Minutes_Park and Recreation Commission 6 12 12PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
4:30 p.m., City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
PRESENT: Bob Blocker, Chuck Harris, Paul Hoffmann, Ken Klinge, Karen Lyness, Evelyn
Nadeau and Dave Schlueter
OTHERS
PRESENT: Staff present: Marie Ware, Pat Prevenas and Eileen Trimble
MINUTES It was moved by Klinge, seconded by Lyness, to approve the minutes of the May
APPROVED; 8, 2012, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
VOTE:
RECREATION • Pool opened Saturday, May 26th except for the water playground at Flora
DIVISION because of a mechanical problem; swim lesson begin Monday. • Golf course
REPORT: had the best May since 2000 and best round for the last four years. • Summer
programs start June 11th. Playgrounds are offered at fourteen sites with four
free lunch programs and a new free breakfast at Comiskey. • The spring division
report was sent to commissioners in agenda packet and may be found as part of
the original minutes. There was one big drop in numbers from last year for the
weekend open gym program but that was due to the good weather — people
were outside instead of inside the gyms. • Registration for summer programs
began April 11th and 50% of the registration was online, compared to 40% last
year. • Facility rentals are now online but we still have a few bugs to work out. •
Mike Denman's official last day of work is July 5th and he is using up vacation
right now; Gerry Lange has been appointed Acting Golf Superintendent. The
Civil Service test for the position has to be postmarked June 11th.
PARK DIVISION
REPORT:
• Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware told commissioners that Recreation
Division Manager Pat Prevenas gave his formal retirement notice this week,
effective the end of August.
• Staff is busy planting flowers and doing general park maintenance. The new
hanging flower baskets are up at Bee Branch and Historic Millwork District. Bee
Branch has a watering system in the poles. • Historic Millwork District has ten
planters and the hanging flower baskets with reservoirs which allow staff to water
once every two to four days instead of once or twice per day. Our department
will be responsible for maintaining baskets plus trash collection. • There are 18
people on the certified list for the Natural Areas and Sustainable Practices
Specialist. We are getting applications now. • Manager Ware has reviewed the
Park Division Manager applications.
MANAGER'S • Three public meetings were held on site at the three mini parks, Creek Wood,
REPORT: Eagle Valley and Westbrook. A notification letter was sent to neighbors inviting
them to the meeting so they could see the conceptual plans and we could get
their feedback and comments. Creek Wood Park had two conceptual plans and
neighbors liked Conceptual Plan A with the playground area. Most of the others
had more detail oriented questions regarding lighting, security, et cetera. We
hold the public meetings first to get neighbor feedback then take those
comments to the designer for changes. We would come back to the neighbors
again and if all is ok the plans would go to the Park and Recreation Commission
RECEIVE AND
FILE PETITION
TO ALLOW DOGS
IN PARKS:
CURRENT
ORDINANCE AND
HISTORY:
OTHER INPUT
RECEIVED OR
REFERRED TO
LEISURE
SERVICES:
WEB SURVEY:
for approval. Eagle Valley had the highest turnout of neighbors.
• Commissioner Nadeau wanted it on the record that she objects to the
development at this time of Creek Wood Park since there are other parks that
came into the system before this one and it doesn't seem right to jump the line
and get this one done first.
• A public meeting was held three weeks ago for the North End Trail Lighting
project. The project provides lights for the Heritage Trail Extension that starts
north of Comiskey Park and goes to 32nd. They will mirror the look of those in
the Bee Branch. Letters were mailed to 739 residences in a three or four block
radius of the area. There were mostly favorable comments. The City Council will
initiate the bidding process for the project at the June 18th council meeting and
we hope to complete the project in this calendar year. Commissioner Harris is
also the North End Neighborhood President and he said most of the group was
happy with the project.
It was moved 12y Lyness seconded la Harris to receive and file the petition for
changing the ordinance to allow pets in parks. The motion passed
unanimously.
Manager Ware shared the current ordinance has been in place since at least
1969 with few changes. In 1953 the Council established an ordinance
prohibiting unleashed pets in public areas, including parks.
Commissioner Hoffmann asked if we were talking about dogs only or other
animals too. Manager Ware said the Park and Recreation Commission has the
right to recommend anything they want to the City Council, but what was
presented to them was a petition limited to dogs. Commissioner Harris asked
what the ordinance meant by other domestic animals. Ware told commissioner
the ordinance says dogs, cats, and other domestic animals so if they want to
include other animals it might be a good idea to get some input from Health
Services Department. Commissioner Hoffmann said this meeting would focus on
dogs.
