To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE AMENDED TITLE 4, CHAPTER 35 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW DOGS IN SPECIFIED PARKS AND PARKETTES UNDER IMPOSED CONDITIONS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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.
At the August 18, 2020 meeting, City Council held a Public Hearing to introduce and conduct a first reading of Ordinance No. O-3204-20 to modify the current park rules and effectuate the allowance of dogs in certain parks. The amendment to the Municipal Code identified those parks and parkettes in which dogs would be permitted, as well as areas within those parks where dogs would be prohibited. The Municipal Code amendment also includes the regulations governing dog handlers while in the City’s parks in an effort to maintain a safe and sanitary experience for all park users.
Ordinance O-3204-20 was brought back to the September 1, 2020 meeting for a second reading and was unanimously approved by Council. The Municipal Code amendment went into effect on October 1, 2020, thirty days (30) following the meeting. It should be noted that at the August 18, 2020 meeting, Council provided direction that staff present a status report on outcomes and impacts at a City Council meeting one year from the effective date of the Ordinance, which was October 1, 2021.
After the amended Municipal Code went into effect, Councilmembers and staff started receiving a significant number of resident complaints about people not adhering to Ordinance regulations, such as keeping dogs on leash and cleaning up after their dogs. Due to this community response, staff received a referral at the March 16, 2021 meeting to bring back the status report in June or July, 2021 instead of October, 2021. A subsequent referral directed staff to bring back this item in May or June so that Council could re-evaluate the amended Municipal Code and determine how to move forward with the dogs in parks and parkettes ordinance.
BACKGROUND
The question of whether to allow dogs in City parks has been raised over the years with prior consideration to allow dogs in parks occurring in 1993 (when Dominguez Park Dog Park was created) and 2010. The past rationale to maintain the prohibition due to maintenance and enforcement concerns remains true today. The City’s parks are intended for the universal enjoyment of the community; the consideration of dogs in parks includes balancing the needs of dog owners versus the overall community who use the parks for organic and organized recreation and sports activities. As mentioned in previous administrative reports, any change in policy that permits dogs would require a substantial information and education campaign by the City. In doing so, it was anticipated the allowance of dogs in parks would cause a sustained increase in the usage of parks by dog owners and their dogs from Redondo Beach and elsewhere. As part of the dogs in parks conversation it was also noted that the enforcement and parks maintenance support for a potential ordinance amendment would be entirely reactive and that responsiveness to customer service referral regarding fecal matter, dogs off leash, dogs in unauthorized areas of a park, vicious dogs, etc. could potentially burden the Police and Public Works Departments.
To summarize the 2020 ordinance amendment process:
July 10, 2019 Verbal report provided to the Recreation & Parks Commission by the Dogs in Parks subcommittee
September 11, 2019 & Dogs in Parks Item on Recreation & Parks Commission
November 13, 2019 Agenda
December 13, 2019 Special Meeting of the Public Works Commission
February 18, 2020 City Council Agenda: Discussion Item
August 18, 2020 Public Hearing and First Reading of the Amended Municipal Code
September 1, 2020 Second reading and Adoption of Municipal Code
October 1, 2020 Municipal Code Amendment went into effect
City Council ultimately gave unanimous approval for an amendment to the City’s Municipal Code allowing dogs in the following parks and parkettes.
Andrews Park Flagler/Ripley Parkette
Czulegar Park General Eaton A Parkette
Dale Page Park Greene Parkette
Dominguez Park Gregg Parkette
Franklin Park Huntington Parkette
Lilenthal Park La Paz Parkette
Perry Allison Park Massena Parkette
Vincent Park Matthews Parkette
Redondo Beach Bikepath Parkette McNeill/Jaycee Parkette
Council also agreed upon off-limits areas that were generally inclusive of playgrounds, recurrent special 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 amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-35.07(b), Regulations Governing Dogs in Parks, was updated to include:
(1) The person who has charge, care, custody or control of any dogs in a City park or parkette shall:
A. Ensure that the dog or dogs are currently licensed and vaccinated and must be able to provide proof of licensing upon request by any City official.
B. At all times restrain the dog or dogs by a substantial chain or leash that does not exceed six (6) feet in length.
C. Remain with the dog or dogs at all times.
D. Clean-up and properly dispose of any and all dog waste.
E. Restrict dog(s) from playgrounds, monuments, memorials, sports fields, sports courts, heritage sites, wildlife areas, natural habitat areas, construction zones, historic structures and water features.
(2) The person who has charge, care, custody or control of any dogs in a City park or parkette shall not:
A. Tie or restrain any dogs to any structure, or otherwise relinquish in any way immediate control of the dog or dogs and their leash.
B. Allow dog(s) to interfere, bother, harass other users, animals or wildlife.
C. Bring more than four (4) dogs to any City park or parkette at one time.
D. Conduct training, obedience or related programming or business.
E. Knowingly enter any park or parkette with any dog or dogs with known communicable disease.
Temporary signs, Dog Friendly Park Rules for Dogs and Their Handlers, were produced by Community Services and installed in December 2020. Public Works installed the permanent signs, which included reference to the Municipal Code, in February 2021. After the amended Municipal Code went into effect, Councilmembers and staff started receiving a significant number of resident complaints about people not adhering to Ordinance regulations, such as keeping dogs on lease and cleaning up after their dogs. Due to this ongoing community response, staff received a referral to bring back the status report to Council in June or July 2021. A subsequent referral directed staff to bring this item back in May or June so that Council could re-evaluate the amended Municipal Code and determine how to move forward with the dogs in parks and parkettes ordinance. It should be noted that Public Works is in the process of preparing a Budget Response Report regarding possible park and parkette locations that may be suitable for a dog run.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Manager’s Office, Police Department, Planning and Public Works, who is presenting the report on behalf of Community Services.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance No. O-3204-20
Administrative Reports: February 18, 2020; August 18, 2020; September 1, 2020
Meeting Minutes: February 18, 2020; August 18, 2020; September 1, 2020
Blue Folder Public Communication: February 18, 2020; August 18, 2020; September 1, 2020
Police Dispatch Report - Complaints about Dogs in Parks October, 2020 - May, 2021