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Home My WebLink About0453.095I : , I , ; Q City of Palo Alto City Manager's Report ---~------- HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY MANAGER AGENDA DATE: October 30,1995 DFJ'ARTMENT: Coounnoity ~ CMR:453:9S SUBJEC)'. Approval of Alternative Mitigation Measure; at Mitchell Park Dog Run -Suwlemental Wonnatioo BEOfJFST This report is • follow-up report to CMR:17I:95 and 414:95, regarding the Stevenson House residenls' coocerns about noise and odor associated willl the Dog Run at Mitchell Park. The ~-ndatlons made in CMR:414:95, which would mitigate noise and odor problems at the current sill;o and preclude the need Jor relocation of the run. were reviewed by the .1'oIk-y . and Se~ Committee on ~ptemher· 21. 1m. T!>e . Copuniltee { '" '" _ 1· "D"nimotlSly approved the»roposed measures and recommen.Jed Co!mcil;ljlpl"Oval of Ihese meastll"eS. The Committee also re<juested !bat staff provide a schedule fOr repOrting back 10 Council on the progress of implementation rX the mitigation measure<. and the success . 0( Ihese measures. 1>1 preparing foIIow-np reports 10 Council, staff was asked 10 recommend escalated mitigation measures. if needed. 10 coaect continued proj>lems of noise. odor or violation of Dog Run administrative regulations. RECOMMENDATIONS The Policy and Serv1cel; Comminee recommends Ill.! the Dog Run remain in its present location, witlJ mod"lfications, ... -xl !het Council approve the mitigation measure< associa[ed with the noise and odor problems. as outlined in CMR:414:95. POUCY IMPLICADQNS This proposaI does not represen! any change 10 existing policy. The improvements ootlined in CMR:414:95 will 00[ require substIntiaJ reconstruction and, therefore, will 00[ require. Park Improvement Ordinance. Palo Alto Municipal Code 22 ,04.030, Compliance Required, allows for the restriction of use 0( the Dog Run 10 certain acthities and posted hours a! the direction of the City Manager or her designee. P.gc J of2 --_"_--"0"""; , -,.' .-.< EXf'l]lI'IYE SUMMARY The Polley and Services OJmmitt"" approve<!1he plan. Once \he improvements lIave been in place kr a period 01 time, stiff was oJJeCIed 10 repen back 10 Cooncil on the starus 01 issues relating 10 the Dog Run. Staff anticipa!eS that the inltial mitigation measures 01 improved drainage, fencing and repositicned gaw; and benches will be completed by May 1996. Staff will report 10 Council in October 1996. on \he starus 01 installation 01 \he mitigation measures and \he number and types 01 compIaInls or compliments received from the public cooceming !be Dog Rilo. Staff has developed I compIain1 tracking process, so that all complaints will be directed 10 Community Services kr prompl resolution. Staff will also report on the numlJer 01 repon.:d violations 01 \he administrative rules and wbat corrective action was taken. If \here is I problem with \he Dog Run being used outside 01 posted bows, staff will recommend ei\her more stringeIll regulations or new procedures 10 mitigate these problems. Staff will again report 10 Cooncil in October 1 m on \he starus 01 the M"lIcb.:U Park Dog Run. In response 10 Comments made by I public speaker at Ihe Policy ~ Services ~ttee meeting, the administrative regulation 12 was revised 10 be less ambiguous. The proposed regulation was cbaDge<! from "No nnallende<! dogs shall be allowed .. 'hen other dogs are present, • 10 "No dogs sllaU be left Wl3!1ended by !beir owners .• f.NYIBQNMFNI'AJ. ASSfS'iMtM This project is • Class 3 categorical exemption 01 the Corlfornia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15303.3 (e) 01 the CEQA Guidelilles. ATfACHMENTS CMR:414:9S -Approval 01 Alternative M"JIigation Measures at Mitchell Part Dog Run Altachmenl A -Revised Adminlstrative Park Regulations Prepare<! By: Greg BellS Dcparrment Head Review: City Manager Approval: Page lor! '----"-:--- ',' , " ,".--;-. ADMlNISTRAnyE REGlaXDON (REUSED! MITcmJ, PARK DOG R!/N " The O'.redOf 0( Communlty Services, at Ihe request 0( !lle City Manager, beret>y creates Ihe ~ rules 0( rooduct f<>r Ihe Mitchell Park Dog Run: I. The hours 0( use d !lle clog run shall be rescric!ed 10 !lle hours of 8:00 a,m. until dark (CDe balfboor after sunset), ], No dogs sllall be ldt 1!lI8tlemle4 by.their o'It'Del"S. l. No clliklren less !han eigllt (8) years of age sl!an be allowed in \lie run, 4. Ni> aggressive clogs sba1l be atk-wed without • mume, s. Dog owners shall be required 10 clean up after !llei! dogs, 6. V'X>IaIioo of Ihese rules may result in • citatioo or Ihe limiting 0( """ at the DogRUlL 1. Dogs must be 00 a IeaslI at all times oolside of Ihe Dog Run. .