Parks & Recreation Commissioners Meeting Department of Parks & Recreation Boise City Bonneville Room City Hall April 15 th, 2010 Members Present: Maggie Frole Spurling, Cissy Madigan, Michael Cunningham, Thomas Chandler, Louis Uranga, Harvey Neef, and Patricia Whipps, Others: Maryanne Jordan and TJ Thomson, Council Liaisons; Pat Riceci, Boise City Legal; Owen Clouss, Jeff Sparks, Comp Plan Update Steering Committee; Bethann Stewart, Idaho Statesman; Jamie Heinzerling, Thomas Governale, Mollie Holt, Cheyne Weston, Ginger Jewell, and Amy Stahl, Boise Parks & Recreation Department staff. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 4:05 P.M. II. MOTION MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Uranga THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVE THE MARCH 18, 2010 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES, seconded by Commissioner Madigan. Motion was approved by all Commissioners present. III. MOTION CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Chandler THAT THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF: Joe 2 U Agreement Tour De Fat Boise Pride Fest seconded by Commissioner Whipps. Motion was approved by all Commissioners present. IV. Update on Comp Plan and ACTIONS/PRESENTATIONS Cheyne Weston presented an update to the commission on the Comp Plan. At the regularly scheduled meeting held April 7 th 08/06/23/H:\Word\Commission\Minutes\2010 Commisson Minutes\100415CommissionMin.doc/mcl
Page 2 Presentation the Advisory Committee reviewed and approved both Resource Management and Dog Theme which will be presented to you today in its final form. The Open Space and Parks subcommittee met to discuss the draft Dogs Off Leash theme (being presented today later) with Comp Plan Update Advisory Committee members (Dave Kangas, Jeff Sparks who is in the audience today, Ed Bottom, Tim Lowe held March 24 th ) In May, the comp plan advisory committee was originally to review themes, Foothills, Open Space and Trails issues and Urban Open Space but those themes have been postponed while issues are worked out. We are working to establish a temporary dog off leash park at the Meikle property. We are reviewing irrigation options, fencing and parking issues at present as well as working with a the developer of Pine Tree Village, Don Knickrehm to establish a work plan. Maggie Frole Spurling asked when the Foothills, Open Space and Trails issues and Urban Open Space themes will be discussed and Cheyne replied at the end of the process during the CIP theme. Dogs Off Leash Update Jamie Heinzerling presented the draft Dog Comprehensive Dog theme. This presentation is one of many steps along the way. Jamie will work through the theme with the Commission to see what questions/issues, or modifications are needed or if anything needs to be eliminated. There will be no public comment today, but comments will be welcome at the Morley Nelson Community Center on May 6 th from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feel free to encourage anyone who is interested to attend. Also citizens can write public comments to the comp plan coordinators. First change to the document was the changing of the name from Dog Off Leash Use to Dogs in Parks. Dogs will be addressed under the foothills themes so this will be only talking about dogs in city parks not the foothills. One change occurred under Evaluation Criteria, the committee added Reservable Sites under existing uses. The minimum site requirements were also looked at. The words in italics are changes/adaptations since the study in 2001. After the Winstead park area request there were requests in regards to
Page 3 off leash areas and hours. Maggie Frole Spurling asked if the criteria were used to evaluate the Winstead request and since modified. Jamie stated yes. Maryanne Jordan stated that we need to include volunteer enforcement or neighborhood support somewhere in the criteria. The willingness of the neighborhood to assist the cause. Maggie Frole Spurling do you mean in the minimal requirements. Jamie Heinzerling stated she will add this into the document. Thomas Chandler asked about the 4 foot fence height. Why 4 foot? Separate uses or safety reasons? What is the cost difference between the 6 ft vs. 4 ft? Double gated access should be available for different sized dogs. Jamie had the figures at the office but not with her. The Morris Hill Dog Park has a 4 foot fence. TJ Thomson asked how many quadrants there are within the City. Jamie stated that there are 4 general areas. Staff took a map and cut the city into 4 areas. Louis Uranga brought up a comment wondering if water should be added as a minimal requirement. Michael Cunningham asked are you talking about drinking water or potable water or a pond. Next, Jamie Heinzerling presented the Recommendations and then opened them for discussion. Cissy Madigan wanted to state that under #3 in the evaluation process that we need to have an avenue for citizens who aren t as vocal or comfortable in voicing their opinion against the majority. There is always email for them. Thomas Chandler asked in reference to #4 doesn t parks close at dusk? Will this result in a change in our city code?
