SR-091107-8B (2)~~
~ ~;tYof City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: September 11, 2007
Agenda Item: ~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Barbara Stinchfield, Community and Cultural Services Director
Subject: Proposed Revisions to City's Off-Leash Dog Area Policy
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed revisions to the City's Off-
Leash Dog Area Policy, repeal Resolution No. 9316 and adopt two new resolutions to
reflect the changes (Attachments 1, 2 and 3).
Executive Summary
Due to the proximity of Airport Park to the Santa Monica boundary, Mar Vista neighbors
expressed interest in accessing it. Staff assessed usage levels and gathered
community input on non-resident use of the park, resulting in proposed changes to the
current policy. With proof of a current license and vaccinations, non-Santa Monica
residents would be able to purchase a recognizable dog tag on an annual basis for a
processing fee of $15.50 for use of the Airport Park off-leash dog area. If usage
patterns change and grow to a point where maintenance needs cannot be met with
budgeted operating funds, staff recommends that this policy be re-examined. These
changes to the City's ofF-leash dog area policy are intended to address rules for use of
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the City's newest off-leash dog area at Airport Park and clarify the existing rules for the
off-leash areas at Joslyn, Pacific Street and Memorial Parks including use of the Airport
Park off-leash dog area by non-Santa Monica residents, hours of operation of the city's
four off-leash areas and refinements related to the number of dogs that a single
individual can bring at one time to the ofF-leash areas.
Discussion
Airport Park Off-leash Doq Area Use
On April 29, 2007 Airport Park opened to the public. The park inciudes a.83 acre ofF-
leash dog area. Like the city's other off-leash areas, the Airport Park off-leash area is
for use by dogs with a Santa Monica dog license. This policy was developed by the City
Council in 1997 in response to the great demand for off-leash areas from Santa Monica
residents voiced at that time. There are currently approximately 5500 licensed dogs
within the city, a significant percentage of which live in residences that do not include
yards or other usable outdoor space. Resolution 9316 was adopted by the City
Council in 1998 to designate the city's off-leash dog areas and set parameters for their
use.
Prior to opening Airport Park, staff learned that there was interest on the part of nearby
LA neighbors to use the off-leash dog area. Staff considered various options in
response and discussed the possibility of an initial pilot program providing 15 permits
for distribution to nearby LA residents for use of the off-leash area. Without knowing
how the park would be used, this "pilot" would have provided some limited access to LA
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residents while patterns of use at this new facility could be established and evaluated to
determine if there would be available capacity to accommodate use by additionai LA
neighbors. The Councilmember's staff did not feel that the 15 tags would address the
needs of their constituents and encouraged city staff to consider other alternatives.
Assessment of Use Patterns at Airport Park Off-leash Area
Since opening the park, usage patterns have been regularly monitored by both City park
rangers, animal control officers and groundskeepers. At no time has the off-leash area
reached its capacity of 45 dogs at any one time. Over the course of the past fifteen (15)
weeks a maximum of twenty-four (24) dogs have been seen at the park at one time and
during most times of the day there have been far fewer dogs (Attachment 3).
CommunitV Input
Dog Owner Survey
In May, 2007 City staff mailed a dog park survey to its Santa Monica licensed dog
owners to gauge how often and at what times of day residents use the off-leash dog
areas in Santa Monica. Approximately 400 survey responses were returned. These
responses indicated that while people visit off-leash areas at all times of day, the most
popular times of use are on weekday and weekend afternoons and evenings with
weekend use being slightly higher overall. Most people who responded to the survey
had either already visited Airport Park or were planning to in the future. Additionally,
more Santa Monica residents tend to drive to the dog parks than walk and less than half
of the people who responded (39%) visit parks outside of Santa Monica.
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Mar Vista Community Council
On May 8, 2007 city stafF attended the Mar Vista Community Council meeting to explain
the history and reasoning behind the off-leash dog area rules in Santa Monica and hear
from Mar Vista neighbors. The Mar Vista Community Council passed a resolution
requesting that the Santa Nlonica City Councii reconsider its policy for use of the Airport
Park off-leash dog area (Attachment 4)
Commission Input
On June 21, 2007, the Recreation and Parks Commission held a public hearing to
receive input regarding use of the ofF-leash dog area. Twenty-three members of the
public spoke in favor of modifying the policy to allow non-Santa Monica licensed dogs to
use the off-leash dog area at Airport Park. There were no speakers in opposition.
Subsequently, on July 19, 2007 the Recreation and Parks Commission considered
possible strategies for use of the Airport Park off-leash dog area by non-Santa Monica
residents and their dogs. The Commission adopted a motion recommending to the City
Council that non-Santa Monica residents with valid dog licenses and rabies certificates
be granted access to the Airport Park off-leash dog area at no charge for a 6-month
pilot period, during which time data wouid be collected to better understand use
patterns. Periodic updates to the Commission could occur as determined by staff, and
the program could be cancelled at any time if necessary. All other rules of use in the
off-leash area would continue to apply, and at the end of six months the Commission
would review the pilot program in order to make more informed recommendations
regarding use of the off-leash area.
