City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 07/14/14 Item Number: A-3
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: (1) Consideration of a Recommendation from the
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission Related to the
Establishment of Dog Paths; (2) (If Desired) Introduction of an Ordinance
Amending Culver City Municipal Code Section 9.10.600 Regarding the Definition
and Establishment, by Resolution, of Designated Dog Paths within Culver City
Parks; and (3) (If Desired) Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Certain
Designated Dog Paths in City Parks, Including the Existing Designated Dog Paths
in Culver West Alexander Park and Culver City Park and Two Proposed Designated
Dog Paths in Veterans’ Memorial Park.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Dan Hernandez, PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: June 17, 2014
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (07/09/14); (Email)
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (07/09/14).
Department Approval:
Dan Hernandez (07/03/14)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (07/07/14
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (07/08/14)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (07/08/14)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider a recommendation from the Parks,
Recreation, and Community Services Commission related to the establishment of
dog paths; (2) (if desired) introduce an ordinance amending Culver City Municipal
Code Section 9.10.600 regarding the Definition and Establishment, by Resolution, of
Designated Dog Paths within Culver City Parks; and (3) (if desired) adopt a
resolution establishing certain Designated Dog Paths in City Parks, including the
existing Designated Dog Paths in Culver West Alexander Park and Culver City Park
and two proposed Designated Dog Paths in Veterans’ Memorial Park (#1 and #2)
with the stipulation of a six-month review of Path #2 by the Commission.
BACKGROUND:
Currently, the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) must be amended to add the
name of each Designated Dog Path (aka “Pooch Path”) upon approval by the City
Council. At the June 17, 2014 Parks, Recreation, and Community Services (PRCS)
Commission meeting, the Commission approved a recommendation to the City
Council that the CCMC be amended to allow for the establishment of Designated
Dog Paths by resolution of the City Council. City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
As proposed by the Commission, this change will streamline the administrative
process of establishing Designated Dog Paths without altering the current review
and/or approval process. The PRCS Commission’s central role in the process of
designating dog paths will continue, including conducting public outreach, compiling
and reviewing public comment, considering and discussing such items at noticed
public meeting(s), and the submitting a formal recommendation to City Council.
The PRCS Commission’s Role in the Development of Designated Dog Paths
In its role as an advisory body on matters pertaining to parks, the PRCS
Commission has previously made recommendations to the City Council on both the
topic of allowing dogs in Culver City parks and on the establishment of the
Designated Dog Paths within Culver West Alexander Park and Culver City Park. At
the February 9, 2009 meeting, the following action was taken by the City Council:
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINUE THE EXISTING LAW AND PRACTICES
THAT DO NOT ALLOW DOGS IN PARKS, EXCEPT IN THE CULVER CITY
DOG PARK OR WHERE THERE IS A DESIGNATED DOG PATH, AND
AUTHORIZE STAFF AND PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY
SERVICES COMMISSION TO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
FOR DESIGNATED DOG PATHS IN OTHER PARKS WHEN A NEED IS
IDENTIFIED, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION.
PRCS Commission Discussions and Actions Regarding Recommending Designating
Certain Sidewalks/Walkways within Veterans’ Memorial Park as Dog Paths
At the June 17, 2014 meeting, the Commission approved a recommendation to the
City Council to (1) amend the Culver City Municipal Code to allow for the
establishment of Designated Dog Paths by resolution of the City Council; (2)
designate “Pooch Path #1” within Veterans’ Memorial Park as a Designated Dog
Path; and, (3) designate “Pooch Path #2” within Veterans’ Memorial Park as a
Designated Dog Path with the stipulation of a six-month review by the Commission.
Proposed Veterans’ Memorial Designated Dog Path #1 (Vets’ Pooch Path #1) is the
sidewalk running along the south side of the Veterans’ Memorial Park parking lot
adjacent to Culver Boulevard (Culver Boulevard Parking Lot). Proposed Veterans’
Memorial Park Designated Dog Path #2 (Vets’ Pooch Path #2) is the
sidewalk/walkway within Veterans’ Memorial Park that connects the Culver
Boulevard Parking Lot to Barman Avenue (to the west of the Park buildings).
The recommendation for Vets’ Pooch Path #1 had previously been made at the
August 6, 2013 Commission meeting. At that time, the Commission heard public
comment on both of the proposed Veterans’ Memorial Park Designated Dog Paths
but deferred action on Vets’ Pooch Path #2 until after the review of the Culver West
Alexander Park Pooch Path Extension.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
At the January 7, 2014 meeting, the Commission conducted the nine-month review
of the Culver West Alexander Park Pooch Path extension. Staff reported that Park
Patrol reports of dogs in unauthorized areas of CWA Park had decreased since the
designation of the walking/jogging trail as a Pooch Path and that there did not
appear to be any notable negative consequences related to the extension of the
Pooch Path. Subsequently, at the March 4, 2014 meeting, the recommendation to
the City Council of the establishment of Vets’ Pooch Path #2 with the stipulation of a
six-month review by the PRCS Commission was approved.