Manager Ware said the department has received letters, e-mails and phone calls
that just came in to the office; there was no formal input gathering. The
comments and communications from the public are ongoing. All comments are
correspondence received by the department through Friday, June 8th were sent
to Commissioners as part of the agenda packet and may be found as part of the
original minutes.
Manager Ware told Commissioners since there was no formal gathering of
information or request for comments, that we could put a survey on the city
website. It would be done through Civic Plus Web Q/A and be very simple. A
person could answer simple yes /no questions and then the comments would be
compiled. A sample of what the survey might look like on the website was part
of the agenda packet. Commissioners could tweak the sample and make specific
questions. There would be no fee involved for the department because it would
be done through the city website. Manager Ware just wanted commissioners to
know the option was available.
INFORMATION
RELATED TO
DOGS IN PARKS
IN OTHER
CITIES:
PUBLIC INPUT
REGARDING
PETS IN PARKS:
Comments: Hoffman said commissioners received a lot of comments both for
and against changing the ordinance and there were obviously strong feelings on
both sides of the issue. He thinks they have a pretty good handle on the issues
and doesn't know if we need a web survey or not. Nadeau thought it would be a
good idea to get input from a larger group and maybe ask what they think the
solutions are. Klinge said as long as the public understands it is just a survey to
get input on people's feelings, not a vote looking for the highest numbers.
Schlueter wants to make sure we are concerned about the issue not just the
numbers because big numbers one way or the other doesn't solve the issue.
Blocker said by the numbers on the "yes" paperwork, there are a lot of people
that want pets in the park. Harris felt people who have strong feelings have
already made their comments known and probably wouldn't go to website; no
need for a survey.
Manager Ware distributed a handout that compared other large cities in Iowa
with regard to pets in parks issue. A copy may be found as part of the original
minutes.
• Are dogs allowed in your parks? All the cities asked were yes, except
Dubuque. They all had their ordinance just as long as Dubuque had the
ordinance prohibiting pets in parks.
• Do you have dog parks available? All were yes except Council Bluffs. Pets
are not mentioned in their ordinances because their policy is to allow pets.
• Do you receive a lot of complaints? Some do, some don't. The city with the
most issues is West De Moines.
• Do you offer waste bags? Most provided waste bags in the pet parks only,
not all the rest of the parks.
• Do you have a leash law? All must be on a leash and many of them allowed
a maximum 6' leash. One city did not allow pets within so many feet of a
playground. Manager Ware said health officials, community police, park
patrol, police, etc. say this would be very difficult to enforce.
Commissioner Klinge asked if there was any record of how many dog incidents
there may have been in the past. Ware said they are not recorded very often
and there is no way to go back and check. In Fiscal Year 2012 the Health
Department had 2,270 animal - related complaints (all animals). In calendar year
2011 there were 124 bites but that included bites on private and public property.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association Dubuque is estimated
to have 12,312 dogs. In calendar year 2011 only 6,215 animals were licensed.
A lot of people do not license their pets.
Commissioner Klinge asked if there were fines in place now for dogs in parks.
Recreation Division Manager Pat Prevenas said he thought it might be around
$200 but Manager Ware said police and park patrol usually don't write tickets up
for pets in parks, they warn the person.
• James Kress, 3090 Keokuk Street. I have lived in Dubuque all my life. I am
retired, use the park every day and do not want dogs in parks. There will be
problems with bites and dog waste — just take a look at the trail at Miller
Riverview and A.Y. McDonald parks, the River Walk, Grandview Avenue and
in neighborhoods and you will see dogs not on leashes and dog waste all
over. In January 2012 Linwood and Mt. Calvary cemeteries no longer allow
dogs on their property due to noncompliance with the rules. There was an
article in a Nebraska newspaper just the other day that listed five dog bites in
parks in ten days and in three of those cases neither the dog nor owner could
be located so the victims had to go through series of shots. When I Googled
dog bites in city parks on the Internet there were 24,700,000 articles. If you
can keep one child from getting bitten in city parks you will be doing a good
job. Keep parks safe and do not allow dogs in parks.
• Sandy Kohn, 2491 Northstar Drive in Embassy West. I have a corner lot
and I do not have to pick up dog waste; my neighbors are responsible and
clean up after their dogs. I have had a dog my entire life and I enjoy
socializing with my dog. If you take the dog to the Pet Park it is different. I
am asking to take the dog with the family on outings and socialize — it's good
for the dog too. I walk along Bergfeld pond /trail and on the floodwall and
there is some waste but it's not bad. Pet owners are taxpayers too and they
just want a chance to take dog to family outings in the park and socialize with
their families. Maybe you could start out small and if don't want to allow in all
parks, at least allow dogs in some. Please don't penalize all dog owners
because of the ones that aren't responsible.
