Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 08/17/2022 Draft Common Area for Dogs Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Muriel More, Lisa Yankowski, Linda Chiasson, Robyn Birgisson, Molly Joy (Clerk) Staff Liaison: Holly Rees (Recreation Director) Public: Barbara Sirvis, Betty called meeting to order at 6:21 PM (delay due to IT issues). 1. Adopt Agenda: Adopted without change. 2. Public Comments (Unrelated to the Agenda): None 3. Review and Approve Minutes from July 12 & August 9, 2022 The minutes from the July 12, 2022 and August 9, 2022 meetings were approved as amended. Linda moved to approve and Molly seconded. 4. Update on Wheeler Dog Park Fencing The fencing has been installed, but not according to the DRB approved plan. Concerns were raised by members of the Committee and public during the August 15th City Council meeting. Concerns included that dog park was not the size approved by DRB, lack of ADA accessibility and lack of appropriate shade. There was consideration at the City Council meeting to put Wheeler Dog Park as an official agenda for the September 6th City Council Meeting. As a follow-up, the Committee should draft a formal letter to the City Council requesting the Wheeler Dog Park be put on the next City Council Meeting agenda. This will provide the Committee an opportunity to draft a expressing a desire for resolution and include a bulleted history of the work already done with the community and identify the steps that could be corrected in the future, so this situation doesn’t happen again. The letter to City Council, should suggest the initial plan approved by the DRB be installed to specifications along with list of things we would like to see changed. A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED FOR A VOTE TO KEEP THE PARK CLOSED UNTIL IT IS THE SIZE AS PERMITTED BY THE DRB. DISCUSSION: Members asked how this can be remediated when the plan was already approved by the DRB. Staff has been directed to follow-up with Middlebury Fencing as to when they can come back to resolve fencing issues. There was a question as to whether the changes need to go back to DRB or if there is an administrative adjustment to the permit? The Park is much smaller than what was approved by DRB. It was stated that technology exists today to drill into ledge and not sure why there are issues with this. Also, there is concern that the Park is not currently in compliance with ADA. It was suggested by several members that an external party such as SE Group, outside objective firm with the expertise to determine if this was the kind of thing they could handle. There is concern with opening park when it’s not ready. “If you open you have to recognize that the park is going to be what you’re going to get.” It was shared there is a ledge (10-12 feet) drop off that’s hidden on the West perimeter that we need to stay away from (halfway up the hill). Fencing cannot be put around this as it would be unsafe. Fencing will need to stay put, but on the other side there is an additional 50 feet that can be added towards the bike path. It was suggested that changes to the park need decisions to be made holistically. A list needs to be put together and ask for council direction in how to proceed. It needs to indicate what might need funding, attention vs. decisions made. It was pointed out that maintenance needs to be considered, such as, determining if there are enough staff resources or should it be something contractual. Common Roots has expressed concern with having the Dog Park nearby. In addition, they installed an electrical post on South side of Dog Park prior to the DRB approved site plan. The electrical post is within the physical boundaries of the Dog Park site plan approved by the DRB, which depicts an additional 49 feet of Dog Park area, south of the electrical post. A point of clarification is needed on expectations of land use, including electrical panel to be moved – to have a full understanding of lease component for use of land. It was suggested that we request the Council ask Middlebury Fencing to come back to remove a section so people could see that there is still work being done and that it’s apparent that we are waiting for more fencing to come. This would be obvious. In the meantime, other issues could be addressed, such as accessibility while we wait. It was suggested that there be different Phases. Opening the Park, now, as a Phase 1 and Phase 2 will come when DPW can fix the Park. There was concern as to whether City is really listening to the Committee. It was decided that an official letter from the CCAD go to official leadership and City Council regarding the vote, including a request the City Council put this on their agenda for the next council meeting on September 6th. The CCAD identified Items that could happen between now and September 6th. The bullet points in the memo include the following: • Increase borders as DRB approved Permit • Reconstruct the gated area to include ADA Accessibility • Bring in SE Group to oversee corrections to project including accessibility Holly noted that there is still work to do at the park outside of the fencing issue as there still is no signing, the gates need to be addressed. Site is still under construction. Community is expecting park to be open in October since it’s already been established. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE MOTION TO KEEP THE DOG PARK CLOSED, CONCLUDED. VOTE RESULTS: 5 YAY, 1 NAY, 1 ABSENCE An inquiry was made about how much money is in dog registration account? The money could be used for consultant such as SE Group. Previous staff had indicated that funds could be used for such purpose. It was pointed out that $7K of fund is being used toward Farrell maintenance (per prior minutes). It was understood that the dog license fees were for items other than construction. The Committee were to have a voice in the distribution of the funds. Holly can get an update on the balance of the fund from Donna Kinville. Holly was able to utilize the reserve from FY2022 of about $15K to buy toys for parks including benches (this did not come out of dog allotted money). From City Council perspective there are many different avenues where money can be sourced from (ARPA funds, discretionary funds). Holly suggested we be more protective of the licensing fee fund. Betty will draft a letter and send out to members. Everyone was directed to send comments to Betty/Holly. Then convene a special/emergency meeting to make a formal vote on the letter that will be sent to City Council (virtual meeting). 5. Update on Farrell Dog Park Holly noted that City is under contract to have surface work completed by end of August. 6. Waste Dispenser Station Update Postponed 7. City Center Park Connection Postponed 8. Realtor Sign Review Holly has additional signs that can be placed if/where needed. 9. Recreation Dog Events Postponed MOTION TO DEFER REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA UNTIL SEPTEMBER MEETING PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 7:35 PM EST PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 10. Future Meetings Tuesday, September 13th, 6 – 7:30 PM Tuesday, October 11th, 6 – 7:30 PM Tuesday, November 8th, 6 – 7:30 PM Tuesday, December 13th, 6 – 7:30 PM