Page 4 Jamie Heinzerling and Doug Holloway stated that Fort Boise area has permission to have lights in use till 11 pm. Thomas Chandler stated that how are fees going to be collected or assessed? Jamie Heinzerling stated that the Department would work with a user group or a neighborhood association to get hours specified. Michael Cunningham are there going to be staff coming in after these hours and cleaning up the dog poop that was not picked up? Jamie Heinzerling stated that there will not be mixed use in the same season on the fields. This plan is for winter time when sports are not scheduled on the fields. Cissy Madigan seconded the comment and stated this is for when parks are idle. Michael Cunningham stated that no matter what there is always waste left on fields and that is why a lot of schools have banned dogs all together. Harvey Neef and Louis Uranga commented about the goose poop and asked if anyone goes in and cleans up after them. Maryanne Jordan wants to make sure in the media education that licensing your dog is part of it. A requirement could be that a dog has to be licensed to use the dog park. Thomas Chandler wants to make sure that our recommendations and guidelines are also complied with in the foothills theme. Since this one has been created first, foothills should be able to comply with our guidelines. TJ Thomson wants to make sure there is something about immunizations in the media information. Michael Cunningham asked who is going to police the dog parks. What happens if a dog is coming from another city to visit? How do we control what kinds of shots or lack of? Jamie Heinzerling commented that the Department hopes to form partnerships.
Page 5 Harvey Neef liked the idea of increasing dog licensing fees and putting it back into enforcement. As long as the system is funded well it will keep its self afloat. The partners also have a vested interest in making sure the park is enforced and cleaned up. TJ Thomson stated he has been to dog parks in the East and all users there respond quickly to aggressive dogs. There needs to be plenty of signs and phone numbers of park users to call. Thomas Chandler went back to the idea of water at the location. He believes this is a minimal requirement. It might be a high cost to bring to an undeveloped site. Michael Cunningham, are we speaking about restrooms or a spicket/water fountain? Portable toilets will most likely be used until permanent restroom facilities are built. Maggie Frole Spurling, we need to recognize that we want water. Need to decide if it is one that is minimal or if it can be altered so the site will still be developed and not held up due to lack of water. Thomas Chandler stated that we need to clarify if there are different minimal requirements for undeveloped park sites and developed park sites. Jamie Heinzerling stated that this will all come out in the planning process and the Department will work with the neighborhoods throughout the whole process. Sissy Madigan wanted to make sure that one of the main goals of a dog park is for it to be inviting to the public. Pleasant to go there. Thomas Chandler questioned if shade is a minimal requirement? He recommended changing the title to be more general. Also need to talk about dogs on a leash as well. Jamie Heinzerling will update general information and title for 2 nd review. Thomas Chandler stated that we need to define exactly what we are talking about. If it is going to be a case by case basis, then there is no need for minimal requirements. Need to edit #11 on
Page 6 recommendations to further define and make clear. Louis Uranga thinks it is important to make minimal requirements but not to set them too high so they are not attainable. Maggie Frole Spurling, do we need to look back at the requirements and have one for undeveloped sites and developed sites? Or is it best to keep it all together with 1 set of criteria. Louis Uranga asked if there is a list of minimal requirements for people parks out there. Michael Cunningham stated that there are national standards that need to be met before it labeled a park. Maryanne Jordan commented that funding, greening up spaces irrigation, sod and shade and parking are important. It is really great idea to partner with whomever we can find. Also maybe look into the neighborhoods applying for neighborhood reinvestment grants. It might be very applicable here. Jamie Heinzerling will work on the document and resend the comments/edits to the commission. Maggie Frole Spurling wants to make sure that enforcement is included somewhere. Michael Cunningham commented that we need to use the resources we currently have maybe generate revenue through a user fee. Police or Humane Society is going to be the best enforcement agency out there. Maggie Frole Spurling stated that the neighborhood has a vested interested in the area. Michael Cunningham stated that one thing we do know is that dog owners are passionate. Maggie Frole Spurling stated that Jamie s is going to make the updates and repost to the website for review. May 6 th is when the public meeting will be happening so there will be comment from the public and then the document will come back to the Commission on May 20 th for final discussion.
Page 7 Reminder that next month s meeting is back at the Library. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Thank you, Sarah Wilkerson