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CC - (1) Consideration of a Recommendation from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission to Extend the Existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path to Connect the Lower Field Parking Lot to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway; and, (2) [If Desired] Adoption of a Resolution Designating such Dog Path and Rescinding Resolution No. 2014-R064.
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Meeting Date: May 14, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Corey Lakin/PRCS Department-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/09/18); (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission; Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department Updates; Culver City News and Events (All on 05/09/18)
Department Approval: Corey Lakin, PRCS Director (05/03/18)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider a recommendation from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission to extend the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path to connect the Lower Field parking lot to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway; and, (2) [if desired] adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) designating such Dog Path and rescinding Resolution No. 2014-R064.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Culver City Municipal Code Section Regarding Designated Dog Paths
The following section of the Culver City Municipal Code pertains to Designated Dog Paths:
§ 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 established by resolution of the City Council; 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 established by resolution of the City Council as DESIGNATED DOG PATHS and 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 established by resolution of the City Council.
March 7, 2017 Discussion Regarding Augmenting the Culver City Park Designated Dog Path
At the March 7, 2017 Joint Meeting of the City Council and the PRCS Commission, the following Agenda Item was discussed:
CC:PRCSC - (1) City Council and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Consideration of Establishing the “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path,” which would Augment the Existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path by Incorporating it into a Continuous Dog Path that Connects the Ballona Creek Bike Path with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Gateway; and (2) [If Desired] City Council Adoption of a Resolution Designating such Dog Path and Rescinding Resolution No. 2014-R064
This Agenda Item was presented for discussion because in September 2016, staff was notified by representatives of the Baldwin Hills Conservancy (BHC) and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) that the Culver City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project (the “Project”) should incorporate a path of travel for dogs and their handlers. This Project will complete Park to Playa Regional Trail Segment 7, which travels through Culver City Park, linking the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway with Ballona Creek. The Project includes trail improvements, the construction of two new ADA accessible path sections, needed improvements to the entryways of the Boardwalk, Boardwalk repair and, improvements to and the extension of the Culver City Park Bicycle Path. The BHC has provided grant funds for the Project and the MRCA is providing the wayfinding signage. On November 13, 2017, the City Council awarded a contract to CEM Construction for the Project.
During the course of the March 7th discussion, concerns were expressed by both the Members of the City Council and the PRCS Commission regarding allowing dogs to travel in some of the park locations associated with Project, especially on the Culver City Interpretive Nature Trail (aka the “Boardwalk) and adjacent to the upper fields where members of the Culver City Little League often warm-up before games. Several other concerns were also raised. Ultimately, the Resolution was not adopted and a secondary designated dog path was recommended for future consideration by the PRCS Commission. The pages from the approved meeting minutes of the March 7, 2017 Joint Meeting of the City Council and the PRCS Commission relating to this discussion (Agenda Item A-1) are provided as Attachment 2.
March 21, 2018 Discussion Regarding Augmenting the Culver City Park Designated Dog Path
At the March 21, 2018 PRCS Commission meeting, the Commission once again discussed augmenting the Culver City Park Designated Dog Path. The map that was referenced during that discussion is provided as Attachment 3. Staff addressed the following points that had been raised at the March 7, 2017 Joint Meeting:
Point #1: The development of a revised map with more detail, including those items requested by the City Council and the PRCS Commission. Staff response: Please see Attachment 3.
Point #2: The development of an alternate path for dogs and their handlers that is non-ADA compliant. Staff response: Please see BCC-DDP Route 1 as illustrated on Attachment 3.
Point #3: Public access to the restrooms at the Upper Field that are maintained by the Culver City Little League and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) during those times that games are not scheduled. Staff response: This issue will be discussed during the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiations that will be held with the Little League (MOU expires on June 30, 2018) and AYSO (MOU expires on December 31, 2018).
Point #4: Providing free doggie waste disposal bags to the public. Staff response: The locations of eight doggie waste disposal bag dispensers are illustrated on Attachment 3.
Point #5: Expanded public notification. Staff response: As compared to the public notification for the March 7, 2017 meeting, public notification began earlier, outreach was done to a greater number of recipients and the coverage was expanded to outlets that were not included at that time, such as Nextdoor and Facebook. The details regarding public notification are outlined below.
Point #6: The regulation of dogs at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Staff response: Staff has been informed by BHC representatives that a dog path is currently under development that will extend from the Stoneview Nature Center up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway. The project is nearing completion.
Point #7: Adequate enforcement to ensure the routes of dogs and their handlers do not deviate off the Designated Dog Paths. Staff response: As is the current practice, the Park Patrol of the Community Development Department / Enforcement Services Division will enforce the regulations related to the prohibition of dogs in Culver City Parks.
Point #8: Adequate signage. Staff response: Wayfinding signage is being provided by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. It is currently undergoing the final round of reviews by agency staff. The signage will include information as to the location of the restrooms and other amenities, trash receptacles and areas where dogs are or are not allowed.
