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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 1 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 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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 6 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 7 . 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 3 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).