HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-2005 Parks and Recreation Commission ACTIONMinutesSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
Monday, January 3, 2005
6:30 p.m.
Action Minutes
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Logan Deimler at 6:35 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Vita Bruno, Denise Goldberg, Anne Sanquini, Tom
Soukup, Greg Gates, Logan Deimler
Commissioners Absent: Mark Chapman (excused).
Others Present: Recreation Director Joan Pisani, Public Works Director John
Cherbone.
Public Present: Casi Anderson, Tom Barbara, Peter Knight, Stan Levy, Elaine
Clabeaux, Sandy Cross.
3. Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the
agenda was properly posted on December 21, 2004.
4. Accept Agenda Items and Order: Agenda Items and Order accepted as
presented.
5. Approval of Minutes of Meeting: Motion by Commissioner Tom Soukup,
Seconded by Commissioner Vita Bruno, to approve the December 6, 2004 Action
Minutes as presented. Vote taken, action minutes approved 4 -0. Abstain: Greg
Gates and Logan Deimler.
6. Public Presentations:
1) None.
7. Staff Reports:
1) Public Works Director, John Cherbone, and Recreation Director, Joan
Pisani, provided updates on activities in their respective departments.
8. Oral and Written Communication:
1) None
9. Old Business:
1) Dog Park Task Force initial findings / recommendations:
Commissioner Tom Soukup presented the Dog Park Task Forces' initial
findings and recommendations:
Initial Proposal: Provide off leash hours during the hours of 6 A.M. to 9
A.M., Mon. thru Friday, at two Community Parks, namely Congress
Springs and El Quito Parks.
Costs: signs with code of conduct and doggie fountains.
Concerns (general): Parks chosen with least number of adjacent
residences, keep away from children i.e. playgrounds and schools,
available parking for increase in traffic, and avoid conflicts with user
groups especially in the evenings and weekends.
Sheriff. No major changes in the way they would conduct enforcement.
Sheriff provided limited information on past conflicts between off leash
dogs and other users of the parks. There have been some incidents over the
past between off leash dogs and people. Sheriff has criteria for
enforcement of off leash dogs 1) dogs under control when called, 2) dog
must stay within three feet when called.
Commissioner questions /concerns:
Q: Has City Attorney looked at this issue?
A: No, not at this time.
Q: Does the ordinance need to be changed?
A. Yes.
Q: How will Sheriff/Code Enforcement enforce the code of conduct?
A: Similar to what exists, which is complaint based and self policed.
Q: Is the City liable?
A: Yes, but City Attorney will need to clarify level of risk.
Q: Is feedback from residents for both pro and con regarding the
Proposal?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there precedence in other jurisdictions regarding off leash dog
Hours in public parks?
A: Limited, City of Carmel and City of Santa Cruz.
Off leash dog hours should be limited to a Park with limited users.
Commission not clear on City Council direction. Need minutes for
clarification.
Public Comments:
Casi Anderson: In general in favor of dog off leash hours, but not dog
parks. Should limit hours in the summer prior to 7:00 A.M. Brought up
idea regarding licensing off leash dogs similar to City of Mountain View.
Tom Barbara: What are the details regarding the 16 dog bites in Saratoga?
In favor of off leash dog hours.
Peter Knight: In general favor of dogs off leash but thought the current
proposal was too complicated.
Stan Levy: In favor of off leash dog hours and would like to see evening
off leash hours.
Elaine Clabeaux: Adamantly against any off leash dog hours.
Sandy Cross: In general not in favor of off leash dog hours, but as a Task
Force Member is open to ideas on how to make it work.
Conclusion: Follow -up regarding concerns and questions from the public
and PRC will discussed at the next Dog Park Task Force Meeting.
10. New Business:
1) None
11. Commission reports:
a. Trails Sub - Committee: Update on House Trail Project: Initial proposal to
be brought to City Council in the near future. Update on Garrod Trail:
Initial approval by property owners regarding dedication of trail.
b. deAnza Trail Task Force: Project on hold.
c. Kevin Moran Park Task Force: Project on hold.
d. Celebration Task Force: Water Park Celebration in the Spring.
e. Master Plan Task Force: On hold until consultant is hired to complete
work.
f. Dog Park Task Force (see Old Business)
g. Commissioner Round Table
12. Suimestions about Item to be placed on future Agenda or Calendar:
None.
13. Adiournment to Holiday Party. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting:
Commissioner Bruno made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner
Gates seconded the motion. Vote taken and motion carried 6 -0.
Prepared By:
John Cherbone, Public Works Director