HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 02/13/2023
Draft Common Area for Dogs Committee
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 13, 2023
Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Muriel More, Linda Chiasson, Robyn Birgisson, Linda Yankowski, Molly
Joy (Clerk)
Staff Liaison: Holly Rees (Recreation Director)
Public: Barbara Sirvis
Betty called meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
1. Adopt Agenda
Rearranged agenda due to condensed meeting (in order of appearance below).
2. Public Comments (Unrelated to the Agenda)
None
3. Review and Approve Minutes
Hold off on review of Minutes until next meeting.
4. Animal Behavior Trainer
There was a recent incident involving police at Red Rocks with an off-leash dog. A man struck an off-leash
dog and then struck the dog’s guardian, when the guardian came to dog’s rescue.
Betty met with an animal behaviorist regarding an opportunity to hold a series of educational clinics for
dog handlers at Wheeler Dog Park and/or possibly Red Rocks. The behaviorist could teach and help dog
handlers understand different play styles, read body language, and have an overall better understanding
of dogs. Betty will send a draft of topics that could be covered including reading dog’s behavior, recall,
safety during conflict and how to break up conflicts. To keep clinics at a reasonable size, people would
need to preregister. A quote will be available before the next meeting.
5. Venmo at Wheeler
The IT and Finance Department did not identify Venmo as a possible solution to collect dog park related
donations but Square may be an option. Square is a better option than Venmo as there are no transfer
fees. A QR Code could be created along with signage placed at Wheeler for those interested in donating to
the dog park. There are still some details to work on with the Finance Department, then the City Manager
will bring it to the City Council for approval. Zelle may also be an option as it’s linked through many
financial institutions’ online platforms.
6. Wheeler Dog Park Update
There is a new Other Paper article in the works regarding Wheeler.
The Rules sign needs to be moved from inside gates to outside. There may be a need to add capacity limits
to the Rules. It was noted that it may be possible to obtain an AARP challenge grant to help with adding
paths throughout the park. The gates are currently an issue as some cannot be opened. A motion was
made and passed unanimously to request grant money from City Council for park related amenities, paths,
and landscaping.
7. Farrell Dog Park Update
The plan is to move Farrell Dog Park North of the Southern border to revegetate. The new proposed dog
park area would allow for runoff into ravines. Holly has asked for an itemized estimate for full scope of
project (moving earth, permitting process, fencing, moving bike path and parking, etc.). In CIP, there is
$60K budgeted if voters approve it. The funds would be available as early as 7/1/23. Most of the cost
would be to move the bike path. We need a full proposal prepared before going to City Council.
Holly will follow-up again with Adam Cate as to how much fencing is left over from Wheeler Dog Park
project.
8. Wheeler/Farrell Maintenance Plans
The Parks and Recreation Foreman is working on coming up with maintenance plans in the form of daily,
weekly, and monthly checklists. Maintenance plans will also define what paid staff are responsible for,
what contractual services are responsible for and what volunteer groups can contribute. If the current
budget is approved, the Parks Department gets an additional Parks maintenance person. Responsibilities
should be defined by the next meeting.
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 6:54 PM PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Future Meetings
Tuesday, March 14th, 6 – 7 PM