City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1) Introduce an Ordinance (Attachment 1) amending sections 9.01.360 and
9.10.055(a), and adding subchapter 9.10.600, of the Culver City Municipal Code
relating to allowing dogs on leashes on designated dog paths in certain City
Parks; and,
2) Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 2) designating certain pathways or walkways of
certain public parks as “Pooch Paths.”
BACKGROUND:
In the recent past there has been community discussion regarding whether or not to
allow dogs in parks within Culver City so long as they are leashed. At the Parks and
Recreation Commission’s request, staff brought a proposed pilot program to allow
dogs on leashes in Culver West Park for a period of ninety days before the City
Council at their July 25, 2005 meeting (Attachment 3). During the public comment
portion of the meeting, Culver West Park Neighborhood residents expressed their
concerns about having to go out of their way and walk long distances in order to get
to the streets and roadways on the other sides of the park in order to avoid crossing
the park while walking their dogs. In response to citizens’ concerns, an alternative
motion was brought forward by Council and Council directed staff to come back with
Meeting Date: 8/14/06 Item Number: A-2
AGENDA ITEM: Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Sections 9.01.360 and
9.10.055(A), and Adding Subchapter 9.10.600, of the Culver City Municipal Code
Relating to Allowing Dogs on Leashes on Designated Dog Paths in Certain City
Parks; and Adoption of a Resolution Designating Certain Pathways or Walkways
of Certain Public Parks as “Pooch Paths.”
Contact Person/Dept.: William La Pointe
and Heather Iker
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: Master Notification List on 8/10/06; all businesses and residents
within a 300-foot radius of Culver West Park were notified via postcard (8/4/06).
Department Approval:
Bill La Pointe (08/03/06)
City Manager Approval: Jerry B. Fulwood
(08/09/2006)
City Controller Approval:
Marlee Chang (08/09/2006)City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
a plan to allow dogs to pass through Culver West Park when leashed and under the
control of a responsible party and so long as the dogs remained on concrete walks
and not in the grass (5-0).
On August 17 2005, a site visit to Culver West Park was made by Parks and
Recreation Commissioner (now Chair) Vicki Daly Redholtz, PRCS Director William
La Pointe, Deputy City Attorney Heather Iker, Scott Malsin (now Council member),
acting as the representative of the Culver West Park Neighborhood Association, and
Patricia Mooney, PRCS Senior Management Analyst. During that visit, various
options for the location for the “Pooch Path” were discussed. The consensus of the
group was that the best way to allow dogs to pass through the park would be to give
community members who are out walking dogs access to the other streets and
walkways along those streets via the sidewalk from Mc Connell Boulevard through
the pass through easement to the park to the north of the tot lot and on to Wade and
Moore Streets (Attachment 4).
The advantages of having the path in this location were discussed at the October 4,
2005 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting (Attachment 5). These
advantages were as follows:
1. Convenience – The sidewalk leads directly from the McConnell Boulevard
walkway on the east of the Park to the Wade Street easement on the north.
The Wade Street easement is easily accessed by those in the surrounding
neighborhood, either by car or on foot.
2. Appropriate surface – Council indicated that concrete should be required for
the “Pooch Path.”
3. Relatively inexpensive signage – In addition to the appropriate standard
signage citing the associated Ordinance, paw prints painted on the sidewalk
will be the only other cost associated with marking the path for the public.
At that meeting Commissioner Deen asked about the additional cost if a fence were
to be constructed along the playground to protect children in the playground area
from the dogs passing by with their owners. It was subsequently determined by staff
that such a fence could be included as part of the grant-funded Culver West
Alexander Park Improvement Project (P-835). Updates on the status of legal issues
related to the “Pooch Path” were given to the Parks and Recreation Commission by
Deputy City Attorney Heather Iker at its January 3 and February 7, 2006 meetings.
DISCUSSION
It was recommended by the City Attorney’s Office that the most appropriate way to
designate a “Pooch Path” at a specific park within Culver City (in this case, Culver City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
West Alexander Park), would be to amend the Culver City Municipal Code to exempt
the use of a “Pooch Path” from the prohibition against dogs in parks, and to adopt a
Resolution designating certain pathways or walkways of certain public parks as
“Pooch Paths.” Designating a “Pooch Path” at Culver West Alexander Park by
Resolution, as opposed to amending the Municipal Code to specifically designate
such “Pooch Path”, gives the Council the flexibility to designate “Pooch Paths” in
other parks within Culver City should they desire to do so.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Costs associated with designating the route as a “Pooch Path” are expected to be
approximately $500.00 for sign, paint and stencils (PRCS Parks Account
10133100.514100 – Departmental Special Supplies). Staff time devoted to the
project will be approximately five hours (PRCS Parks Account 10133100.411100).
