P&R 10-02-08MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
CITY OF CUPERTINO
Regular Meeting
Thursday, October 2., 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Community Hall Council Chamber
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Greenstein called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in Community Hall,
10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA_
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: David Greenstein, Jeanne Bradford, Darcy Paul,
and Debbie Stephens Stauffer
Commissioners absent: David Lc:e
Staff present: Mark Linder, Donna Henriques, Julia Lamy
and Kim Frey
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETI]~TGS
A. Regular adjourned meeting of September 8, 2008
Action: Commissioner St~mffer made a motion to approve the
minutes. Commissioner F'aul seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3 - O, with Commissioner Bradford
abstaining.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
STUDY SESSION
1. Introductions -Welcome and review of the meeting process by David
Greenstein, Chairperson.
Chairperson Greenstein weIlcomed everyone to the meeting and
encouraged the residents to participate. He then introduced Mark
Linder, Director of Parks and Recreation.
2. Director Linder and Commissioner Debbie Stephens Stauffer gave a
presentation regarding off-leash options and information gained from
site visits to local dog parks in the Bay Area.
3. Facilitated discussion led b;y Julia Lamy, Recreation Supervisor.
Supervisor Lamy facilitated the discussion focusing on three key
questions which residents were asked to comment on regarding the
current situation, dogs off-leash and dog parks.
Many residents in attendance expressed their opinions on these focus
questions. This issue will be included on the regular agenda for the
November 6, 2008 Commission meeting.
7. ADJOURNMENT -Chair Greensteiri adjourned the meeting at 9:31 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
,,
Donna Henriques, Administrative Assistant
Minutes were approved, with amendment to add meeting notes attachment, at the
November 6. 2008 regular meeting.
attachment
DRAFT -Facilitated Discussion Comments
Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
October 2, 2008
SITUATION WHAT WORKS WHAT DOES NOT WORK2 LEAVE AS IS -SUGGESTED
GUIDELINES
CURRENT • On-leash dogs get along, min injuries, • Enforcement of leash law • Better and stronger
• Zero dog bites • Dog attacks by unleashed dogs enforcement
• Early mornings -dogs off-leash • Safety of children • More information to
• Owners take care ofdogs -min mess • People are uninformed about how to residents -another way
• Nice local parks for everyone behave around dogs besides the Scene
• People walk with their dogs • Dogs can't move independently • Better education for the
• Clear guidelines that can be enforced • No place to exercise dogs community
• Residents calling City Hall • Dog owners should be
• No place provided for off-leash dogs more respectful and clean
• Limitations to Cupertino residents up after dogs
only • People should be more
• Need more notification - open-minded
communication lacking with • License all dogs
residents • Training and education for
• City needs to step up to do something dogs and owners is a must
that works
• Residents have to go outside City
limits
• Untrained dog owners -dogs are too
confined and have no place to run
• Unlicensed and untrained dogs
• Somelfew ma ive bad label owners
SITUATION WHAT WORKS? WHAT DOES NOT WORK? LEAVE AS IS -SUGGESTED
GUIDELINES
DOGS • Off-leash okay - not in Hoover Park • Not near residential areas • Keep far from residential
OFF•LEASH • Early hours 5:00 -1:30 am (hours are • Dog fights and barking • Fenced-in area
under used) • Dog feces not getting cleaned up - • Laws need to be changed
• Times should be decided by users (when makes an unhealthy situation • Posted rules
parks are empty) • Liability issues • True, strong enforcement!
• Find a location not close to houses or • Not enough laws -requirements • Restricted to residents
residential areas • More dogs in area because of park • Cupertino license
• Owners take responsibility • Open off-leash -want fence • Day fee for non-residents
• Use temporary fencing to keep separate • Safety, noise sanitation ~ • Assessment of
• In restricted part of the park • Cupertino being a city wlo a dog park laws/process
• During weekdays until school isout -not • Dog behavior in a group can be a • Pilot time
in summer problem • In parks -specific hours
• Specific times for running dogs but not • Increase in traffic • Not on youth sports fields
.~. ~ ~ .:.~~ a...:_~.,,~ a~..
ju~i unc uuic uuuu~ uiu uay
•
Safety for dogs that are on-leash
•
Separation ofoff-leashed
• Located where it's easy to walk to • Safety for children dogs and children
• Use large empty buildings or parking lots • Correct conditions for the dogs • Specify the miles away
• Dogs need to be out before feeding • Un-enforced leash hours from neighborhood
• People are afraid • Specific times posted
• Dog attacks by vicious dogs • Clear understanding of
• Accommodating neighbors guidelines
• Close to play structure • Keeping dogs away from
• In neighborhood parks play structures, fields
• Not obeying hours • NOT have off-leash area in
• Ruins park grass one park
• Keeps others away • Giving it a chance to work
• Volunteers
DOGS GUIDELINES, CONT'D
OFF-LEASH
CONT'D Enforce carrying plastic
bags and flashlights
• Use surface areas that can't
be damaged -parking lots
or industrial sites
• Area that works are in a
every park -City-wide, not
just in one given park
SITUATION WHAT WORKS? WHAT DOES NOT WORK? LEAVE AS IS -SUGGESTED
GUIDELINES
DOG • Big enough area • Need a large area of land for dog • Prove they have the
PARKS • Great for interaction -social time for parks support of community
both dogs and people • Not in small park • Adhere to best practices
• Good upkeep necessary • Location not too close to homes from around the area
• Enclosures, landscape, hazard free, waste • There are not enough around -this • 3/a to 1 acre is needed
disposal leads toover-used dog parks that • Dog owners show support
• Posted hours -self-enforced currently exist for guidelines -they need
• Self-monitoring • Noise level to work
• Electronic access • Park location chosen by
• CPRS Standards, best practices City of Cupertino
• Many visitors • Citizen committee closer
• Respecting area have closer ties to situation
• Location that is good - no conflicts, not • Specified distance away
close to homes
11 V11111VUJbJ
c.~m ~'~"~~~
• County parks
• Industrial area creates less tension with
neighbors