Committee Agenda for Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee 02/26/2014

CITY OF WORCESTER

Youth, Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:36 P.M.

Adjourned: 7:22 P.M.

Mayor Joseph M. Petty	www.worcesterma.gov	Clerk of the City Council David J. Rushford
Committee Members
Chairperson Gary Rosen
Councilor Frederick C Rushton
Councilor Kathleen M Toomey

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

	Present Were:	Chairperson Councilor Gary Rosen Councilor Frederick C Rushton Councilor Kathleen M Toomey

	Also:	Assistant Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Robert C. Antonelli, Jr. Assistant City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux, clerk

Communications of the City Manager



1a.	Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to the Recommendation of a Dog Park Site. # 12.8A CM January 07, 2014	Attachments

	Recommend Hold

Orders



2a.	Councilor Philip P. Palmieri request the Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation consider looking at other city parks to see if there is a better fit for a dog park. # 22c CC January 07, 2014	Attachments

	Recommend Hold


2b.	Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey request the Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation invite representatives of Tufts Veterinary Hospital to discuss their experiences relative to dog parks. # 22e CC January 07, 2014	Attachments

	Recommend Hold


2c.	Councilor Kostantina B. Lukes request the Committee on Youth, Parks and Recreation consider building into their recommendation of the proposed a dog park a follow up review of the impacts that can come from having a dog park and have the administration report back to City Council in six months the consequences if any. # 22f CC January 07, 2014	Attachments

	Recommend Hold Speakers: 1. Peggy Middaugh, Worcester resident 2. Tom Johnson, Worcester resident 3. Brendan Sendrowski, Worcester resident 4. Mary Barrett, Worcester resident 5. Helen Williams, Worcester resident 6. Elizabeth Noone, Worcester resident 7. Debra Bolz, Worcester resident 8. Chris Robarge, Worcester resident 9. Cynthia Turncliff, Worcester resident 10. Colin Novick, Worcester resident 11. Joe Pagano, Worcester resident 12. Edith Morgan, Worcester resident 13. State Representative Mary Keefe, Worcester resident 14. Jose Cruz, Worcester resident 15. Winnie Octave, Worcester resident 16. George Cortez, Worcester resident 17. Diane O’Brien, Worcester resident 18. Madeline Snyder, Worcester resident 19. Lindsay Thompson, Worcester resident

CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS

	1.	Request City Manager report the feasibility of using some kind of tag or card that would unlock the gate to a dog park, allowing only licensed dogs into the dog park. Further, consider setting up a fee structure to differentiate the use of the park by licensed city dogs and licensed dogs from outside the city.
	2.	Request City Manager submit a budget proposal for the dog park.
	3.	Request City Manager make a recommendation to the Standing Committee on Youth , Parks and Recreation as to whether or not the existing ordinance banning dogs from city parks should be amended to allow leashed dogs.
	4.	Request City Manager report whether or not the parking is sufficient for the proposed dog park at Green Hill Park.
	5.	Request City Manager request City Solicitor report as to the liability of the City if a dog or person is injured at a city sponsored dog park.
	6.	Request City Manager report how a group of persons can establish a committee/group interested in helping create, regulate, maintain and support dog parks.
	7.	Request City Manager report if the present dog licensing fees are adequate and report the number of dogs licensed and not licensed.
	8.	Request City Manager review whether or not a dog park at Green Hill Park would be in violation to the deed of transfer from the Green Family to the city.
	9.	Request City Manager identify city properties that could be used as smaller dog lots.
	10.	Request City Manager consider offering tax breaks to private property owners who have land that can be used as a possible location for a dog park.