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Council approves additional park cameras and debates cleaning-deposit policy for community center rentals
Summary
Council voted to add three cameras at the city park after repeated vandalism and discussed implementing a refundable cleaning deposit or inspection process to hold renters accountable for messy or vandalized community-center events.
The Orangeville City Council ratified the purchase of three additional cameras for the city park and spent extensive time discussing repeated vandalism and cleaning accountability for community-center rentals.
Amanda, a city staff member, described recent vandalism to the park bathrooms and the community-center kitchen, noting broken locks, damaged window blocks and light switches. She recommended placing three additional, closer-range cameras at the bathrooms and kitchen doors; the council ratified the $605 purchase by voice vote.
Council members and staff then discussed options to improve accountability for community-center renters after repeated incidents of mess and vandalism. Suggestions included requiring renters to submit photos after events to receive a refundable portion of a cleaning deposit, charging a larger nonrefundable cleaning fee, or having staff or a contracted cleaner inspect the facility after events. One council member suggested a refundable deposit model where a portion (for example, $50 of a $100 deposit) would be returned upon proof the facility was cleaned. Another proposal was to require the contracted cleaning person to perform post-event checks and to charge renters for cleaning when necessary.
No formal ordinance or deposit policy was adopted at the meeting; council members asked staff to explore deposit amounts and operational checks with the intent to return to the council with a recommended approach.
Next steps: staff to assess cleaning-deposit amounts, inspection protocols, and the feasibility of providing a post-rental cleaning-supply kit for renters; cameras are to be installed in high-risk locations.
