HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Common Areas for Dogs Committee - 09/12/2023
Draft Common Area for Dogs Committee
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Robyn Birgisson (Vice Chair), Lisa Yankowski, Jason Smith, Molly Joy
(Clerk)
Staff Present: none
City Council Liaison Present: Helen Riehle (City Council Chair)
Public Present: Nora Senegal
Betty called meeting to order at 6:04 PM.
1. Adopt Agenda
Agenda revised to focus on Wheeler Dog Park and approval of prior meeting minutes. The agenda was
adopted with changes.
2. Public Comments (Unrelated to Agenda)
Nora Senegal raised concerns regarding the “Leash or Not to Leash” survey that was published on the City
of South Burlington website on the same day. The purpose behind the survey was explained and
recommended that Nora complete the comments section of survey documenting her concerns.
3. Review and Approve Minutes
Corrections to be made to July 18 minutes to remove Linda Yankowski and add Lisa Yankowski as members
present. Corrections to be made to August 8 minutes to remove Robyn Birgisson as members present. The
committee approved the minutes with corrections noted.
4. Wheeler Park Amenities
The Committee met on site at Wheeler Dog Park to assess needs for amenities. The following amenity
needs were identified:
• Benches: Add 7 new benches in addition to the bench that is on-site. Seven benches in the high
energy area and one bench in the low energy area. Benches to be placed far from gates to prevent
crowding.
• Water: Add a waterspout along the Southern boundary, to be used to fill water bowls.
• Bag Dispensers: Add 4 additional bag dispensers along the fence line including three in the high
energy area and one in the low energy area. Dispensers to be placed away from the gates to
prevent crowding.
• Trees: Plant 4 trees where the previous trees were cut down; three in the “active” dogs area and
one in the “mellow” dogs area.
• Signage: The signage regarding park rules needs to be moved to the outside of the fence to the
right of the gate so that guests read the rules before they enter the park.
• Announcement Board: An additional, enclosed “announcement” board will be pursued to be
located to the left and outside of the gate.
• Other: The sand barrel sitting outside the dog park, needs to be removed at the end of every
winter. The barrel is filled with sand and salt, submerged in dirty, standing water, that could be
dangerous for dogs who might drink it. People may not be reading the park signage because its
location is near the trash barrels which also give off extremely pungent odors horrible from the
standing water in the sand barrel.
5. Future Meetings
Tuesday, October 10th, 6 – 7:30 PM
MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 7:08 PM PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.