FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design
	PREPARED BY:	Linda A. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development
	DATE OF MEETING:	October 18, 2004
	SUBJECT:	Skatepark Anti-Graffitti Coating

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report entitled “Skatepark Anti-graffitti Coating” dated October 18, 2004, be received:

AND THAT funding in the amount of $25,000 be allocated for the supply and installation of an anti-graffitti sealant product to the surface of the new skatepark, as well as the graffiti removal service for the first season;

AND THAT the funding allocation be transferred to 2002 Capital Account, Skateboard Park, #70-5350-4714-005, from the following funding sources:

· From the Development Charges Reserve Fund in the amount of $22,500

· From Planning and Urban Design Department’s 2002 Capital Account #81-6900-4716-005, Supplemental Park Features in the amount of $2,500;

AND THAT upon payment of all invoices, any remaining funding be returned to its original funding source.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report to seek funding approval for the supply and installation of an anti-graffitti sealant product to the surface of the new skatepark. The report also recommends that the Town enter into a contract with a graffiti removal service provider for the first season of operation of the skatepark (November 2004 to November 2005), during which period the likelihood of graffiti activity is anticipated to be at its highest.

BACKGROUND:

A number of municipalities in Ontario have been adopting a strategy of “zero tolerance” regarding graffiti and ‘tagging’ of newly constructed skatepark facilities. In order to effectively accomplish such a strategy here in Markham, staff recommend that a one-time application of an anti-graffiti sealant product to all surfaces of the skatepark.

Markham has had success with anti-graffitti products in the past. In 1997, an anti-graffitti product was applied to the exterior wall at Armadale Community Centre. Staff indicate that the product has worked well and has allowed graffiti to be more readily removed. The same product was applied to R. J. Clatworthy Arena in 2004.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

The new Markham Skatepark will require over 80 gallons of anti-graffiti sealant application over 25,000 square feet of surface including the skateable terrain, surrounding gathering areas and vertical surfaces.

Other municipalities in the GTA have indicated that in the first two or three month period of operation, a skatepark can experience tagging twice a week and as frequently as every day. It has been proven that the best method to combat frequent graffiti is to remove it within 24 to 48 hours. An aggressive removal program can deter graffiti artists almost completely within a few months, following which graffiti removal is required substantially less often.

In order to combat graffiti, staff recommend that a high quality anti-graffitti product be applied to the skatepark and that a graffiti removal service provider be hired to remove the graffiti for the entire first season (November 2004 to November 2005). Town staff who work at the Centennial Community Centre would be responsible for daily monitoring of the site and contacting the service provider immediately to notify them of any graffiti removal required. The contractor would be required to respond within 12 hours and remove the graffiti.

Staff estimate that the cost for the supply and installation of an anti-graffitti product to the surface of the new skatepark is in the range of $15,000 – $20,000, and the removal service for the first season is in the order of $5,000 - $10,000. Staff propose to set a total upset amount of $25,000.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Staff recommend that funds in the amount of $25,000 be provided as follows, for the supply and installation of an anti-graffitti product to the surface of the new skatepark, as well as the removal service for the first season, to be transferred to 2002 Capital Account, Skateboard Park, #70-5350-4714-005:

· From the Development Charges Reserve Fund in the amount of $22,500

· In Planning and Urban Design Department’s 2002 Capital Account #81-6900-4716-005, Supplemental Park Features in the amount of $2,500

Upon payment of all invoices, any remaining funding be returned to its original funding source.

Any additional operational costs for the removal service beyond the first season, or for any unanticipated removals beyond that which has been estimated in the first season, would need to be considered in the 2005 Community Services Operation Budget.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Staff in Finance and Community Services were consulted in the preparation of this report.

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P Director of Planning and Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P Commissioner of Development Services

Q:\Development\Design\linda\Parks\F&A anti-graffittiReport.doc