City Council Request Regarding Dogs in ParksCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Action Items # 09.
Copyrighted
September 3, 2024
ITEM TITLE: City Council Request Regarding Dogs in Parks
SUMMARY: City Manager submitting information to lay out a process related to the
City Council request to consider allowing dogs in the remainder of the
parks that currently do not allow it.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Council
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Council Request Regarding Dogs in Parks
DATE: August 27, 2024
Dubuque
All-beria city
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware is submitting information to lay out a process
related to the City Council request to consider allowing dogs in the remainder of the
parks that currently do not allow it.
The City Council at their August 2024 goal setting discussed the general topic of
allowing dogs in the remainder of the parks that currently do not allow them by the city's
current ordinance. Although this topic was not prioritized it was agreed by Council the
topic should be considered at a future meeting. If the City Council wishes to have this
topic considered, this is a suggested process.
1. If the Council wishes to share any further direction after review of the current
ordinance, that could be shared with staff at the September 3, 2024, City Council
meeting.
2. Request the Parks and Recreation Commission review the current ordinance to
consider the allowance of pets in additional parks.
3. Parks and Recreation Commission forwards recommendation after their
discussion and review to the City Council.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Director
SUBJECT: City Council Request Regarding Dogs in Parks
DATE: August 26, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
All -Merin City
111111
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
The purpose of this memo to lay out a process related to the City Council request to
consider allowing dogs in the remainder of the parks that currently do not allow it.
BACKGROUND
The current ordinance is as follows: 10-5B-4: DOGS AND CATS:
A. Dogs And Cats Permitted: Leashed dogs and cats are permitted in parks, parkways,
trails, or open spaces. Any unleashed or unattended animal in a park, parkway,
trail, or open space may be impounded and its owner may redeem the same upon
paying the reasonable costs of such impoundment.
B. Dogs And Cats Prohibited: Notwithstanding section A, dogs and cats are prohibited
in the following parks, parkways, trails, and open spaces or areas of parks,
parkways, trails, and open spaces:
1. Bunker Hill golf course.
2. Marshall Park and Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
3. Eagle Point Park.
4. Murphy Park.
5. Nicholas J. Sutton Swimming Pool.
6. Flora Park Swimming Pool.
7. The Veterans Memorial Plaza within the Gerald "Red" McAleece Park and
Recreation Complex.
8. Fenced -in sporting areas, including, but not limited to, courts, fields, rinks,
arenas, and skate parks.
9. Buildings or facilities within parks which are listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
10. On playground and recreational areas designed for use by children.
11. Where a prohibitory sign is posted.
C. Exceptions: The prohibitions in section B do not apply to:
1. Service animals used by persons with disabilities;
2. Animals present as part of an approved and permitted special event under
chapter 4 of this title;
3. Animals which are part of the Storybook Hill Petting Zoo at Franklin Delano
Roosevelt Park; and
4. Animals confined to an automobile, camper, motor home (a.k.a. recreational
vehicle), or other similar conveyance during the entirety of their time within
Marshall Park and Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Eagle Point
Park, and Murphy Park so long as the owner is compliant with the state code
related to the safety and health of the animal.
D. Animal Control Ordinance Compliance: Leashed dogs and cats are subject to and
must comply with the provisions of title 7, chapter 6 of this code.
E. Waste Disposal: The owner or keeper must pick up and dispose of or take away
the dog or cat's waste.
F. Liability: The owner or keeper is responsible for the actions of its dogs and cats.
G. Unleashed Dogs Allowed: Unleashed dogs shall be permitted in the following
areas:
1. Pet park.
2. John G. Bergfeld Recreation Area ponds, but only when an owner or keeper is
working or exercising a dog by tossing a retrieval dummy or other object into a
pond for out -and -back exercise. At all other times the dog must be leashed.
(Ord. 23-17, 5-15-2017; amd. Ord. 10-20, 3-2-2020)
DISCUSSION
The City Council at their August 2024 goal setting discussed the general topic of
allowing dogs in the remainder of the parks that currently do not allow them by the city's
current ordinance. Although this topic was not prioritized it was agreed by Council the
topic should be considered at a future meeting. If the City Council wishes to have this
topic considered, this is a suggested process.
1. If the Council wishes to share any further direction after review of the current
ordinance, that could be shared with staff at the September 3, 2024 City Council
meeting.
2. Request the Parks and Recreation Commission review the current ordinance to
consider the allowance of pets in additional parks.
3. Parks and Recreation Commission forwards recommendation after their
discussion and review to the City Council.
ACTION REQUESTED
I respectfully request the City Council discuss and approve a process for consideration
of the topic of dogs in the remainder of city parks.
cc: Park Division Manager Steve Fehsal
Public Health Director Mary Rose Corrigan
Park and Recreation Commission
2