighborhoods, community members and visitors in the downtown core have an interest in a safe and welcoming downtown that offers public restrooms and removes human waste from public areas.
Options:
A) Consider a single-option approach as either a permanent or a six-month pilot project and evaluate.
B) Consider a combination of multiple options as a six-month pilot project and evaluate.
C) Do nothing and continue to study the issue.
Financial Impact:
Costs are all contingent upon options identified in Attachment #4 and summarized above.