HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Dog Park Committee - 05/06/2019
South Burlington Dog Park Commi ee
DRAFT
Mee ng Minutes
May 6, 2019
Present: Barb Sirvis (at large), Elizabeth (Be y) Milizia (at-large), Linda Chiasson (NRC), Mike Simoneau (RPC),
Maggie Leugers, (staff)
Members of the public: Kate Lukas, Muriel More, and Janice Ba aline
1. Safety Procedures: Maggie directed the group to rear doors and outdoor mee ng area in case of an
emergency.
2. Introduc ons: All members and visitors present introduced themselves.
3. Clerk: Maggie Leugers (staff)
4. Agenda changes: none
5. Minutes: 4/24/2019 approved adopted with change of spelling Muriel More (last name)
6. Loca on: Barb reviewed the NEW map of Wheeler Homestead loca on including the change with
“berm” design, allowing for addi on 6-8 parking spaces in the Swi Extension lot, and review of wet
areas.
a. Discussion.
Linda Chiasson asked about possible push back from other users. Barb will be talking with Carol
McQuillen, Director of Common Roots, about this proposal to try to work together collabora vely.
Commi ee will consider closing Dog Park during SoBu Nite Out events due to high traffic on these bi-
weekly evening summer events.
Be y Milizia wanted to make sure in phase II presenta on to City Council would include
appropriate vegeta on around some of the fencing.
Muriel More expressed concern about parking due to ac vi es at Veterans Memorial Park. She
was also concerned about appropriate shade.
Be y Milizia commented about the need of accessible parking.
Mike Simoneau reminded the group about segrega ng parking. He also commented about
Common Roots and sharing with the community and community needs.
Be y Milizia suggested considera on of the triangle grassy area next to parking lot as
opportunity for addi onal parking. This will need to be discussed with DPW & R&P.
b. Mo on: Recommend Wheeler Homestead loca on as the site for a new dog park. Moved by
Linda, seconded by Be y. Mo on unanimous.
7. Ameni es were reviewed for Wheeler Homestead & Farrell Park Upgrades, using the list generated at
earlier mee ngs. There was general agreement that Wheeler and Farrell both need shade op ons,
water, and benches. Wheeler will have “in-kind play structures,” e.g., culvert pipe, provided by DPW.
8. Rules were discussed with reference to the review provided earlier by Jus n Rabidoux.
a. Access. All will be welcome, whether or not residents of South Burlington. Children 12 and
under must be accompanied by an adult.
b. Dog Restric ons.
Two dogs maximum/human friend
Small dog area limited to dogs less than 20 pounds
Dogs should not be
In heat
Injured or sick
Dogs should be
Licensed
Vaccinated against rabies
At least six months old
Removed for aggressive behavior
No digging
c. Owner Responsibili es.
Dogs must be under owner control
Pick up a er their dogs
Bring dogs to park under leash control
Carry a leash while in the dog park
Fill in any holes created by digging
d. Facility.
Hours of opera on will be dawn to dusk
Gate to be secured at all mes
No animals other than dogs
No food or glass containers
Alcohol- and smoke-free zone
No skateboards, bicycles, skates, or motorized vehicles
· (except wheelchairs and walkers)
No commercial or professional use (unless otherwise authorized)
9. Opera onal rules:
Discussed. Agreed that rules should be distributed to each person who registers a dog and published
annually in The Other Paper.
10. Signage Discussed: A er discussion, the DPC agreed the following rules would be posted at each dog
park:
· Use Park at your own risk.
· Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
· Two dogs/person limit
· Small dog area limited to dogs less than 20 pounds
· One dog at a me in the entrance area
· Stand back 5 feet from gate when another dog is entering or exi ng entrance
· Dogs must be on a leash when approaching the dog park
· Owners must carry a leash while in the dog park
· Owners will be asked to leave if they do not control their dog
· Dogs must wear collar with license at all me
· Clean up a er your dog
· No food or glass containers
· Alcohol- and smoke-free zone
· No skateboards, bicycles, skates, strollers, or motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs and walkers)
· No pets other than dogs
· No puppies under 6 months
· No dogs with injuries or illness or in heat.
· All rules and ordinances governing the City of South Burlington are applicable.
11. Fee Structure:
Barb presented informa on about the current fee use ($5 to the State and remainder to City Clerk’s
Office). The DPC agreed to recommend an addi onal $4/license to be designated to a separate fund
specifically for dog parks.
12. Budget. Barb, Be y, and Maggie met with Jus n Rabidoux and developed a two-phase dra budget for
Wheeler and Farrell. The Commi ee recognized the new dog park must be in keeping with historical
house and land at Wheeler Homestead.
13. Organiza onal Structure. The Dog Park Commi ee will con nue as a free-standing commi ee of the
City Council. For the ini al phase, the DPC will recommend that staffing be from the Department of
Public Works for the design and construc on. A er comple on, the DPC recommends staffing should
come from Recrea on and Parks.
14. Friends of the Dog Park:
Discussion to establish under Dog Park Commi ee.
15. Community Forum prepara on:
Be y suggested inclusion of total budget proposal, so the community is informed about what
the dog park entails.
Barb Sirvis thought it was important to include how commi ee got to this point. Be y will do a
short presenta on need for Dog Park.
16. External Funding:
Beginning discussion on process and funding sources. More details at next mee ng.
17. Milton’s NEW Dog Park (Muriel More):
She talked about NEW 3 acre Dog Park and their Grand Opening May 18th. 10:00 a.m.
Cost approximately = $44,000
Miriam noted a concern about the lack of water; the water source is a great distance from park. Park
open only May-October. Shade is available in the large dog area but not small dog area.
18. Commi ee was encouraged to take Community Forum Flyer and put informa on in all SoBu Front Porch
Forums.
19. Barb noted that there will be an ar cle in The Other Paper a er Community Forum next week.
20. Mo on to adjourn at 6:25PM
First by Linda Chiasson, Second by Mike Simoneau
21. Mee ng schedule:
5/15: 5-6:30 DPC Mee ng
5.15: 7-8:30 Community Forum (both mee ngs in downstairs mee ng room)
6/3: 5-6:30 DPC mee ng before Council presenta on
7:00 City Council Presenta on
Dra report to Council by the May 30 before the June 3rd mee ng so that materials are in their packets.
Respec vely submi ed by Clerk: Maggie Leugers