-.-,"' .. '- i "':~ * <l ./ -;:~~ " , . -, . . -c· ++ '"" .. -,"-, '-~:.- @ City of Palo Alto City Manager's Report TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL A1TENTION: POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE FROM: CITY MAN.4GER DEPARTMENT, CommonitySenices and Police AGENDA DATE: September 21, 1m CMR: 414:95 SUllJECf: APPROVAL OF ALTERNATIVE MmGATION MEASVRESAT MITCHELL PARK DOG RUN REQUESI This report is a ~-op report 10 CMR:! 11 :95. regaramg the Stevenson House concerns about ooise and odor associated ",,!h the Dog Run at Mitchell Park. This report addresses questions raised by C<luncil ot their May 15, 1995, regular meeting. Since then staff bas developed altJ:rnatives 10 mitigate noise and odor problems allhe current si1e that would preclude the ~ for rc\oca!ion. Staff requesIS CoWlCll approval of Ihe<e ~!lreS. RUDMMJ'NDATIONS Staff recommend< !bat the Dog Run remain in its present location, ""th modifi<:atioos and that C<luncil approve the mitigation measure< associated w;th the noise and od-x problems. mI.lCY IMPLICATIONS This agrecmeol does not represent any cbange to existing policy. The improvements outlined in \his report ",,11 not require .ubsl.antial reconstruction aM, therefore. will not require I Par\: Improvement Onfmance. Palo Aho Municipal Code 22.<14.Q3O, Compliance Required. &!lows for the restriction of use of the Dog Run 10 certain activities and po<ted boucs atlhe (flrectioo of the City Manager or her designee. Administrative regulation.< (Attaclunent A} bewme effective fifteen da)'s af!er being posted. P:lIge 1 Df. ~-----:'-"'""~.--;--.-"""-'-----"'-"'~""'---:-~ -.'" .'':. . ~'" .:: "'.- o EXEC1lIIYESITMM4RY k. • result of complair.ts from residents of the Stevenson Hous< aboot noise and od<xs from the MilcheU Park Dos Run, staff bas made attempts to improve sanitation at the Dos Run and provide quick ""'1""'5" to calls-for-service to quiet barking dogs. SUffhas worked with citizen groups comprising Stevensoo House residents, Dog Run users and neighbors of Mitchell Pari< 10 investigote possible rcmealCS to both the problems identified by Stevenson House residents and pall< users. Because of the ongoing problems, staff presellled I proposal lOr relocating the Dos Run within Mitcbell Pari< to Council May 15, 1995. At that meeting, the Council determlncd the proposed relocation would have I negative impact on other Park usage, and dire..-tcd staff to retJ!11 to the Policy and SeMces Committee with at.emative so1u6oos thai would meet the following criteria: peelerenee should be given to • Dog Run in the south Pa.1o Aha area; the dog run would be comparable in size 10 the present run; and • consideration "'ouId be given to limiting the efkct on neighboring pr"P'"..rties. Staffwas aTso asked to consider an ordinance or other regulations that would restrict the hours of the dog run use. Staff has worked closely "'ith Dos Run users and rcpres<ntatives from Stevenson House 10 review jXlSSible alternative dog run sites both al Mitchell Park and other locations. ~ 10 the proximity of residential homes, lack of adequate available space to situate • run, or serious impact 10 !be current use of park sites, most of theS< alternatives were unacceptable. The Site Selection Committee again reviewed an oflhe site options at Mitchell Pa.'" and coccluded that if the site which was .ecommended to COIlIlCiI were not acceptable because of its location in the «Iller of the pm, other locations would not worl< because of impact on tennis courts or playdlg fields. Therefore, staffand the Site Selection Committee concur thai the present location of the Dog Run in MitcheU Park is the best site, if improvements can be made 10 alleviate the noise ond od<x problems. Staff met with the Slevensoo House Residents' Associatioo OG August 3, 1995,10 review these improvements. The response from residents was p""itive_ Many c()ffiffienied that \he improvements would be beneficial to Stevenson Hoose. C<>nununity Services staff will continue to periodically meet with Stevenson House residents 10 cvaluale the improvements. Noise ,ad Odor Mitigatio •. .Meamru: The alternative imprwements and minor modifications that could be made 10 the area 10 buffer noise, diminish the odor, and move the hub of activity are as lOIJows: (Refer to Attachment C fOr. site map showing the proposed improvements.) NOiSE: • installation of. seven foot, wooden knce aloog the border between Stevenson House and the Dog Run, subject 10 the approval of Ille Archilectural Review Board; CMR.:414:9S -.. .. , I • • recoofiguratjoo ofdle Dog Run per1.'tleIer cyclone fence \0 ,move !be run fifteen feel from die Stcvensoo House property line and 10 move die en!rrulce and safet)' gate \0 \he far oor1h cod of the run; • re~tion of resting benches 10 the north end of IDe Dog Run 10 encourage users to congregate further away from Stevenson House; • construction of an infonnatioo kX>sk near t.'