4.2 PCSR 11-12-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1ik Request for Action River To Item Number Mayor and City Council 8.3 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by General Business October 7,2013 Chris Leeseberg,Park Planner Planner Item Description Reviewed by Discuss Allowed Pool Barrier Types Jeremy Barnhart,Deputy Director, CODD Reviewed by Cal Portner,City Administrator Action Requested Direction by consensus as to two questions: 1.What is the city's role in protecting pool owners;and 2. Are pool covers an acceptable barrier in lieu of fencing? Background/Discussion Currently,the city requires barrier fences as a measure to require a level of safety on private property. After the initial construction of the pool, there are no scheduled inspections of the safety measures. If the city decides private property safety is their responsibly, staff will recommend changes to the applicable ordinances regarding fencing and gate requirements, and annual inspections,including a process to monitor and inspect pools on a yearly basis to insure compliance,regardless of what is decided for allowed barriers. The intent of this is to make sure that all safety devices are in place and in working order. This would increase work load on a limited staff time/budget. If the Council feels the city should not be in the business of regulating pool safety within private property, then the means a property owner utilizes to protect their pool should be decided by the property owner and not be subject to standards,permits, and inspections. ASTM standards At the June 3,2013, City Council meeting,staff outlined the history of the ordinance as it related to pool fencing and automatic pool covers. The Council directed staff to bring back information regarding the ASTM F1346—91 standards for pool covers. Staff reviewed several pros and cons between fences and pool covers. Price,installation,and aesthetics were reviewed and each product has compelling reasons to use them. The issue is that if the city desires to regulate pool safety,an action has to occur to render a pool safe,the cover must be employed. Barriers are not childproof,but they provide layers of protection for a child when there is a lapse in adult supervision. Barriers give parents/guardians additional time to find a child before the unexpected can occur. It is also understood that any barrier can be overcome by a willing person. ASTM F1346-91 Standard Some of the performance requirements for ASTM specification F1346-91 are summarized:L F tlfDEO BY