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Recommendation for Use of the Off-leash dog Area
Uniike the other Santa Monica off-leash dog areas which are located in Ocean Park or
in the center of the City at Memorial Park, the Airport Park off-leash dog area is located
at the far eastern edge of Santa Monica. During peak commute times in the afternoons
and early evenings when off-leash dog area use tends to be the highest, the Airport
Park location is difficult to access by Santa Monica residents because of traffic levels on
both 23~d Street and Centinela/Bundy and is likely contributing to low usage patterns. In
recognition of this as well as the input received from both the community and the
Recreation and Parks Commission to support non-resident use, staff recommends that
the Airport Park off leash dog area be opened to non-residents and their licensed dogs.
It is recommended that non-Santa Monica residents purchase a recognizable dog tag
on an annual basis for use of the Airport Park off-leash dog area with proof of a current
license and vaccinations. A processing fee of $15.50 adjusted for annually for CPI is
recommended, as that amount will cover the cost of processing the tags. If usage
patterns change and grow to a point where maintenance needs cannot be met with
budgeted operating funds, staff recommends that this policy be re-examined. This
recommendation is contained in the attached resolutions.
Other Resolution Refinements
Hours of operation of the off-leash dog areas are clarified in the resolution as follows:
Joslyn Park, Pacific Street and Airport Park: weekdays: 7:30 am -8:30 pm, weekends:
8:30 am 8:30 pm. Memorial Park: weekdays and weekends: 6:00 am - 8:30 pm.
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Section 3 of Resolution 9316 states the following: No person may have more than two
dogs in the Joslyn or Pacific Street Park otf-leash areas during peak hours (7:30 am to
9:30 am and 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm). This rule was developed to manage use during peak
times. However, in the past few years there has been an increase in the number of dog
walkers who tend to bring upwards of 6 dogs to the ofF-leash dog area at one time.
Controlling these many dogs at any time can be problematic and has resuited in some
complaints from users of the off-leash dog area who have suggested that limitations on
the number of dogs brought to off-leash areas by a single individual be in place at all
times. In response, staff recommends that the current rule be changed to prohibit any
person from bringing more than three dogs at any one time to the off-leash areas.
Section 5 of Resolution 9316 refers to Pacific Street off-leash area as temporary until
such time as non-park areas are developed for off-leash use. In adopting the Parks and
Recreat+on Master Plan in 1997 the City Council removed all references to Pacific
Street off-leash dog area as temporary and therefore this section no longer is
applicable.
Aitematives
The City Council could continue to extend the current policy of restricting use in the
city's off-leash areas to Santa Monica residents to Airport Park.
Should the City Council support use of the Airport Park off-leash dog area by non-Santa
Monica residents, it could consider establishing a user permit fee for use of the off-leash
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dog area by non-Santa Monica residents. Santa Monica residents do not currently pay
fees for use of off-leash dog areas and surrounding communities such as Culver City
and Los Angeles do not charge fees for either residents or non-residents for off-leash
dog area use. The Recreation and Parks Commission considered whether or not to
recommend that a user permit fee be established for non-residents and felt that it was
premature to recommend that a fee be established.
BudqeUFinancial Impact
Revenue generated by the sale of tags to non-residents for use of the Airport Park off-
Ieash dog area would be insignificant.
Prepared by: Karen Ginsberg, Assistant Director
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
Barbara Stinchfield "
Director, Community & Cultural Services
Manager
Attachments
1. Resolution 9316(CCS)
2. Revised Resolution
3. Fee Resolution
4. Airport Park Off-Leash Area Dog Count: 4/30/07 - 8/12/07
5. Mar Vista Community Council Resolution
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. Attachment 1
.. ,. _
CA:F:WTMMUNIUAWSiLBC1DOGRULES.WPD
City Councii Meeting 9-0&98 SaMa Mortica, Califomia
RESOLUTION NUMBER93I6_ (CCS)
(City Councit Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SANTA MONICA DESIGNATING OFF-LEASW DOG AREAS. `
LIMITiNG THE NUMBER OF DOGS AND
ESTABLISHING HOURS OF USE
WHEREAS, in September 1989, the C~y Council authorized an oTf-leash area for
dogs irt Memorial Park; and
WHEREAS, in November 1995, the Cfry Council authorized off-leash areas for dogs
in Josiyn and Pacific Strset Pafks; and
WHEREAS, in January 1896, the City Gounal authorized iimitations on the number
of dops in off-leash areas and the hours of use of off-feash areas; end
YVHEREAS, it is the CouneiYs intentlon thaYdog owners end-dogs cor~tinue to enjoy
axesa to off-leash areas in ihe Cilys public patka and that arry poterrtief advetse unpacts
on surtounding neighborhoods be minimized,
NOW, T'HEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE•CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOWE AS FOILOWS:
SECTION 1. Resolutlon Number 8971 (CCS) is hereby repealad in its entirety.
