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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 06/14/2022 Common Area for Dogs Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 14, 2022 Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Justin Palmer (Vice Chair), Muriel More, Linda Chiasson, Lisa Yankowski, Molly Bezio-Joy (Clerk) Staff Liaison: Holly Rees (Recreation Director) Public: Barbara Sirvis 1. Adopt Agenda: Adopted 2. Public Comments: None 3. Review and Approve Minutes from May 10, 2022 Muriel noted an amendment is needed to Section 4, third paragraph, where Justin requested a maintenance shed be added at Wheeler which should reference Farrell Dog Park. Motion was made and seconded to approve minutes including amendment. 4. Update on Wheeler Dog Park Holly provided update on Wheeler Dog Park where site work has begun. The area has been mowed once at this point. Fencing should be delivered by the end of next week or the beginning of the following week (6/27). As soon as fencing arrives, the existing signage can come down and communication can be made to public with an updated timeline. Holly reiterated that the site plan for fencing and access was part of permit. Recreation and Parks is working on a signage package. If there are other things from fencing, entryway, and signage, we need to come up with a list along with funding and who will install. Holly noted that the additions don’t necessarily need to come before the park is open but can be added as we go. Holly suggested coming up with a first set of priorities, then second set of priorities. Linda noted that the park opening should be the focus and then work on additions. Muriel stated that ADA accessibility (mobility) is important at park opening. Barbara reiterated that basic access before you open is a strong message that the park is for all. Linda suggested open the park in August and work in July toward accessibility. Holly noted that if the earth needs to be moved around for purposes of accessibility, it will require additional permitting. The first set of priorities the Committee established include: • Water • Multiple Waste/Bag Dispensers • 5-6 Benches • ADA Accessibility • Shade • Boulders/Logs • Signage Mike inquired as to whether the fence posts installed by Middlebury Fence would be below the frost line. Holly agreed to follow-up with Middlebury Fence on installation below frost line. Holly noted there is currently $14,000 available for both Wheeler and Farrell from licensing fees. Holly also explained that CIP is not a rolling fund, if you don’t use the funds, you lose it. Funding will be evaluated during the 6/20/22 City Council meeting. 5. Update on Farrell Dog Park Holly noted the wetlands assessment prohibits drainage into the buffer zone on the southeastern boundary of thet park. However, drainage could be provided outside the buffer, on the western boundary. Crowning could be added to help with water draining off the park. Holly noted it would be ideal to have construction scheduled separately between the parks so that they are not under construction at the same time. Holly suggested a small shed would be placed to provide space for tools and shade. Holly noted that water is not in the “to-do” for Fall but will look into pricing for the Spring. With respect to fencing, Holly stated the current gate could be removed along with the first layer of damaged fencing and be replaced with a separate entryway into the large dog area and a separate entryway into small dog area. This could resolve the reoccurring maintenance issues regarding the functioning of the gate and surface erosion and improve the ability for dogs and people to enter and exit the different spaces. Molly and Muriel had concerns that the two double gate entries would reduce the size of the usable park. Holly noted the changes would not decrease the size of the usable park because the gates will be added on the outside of the fencing. Justin liked having two double gate entries as he explained it would help with drainage issues. Muriel said she would like people to be able to use the back gate between the large and small areas, so a person doesn’t have to exit the park to reenter the adjacent area. Lisa expressed concerns with someone not closing the gate behind them if a single gate was used. Betty noted that a single gate negates the purpose of having double gates for safety. She added, the separate spaces are going to be identified as “active” versus “mellow” dog areas, which establishes the rationale for exiting and entering through the separate gates. There will be some adjustments to established routines of park patrons. Holly noted the park would need to be closed for roughly 2-3 days to complete drainage work. The Committee agreed to table this topic for further discussion to next month’s meeting. 6. Update on Recreation and Park Committee & Natural Resources Committee Lisa shared that the NRCC is pleased with the direction of the CCAD’s in addressing natural resources concerns, such as the wetland area at Wheeler. Mike noted that it’s important we do things as well as we can so that the investment is long lasting and sustainable. Holly noted that the creation of maintenance plans is important for dog parks, especially as seasons change. 7. Update on Dog Incident Reporting Holly noted two new incidences of lost dogs. One at Oak Creeks with not tabs but a license where the dog scooted out the door but was successfully returned. The second incident was at Overlook where the dog did not have tags and was not registered. Holly is not aware of the resolution at this point. Holly noted two reports of off-leash dogs at Szymanski Park, where one of the dogs was on the tennis courts. There was an off-leash incident at Red Rocks reported by a neighbor. Holly explained that Red Rocks will have an on-site ranger starting this Saturday through August 16th between the hours of 8AM and 7:15PM. The ranger will welcome people, perform maintenance, report trail issues, and remind people of the park rules. Betty noted there is a general sense that South Burlington is not a “dog friendly” city. We need to focus on how we can improve the inclusion of dogs in our community. Presently, the interests of dogs are only mentioned in ordinances addressing noise, safety, property damage and licenses. Betty noted we penalize people for registering their dogs late which can incentivize people to wait until the next year to register. Justin and Molly agreed. 8. Review Wheeler Dog Park Signage Package Holly explained that the Wheeler nature park sign would be relocated to the grassy area where picnic tables are. The Dog Park sign would be placed within the vicinity of where the Wheeler nature sign is now. Signage would be free standing with a flower bed underneath it. Holly presented the Dog Park rule signage. Justin suggested replacing the section regarding “Restrictions” to “Please Remember” to keep positive messaging. Committee agreed. Barb offered to perform grammar check. Holly presented the signage for the Large and Small Dog Park areas. Molly suggested replacing the signage stating, “This play area is for Low Energy Dogs” with “This play area is for Mellow Dogs.” Committee agreed. 9. Review Off Leash Dog Lawn Signs Holly presented two different lawn signs that would be placed around the city. Signage would be two- sided for those coming and going. Committee liked the wording but would prefer a different dog picture to reflect a happy dog. Holly suggested using personal pictures if the Committee members could provide in the next 2-3 days. 10. Review Work Plan Holly provided update on the 2023 Work Plan. The completed Work Plan would be presented to City Council in July. Once the Work Plan is approved by City Council, its considered the final document. There is a quarterly worksheet providing updates on workplan to show progress. The Work Plan includes an education component. Recreation and Parks will hold puppy and dog training classes and is currently seeking adequate spaces now. Betty suggested we ask if there is space at the police station. Holly noted that she was going to see if there is any space at DPW. If there are any plans for dog related events/activities, to be advertised in the Recreation and Parks brochure, Holly needs to know before brochure is finalized this summer. Holly will send out the updated Work Plan to the group which remains a working document. There will be some goals that are multi-year and others that can be completed in short-term. The Work Plan will be reviewed by City staff next week. City Council will review at the retreat in July. 11. Future Meetings 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 Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM EST.