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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 07/18/2023 Draft Common Area for Dogs Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 18, 2023 Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Robyn Birgisson (Vice Chair), Linda Yankowski, Elan Curran, Jason Smith, Molly Joy (Clerk) Staff Present: Holly Rees (Recreation Director) Betty called meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 1. Adopt Agenda Adopted without changes. 2. Public Comments (Unrelated to Agenda) No members of public present. 3. Welcome New Members New members including Elan Curran and Jason Smith were introduced to existing members. Betty provided a brief history of the Committee. 4. Election of Officers Chair – Betty Miliza Vice Chair – Robyn Birgisson Molly Joy – Clerk 5. Review and Approve Minutes (June) June 13th minutes were approved by the Committee. 6. Review Annual Work Plan Holly gave an overview of the FY24 Annual Work Plan which is based around the Comprehensive Plan. The Work Plan is broken into 4 pillars: Fair and Just, Opportunity Oriented, Human Focused and Climate Resistant. Betty introduced the goals within each pillar of the Annual Work Plan. 7. Review Farrell Park Plan Holly provided an update on Farrell Park which is the same plan we discussed during the prior month meeting. Watershed Consultants are working with Monica Ingalls (South Burlington Stormwater Project Manager). The Plan is to extend the park, realign bike path, crown the park to allow for drainage, round corners, and provide for an overall larger dog park. This requires DRB approval to move forward. The City Council is looking to the Committee for feedback. The Committee should send a memorandum to City Council with our recommendations on enhancements to Farrell Park to ensure all is addressed before the DRB. The fencing, grading, parking, reestablishment of path is estimated to be $60K covered by CIP. 8. Review 2019 Recommendations on Dog Parks The recommendations include the following: Locations: • Must Have: o Minimum one acre dog park usable area (does not include parking)  Wheeler: Recommendation met  Farrell: Recommendation not met o Entry area surface to pea gravel or similar hard surface to eliminate muddy/sanding water areas  Wheeler: Recommendation not yet met  Farrell: Recommendation not yet met o Adequate drainage to facilitate a usable space  Wheeler: Recommendation not yet met; drainage inadequate at entrance  Farrell: Recommendation not yet met o Curved corners on fencing  Wheeler: Recommendation met  Farrell: Recommendation not yet met • Nice to Have: o Greater than one acre Amenities: • Must Have: o Appropriate entrance area material  Wheeler: Recommendation not yet met  Farrell: Recommendation not yet met o Shade  Wheeler: Recommendation not yet met; remove existing tree stumps and replace with at least 3 mature shade trees – 1 mature tree in mellow dog area and 2 mature trees in high energy dog area  Farrell: Recommendation not yet met o Benches  Wheeler: Recommendation partially met; needs 6 benches in total  Farrell: Recommendation met o Water faucet (no bowl)  Wheeler: Recommendation not yet met  Farrell: Recommendation not yet met o Trash barrels o Multiple poop bag dispensers with an adequate amount of trash can depending on park size and configuration o Separate play areas for dogs by size (or other factors such as age, mobility, etc.) o Free, leftover natural play structures, i.e.:  Tree stumps  Culvert pipe  Logs  Boulders • Nice to Have: o Shade trees o Structure/pergola o Upgrade surface material o Separate entrance and exit gats/locations depending on park size and configuration Considerations also need to be made for maintenance such as mowing, weed whacking and sanitation plan for hosing down benches, gravel, etc. The Committee will revisit this topic during the next meeting due to time constraints on the current agenda. 9. Next Steps with Survey The Committee will revisit this topic during the next meeting due to time constraints on the current agenda. Elan, Jason, and Betty will meet in the coming days to pull together Survey Monkey survey. A- frames can be placed at Wheeler and Red Rocks with survey QR Code. 10. Comprehensive Plan Language Review Betty Submitting suggested language in the Comprehensive Plan, including as part of Recreation section. Betty will send a draft for feedback. 11. Future Meetings Tuesday, August 15th, 6 – 7:30 PM MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 8:04 PM PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.