• Lisa Johnson, 206 Southgate Drive. I have lived in Dubuque since 1985
and I want to go in to Murphy Park when I'm walking on South Grandview
Avenue. I always clean up after my dog and even carry extra bags with me.
I take my dog to training classes. You could charge a hefty fine for those
dogs not on leashes and for not picking up dog waste. I'm asking that you
allow dogs in at least one or two parks as a trial and develop another bigger
area for another dog park. I support hefty fines for those that don't have dogs
on a leash and don't pick up after their dog.
• Chris Piper, 2820 Burlington Street. I am a lifelong Dubuquer and am not a
dog owner. I was bitten as a child by a nice dog. I am at Eagle Point Park all
the time and when I go to the park I don't want to see, feel, touch, hear or
smell dogs. It would be ok in smaller neighborhoods or limit the areas but not
in bigger parks, especially Friday through Sunday. If you were going to allow
dogs in the parks, limit to certain hours and only on Monday through
Thursday. Please do not allow dogs in the bigger parks, especially Eagle
Point where you pay to get into the park and rent pavilions.
• Jennifer Tigges, 4927 Wildflower Drive. You should have a copy of the
letter I sent to Marie. I live, own a home, pay taxes and run a business in the
city. I am in favor of changing the ordinance to allow dogs in city parks.
State parks allow dogs on leashes not to exceed 6' in length. This is exactly
what should be allowed in Dubuque parks. It is a quality of life issue for our
family, or fur children as I call them. Part of quality of life is retention of our
young people and recruitment of young professions to our city. Some small
things that help are attractive outdoor spaces and places to foster emotional
connections with other people of a similar age. Dubuque is growing. We
must be known as a pet friendly city and this includes city parks. The
economic value of Dubuque Convention and Visitors' Bureau securing the
national Dock dogs competition the next five years is expected to bring $1.5
million to Dubuque. We need to show this national group that we are a pet
friendly community and city. The new public boat slips will be bringing
visitors and tourists with their pets. We need this tourism for our economic
development. We will soon have three new neighborhood parks that we
talked about earlier. We must be known as a pet friendly city and community.
Greater Dubuque Development Corporation has shown us that Dubuque can
grow and change. We have won numerous awards for our recruitment of
businesses and employees. We have proven as a city that change is good.
We can change and we can make this work for all. We must change the
current ordinance and allow Dubuque to be known as a pet friendly city with
dogs allowed on leashes in city parks. There are currently 1,105 signatures
to the online petition in favor of allowing dogs in our parks and they were
gathered during a two -week window. If you do a web survey, those that don't
have Internet access should be given a chance to participate with some type
of paper survey or through the Library.
COMMISSION Commissioner Hoffmann told those present that they were welcome to stay and
DISCUSSION: listen to discussion since it was a public meeting but no recommendation may be
reached tonight and the City Council will be the body that decides whether to
change the ordinance or not; what the Commission comes to is not binding.
Manager Ware informed commissioners that with an ordinance change the City
Council has to enact three readings. Also, when she talked to the legal
department about how the ordinance was written, it became apparent that we
will need to do some clean -up of the ordinance language.
Harris: I am not totally opposed to the idea of dogs in parks but dogs will act
differently when large groups of people are around. Maybe we could allow dogs
in some of the neighborhood parks, but not the showcase parks. They would
need to be on a leash and charge hefty fines if they aren't. It would be hard to
enforce. We have 52 parks so we would need to pick which ones to allow dogs
in and which ones not.
Schlueter: I am a lifelong dog owner and I would like to see some kind of
compromise. I would not allow dogs in all of the parks, especially not Arboretum
and Eagle Point until we see how it goes; scale down and allow in some parks. I
am not opposed to Flora and Murphy to see how it goes. The problem is the
ones that are not responsible. The potential for bites is scary but I would like to
find a compromise. We need to put people first as much as we love our pets;
safety first. Maybe have a trial period for one full year to base a decision on.
Accumulate data to decide if it's a good idea or not. Some people are afraid of
dogs but it doesn't seem fair to keep dogs out because of some people. I would
like to try allowing dogs in certain areas on a leash with 6' length limit and police
or patrol would need to ticket offenders.
Nadeau: I am a dog owner but as a parent I am afraid of unleashed dogs, but
you can't make rules based on people that aren't responsible or respectful. I feel
the Arboretum and Eagle Point should not have dogs. The Arboretum is a labor
of love and taken care of by volunteers. Eagle Point could maybe allow dogs in
certain area. I support hefty fines like $500 for not having dog on a leash and
$100 for not picking up your dog's waste. I would agree with a trial period and
feel there are ways to make it possible for all to enjoy the parks.
Hoffmann: I own two dogs that are well cared for and have gone to training
classes but no matter what I do the one dog snaps at other dogs all the time.