PRCS Commission Discussions – Public Notification and Comments
August 6, 2013
PRCS Commission
Meeting
March 4, 2014
PRCS Commission
Meeting
Post Card Mailing 734 postcards 1,091 postcards
*Email Notifications 3,305 subscribers 3,522 subscribers
Website Highlights Posted Two weeks prior Two weeks prior
Culver City TV Slide One week prior Two weeks prior
Notices Posted at Vets’ Park One week prior One week prior
Comments in Support 1 9
**Conditional Support 2 1
Comments in Opposition 7 6
Conditional Opposition 0 0
*Email Notifications: Two email blasts were done for each meeting.
**Conditional Support: August 6, 2013 – (1) Yes, if rules & regulations are
strictly enforced (e.g., dog feces must be picked-up); (2) Yes, for all sidewalks
facing the streets, even those separated by a parking lot. March 4, 2014 – (1)
Yes, as long as measures are taken to ensure that the dogs are not on the
private property of the homes in the VMP neighborhood.
DISCUSSION:
Aerial views of the existing Designated Dog Paths in Culver West Alexander Park
and Culver City Park, and the proposed Designated Dog Paths #1 and #2 within City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Veterans’ Memorial Park as recommended by the PRCS Commission, are provided
as exhibits to the proposed resolution.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Costs associated with marking the routes in Veterans’ Memorial Park as a “Pooch
Paths” are expected to be approximately $1,500.00 for signage, paint, and stencils.
It should be noted that “paw prints” marking the dog paths will only be stenciled at
the beginning, end, and at random intervals within the designated sidewalks (as
opposed to along the entire route).
There are sufficient funds in the City Council Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year
2014/2015 for the Parks Division in 10130300.514100 (Parks Division /
Departmental Special Supplies) for the signage, paint, and stencils and in
10130300.411100 (Parks Division / Regular Salaries) for approximately twenty (20)
hours of staff time for the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Ordinance
2. Proposed Resolution
MOTIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Consider a recommendation from the Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services Commission related to the establishment of Dog Paths; and,
2. (If desired) Introduce an ordinance amending Culver City Municipal Code
Section 9.10.600 regarding the Definition and Establishment, by Resolution,
of Designated Dog Paths within Culver City Parks; and,
3. (If desired) Adopt a resolution establishing certain Designated Dog Paths in
City Parks, including the existing Designated Dog Paths in Culver West
Alexander Park and Culver City Park and two proposed Designated Dog
Paths in Veterans’ Memorial Park (#1 and #2) with the stipulation of a six-
month review of Path #2 by the Commission.
MEETING DATE: July, 14, 2014
AGENDA ITEM: (1) Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Culver City
Municipal Code Section 9.10.600 Regarding the Definition
and Establishment, by Resolution, of Designated Dog Paths
within Culver City Parks; and (2) Adoption of a Resolution
Establishing Certain Designated Dog Paths in City Parks,
Including the Existing Designated Dog Paths in Culver West
Alexander Park and Culver City Park and Two Proposed
Designated Dog Paths in Veterans’ Memorial Park, as
Recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Proposed Ordinance
1 - 3
2. Proposed Resolution
4 - 9
ATTACHMENT 1ATTACHMENT 2
Page 4Page 5Page 6
EXHIBIT A
McConnell Passageway
Open Turf Area
Playground
Recreation
Building
Sports
Courts
Moore
Street
Wade
Street
Culver West
Alexander Park
Designated Dog Path
Description: The Designated
Dog Path runs from the
McConnell Passageway on the
east through Culver West
Alexander Park on the northern
sidewalk to MooreStreetonthe
west. It also includes the
sidewalk running through the
center of the Park and the
walking/jogging trial within the
Park.JEFFERSON & DUQUESNE
Dog Park
Babe
Ruth
Field
Restrooms
GATED
ENTRY TO
SPORTS
FIELDS
Skate Park
Little
League
Fields
Lower
Parking
Lot
EXHIBIT B
Culver City Park
Designated Dog Path
Description: The Designated Dog Path is
on the sidewalk within Culver City Park. It
begins at the intersection of Duquesne
Ave. and Jefferson Blvd. and runs up
through the Park, branching off to the
Recreation Hut restrooms near the
playground, then up to Leash Lane and
the Dog Park. It continues up the hill to
the gated entry of the upper area of the
Parkwherethesportsfieldsarelocated.
Page 7Veterans’ Memorial Park
Designated Dog Path #1
EXHIBIT C
Description: The Designated Dog Path is on
the sidewalk within V e t er an s’ Memorial Park.
It begins at the intersection of Overland Ave.
and Culver Blvd. and runs west along the south
side of the parking lot adjacent to Culver Blvd.
It terminates at the intersection of Culver Blvd.
andElendaSt.nearthePaddleTennisCourts.
Vets’
Bldg.
Teen
Center
Plunge
Tennis
Courts
Page 8Veterans’
Memorial
Building
Teen
Center
Plunge
Tennis
Courts
Veterans’ Memorial Park
Designated Dog Path #2
Description: The Designated Dog Path is on the
sidewalk/walkway within V e te r an s’ Memorial Park
that connects the parking lot adjacent to Culver Blvd.
to the sidewalkonthe northsideof BarmanAve. This
sidewalk/walkway runs behind the V et er an s’
Memorial Building andtheTeen Center andinfrontof
theentrance tothePlunge.
Page 9
EXHIBIT D