SECTION 2. The Director of Community and Cuiturai Services shall designate
portions of Josyn t'ark, Momoriai Perk and Padflc Streat Park tor off-leash use ony durmg
the hours oF7:30a.m. to 8:30 p:m. ortweekdays, and 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. an weekends
. ,
and holidays. No one, except authorized City personnel will be permitted in these
designated areas before or after the designated times.
SECTION 3. At no time shail there be more than 45 dogs in the Joslyn Park ofl-
leash area. The number of dogs in other ofl-leash areas may be limked according•to the
available space. Such limftation wilf be posted in each designated park area.
SECTION 4. No person may have more than two dogs in the Joslyn or Pac~c
Street Park off-leash areas duri~g peak hours (7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30
p.m.).
SECTION.5. The off-leash use at Pacific Street Park is intended to be temporary
until su~h a time as non-park areas are developed for off-leash use.
SECTION 6. Dog owners are expected to adhere to ordinances regarding leashing
of dog: when not within a designated off-leash area, to control their dogs to prevent the
commi::sion of nuisances, to visibly carry the means of removing their dog's fecal matter
and to ~~emove it.and to prevent excessive barking.
:iECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of tbis Resolution, and
thencetorth and thereaRer the same shall be in fuli Force and effect.
APPRCWED AS TO FORM:
i. ~. ~ ~ , ~h±.(~/,. ~ ~ '~'~~.,.
' .i:
MARSHA JONES MOUTRIE
City Attomey
AIRPORT PARK OFF-LEASH AREA Attachment 4
Dog Counts
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MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
TIME 719/07 7/10/07 7/11/07 7112/07 7/13/07 7/14/07 7/15/07 TOTAL
9:OOam 4 1 7 2 4 5 8 31
12noon 0 3 4 9 6 7 7 36
3:OOpm 4 11 1 9 1 9 16 51
6:OOpm ~ 8 8 12 5 5 10 14 62
S:OOpm 12 19 0 8 16 4 .10 69
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
TIME 7116/07 7/17/07 7/18/07 7/19/07 7/20/07 7/21/07 7/22/07 TOTAL
9:OOam 4 9 0 ~ 4 2 9 5 33
12noon 6 0 2 'I 3 14 14 40
3:OOpm 1 4 0 8 3 15 12 43
6:OOpm , 12 8 7 10 13 5 15 55
8:OOpm 12 7 18 7 5 14 3 66
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
TIME 7i23/07 7/24/07 ~ 7/25/07 - 7/26/07 7/27/07 7/28/07 7/29/07 TOTAL
9:OOam 4 2 5 2 9 11 9 42
12noon 4 2 8 4 0 6 14 38
3:OOpm 1 2 5 6 4 3 11 32
6:OOpm 8 ~ 12 5 16 5 10 S 64
S:OOpm ~ 19 12 18 10 12 4 14 89
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
TIME 7/30/07 7/31/07 8/01/07 8/02107 8/03/07 8/04/07 . S/05107 TOTAL
9:OOam 5 3 1 5 4 4 12 34
12noon 5 0 14 5 3 5 7 39.
3:OOpm ~ ~ 13 8 5 2 4 3 8 43
6:OOpm 7 10 5 6 3 16 11 58
S:OOpm 8 12~ 24 12 8 4 9 77
MONDAY
TUESDAY .....
WEDNESDAY ._._ ..._.
THURSDAY ._... ..
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY . _..
TIME 8106/07 8/07/07 8/08/07 ~ 8/09i07 8/10/07 8/11/07 8/12/07 TOTAL
9:OOam 6 3 4 ~ 5 3 6 14 41
12noon ~ 7 1 6 2 3 7 5 31
3:OOpm 12 9 7 10 7 9 8~ 62
6:OOpm 8 13 6 15 9 20 19 90
8:OOpm 11 14 23 8 19 9 7 84
Attachment 5
Resolution of the Mar Vista Community Council
(passed unanimously on May 8, 2007)
Whereas the City of Santa Monica has built a new park at the Santa Monica
Airport but restricts usage of the off leash dog park portion to only Santa Monica
residents,
And whereas part of the park is actually located inside the Los Angeles City
limits,
And whereas the location of the park is within walking distance for most Mar
Vista residents, who must also suffer the effects of the noise, dirty air, and traffic
brought on by the new park,
And whereas to date the dog park is being used by far fewer Santa Monica
residents than was originally predicted,
And whereas all Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks facilities are open to
everyone,
The Mar Vista Community Council Board of Directors, on behalf of Mar Vista
residents and stakeholders, requests that the Santa Monica City Council
reconsider its ban on Mar Vista dogs at the Airport Park and reciprocate the good
neighbor policy we have always extended to Santa Monica by opening the
Airport Park to all licensed dogs regardless of their city of origin.
Reference
Resolution Nos.
10244 (CCS) and
10245 (CCS).