Dogs have become more popular in the last twenty years and people are getting
more and more attached to their dogs. The Des Moines Register is running
articles on the detriment of having pets in parks. The last article had an
interview with a State Farm Insurance agent and he said liability for dog bites is
up 48% from last year. He thinks some cities will move away from having dogs
in parks; children are attacked the most. My sister was attacked by a dog when
she was young. I don't see a need to have pets in parks but after listening to
everybody here tonight, maybe we can have an area to try. I think we must
protect the population but also respect dog owners' desire to walk dogs in certain
designated areas.
Blocker: When you look at the number of large cities in Iowa, Dubuque is the
only one with an absolute ban on dogs in parks. I think the large number of
names on the petition weights heavily. I think we should vote yes to change the
ordinance but allow dogs in all parks on a leash, across the board on a trial
basis. Setting only designated areas in only certain parks would be very
confusing to people. I don't think we really need a web survey. There is a risk
involved in allowing dogs in parks but you can't remove risk from life.
Lyness: I own two dogs so I see both sides of the issue. I would like to see
dogs allowed on a 6' leash in designated parks except the Arboretum. I think pet
owners have become more responsible in the last couple years which is
evidenced by the fact that a lot of hotels now allow pets. I think waste bags
should be provided in parks where dogs are allowed because people seem to
use them if they are there. There should be some kind of compromise.
Klinge: I love dogs and have dogs of my own but dogs are unpredictable no
matter how well trained they are and I'm worked about the safety of the kids in
the parks if dogs are allowed. I would be in favor of a trial at some parks but not
the Arboretum, Eagle Point, Murphy, the showcase parks. When I walk on
Grandview there is waste around. If you set fines how would it be enforced? If
you allow dogs then you would need to provide waste bags. I would not want
dogs in the parks when there are a lot of people around because he is leery of
what could happen. I think there is a lot more we need to talk about and maybe
we shouldn't make a recommendation tonight.
Mr. Hoffmann said we need to work on a compromise. He asked that everyone
come to the July meeting with their own ides /suggestions for a compromise and
we can see if there is a trend in one direction or the other and then go from
there. Mr. Blocker said it's a complex issue and there are going to be winners
and losers. We don't want to go off half cocked and try and do anything in a big
hurry without careful consideration. Ms. Lyness like's Hoffmann's idea of
everyone bringing their ideas to the next meeting. Mr. Schlueter said we should
come to the next meeting with some proposal but he doesn't want to be putting
the issue off. He is hearing that some commissioners are kind of agreeable to a
compromise so if they each bring their proposal in July, hopefully a
recommendation can be decided. Mr. Klinge felt it will take more than one
meeting to come up with a good recommendation to the City Council.
OTHER • Commissioner Blocker said he was asked about why there was no boat ramp
BUSINESS: access available for boaters during the Catfish Festival at A.Y. McDonald
Park. He said there should be something on the news if the ramp is going to
be closed, or it should not be closed. Commissioner Klinge said there are a
ADJOURN;
VOTE:
couple other ramps boaters could go to. Ware said the Catfish Festival has
been getting bigger and bigger each year. Next year when they request their
special event permit we will need to tell them.
• Blocker said he was walking in the Port of Dubuque and the new marina
operation looks like it will be first class, and do we know opening date yet.
He asked if there would be any free boat parking for a couple hours. Blocker
recommends having some two -hour free boat parking spots.
• Marina: Manager Ware said there is no opening date. It is still a
construction site and it belongs to the contractor. The boat slips are
essentially done so people are using them as courtesy docks even though
other areas are not done. The project is funded by federal grants and the
marina operation cannot generate revenue until the grant is totally closed out.
In order for that to happen, everything has to be finished.
• MFC. Commissioner Nadeau said she has been hearing from the Latino
community that the person hired for the MFC was not required to speak
Spanish. She is concerned that nobody will be able to communicate with the
Spanish speaking community. Manager Ware said we have the applications
for the Site Supervisor but have not begun the interview process. Speaking
Spanish was not a requirement when the job was posted but it was listed as
"preferred." There will be a review of the applicant pool and qualifications
and look for the best skill set possible for the job the person will be doing.
• Commissioner Harris asked if it would be appropriate for us to have a public
hearing regarding the pets in parks issue. Ware said commissioners could
do that if they wanted to. The Commissioners would come up with a
proposal and then have public hearing before the August meeting.
• Commissioner Hoffmann said this would be his last meeting as Chair and he
wanted to thank commissioners for good attendance. He always encourages
moving the meetings along and not dragging them out — stay focused.
It was moved by Schlueter, seconded by Klinge, that the meeting be adjourned
at 6:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Attest
Chairperson