To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOHN LA ROCK, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO TITLE 4, CHAPTER 35 (PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE TO AMEND THE RULES PERTAINING TO DOGS IN PARKS
INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. O-3204-20, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 4, CHAPTER 35 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW DOGS IN SPECIFIED PARKS UNDER IMPOSED CONDITIONS. FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING.
PROCEDURES:
A. Open Public Hearing, take testimony; and
B. Close Public Hearing; and
C. Introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 3204-20
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At their meeting on February 18, 2020, the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the City’s parks rules to allow dogs in certain locations within certain City parks. To modify the current park rules and effectuate the allowance of dogs in parks, the Redondo Beach Municipal Code must be amended to incorporate the information and regulations pertaining to dogs in City parks.
As approved by the City Council, the recommended amendment to the Municipal Code identifies those parks and parkettes in which dogs would be permitted, as well as areas within those parks where dogs would be prohibited. The Code amendment also includes the regulations governing dog handlers while in the City’s parks in an effort to maintain a safe, sanitary and rejuvenating experience for all park users.
Ordinance No. 3204-20 is recommended for 1st reading and introduction to amend the Municipal Code pertaining to dogs in certain City parks and is attached to this report. Following 1st reading and unless materially altered, the ordinance would be included on the next available City Council agenda for second reading and adoption. The Municipal Code amendment would be effective thirty (30) days following the adoption date.
BACKGROUND
Following thorough research and reporting by members of the Recreation and Parks Commission, the Commission made a recommendation to the City Council regarding a change to the City’s Municipal Code to allow dogs in certain City parks. A sub-committee of the Recreation and Parks Commission compiled an extensive report on the subject which was also considered by the Public Works Commission. The sub-committee report and minutes from the Recreation and Parks and Public Works Commission meetings are attached to this report.
The City’s Municipal Code, Title 4 Public Welfare, Morals and Conduct, Chapter 35 Parks and Recreation Facilities, currently prohibits dogs in City Parks. It should be noted that dogs are prohibited from the City pier and wharves under Title 12 Harbor and Beaches, Chapter 2 Piers and Wharves. Additionally, dogs are allowed to traverse with their handlers along the sidewalks and pathways that connect the Dominguez Park parking lots to the Dominguez Park Dog Park.
At their meeting on February 18, 2020, the City Council received a report on the Recreation and Parks Commission’s recommendations regarding dogs in parks. Following the presentation and public comment, the City Council ultimately provided unanimous approval for an amendment to the City’s Municipal Code allowing dogs in the following parks and parkettes: Andrews, Czuleger, Dale Page, Dominguez, Franklin, Lilenthal, Perry Allison, Vincent, Redondo Bikepath, Flagler/Ripley, General Eaton A, Greene, Gregg, Huntington, La Paz, Massena, Matthews, McNeill/Jaycee, Rivera, and Townsend. The administrative report and attachments from the February 18, 2020 City Council meeting are attached to this report.
Additionally, at the February 18, 2020 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved those areas within the parks and parkettes that would be recommended as prohibited to dogs. These off-limits areas are generally inclusive of playgrounds, regular event areas, sports fields, monuments and park facilities, including restrooms.
The City Council’s unanimous approval also included regulations pertaining to the presence of dogs in certain parks and parkettes. The regulations include, but are not limited to:
• Dogs are to be licensed and vaccinated
• Dogs are on a leash of no more than 6 ft. at all times
• Dogs are under the control of a handler at all times
• Dog handlers clean up and properly dispose of all dog waste
• Dogs are not permitted in designated park facilities
• Dog activity is recreational only; dog training, obedience or related programming is prohibited
Adherence to the regulations pertaining to dogs in parks will largely be a matter of personal responsibility by those handling dogs in certain City parks. Typically, in order for City Code Enforcement or Police personnel to address a violation of any Code regulations for City parks they must be able to witness the activity in real time. A dog handler who does not have a dog on a leash or who fails to clean up after a dog will likely have exited the park prior to the timing of a responding City enforcement personnel. City Community Services and Public Works personnel do not provide enforcement. However, Community Services will engage the community through an education campaign about allowing dogs in certain parks, the rules for that policy, and to encourage good behavior by all users to help keep the parks safe and clean.
To change the policies and rules for the City’s parks and parkettes, an ordinance to amend the Municipal Code has been prepared. Ordinance No. O-3204-20 would amend the Municipal Code to add those parks and parkettes previously approved by the City Council to allow dogs, as well as to regulate areas in the parks where dogs are not permitted, and to list the regulations governing dogs in parks.
To assist dog handlers with the management of fecal matter and to support the cleanliness of the parks for all users, the Public Works Department anticipates the installation of dog waste bag dispensers in those parks permitting dogs. On average, a park would be recommended to receive 3 dog waste bag dispensers; parkettes would be recommended to receive 1 dog waste bag dispenser. The exact number and placement of dispensers will be determined for each park space and be partially based on the available public entry points.
The expense for one dog waste bag dispenser is $165. It is estimated that with normal use, dispensers expend 3 cases of waste bags per year at an annual cost of $195 per dispenser. However, given the City’s experience with the dog waste dispensers on the Esplanade, along with the tendency of users to remove more than one bag at a time, it would be recommended that waste bag inventory for dispensers in parks and parkettes be 5 cases per year at an annual cost of $325 per dispenser. Given the number of parks and parkettes included in the ordinance to allow dogs, the set-up and supply costs are $17,640 for Fiscal Year 2020-21 and $11,700 for each subsequent Fiscal Year. A detail of the projected expenses is included in the Fiscal Impact section of this report.
Staff recommends the City Council introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. O-3204-20 an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Redondo Beach, California, amending Title 4, Chapter 35 (Parks and Recreation Facilities) of the Municipal Code pertaining to Dogs in Parks.
Following first reading and introduction and unless materially altered, the Ordinance would be placed on the Consent Calendar of the next available City Council meeting agenda for second reading and adoption. The Ordinance would become effective thirty (30) days from the date of adoption.
COORDINATION
This report was prepared by the Community Services and Public Works Departments. The City Attorney’s office provided legal analysis and approved the ordinance as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Public Works Department has considered the impacts of allowing dogs in certain City parks and anticipates the procurement of new park infrastructure to dispense dog waste bags as well as the ongoing procurement of dog waste bag inventory.
Expenses
Dog waste bag dispensers $ 5,940 (one-time expense)
Dog waste bags $11,700 (ongoing annual expense)
Total $17,640 (one-time and ongoing expense)
The projected expenses for dog waste bag dispensers and dog waste bag inventory are not included in the FY 2020-21 Public Works Budget. Public Works may present a future report requesting a budget modification to appropriate the necessary funding to procure, install and supply dog waste dispensers in those parks that allow dogs.
Additionally, staff is analyzing the current wayfinding and rules signage in those parks that will allow dogs to determine the most economical method to retrofit the existing signage with updated information pertaining to dogs in parks and the rules therein. The expenses for the potential retrofit are not available for the timing of this report.
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. O-3204-20 an amendment to Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 35 (Recreation and Parks Facilities) pertaining to dogs in parks
2. City Council minutes February 18, 2020
3. Administrative Report and attachments February 18, 2020
4. PowerPoint presentation