HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 02/08/2022
Common Area for Dogs Committee
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Justin Palmer (Vice Chair), Muriel More, Linda Chiasson, Mike
Simoneau, Molly Bezio-Joy (Clerk)
Staff Liaison: Holly Rees
Public: Barbara Sirvis
1. Adopt Agenda: Adopted
2. Public Comments: None
3. Review and Approve Minutes from October, November, December, and January
Muriel requested amendment to October 12, 2021 minutes, section 4, to strike the comment stating that
maintenance issues are not under the Committee’s purview.
Muriel requested amendment to November 9, 2021 minutes, section 4, to add concerns regarding
accessibility for those with disabilities or those with mobility issues.
Muriel pointed out misspelling in Holly’s name within section 5 of December 14, 2021 minutes.
Motion was made to approve minutes as amended.
4. Review of Dog Incident Data Collection Process
Muriel reviewed the spreadsheet to be used to track dog related incidents within South Burlington. Muriel
would like Incident Location column to be revised to reference the quadrant of South Burlington the
incident took place in vs. option to write-out where incident was noted. Betty noted that folks might not
know what quadrant the incident occurred in. Within Incident Resolution Proposed column, Muriel would
like drop down selection for Enforce Current Law. There should also be a column to document if the dog is
registered. Mike suggested that the spreadsheet be refined along the way or put together a subcommittee
to vet out the tracker outside of the meeting. The Committee agreed.
Holly noted there are several methods such information can be communicated (phone, email, voicemail)
and relayed to Recreation Department to collect and update the tracker.
5. Poop Bag Mapping and Proposal Update
Betty highlighted the concern and controversy around the amount of dog waste around the City. Currently,
there are only 8 dog waste and bag dispensers located throughout South Burlington, including but not
limited to Redrocks (1), Wheeler (1), Szymanski Park (1), and Veterans soccer field (2).
The Committee will seek information from various city departments, to provide data on stream monitoring
for toxins from dog waste, locations of stormwater ponds and proximity of multi-unit residences to open
spaces, parks, etc. Betty suggested that dog waste and bag dispensers might be something developers
could be required to furnish in their projects. Holly remarked that the Committee will also need to
recommend a maintenance plan for the city council to approve.
6. Budgeting
Holly noted we may want to look at the recreation impacts fees which are part of the CIP budget to see if
there is a dog impact fee that could be separated from recreation. CIP for 2021 was $50,000. The current
CIP for dog park amenities is $25,000. Generally, any money left at the end of the year goes back into the
general fund. However, since the dog park was deferred as result of COVID, there is $75,000 earmarked.
Starting in August, there will be $1,000 earmarked for facilities maintenance (i.e., fence repairs, signage,
etc.) and supplies (i.e., sand, shovels, etc.). Holly will look to Committee to provide a more precise budget
for future dog park needs.
The third source of funding includes the $24 annual dog registration, of which $4 is deposited into the dog
park fund to be used for discretionary purposes as identified by the Committee. Holly and Betty will get
clarification on how the remaining $20 is used before next meeting.
7. Update on Wheeler Dog Park Construction and Timeline
Betty and Holly have connected with Adam Cate of DPW regarding the concerns of over fencing, gate
access, accessibility, and surfaces. It was decided to have Adam attend the next meeting in March to bring
forth concerns or questions as a group to ensure the vision is implemented as expected. Holly suggested
that questions be raised in advance of meeting that may require more thoughtful research beforehand.
8. Update on Maintenance Needs at Farrell Dog Park
Holly aims to have an update from the Storm Water Manager and engineers for next meeting on what can
or cannot be done to improve the drainage concerns at Farrell.
9. Future Meetings
Tuesday, February 8th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, March 8th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, April 12th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, May 10th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, June 14th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, July 12th, 6 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday, August 9th, 6 – 7:30 PM
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