The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About12/07/2021 09. Downtown Data Collection 1 • /-4riiLl-,\ i rr 11 i � "i enc u nrry 1 BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 9. For Meeting of: December 7, 2021 ITEM TITLE: Downtown Data Collection SUBMITTED BY: Sara Watkins, City Attorney SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At its November 9, 2021 , Council Study Session the Council directed staff to bring back a plan to collect data regarding persons sitting and/or lying on sidewalks in Yakima. A data collection plan and sample data collection logs are attached for your discussion. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Safety APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D Memo-Proposed plan for data collection 11/24/202'. Corer Memo D Data Collection Worksheet 11/23/2021 Backup Material 0 Data Collection Spreadsheet 11/23/2021 Backup Material 2 PROPOSED PLAN FOR DATA COLLECTION TO EVALUATE WHETHER A "SIT-LIE" ORDINANCE IS NECESSARY 1. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE The purpose of this plan is to obtain data so that the City Council can evaluate the necessity and/or effectiveness of a "sit-lie" ordinance in the downtown areas of Yakima.' 2. DATA TO BE COLLECTED To determine if a "sit-lie" ordinance is necessary and whether, if enacted, one would be effective, City staff was asked to formulate a data collection plan. The administration suggests that the City first collect data on the extent of people sitting and/or lying on sidewalks in areas of the City prior to the next discussion of whether or not to pass a "sit-lie"ordinance and that the following data be collected as part of this effort: A. The number of people who are sitting and/or lying on the sidewalks in the downtown business district within the established borders of the Downtown Yakima Business Improvement District (DYBID). B. The time of day people are sitting and/or lying on sidewalks. C. Whether the person is sitting and/or lying so that pedestrians cannot use the sidewalk unobstructed. D. Whether the person sitting and/or lying is blocking access to buildings. It should be noted that the data collected will only collect baseline data on the numbers of people sitting and/or lying in sidewalks downtown. The data sought will not provide information as to the cause of people needing or wanting to sit or lie on the sidewalks. 3. METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION The goal of the data collection is to get basic information from downtown business and property owners as to whether people sitting and/or lying on the sidewalks is an issue that can be addressed through further ordinances. If not, the data may also provide information about what other regulations might make more of an impact on downtown safety than a sit-lie ordinance. It is anticipated that the most efficient way to collect the data is provide a log sheet to business owners downtown. Those business owners can write down information, then turn in all the log paperwork at one time. This also provides an accessible method to collect and provide data for business owners who may not have good internet access or not be comfortable using apps or computers. The data method does not require any interaction with the person who is sitting or lying on the sidewalks, rather the data collected can be done solely by observation. Example log sheets are attached for discussion. ' Although there may be other portions of the City that would benefit from data collection and a "sit-lie" ordinance, this proposal only addresses data collection for downtown—likely the DYBID borders East of 1st Avenue although this is yet to be determined. The proposal could be replicated in the future in other areas of the City if desired by the Council. 3 4. PARTNERSHIPS IN DATA COLLECTION The administration has already discussed partnering with Downtown Association of Yakima (DAY) to help collect data. Additionally, City staff will reach out to business owners through the various chambers of commerce to provide paperwork and instructions on how to collect and turn in data for this project. City staff may also be involved in data collection if they are available. Prior to finalizing the methods for collecting data, City staff will coordinate and consult with the data collection partners to determine the best way to log and collect data. The example log sheets will be provided and staff will seek input from our partners before determining the ultimate method for collection. 5. TIMELINE FOR DATA COLLECTION Winter months are likely not ideal for data collection as there are fewer people who are outdoors due to the weather. However, if the Council is interested in starting data collection immediately, the proposal could be to collect data from January 1 n through January 31 st for an initial evaluation. The month of December would be used working with partners, finalizing how data will be collected and logged, and educating participants on the goals and purpose of the data collection so that everyone understands the objectives. 6. ANALYSIS AND REPORTING TO COUNCIL After the data is compiled, staff will evaluate the data and analyze the findings. This will be done during the month of February 2022. City staff then anticipates presenting the data, the findings, and providing any thoughts or recommendations at a City Council meeting in March for further discussion. 4 DATA COLLECTION WORKSHEET Name of Business: Address: Contact Information: The City is seeking information and data regarding persons who are either sitting or lying on sidewalks, in doorways, or on other rights-of-way used for pedestrian travel adjacent to your business. Please use this worksheet to document each occurrence you see of this activity. We are not asking for names, photographs, or other information about the person(s) who are sitting and/or lying in these areas, just documentation as to location, time of day, and limited other information. Timeframe: Please document any occurrences from January 1st through January 31 st. Worksheets should be returned to the City on or before February 11, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: 5 Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: 6 Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: Date you Observe Someone Sitting or Lying on a Sidewalk: Time: a.m./p.m. (circle one) Location/address: ❑ Person is obstructing pedestrian passage ❑ Shopping Cart ❑ Person is obstructing entry to business/building ❑ Tent/Camping Items ❑ Person is in a wheelchair/disabled Additional Information: Please feel free to make additional copies of log sheets as necessary. DATA COLLECTION WORKSHEET Name of Business: Address: Contact Information: The City is seeking information and data regarding persons who are either sitting or lying on sidewalks, in doorways, or on other rights-of-way used for pedestrian travel adjacent to your business. Please use this worksheet to document each occurrence you see of this activity. We are not asking for names, photographs, or other information about the person(s) who are sitting and/or lying in these areas, just documentation as to location, time of day, and limited other information. Timeframe: Please document any occurrences from January 1st through January 31st. Worksheets should be returned to the City on or before February 11, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Date Time Location Obstructing Obstructing Wheelchair/ Shopping Tent or Other observed pedestrian entry to Disabled Cart Camping sitting/lying passage business Yes/No present? items? on sidewalk Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No Yes/No