HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/03/2022 05.A. Discussion about having the City apply for County ARPA funds for internet in city parks `c,...4114)?
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 5.A.
For Meeting of: May 3, 2022
ITEM TITLE: Discussion about having the City apply for CountyARPA funds for
internet in city parks
SUBMITTED BY: Bob Harrison, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
At the April 19, 2022 Council meeting, staff was directed to add this issue to the May 3 agenda.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
0 r.iemo 4/28/2022 Corer Memo
ITServices
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129 N Second Street
Yakima, WA 98901
The concept of free Wi-Fi in parks has been discussed various times over the past few years. City staff
has identified considerations for implementing free Wi-Fi in our parks:
1. Money:We approached one vendor about putting together a proposal to add Wi-Fi to Gilbert,
Miller and MLK parks. They came back with a very rough guesstimate of$5,000+to put
together a plan and proposal for a Wi-Fi mesh in three of our parks. We expect Miller Park to be
the most inexpensive of our major parks. At this time,we estimate an upfront cost of$50,000
to $60,000. Approximately 1/3 of this is for the required technical equipment and internet
service with the rest to cover electrical and other expenses. Additionally,we estimate an
ongoing annual equipment replacement fund of$3,500 to$5,000.
2. Security: One of the major disadvantages of public Wi-Fi lies in its inability to:
a. Offer proper security to the users. Public Wi-Fi networks are often a target of
hackers. This opens up other Wi-Fi users to attacks from these potential hackers.
b. Properly shut down malicious or illegal activity of the Wi-Fi users. This could include,
pornography, illegal downloading of media, etc. While we have the ability to restrict
this to a degree, we would not be able to completely do so.
3. Total number and physical size of the Parks: The Yakima Parks and Recreation Division
maintains 41 parks and City owned properties covering 375.41 acres. Some of these parks, like
Randall Park and Kiwanis Park, are large areas that would be difficult to provide free Wi-Fi.
4. Wi-Fi in the parks may be overlapping existing free Wi-Fi services. Yakima already has
several free Wi-Fi locations available:Yakima Regional Library,Yakima Transit Buses, North
Town Coffeehouse, Dutch Brothers, Starbucks, McDonald's, Panera Bread,Target, Best Buy, etc.
According to WiFi App, a free mobile app tested by IT Services,there are over 200 free or crowd
sourced Wi-Fi networks in Yakima.
Screen Capture from WiFi App of some of the available Wif-Fi networks in Yakima
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Should the City Council decide that providing Wi-Fi to the general public is a necessity, it is the
recommendation of staff that we look into providing Wi-Fi only at existing community serving locations
such as: The Henry Beauchamp Jr. Community Center,Washington Fruit Community Center and the
Harman Center as a more cost-effective route that provides the means to monitor usage and potentially
lessen the liability. However,we do not if these centers are interested in this service and do not have a
true cost estimate at this time.
Should Council decide that providing Wi-Fi to the general public within our parks,it is the
recommendation of staff to test this service at one of these parks.
Park Address Acres Current Amenities
Gilbert Park N. 50th&Lincoln 10.9 Parking lot, open space,picnic tables
MLK Jr. Park S. 8th Street&Race 3.48 Spray park,playground,picnic shelter,picnic tables,
Street mini soccer, basketball courts
Miller Park N. 4th Street and E"E" 3.96 Picnic shelter,performance area,playground,picnic
Street tables,basketball courts
During the 2017—2022 Comprehensive Master Planning process for Yakima Parks and Recreation,a
community wide survey was conducted. Surveys were sent to 4,500 homes. A survey for our next
Comprehensive Plan will be conducted in early 2021 and a specific question could be asked about the
level of interest in free Wi-Fi in the parks.
2016 Community Survey
YOU HAVE $100 TO SPEND AS YOU LIKE ON THE ITEMS LISTED BELOW
Other. 55.14 More walkways and pathways
More movies& concerts, 55.76 514.33
More small neighborhood parks,
55.06
Increase open spaces areas . 52.01
Construct more tennis courts . 51.01-1.
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More indoor swimming opportunities.
More outdoor swimming,S11.69 _ 512.02
Construct more skate parks, 51.16
Increase recreation programs,S3.24
Construct more sports fields,S1A7
More land for large park, 53.28
More spray parks,$6.95 Maintain existing facilities. 521.75
Construct more playgrounds , 55.14
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2019 Master Plan for Lions & Franklin Pools Survey
If funding can be found for the renovations at Franklin Pool, what improvements
are needed? Rank 1 to 14
1.5 Waterslides
1.5 Family Restrooms
3 Spray Toys
6 Beach Entry
6 Concessions
6 Picnic Area
7.5 Lobby/Waiting area
9 Lap Lanes
9 Lazy River
9 Water Playground
10 Shaded Grass Area
11 Climbing features
11.5 WiFi
14 I Don't Know
15 Other
If funding can be found for the renovations at Lions Pool, what improvements are
needed? Rank 1 to 14
1 Waterslides
2 Floatables
3 Family Restrooms
4 WiFi
6.5 Spray Toys
6.5 Lap Lanes
7 Concessions
7.5 Climbing features
7.5 I Don't Know
10.5 Beach Entry
10.5 Water Playground
12 Lobby/Waiting area
13 Lazy River
14 Other