City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 03/04/14 Item Number: A-1
PRCS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM: Continued Consideration of a
Recommendation to the City Council Regarding Designating a Dog Path on the
Sidewalk/Walkway within Veterans’ Memorial Park that Connects the Culver
Boulevard Parking Lot to Barman Avenue.
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]
Public Notification: (Postcard Mailing) Owners, Occupants and Businesses within a 500
foot radius of Veterans’ Memorial Park (extended to the end of the block where
appropriate; 1,091 postcards; 02/12/14); (Email) Subscribers of Culver City News and
Events, Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates, Meetings and
Agendas – Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission, Senior Citizens
(02/12/14 and 02/28/14); (Website Posting) Culver City Highlights & PRCS Department
Homepage (02/17/14); (Cable Slide) Channel 35/37 (02/17/14 through 03/04/14); (Posted
Notices) Veterans’ Memorial Park (02/24/14 through 03/04/14).
Department Approval:Dan Hernandez
(02/25/14).
City Attorney Approval: N/A
Chief Financial Officer Approval: N/A City Manager Approval: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS)
Commissioncontinue the consideration ofa recommendation to the City Council
regarding designating a dog path on the sidewalk/walkway within Veterans’
Memorial Park that connects the Culver Boulevard parking lot to Barman Avenue(as
illustrated in Attachment A).
BACKGROUND:
Culver City Municipal Code Relating to Dogs and Designated Dog Paths
For reference, the following is an excerpt of theCulver City Municipal Code relating
to the prohibition of dogs within Culver City Parks:
§ 9.10.055PROHIBITIONS
Within the limits of any public park it shall be unlawful for any person:
A. Having charge, care, custody or control of any dog, except as permitted
by § 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 City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
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.
§ 9.10.400 relates to the Culver City Dog Park within Culver City Park; § 9.10.600
relates to the designated dog paths (a.k.a. “Pooch Paths”) within Culver West
Alexander Park and Culver City Park. § 9.10.600 is excerpted below:
§ 9.10.600 DESIGNATED DOG PATHS.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Code, a person may have
charge, care, custody or control of any dog upon the designated dog paths in
Culver West Alexander Park and Culver City Park; provided such dog is at all
times restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six (6) feet in
length, in the control of a competent person.
B. For purposes of this Section, DESIGNATED DOG PATHS shall mean the
pathways in Culver West Alexander Park and Culver City Park that are
identified by conspicuously displayed signs indicating that they are
DESIGNATED DOG PATHS, and where the pathways themselves are
marked with pictures of paw prints.
C. Nothing in this Section shall permit or allow any person having charge,
care, custody or control of any dog to permit or allow that dog to be in any
portion of any public park, except as permitted by § 9.10.400, other than on
the designated dog paths in Culver West Alexander Park and Culver City
Park.
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 creation of designated Pooch
Paths within the parks. 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.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
August 6, 2013 PRCS Commission Action Regarding Recommending Designating
Certain Sidewalks/Walkways within Veterans’ Memorial Park as Dog Paths
On August 6, 2013, the PRCS Commission consideredrecommending that the City
Council designate certain sidewalks/walkways within Veterans’ Memorial Park as
dog paths. Staff posited that many members of the public do not realize that
sidewalks within the Park are on park property (and are not public right-of-way) and
that walking dogs in these areas is prohibited just as it is in other areas of the park.