The cost of a fence between the “Pooch Path” and the children’s playground at
Culver West Alexander Park has yet to be determined. This fence is still under
consideration, with any expenses being included in the Culver West Park
Improvement Project (42300835.730100 – Improvements Other Than Building).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Ordinance
2. Proposed Resolution
3. Excerpt of the minutes of the July 25, 2005 City Council Meeting
4. Map of proposed Culver West Park “Pooch Path”
5. Excerpt of the minutes of the October 4, 2005 Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Introduce an Ordinance amending sections 9.01.360 and 9.10.055(a), and
adding subchapter 9.10.600, of the Culver City Municipal Code relating to
allowing dogs on leashes on designated dog paths in certain City Parks; and,
2. Adopt a Resolution designating certain pathways or walkways of certain public
parks as “Pooch Paths.”
OR
3. Discuss the item and provide further direction to staff.
MEETING DATE: August 14, 2006
AGENDA ITEM: (1) Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Sections
9.01.360 and 9.10.055(A), and Adding Subchapter 9.10.600, of the Culver City
Municipal Code Relating to Allowing Dogs on Leashes on Designated Dog
Paths in Certain City Parks; and, (2) Adoption of a Resolution Designating
Certain Pathways or Walkways of Certain Public Parks as "Pooch Paths."
ATTACHMENTS
Paces
1. Proposed Ordinance 1-4
2. Proposed Resolution 5
3. Excerpt of the minutes of the July 25, 2005 City 6-7
Council Meeting
4. Map of proposed Culver West Park "Pooch Path" 8
5. Excerpt of the minutes of the October 4, 2005 9
Parks and Recreation Commission MeetingAttachment 1
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ORDINANCE NO. 2006-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 9.01.360 AND
9.10.055(A), AND ADDING SUBCHAPTER 9.10.600, OF
THE CULVER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
ALLOWING DOGS ON LEASHES ON DESIGNATED DOG
PATHS IN CERTAIN CITY PARKS.
WHEREAS, Culver City Municipal Code §§ 9.10.360 and 9.10.055 (A),
currently prohibit any dog from being within any public park, except that dogs are allowed in
the Culver City Dog Park per §§ 9.10.400, et seq.; and
WHEREAS, Culver West Alexander Park neighborhood residents have
expressed concerns to the City Council about having to walk their dogs around Culver
West Alexander Park, due to traffic and safety issues; and
WHEREAS, in order to alleviate the concerns of these residents, the City
Council has determined that a "Pooch Path" should be designated in Culver West
Alexander Park, upon which residents or other members of the public would be allowed to
wall< their dogs in a safe environment and without interfering with the other activities
occurring in the Park.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 9.01.360 of the Culver City Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
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§ 9.01.360 DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE; PROHIBITION.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having charge,|1010|care, custody or control of any dog in the City to cause, permit, or|101010| allow the same that dog to be or to run at large upon any highway,|1010| street, lane, alley, sidewalk, square, median, parkway, court or other
public place, or upon any private property or premises other than these
that of the person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of
such the dog, in thc City, unless such that dog be-is restrained by a
substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length and is in
the charge, care, custody or control of such a competent person. In
addition to the foregoing, Provided, however, that no person shall
cause, permit or allow a such dog under that person's charge, care,
custody or control to shall be alleweel-ef-permitted-in any of the
following places: any store, market, restaurant, cafe, lunchroom, soda
fountain, bakery or kindred establishments wherein foods for human
consumption are served, sold or kept for saleii or, except as permitted
by Section 9.10.400 or 9.10.600, in any public park, except as
permitted by Section 9.10.400.
SECTION 2. Section 9.01.055(A) of the Culver City Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows:
§ 9.10.055 PROHIBITIONS.
Within the limits of any public park, it shall be unlawful for any
person:
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(A) Having charge, care, custody or control of any dog,
except as permitted by Section 9.10.400 or 9.10.600, or other animal,
fowl, or reptile to cause, permit, or allow the same to be within the
limits of any public park within the City, unless such person shall have
obtained a special permit from the City Council to conduct an
entertainment or exhibition in which an animal is a participant.
SECTION 3. Subchapter 9.01.600 of the Culver City Municipal Code is
hereby added to read as follows:
DESIGNATED DOG PATHS
§ 9.10.600 DESIGNATED DOG PATHS.
A. The City Council may, by resolution, designate any
pathway or walkway in any public park as a "Pooch Path." In each
park that contains a designated "Pooch Path," there shall be a sign
conspicuously displayed, which identifies the location of the "Pooch
Path." The pathway or walkway itself shall also be clearly marked with
pictures of paw prints to identify it as a "Pooch Path."
B. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Code, a
person may have charge, care, custody or control of any dog upon any
pathway or walkway of any public park, which has been designated by
resolution of the City Council as a "Pooch Path:" provided, that such
dog is at all times restrained by a competent person by a substantial
chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in length. Nothing in this
Section shall permit or allow any person having charge, care, custody
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30ATTEST:
APPROV A iiM:
CHRISTOPHER ARMENIA, City Clerk 4 ),,I CAROi A. SC AB, C Attorney
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30
or control of any dog to permit or allow that dog to be in any portion of
any public park, except for the Culver City Dog Park as permitted by
Section 9.10.400, other than on a designated "Pooch Path."
