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WUNIVPAR Page 1 <br /> Memorandum <br /> December 6, 1995 <br /> TO: Mayor and City Council <br /> FROM: Linda Norris, Deputy City Manager <br /> SUBJECT: TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WEST UNIVERSITY PARK <br /> On November 27, 1995 the West University Park on 14th Avenue between Hilyard and <br /> Patterson Streets was closed to entry by all persons other than police officers and authorized <br /> City employees through Administrative Order No. 58-95-18. <br /> This action was taken upon the request of the West University Neighborhood Association <br /> and West University Small Business Association. The written requests for the park closure <br /> followed an increase in illegal activities within the park. Public Safety and Public Works <br /> staff met with the West University Neighborhood Association on October 6, 1995 to discuss <br /> illegal activities in the park and possible solutions. <br /> In early November, the City Attorney's Office prepared Administrative Order 58-95-17 to <br /> amend the Park Rules. The order gave the Executive Director of the Public Works <br /> Department the authority to temporarily close parks and/or facilities when the public need <br /> to preserve the welfare and safety of residents, in the vicinity of the park(s), outweighs the <br /> public's right of access to parks and/or facilities. Administrative Order No. 58-95-18 <br /> ordering the closure of West University Park was signed November 20, 1995. Four "Park <br /> Closed" signs were erected on November 22, 1995, at the park entrances giving notification <br /> of the ensuing park closure to take place on November 27, 1995. <br /> When the Rapid Deployment Unit restarted operations in the West University area back in <br /> late August, between 20 and 50 people a day were using the park for illegal activities. <br /> These numbers increased as the Rapid Deployment Unit displaced people from 13th <br /> Avenue. Staff received numerous complaints about public urination and defecation, <br /> garbage, drug sales and the like. During the first month of operation in the West University <br /> area, police made 20 felony arrests, 45 misdemeanor arrests and wrote 150 misdemeanor <br /> citations; many of these in and around the park. <br />