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Home My WebLink AboutBill 16-46 Establishing nine (9) member special committee to study options multiple off leash dog parks.t i u �• i The South Bend Common Council 4" Floor County -City Building 227 West Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 574.235.9321 April 20, 2016 The South Bend Common Council 4th Floor County -City Building 227 West Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 TDD 574.235.5567 Re: Resolution to establish a 9- member advisory special committee to study and recommend all reasonable and viable options for multiple off leash dog parks to be located in the City of South Bend, Indiana Dear Council Members: As discussed by the South Bend Tribune in an article that was published on November 18, 2015, titled, "Group wants Dog Park in South Bend ", the citizens of South Bend have expressed their interest and support for a South Bend based, off leash Dog Park. Additionally, on page 31 of the City of South Bend Parks 5 -year Master Plan 2014 — 2018 the report states that, "Dog parks are a rising trend for parks and recreation. 2013 was the second year that dog parks were the top planned addition to parks and recreational facilities ". Indianapolis has eight (8) dog parks and dog runs. Fort Wayne's Parks and Recreation Department operates the "Pawster Park Pooch Playground" in Foster Park and runs "Camp Canine" in Johnny Appleseed Park and in Foster Park West. Fort Wayne began offering in 2010, a "Dog Agility" course which includes six (6) canine agility equipment pieces to provide fun activities for "dogs of all sizes and abilities ". Last November, the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department announced a new dog park in their Roberts Park location. Off leash dog parks provide many benefits. They promote a sense of community building through socialization, they encourage responsible pet ownership and they provide pet owners and their dogs a safe place to exercise and play. Decisions such as where multiple dog parks should be located, the rules & regulations governing all dog parks should be based on what serves the best interest of our city. It should be based on a review of all Off -Leash Dog Park Resolution Cover Letter Page 2 relevant facts and provide opportunities for the public to have their voices heard. Transparency, inclusion and engagement in government builds strong and vibrant partnerships. We believe that the attached resolution would be a step in carrying out the Common Council's Mission: "To make certain that our City Government is always responsive to the needs of our residents and that the betterment of South Bend is always our highest priority. " We recommend that the Council's Health and Public Safety Committee hear our proposal next Monday. We look forward to discussing this important topic with you. V y, is, Distnct Council Member Regina Williams- Preston, 2" d District Council Member Attachment Dr. Dave Varner, 5"' District Council Member Karen L. White, At -Large Council Member Filed in Clerk's Office APR 20 2 116 KAREEMAH FOWLER CITYCLERK. )TW REND, IN Bill No. Resolution No. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ESTABLISHING A 9- MEMBER ADVISORY SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND ALL REASONABLE AND VIABLE OPTIONS FOR AND OFF LEASH DOG PARKS TO BE LOCATED IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA WHEREAS, in the 2014, the South Bend Board of Park Commissioners approved the City of South Bend Park 5 -year Master Plan 2014 — 2018; and WHEREAS, on page 31 of the report it states that, "Dog parks are a rising trend for parks and recreation. 2013 was the second year that dog parks were the top planned addition to parks and recreational facilities "; and WHEREAS, other cities such as Evansville, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis have provided citizens with multiple dog parks and dog run locations in their cities; and based on the dog population in South Bend and the need for a safe environment for exercising, South Bend should look into providing such opportunities; and WHEREAS, off leash dog parks promote a sense of community building through socialization as well as, encourage responsible pet ownership and provide dogs and their owners a safe place to exercise and play; and WHEREAS, as discussed by the South Bend Tribune in an article that was published on November 18, 2015 titled, "Group wants dog park in South Bend ", the citizens of South Bend have expressed their interest and support for a South Bend based, off leash dog park by creating a website as well as circulating a petition; and WHEREAS, the mission of the Common Council is, "To make certain that our City Government is always responsive to the needs of our residents and that the betterment of South Bend is always our highest priority "; and WHEREAS, we believe that within our current South Bend Parks, that there is adequate space to successfully house off leash dog parks; and WHEREAS, working with the Mayor, the City's Board of Park Commissioners and the citizens of South Bend; the South Bend Common Council will establish a 9 member Advisory Special Committee to study and recommend all reasonable and viable options for Off Leash Dog Parks to be located in the City of South Bend, Indiana. Now, therefore be it resolved by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana as follows: Off -Leash Dog Park Resolution Page 2 Section I. The Common Council welcomes public input and transparency in government, especially with regard to public assets which are dedicated to the public good. Section II. The Common Council establishes a 9- member Advisory Special Committee To Study And Recommend All Reasonable And Viable Options For Off Leash Dog Parks no later than Friday, April 29, 2016 in order to celebrate the May 1st start date of National Pet Month. Section III. The Committee shall be governed by the following regulations: Membership: One (1) current member of the City's Board of Park Commissioners; One (1) current City Administrator selected by the Mayor; Two (2) current members from the South Bend Common Council, with one (1) being a current member of the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainment Committee and one (1) being a current member of the Health & Public Safety Committee; One (1) current member of the City's Animal Control Commission; Four (4) current members of the Dog Park for South Bend website and /or animal welfare community who are also current residents of the City of South Bend. Quorum: Five (5) members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. Duties /Responsibilities: Hold meetings consistent with the Indiana Open Door Law (Indiana Code § 5- 14 -1.5). Review, research and document all reasonable and viable options for off -leash dog parks to be located in the City of South Bend, Indiana. Review, research and document all the recommended regulations necessary to govern off -leash dog parks as referenced in Chapter 5- 3- 5 -21(b) of South Bend's Municipal Code. Receive input from the public and from resource persons who may be experienced in the creation and maintenance of off leash dog parks. Develop such information in a format which is sent to the Office of the City Clerk for simultaneous distribution to the Common Council, the Board of Park Commissioners and the Mayor within forty -five (45) days of their first meeting as an advisory committee, and then posted on the City of South Bend's governmental website. Share any other additional relevant data and relevant information which supports each advisory recommendation. Send representative(s) of the Advisory Special Committee To Study And Recommend All Reasonable And Viable Options For Off Leash Dog Parks to any public meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners and the South Bend Common Council to discuss their advisory recommendations in a timely and well- documented manner. Off -Leash Dog Park Resolution Page 3 Support Staff: The Office of the City Clerk shall provide needed clerical services to the Advisory Special Committee To Study And Recommend All Reasonable And Viable Options For Off Leash Dog Parks, including but not limited to preparing and sending notices of all meeting of the Committee, taking meeting minutes and making such minutes and any document and /or handouts discussed at such meetings publicly available, making copies of documents needed by the Committee, and other related clerical support. Section IV. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect fro after its ado ion by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. ctl Member liver J. Davis 6"' District Council Member Council Member Dr. David Varner 5th District Council Member Council Member Regina Williams- Preston 2 °d District Council Member Council Member Karen L. White Council Member At Large LKAREEMA iled in Clerk Office PRESS ,nV APR ? NOT APPROVE IERFf Sn� FOWLER ADOP1� "'s �, _ AND, IN