SECTION 4. Pursuant to Section 619 of the City Charter, this
Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after the date of its adoption. Pursuant to
Sections 616 and 621 of the City Charter, prior to the expiration of fifteen (15) days after
the adoption, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be
published in the Culver City News and shall post this Ordinance or a summary thereof in at
least three places within the City.
SECTION 5. The City Council hereby declares that, if any provision, section,
subsection, paragraph, sentence, phrase or word of this ordinance is rendered or declared
invalid or unconstitutional by any final action in a court of competent jurisdiction or by
reason of any preemptive legislation, then the City Council would have independently
adopted the remaining provisions, sections, subsections, paragraphs, sentences, phrases
or words of this ordinance and as such they shall remain in full force and effect.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2006.
GARY SILBIGEER, Mayor
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2841,
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CARS IL A. SC"W B, ity Attorney
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RESOLUTION NO. 2006-R
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING CERTAIN PATHWAYS OR WALKWAYS OF
CERTAIN PUBLIC PARKS AS "POOCH PATHS."
WHEREAS, Culver City Municipal Code Section 9.10.600(A) provides that
the City Council, by resolution, may designate any pathway or walkway in any public park
as a "Pooch Path."
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, as follows:
SECTION 1. Each pathway within the public park listed below, which has
been clearly marked with pictures of paw prints and identified by a conspicuously displayed
sign, shall be designated as a "Pooch Path:"
• Culver West Alexander Park
SECTION 2. This resolution shall take effect concurrently with Ordinance No.
2006-
APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of , 2006.
GARY SILBIGER, Mayor
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
5.
CHRISTOPHER ARMENTA, City Clerk
30Attachment 3
EXCERPT OF THE MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
The meeting of the City Council was called to order at 6:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Albert Vera
Vice Mayor Gary Silbiger
Councilmember Alan Corlin
Councilmember Carol Gross
Councilmember Steven Rose
o0o
July 25, 2005
6:00 P.M.
Item A-2
Consideration of a Proposed Pilot Program to Allow Dogs on Leashes in Culver West
Park for a Period of Ninety Days; and Consideration of Introduction of an Ordinance
Amending Culver City Municipal Code Sections 9.01.360 and 9.10.055(A), Relating to
the Prohibition of Dogs Running at Large and in Public Parks, in Order to Implement
the Pilot Program.
Mayor Vera requested that spokespersons be chosen to represent those in favor of the
proposed program and to represent those against.
The following members of the audience addressed the City Council, speaking against the
proposed pilot program:
Jeannine Stehlin
Jamie Wallace
Dena Snedden
Eleanor Osgood
Rich Waters
Elizabeth Wheat
June Walden
Emily Glick
Anita Shapiro, member, Culver City Parks and Recreation Commission
The following members of the audience addressed the City Council, speaking in favor of the
proposed pilot program:
Jay Handal
Patricia Graf
Susan and Josh Kirchoff
Deborah Shands
Judy Scott
Jeff Cooper, member, Culver City Parks and Recreation Commission
David Hoyt
Mary E. McCallum
Judy Leviton
Lisa Michel
6.William LaPointe, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services gave the staff report.
Discussion ensued regarding staffing required for this pilot program; health concerns; and
allowing residents near Culver West Park to walk their dogs through the park in order to
provide easier access to streets on the other side of the park.
Following discussion, the following motions were made:
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GROSS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROSE,
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECONFIRM THE CURRENT ORDINANCE AS IT STANDS
WHICH PROHIBITS DOGS IN PARKS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DOG PARK.
AYES: Councilmembers Corlin, Gross, Rose, Vera
NOES: Councilmember Silbiger
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GROSS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER ROSE AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECT STAFF TO ASSESS AND
BRING BACK A RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER THERE IS A WAY IN CULVER
WEST PARK TO PERMIT DOGS, ON PAVEMENT, TO GO FROM THE PARKING LOT TO
THE PASS-THROUGHS TO THE ADJACENT NEIGHBORHHOODS (TO MOORE STREET
AND TO MCCONNELL BLVD.).
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L Attachment 5
EXCERPT OF THE MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
CHAIR JEANETTE JAMES
October 4, 2005
7:00 p.m.
Item A-2.
(8:28 p.m.)
Update on the status of the "Pooch Path" at Culver West Park.
Bill La Pointe gave the staff report, pointing out the proposed path on the diagram.
The following members in the audience addressed the Commission:
Scott Malsin said that the path is a great idea, something the neighborhood has been asking
for at their regular meetings.
Judy Scott said everyone on Wade Street favors the idea.
Commissioner Deen asked about the cost of a fence along the playground to protect children
from dogs.
Mr. La Pointe said staff could get a cost estimate.
Commissioner Cooper asked if this item could be brought back to the Commission next
month as an action item.
Staff responded that once the legal issues have been finalized, the item will come back to the
Commission before it goes to the City Council for approval.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER DALY REDHOLTZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DEEN
AND CARRIED BY A 4-0 VOTE, TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE STAFF REPORT
REGARDING THIS ITEM.
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