Council backs phased gates and deterrents at Rick Oden Park to curb late‑night burnouts

City staff presented options to install manual gates, bollards and movable boulders at Rick Oden Park to reduce noise, burnouts and vehicle damage, and the council endorsed a phased approach that prioritizes a 10 p.m. closure time and cost‑effective deterrents.

Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager, described the problem areas and a plan to place a gate at the skate‑park parking throat with Knox‑box access for emergency responders, add bollards, and reposition or add large stone blocks to prevent vehicles from driving on grass or circumventing gates. Hesser said staff has procured bollards and some gate components and recommended trying incremental measures first to test deterrence before buying an extended line of boulders.

Council members and staff debated whether to close the skate‑park side at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.; many favored 10 p.m. to align with rentals and programming. Legal counsel clarified that simply closing gates does not automatically create trespassing unless a fence or barrier is in place to clearly mark boundaries; however, ordinance violations and criminal mischief charges remain available when property is damaged. Marshals indicated they could adjust schedules to close gates at 10 p.m. but cautioned that staffing gaps (sick calls) could occasionally prevent nightly closures without overtime.

Council asked staff to pursue a cost‑effective plan (moving existing boulders, adding bollards, using Lueder limestone options) and return with implementation details; staff said it had sufficient direction to proceed and would report back on the recommended configuration.

Next steps: staff will prepare a phased implementation plan, including cost estimates and operational staffing implications, and return to council for final approval.