Community Corner
UPDATE - Dogs In San Bruno Parks - Test Results
What was learned from the test? Will dogs be allowed or restricted going forth? What about other parks?
Article Source: City of San Bruno CA
DATE: November 14, 2017
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Find out what's happening in San Brunofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
FROM: Kerry Burns, Community Services Director
SUBJECT: Receive Report and Provide Direction Regarding the Results of the Pilot Program Allowing On-Leash Dogs on Park Pathways in City Park and Grundy Park
Find out what's happening in San Brunofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
BACKGROUND:
The City's Municipal Code Section 9.1610-Domestic Animals currently prohibits all animals, except service animals, whether on- or off-leash from entering all City parks except the dog run at Commodore Park. The section was incorporated into the City's Municipal Code by Ordinance 1493 in 1968. The section states:
No owner or possessor of any dog, cat, fowl or any animal, whether domestic, livestock, wild or exotic shall permit such animal to enter or run at large in any park, school or recreation area or in the city and county of San Francisco watershed recreational easement, either with or without a keeper, except as permitted by Section 9.16.020 [Authorized Dog Runs] of the chapter. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a Seeing-Eye dog under the control of a blind person from entering a park, school or recreation area or the city and county of San Francisco watershed recreational easement.
At both a City Council Study Session in September 2016 and during the Parks and Recreation Commission Annual Report to the City Council in November 2016, the City Council expressed interest in receiving the Parks and Recreation Commission's input on how to address the matter of dogs frequently being present both on and off leash in City parks. At their meeting on January 18, 2017, the Parks and Recreation Commission considered ideas to address the presence of both dogs off and on-leash in City parks. Following discussion, the Commission voted 6-1 to recommend to the City Council that an amendment be made to the Municipal Code allowing leashed dogs in all City parks. The Commissioner voting 'No" on the motion believed the modification was unnecessary since the Municipal Code section was not routinely enforced and that a modification might heighten a community expectation that it would be more routinely enforced after the amendment. Also noted was some children's fear of dogs and that any change to the Municipal Code allowing dogs' on-leash in City parks should ensure a prohibition for dogs to enter areas with playground equipment.
At its meeting on February 28, 2017, the City Council received the Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to allow dogs' on-leash in City parks and directed staff to develop a pilot program allowing on-leash dogs in City parks. On March 28, 2017, the City Council authorized a six-month pilot program allowing on-leash dogs on park pathways in only City Park and Grundy Park.
DISCUSSION:
Through the six-month pilot program, from April 24 through October 23, 2017, on-leash dogs were permitted on paved pathways in City Park and Grundy Park. No other City parks were included in the pilot program. Signs announcing the pilot program and waste bag kiosks were installed at the park entrances. The pilot program was announced on the City's website, Nextdoor, the Community Services Department e-Newsletter, San Bruno Cable, Police Department social media sites, and email blasts to recreation program patrons. Through this outreach, park visitors were invited to contact the Community Services Department with input on the pilot program or the Police Department regarding violations.
During the six-month pilot program, the Police Department continued to enforce the ordinance requirements regulating dogs on-leash except on park pathways and off-leash dogs in City Park and Grundy Park on a complaint-basis. In other parks where dogs are prohibited, the Police Department continued enforcement as follows: when a complaint is registered by a park visitor or City staff, a police officer will respond to the park based on available resources. If the police officer observes that dog off-leash in the park, the police officer will first advise the owner of the ordinance and seek voluntary compliance. The police officer may issue a citation if the owner fails to comply. The Parks Maintenance Division also monitored the condition of City Park and Grundy Park to determine whether or not there was an increase in dogs in the park, either on or off-leash and whether there was an increase in dog feces left in the parks.
With regard to the Police Department's enforcement efforts, from April 24 through October 23, 2017, the Police Department conducted passing checks as follows:
- First week of the pilot program: (1) two bicycle officers from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday traveled back-and-forth between City Park and Grundy Park; and, (2) issued printed information notices.
- First month of the pilot program: (1) scheduled passing checks at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 Noon, 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at City Park and Grundy Park; (2) walked through parks and interacted with citizens with off-leash dogs; and, (3) provided verbal warnings and not citations to increase awareness of the pilot program rules.
- Second month of the program: (1) performed twice daily passing checks as time and call volume allowed; and, (2) provided verbal warnings.
- Months three through six of the pilot program: (1) performed passing checks and created a Call for Service for each scheduled passing check.
- Completed approximately 121 passing checks and walk-throughs of City Park and Grundy Park;
- Distributed approximately 500 informational leaflets;
During the program, the Police Department's enforcement activities were as follows:
- Gave warnings to approximately 45 people for off-leash dog violations with the majority of the warnings occurring in the first several weeks of the pilot program (approximately 15 at City Park and 30 at Grundy Park);
- Issued no citations;
- Responded to no dog bites, attacks, or similar safety incidents at either park; and,
- Received two complaint calls for off-leash dogs at Grundy Park, one of whom received a verbal warning and other was no longer in the park at the time of the police officer's arrival.
The Police Department concluded the pilot program did not create a public safety concern or significant public nuisance. Further, it has concluded that responding to off-leash dog violations on a complaint basis would not likely create a significant additional burden on Police
Department resources.
The Parks Maintenance Division did not experience an impact as a result of the pilot program and saw no difference in the numbers of dogs or an increase in dog feces in City parks, including City Park and Grundy Park. During the pilot program, the Community Services Department was contacted about the pilot program on nine occasions. On four occasions, the citizen expressed support for the pilot program. On five occasions, the citizen did not want dogs, either on or off-leash in any City park.
As stated earlier in this report, the City's Municipal Code, Section 9.16.10-Domestic Animals currently prohibits all animals, except service animals, whether on- or off-leash from entering all City parks. Changes to the rules governing dogs in City parks would require modification to the Municipal Code through the adoption of an ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Should the City Council wish to implement the pilot program by allowing on-leash dogs in some or all City parks, each park would need to be equipped with waste bag kiosks and new signage. The supply cost for new signs, waste bag kiosks, and poles would vary dependent upon its size and number of entrances. Costs for a park the size of Commodore Park would be approximately $2,500, and a park the size of Lomita Park would cost approximately $250.
ALTERNATIVES:
- Make no modifications to the Municipal Code and continue to prohibit dogs in all City parks.
- Modify the Municipal Code to permit on-leash dogs in parks with walking paths which are City Park, Grundy Park, Commodore Park, and Pacific Heights Park.
- Modify the Municipal Code to permit on-leash dogs in all parks with the requirement to dog remain on paved pathways and surfaces.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive report and provide direction regarding the results of the six-month pilot program allowing on-leash dogs on park pathways in City Park and Grundy Park.
FULL Council Agenda Packet WITH Staff Reports can be viewed and downloaded from:
https://sanbruno.ca.gov/gov/elected_officials/city_council_minutes_n_agendas.htm
This document should be available late Friday before the Tuesday Council Meeting
=
Robert Riechel
E=Mail: SanBrunoPatch.Robert@Yahoo.com
My Posts: http://patch.com/users/robert-riechel
Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives
Source Credit: San Bruno CA City Council