>e entrance 10 the Dog Run 10 improve ongoing communications between neigllbors and Dog Run IlSCrs, ODOIL.RESlJLJlNQEROM.SIANDING,WAIER: • relocation ofth. dog's d,inking foontain 10 the east end of\he Dog Run where it can have adequate drainage; • installation t!vougbout Ibe run of new drainage lines 10 prevent Slllnomg water; • turf improvements 10 fill depressions and improve d:,linage, OOOR.-=.DQGWASIES: • inst.allation of. lateral sewer rmc or septic tank fOr Ibe sanitary disposal of dog wastes will be investigated and, jf feasible, brought back to Council as part of \he Capital Improvement Program proposed budget. D<l# Rip RegulatinJu Although rules fOr the USC of the Dog Run are currently in place and posted at both entrances of \he run, staff proposes limiting the boors from B:OO A,M until dark (one-half bour after sunset). Signs woold be posted 10 that effect. Enforcement of IDe hours would be accompEsbed 00 • complaint basis. There would not be patrols of the Dog Run by IDe polk. and staff does not propose to lock the Dog Run area, due to the staffing requirements needed to ensure the securily of \he racility_ FlSCAl,JMl'A.CT 'The COS! of installing \he mitigation measures and "'.her improvements 10 the Dog Run at its present location in MitcheD Park is S2(),345. (Refer 10 Attachment B fOr • breakdown of costs,) $15,000 will come from \he Animal Services Dooatioo Account and $5,345 will come from the City Manager's Contingency Account. ENYIRONMF.NTAL !!.SSf,SSMPiT This project is • Class 3 categorical exemption of the Californla Environmental QuaEly Acl (CEQA) under section 15303.3 (el of the CEQA Guidelines. CMIUt409S Page 3 or .. ': '<.-~' 0. •• -.. .. <._., ...... ,-,,:, STEPSFOLL<m'ING~OVAL • Improvements outlined in this report will require review and approval from the Architectural Review Board. OIY-..e approved. impcovernellts would commence immediately. Plans fur improvements fur. sewer system 10 dispose of dog wastes will be investigated and. if feasible, will be submitted fur review with oIher Capital Improvement Program requests. Administrative rules govemfug the use of the run would be posted and enforced fifteen days after they have been reviewed by CooncH. ATI A. CRMENTSlEXHIBITS: Anaohmen! A -Prq>osed Admlnb-trative Park Regulations Alta<:bment B -Projea Cos".s Attachment C -Site Map With Proposed Improvements Prepared By: Greg Betts, Community Services Lynne JoImsoo, Police ~. . --" ~.-.~ Department Head Review:---l:e PAUL THILTGEN Director of Community Services Cit)' Manager Approval: CMJL-414:95 Page 4 of4 .. Attachment A ADMlNlSTRATIYE REGULATION· MITCHELL PARK DOG RUN The DitecI<JC of Community Services, at the r.<;uest of Ill. City Manager, bereby creates Ill. follcwing rules of COIlduct lbr the Mitchtn Fark Dog Run: I. The boufs of use of the dog run shan be restricted I<> the hours of ~:QO A.M until dark (ooe half hour al'.er sunset). 2. No UflaaeOOed dogs sball be ofuwed when <>Iller dogs are present. 1. No children less Illan eight (8) years ofage shall be allowed in the run. 4. No aggressive dogs sball be allowed witboul a muzzle. s. Dog owners shall be required 10 clean up after their dogs. 6. VIO/ation oftlk,...., rules may result in. citation or the hmiting of use at tbe Dog Run. 7. Dogs must be 00 i. kash at all times outside of the Dog Run. Attachment B PROJECT O)sTS The C05I comporu:nts ollhi. project include; A. Fencing 8. Grading C. Benches, Trash Receptacles D. Drainage improvements E. Dog Water FOIlIlWn F. DetooIition Contingency @ 15% Leso Aaimal Senices DoDatio •• TOTAL: o $ 10,87> 1,300 500 4.000 1,250 500 $ 18,42> S 1,921) S 20,345 -15.000 $5,345 • -. • Dog -Vri'nJd"", FOUIIIain Curen! Side Entrance I Reltxated Park Benc1les I AttachmentC Adobe Creek , MITCHELL PARle DOG RUN I I .. 1:5 I~ I~ It Ie I Proposed Entrance -tit second safety gate -Cnrreol Entrance Proposed In/ormation Kiosk J.L. Stanford Middle School ·-.. -~- I " ~" .. "I C ~ I;: -I .. ;:; u ~ II J! ~" c -, .. '" .. .. , .. "" 1 = " U ~ I' ~ " ~ ot .--------~ ___ J .. J" " ·""'0