During the discussion, the PRCS Commission determined that the trail labeled as Route 2 on Attachment 3, which includes the Boardwalk and the area adjacent to the upper fields, should not be a designated dog path. The Commission’s recommendation to the City Council is:
…to establish the "Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path," which will augment the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path, creating a continuous Dog Path that connects the Ballona Creek Bike Path with the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway; Route 1, the extension of the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path, is recommended as a Designated Dog Path for members of the public accompanied by dogs; and, Route 2, the trail that includes the Boardwalk, is recommended as a fully accessible ADA Path for those with disabilities accompanied by service animals and not as a Designated Dog Path.
For the purposes of tonight’s discussion, the description of the proposed Culver City Park Designated Dog Path Extension included on Exhibit B-1 of Attachment 1 (the draft Resolution) has been written to reflect the Commission’s recommendation, as follows:
The extension of the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path that connects the Lower Field parking lot to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway.
The City Council approved Culver City / Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project already incorporates the Commission’s recommendation regarding the trail that includes the Boardwalk, since it is designed to be fully ADA accessible. However, should the City Council determine that dogs other than service animals should be allowed in this area of Culver City Park, Exhibit B-1 will be revised accordingly.
Public Notification for March 21, 2018 PRCS Commission Meeting
The standard notification period for the establishment of Designated Dog Paths (aka “Pooch Paths”) typically begins three weeks before the meeting date. The public notification for the March 21, 2018 PRCS Commission discussion was as follows:
• Postcard Mailing - Three weeks before the meeting date. Postcards were mailed to Owners, Occupants and Businesses within an extended radius of Culver City Park. The mailing area had minimum of 1,500 foot radius, including 7,161 addresses. The Blair Hills neighborhood was noticed. The eastern boundary of the mailing area was at Culver and Washington Boulevards, the northern boundary was National Boulevard and the southern boundary was Overland Avenue.
• Website Postings - Began approximately three weeks before the meeting date. Posts were done on the PRCS Department Homepage & the Culver City Homepage - Highlights Section.
• Email Notifications via GovDelivery - Done slightly less than three weeks before the meeting date and again upon the posting of the Meeting Agenda (standard notification). Emails were sent to subscribers of Community Gardening, Culver City News and Events, Culver City Pool, Culver City Senior Center, Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates, or Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission (over 7,000 recipients).
• Social Media Outlets - Approximately two weeks before the meeting date. Posts were done on Nextdoor, the PRCS Department’s Facebook Page and on the City of Culver City - Local Government Facebook Page.
• Flyer Distribution - Slightly less than two weeks before the meeting date. Two hundred flyers were distributed at Culver City parks and recreation facilities and in the back of Council Chambers.
• Cable Slide - In circulation beginning slightly less than two weeks before the meeting date and terminating after the meeting.
• Posted Notices - Slightly less than two weeks before the meeting date. Twelve notices were posted throughout Culver City Park and at the Boneyard.
• Email to Agencies & Organizations - Upon the posting of the Meeting Agenda on March 14, 2018 (standard notification). Notified groups included the Friends of the Culver City Dog Park; Los Angeles Audubon; Culver City Little League; AYSO Region 19; Fulcrum Adventures; Baldwin Hills Conservancy; Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority; Walk n’ Rollers; Ballona Creek Renaissance; Alta Planning and Design; and, RTI Consulting.
The comments that the Commission received regarding this topic can be summarized as four members of the public in opposition, twelve members of the public in support and one member of the public expressing support for the extension of the existing Designated Dog Path but not for the route that included the Boardwalk (17 substantive comments total).
FISCAL ANALYSIS
As a component of the Culver City/Park to Playa - Ballona Creek Connection Project, signage for the Culver City Park Designated Dog Path extension is included in the Wayfinding Plan being developed for the Project by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The signage will be provided at no cost to the City and the installation will be included in the budget for the Project.
There are sufficient funds in the Fiscal Year 2017/2018 City Council Adopted Budget in account 10130300.514100 (Parks Division / Departmental Special Supplies) for paint and stencils and in 10130300.411100 (Parks Division / Regular Salaries) for staff time to do any necessary markings. Due to the length and unique setting of this particular Dog Path, “paw prints” marking the Dog Path will be stenciled only in a limited quantity on those surfaces that lend themselves to such markings. They will not be painted along the entire route.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2018-05-14 - ATT 1 Resolution with Map of the Culver City Park Designated Dog Path Extension (Exhibit B-1)
2. 2018-05-14 - ATT 2 Approved Minutes 03-07-2017 Joint City Council-PRCS Commission Meeting (Agenda Item A-1)
3. 2018-05-14 - ATT 3 Map of the Proposed “Ballona Creek Connection Designated Dog Path” from the 03-21-18 PRCS Commission Meeting
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Consider a recommendation from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission to extend the existing Culver City Park Designated Dog Path to connect the Lower Field parking lot to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook Western Gateway; and,
2. (If desired) Adopt a Resolution designating such Dog Path and rescinding Resolution No. 2014-R064.