As a result, dog walkers are often seen taking their dogs through the park on the
sidewalks, unwittingly violating CCMC Section 9.10.055(A). Staff believes that
designating certain sidewalks/walkways within Veterans’ Memorial park as dog
paths will both eliminate this type of misunderstanding and provide a convenience to
the public. In addition, it will further enable PRCS Department staff and Park Patrol
to adequately and appropriately enforce the “no dogs in parks” policy. At the August
6, 2013 meeting, the Commission took the following action:
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER KIM AND SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR
YANDA THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSIONMAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO
APPROVE THE POOCH PATH ALONG CULVER BOULEVARD AS SHOWN
AND DEFER ACTION ON A CUT-THROUGH PATH BEHIND THE
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT VETERANS PARK TO AFTER JANUARY
2014 WHEN THE CULVER WEST ALEXANDER PARK POOCH PATH HAS
BEEN REVIEWED. THE MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: GREENE, KIM, STUART, YANDA
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: HUDSON
January 7, 2014 PRCS Commission Review of the Extension of the Pooch Path at
Culver West Alexander Park
At the January 7, 2014 PRCS Commission meeting, the Commission conducted a
nine month review of the extension of the Pooch Path at Culver West Alexander
(CWA) Park to include the walking/jogging trail located within the Park anddiscussed
the possibility of scheduling continued consideration of recommending a designated
dog path on an interior walkway at Veterans’ Memorial Park. Staff informed the
Commission 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.The Commission took action to agendize the
continued consideration of recommending a designated dog path on an interior
walkway at this evening’s meeting.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
DISCUSSION:
Attachment A provides an aerial view of Veterans’ Memorial Park illustrating both (1)
the sidewalk adjacent to the Culver Boulevard parking lot that was approved on
August 6, 2013 to be recommended to the City Council as a proposed dog path and
(2) the sidewalk/walkway that connects the Culver Boulevard parking lot to Barman
Avenue which is under discussion at this evening’s meeting. These areas where
chosen because community members often take their dogs on leashes through the
Park on these sidewalks/walkways. Staff believes that allowing leashed dogs under
the control of competent persons in these areas will not disrupt the activities within
the park or disturb park visitors.
Similar to the public notification process done on August 6, 2013, extensive public
outreach was done to notice this evening’s discussion; a map detailing the postcard
mailing area is provided as Attachment B. All public comment received by 5:30 p.m.
on Monday, February 24, 2014 regarding this issue is provided as Attachment C.
Any public comment received since that time will be placed on the dais for the
Commissioners.The table below summarizes the public comment detailed in
Attachment C:
Proposed Dog Path Pass-Through
At Veterans’ Memorial Park Total
Oppose 4
Support 7
Should the PRCS Commission take action at this evening’s meeting to recommend
to the City Council that the sidewalk/walkway within Veterans’ Memorial Park that
connects the Culver Boulevard parking lot to Barman Avenue be designated as a
dog path,staff will take both of the Commission’s recommendations related to
designating dog paths at Veterans’ Memorial Park before the City Council at an
upcoming meeting. During the preparation of that report, staff will confer with the
City Attorney’s office to explore the feasibility of also presenting suggestionsto the
City Council regarding streamlining the procedure for designating dog paths (i.e.
amending the Culver City Municipal Code to allow for the establishment of
designated dog paths by resolution of the City Council). Regardless of any change
in procedure; however, it is staff’s recommendation that the PRCS Commission’s
central role in the process of designating dog paths continue (including public
outreach, consideration, discussion and recommendation to City Council).
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The postcard notification of this PRCS Commission Agenda Item cost approximately
$382.00 (excluding staff time). If, based on the Commission’s recommendation, the
City Council takes action to designate dog paths in Veterans’ Memorial Park, costs
associated with marking the route as a “Pooch Path” are expected to be City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
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). Funds for this expenditure are available in PRCS Parks Division Account
10130300.514100 – Departmental Special Supplies. Staff time devoted to the
project will be approximately twenty (20) hours and will be posted to PRCS Parks
Division Account 10130300.411100 – Regular Salaries.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Aerial view of the proposed Pooch Paths at Veterans’ Memorial Park
B. Map detailing Public Notification postcard mailing area
C. Public comment regarding the proposed dog path pass-through at Veterans’
Memorial Park received by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014
MOTIONS:
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Make a recommendation to the City Council to designate a dog path on the
sidewalk/walkway within Veterans’ Memorial Park that connects the Culver
Boulevard parking lot to Barman Avenue (as illustrated in Attachment A);
