HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 11/14/2022
Draft Common Area for Dogs Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 14, 2022
Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Muriel More, Lisa Yankowski, Linda Chiasson, Robyn Birgisson, Molly
Joy (Clerk)
Staff Liaison: Holly Rees (Recreation Director), Matt Cota (City Council)
Public: Barbara Sirvis
Betty called meeting to order at 6:04 PM.
1. Adopt Agenda
Adopted without change.
2. Public Comments (Unrelated to the Agenda)
None
3. Review and Approve Minutes
October minutes will be reviewed and approved during the next meeting.
4. Update on Wheeler Dog Park
Wheeler Dog Park opened on November 4th once City Council commitments 1 through 4 were met.
1. Replaced wood chips with compacted crush stone
2. Rearranged fencing at entrance to address ADA compliance
3. Expansion of Southwest corner
Holly will find out how much fencing is left over following the latest changes.
Betty has been replenishing bags daily as the park ran out only in a matter of days following opening. Since
opening, she has observed anywhere from 6 to 12 people during park hours.
Based on current observations, it would be helpful to have another bag station at South end of park
(without waste receptacle). There are stumps that need to be addressed as people were tripping over
them. It would be helpful to have a few surpack paths throughout to help individuals with limited mobility.
Visitors have been using the maintenance gates. Holly will let DPW know. People are bypassing the
temporary Park Rules and Guidelines upon entry without reading, therefore, size and placement of signage
matters. Visitors have expressed interest in donating to the dog park.
There were differing views on the current size of park. Some thought a larger space such as expanding East
would be difficult to maintain if people are not picking up dog waste. Others would like to revisit
expansion once we see how the space is used and the volume of visitors given park has been open for
roughly a week. It would be helpful to survey the visitors to get their view as to whether the park size is
adequate or should be expanded.
The Committee needs to follow-up with City Council regarding the process for items 5 and 6 presented
during the September 6th City Council meeting (Northwest and Eastern expansion). City Council has not
addressed Southern section that was included as part of the original plan for dog park.
5. Update on Farrell Dog Park
Watershed Consulting Associates LLC provided two options for drainage which both require wetland
permits. Tom DiPietro is looking into whether there are other options that do not require wetland
permits. Fencing in the front and gates would be replaced once the drainage plan is complete. Given there
is a resource and time constraint by DPW, we should look into hiring outside help to move this project
along. The Committee would like Tom to attend our next meeting to discuss updates.
6. ARPA Project Memo
There are several ways to fund the expenses of dog parks and amenities, including:
1. ARPA Funds (one-time)
2. Capital Funds (budgeted annually)
3. Recreation & Parks / DPW Budgets (maintenance)
4. Community Outreach (i.e., donations)
ARPA material is due by November 21st.
Holly noted that Recreation and Parks CIP currently has a phased approach for a new dog park including:
• $15K for Dog Waste Stations
• $60K for 2024 Scoping Study
• $135K for Construction of Dog Park by 2025
A recommendation was made to add a Dog Park/Amenity near Market Street given there is a lot of new
housing where there are no yards for dogs to recreate.
A suggestion was made to convert the wooded area between Victory Drive and Williston Road into an off-
leash area.
Betty will work on drafting Memo outlining request for amenities, whether covered by ARPA, CIP or DPW
budgets.
7. Dog Waste Station Proposal
Dog waste stations will be included in ARPA request, including rationale to keep parks and waterways
clean. It will also give a sense of how many dog bags are really being used. There are complaints that
existing bag stations are always empty.
8. Work Plan Review
Everything we do we want to make sure it is coming back to our work plan. We need to look at city
ordinances for leash laws.
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 7:44 PM PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Future Meetings
Monday, November 28th, 6 – 7:30 PM