OR
2. Provide staff with alternate suggestions.
MEETING DATE: March 4, 2014
AGENDA ITEM: Continued Consideration of a Recommendation to the
City Council Regarding Designating a Dog Path on the
Sidewalk/Walkway within Veterans’ Memorial Park that
Connects the Culver Boulevard Parking Lot to Barman
Avenue.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
A. Aerial view of the proposed Pooch Paths at Veterans’
Memorial Park
1
B. Map detailing Public Notification postcard mailing area
2
C. Public comment regarding the proposed dog path pass-
through at Veterans’ Memorial Park received by 5:30 p.m. on
Monday, February 24, 2014
3 - 4
ATTACHMENT A
Aerial View of the Proposed Pooch Paths at Veterans’ Memorial Park
Page 1
1. This line illustrates the
sidewalk approved by the PRCS
Commission on August 6, 2013
for recommendation to the City
Council as a designated dog
path.
2. This line illustrates the sidewalk
/ walkway that connects the Culver
Boulevard parking lot to Barman
Avenue which is currently under
consideration to be recommended
as a dog path. ATTACHMENT B
Page 2
Map Detailing Public Notification Postcard Mailing Area
VETERANS ’
PARK Page 3
ATTACHMENT C
Public Comment Regarding the Proposed
Dog Path Pass-Through at Veterans’ Memorial Park
Received by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014
In Opposition:
1. Email From: Brian Pogue
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:34 PM
Subject: Dog Path through Vets Park
A waste of a lot of time and money...
Brian V.W. Pogue
2. Email From: Peter Stern
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 6:19 PM
Subject: Dogs at vets
Keep the dogs out!!!!!!!!!!
3 & 4. Telephone Call from Culver City property owners Lester and Suzanne Zerbel
received on Thursday, February 13, 2014: We are both totally against designating a dog
path pass-through at Veterans’ Memorial Park. The parks are for kids, not for dogs; kids
might get bit by the dogs. There will be problems with dog feces as owners do not always
pick it up as they should. The Park is nice just the way it is; let’s keep it that way!
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In Support:
1. Telephone Call from Culver City/Fox Hills resident Brian Christie received on
Wednesday, February 12, 2014: I am totally in support of designating a dog path pass-
through at Veterans’ Memorial Park. I would also like to have a dog run or some designated
area for dogs in Fox Hills Park. I have spoken to some of my neighbors about this and they
would also like to see an area for dogs in Fox Hills Park.
2 & 3. Email From: Mark & Caroline Galanty (Culver City residents)
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 7:22 PM
Subject: Dog Waling (sic) in Veteran Park
To whom it may concern:
We are in favor of allowing dogs to be walked in Veterans Park, and through the park.
Thank you. Page 4
Public Comment Regarding the Proposed
Dog Path Pass-Through at Veterans’ Memorial Park
Received by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2014
4. Email From: Hayley Babcock
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 8:32 PM
Subject: Dog Path through Veteran's Park
My family and I believe it is a wonderful idea and support it completely.
Thank you so very much
5. Telephone Call from Culver City resident K. Rabiner received on Friday, February 14,
2014: I am in support of designating a dog path pass-through at Veterans’ Memorial Park
since the path itself is already there and the City is not creating a new path at the Park.
6 & 7. Email From: Bob and Paula Clarkson (Culver City residents)
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 2:28 PM
Subject: Veteran's dog path ?
Although veterinarians have many stories of cross contamination of intestinal bugs that dogs
carry and pass on to feces that can be passed on to children and adults alike I still believe it
is time for Culver City to get changing with the times.
We say YES to a dog friendly path around Veteran's Park. I say change the rules. Put in a
"trial period" of 1 year maybe to see how it works?
Growing up next tot the bluffs in Santa Monica we all had to stay away from the beautiful bluff
walk when walking our many assortment of dogs. Santa Monica changed. Leashed dogs are
welcome and so are picnics, exercise and kids playing around.
Thanks for giving us notice for input.
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