From: Sandi
To: webCityClerk;
Subject: for open forum. how do citizens or COB park/rec install umbrella/tenting/shading over the dog park area of this park. Shea developers indicated it is COB problem.
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 7:34:24 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Many seniors will use this park for dogs to exercise and play. to not build in shading for the owners and the dogs was not the best planning. the planners must have lived outside of the brentwood area and not aware of our heat factor.
Best Always,
Sandi
From: Hritika Trivedi
To: webCityClerk
Subject: Public Comment- Item F1
Date: Sunday, August 20, 2023 7:55:11 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi, my name is Hritika and I am in 11th grade at Heritage High School and have lived in Brentwood for a little over a year.
I am writing this public comment to bring awareness to the close proximity of smoke shops near families and children, in residential areas and near schools.
This is an issue because when smoke shops are located near the areas young people are, they are more likely to engage in smoking and make it become a habit. For instance, I have seen many people smoke or vape at my school and this behavior will only encourage tobacco retailers to promote their products even further to youth.
There is an ongoing temporary ban lasting a year, prohibiting the creation of new smoke shops in Brentwood. My solution is to permanently limit the number of smoke shops in Brentwood to the already existing number of 10. I know it may not be possible to alter the current number of smoke shops in Brentwood, but it is an easier solution to stop more smoke shops from opening than to close the already established ones.
Thank you,
Hritika Trivedi
From: Victoria Sandberg
To: webCityClerk
Subject: Fences for animals for weed abatement
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 2:57:11 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Mayor and Council members,
I’m not sure what your discussion will be regarding the future item about fencing for animals for weed abatement but I wanted to make sure you are aware of how important animals are for habitat and land restoration on the former golf course property in Deer Ridge. I realize your discussion may be around the goats that the city uses for weed abatement but decisions you make may have a bearing on our neighborhood.
I have had many conversations with the project manager and other EBRPD staff members about the Roddy Ranch restoration project. I’ve also had conversations with the professional habitat restoration company the Park District hired for Roddy Ranch. I also connected the owner of the golf course property (WBA) with the habitat restoration company. What came out of all of those discussions is that grazing animals are superior and very useful in restoring open space. As much as WBA would have liked to employ grazing animals for restoration and weed abatement, they found that it was cost prohibitive for them. We are so fortunate that Sean McCauley, who has taken over the weed abatement responsibility for WBA has the connections and wherewithal to be able to use sheep to rehabilitate the land. It’s actually a dream come true for me. I realize this isn’t something most people care about although neighbors do seem to enjoy seeing the sheep out and about munching our weeds.
I just wanted to make sure that in trying to solve perhaps one person’s problem with electrified fences you don’t jeapordize a very important method of restoring former golf course land that may revert to open space now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Victoria Sandberg
From: Celeste Smith
To: webCityClerk
Cc: Celeste Smith
Subject: Amendment to Code re Neglected Animals
Date: Monday, August 21, 2023 7:39:03 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Vice Mayor and City Council Members,
I am writing to express my support of the agenda item in tomorrow night's meeting of an amendment to the codes related to animals being kept outside by their owners (tethered or otherwise confined) in extreme heat and cold weather conditions. This issue is of great concern to me, being a dog lover and owner, and being that "outdoor" animals in the East Bay suffer in extreme weather.
Thank you so much for your care and compassion in this matter! Celeste Smith
Discovery Bay
From: Kimberly Anne
To: webCityClerk
Subject: Consider Animal Rights and Well-being
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 2:25:39 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear City Clerk's Team,
Please add this topic as a future agenda item for the City Council to consider changing current laws. Compassion matters in the life of all animals.
An animal 'owner' is supposedly doing no wrong by placing a 'shelter' outside for a dog, and giving it some water and food once or twice per day. As long as the minimum requirement is met, no harm done. False.
Without wanting to fully compare a human and an animal, it goes without saying there are many similarities. If you treat your significant other that way, (just the bare minimum) they too will try every measure to get your attention, howl, squirm, and let you know they need more. They need attention, love, hugs, companionship, courtesy, and yes respect. If you treat a friend with the bare minimum, you may not have them for long. If you do the bare minimum at work, you may not have a job for long. Your management team may find that you don't measure up by just putting in the bare minimum.
Why is it then that it seems Ok to have any size canine outside all of the time. Whether extreme heat or extreme cold, the bare minimum requirement really doesn't not meet the needs of this life form.
Please do consider discussing this further to change the laws of what is considered humane treatment to animals. Dogs are meant to be in companionship with humans. Animals are meant to be treated with love and kindness in order to thrive and live well.
It is not Ok to not feed dogs, cows, horses, or any other animal that depends on human kindness and interception. It is not Ok to allow cows, horses, pigs, chickens, or any animal to wither away and come close to death, and then say....well, the bare minimum requirement is being met.
All will not be well until the quality of life matters to those who can change it to make it matter.
Thank you for your time & action-packed consideration.
Best,
Kim Losurd
--
Tomorrow's forecast: Compassion Matters
From: MAUREEN HATFIELD
To: =yCouncil Members
Subject: Animal abuse and neglect
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 11:26:09 AM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
As many concerned residents have, I am following the inhumane and cruel treatment of a beautiful husky mix at Brentwood Golf Club. Many have reached out to Rex Choe, Xena’s caretaker, offering to remove Xena to a more loving, and understanding environment. Many residents are concerned, upset, and worried for this poor pup’s well being. Xena is being kept outside in this dreadful heat, on a pulley rope without constant, clean water, and is also not given shade. If this is happening to her, I am concerned how many other domesticated animals face the same horrid conditions, hidden from plain sight. It is very obvious to me that Brentwood residents are caring and protective of these precious souls. I am asking the Brentwood City Council to give careful, in-depth consideration to protecting the lives that give us so much, and ask very little - just food, water, shelter, and if lucky, the love of those blessed to have them in our homes. I, along with so many are heartbroken to see this beautiful girl outside in this heat. I am trying to turn the other cheek, but more often I desire an eye for an eye. Whatever is done to the weakest among us, will be done to all of us. Yes, I am a Christian, yes I believe in these teachings. Please protect those with no voice, and would, without question give their last breath to protect us. Pure souls need our protection.
Yes, I am one of those people that WILL break a window to save another life.
Thank you for reading. As you can tell, I am an animal lover, pups particularly.
Maureen Hatfield
Sent from my iPhone
From: Tera Bozzini
To: =yCouncil Members
Subject: Agenda item no. H.2.b 8/22/23
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 2:45:22 PM
Attachments: image.png
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CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Good afternoon City Council members,
I would like to make a few comments in regards to the agenda item regarding animals kept outdoors during extreme heat. My vet has informed me that temperatures above 85 degrees are dangerous to dogs. I have seen first hand what it can do to and it is heartbreaking when a dog passes away from something that is 100% preventable. Please read the article below from VCA hospitals on what happens to dogs when they've experienced heat stroke. I read tons of posts on Nextdoor regarding people leaving their dogs out all day, barking because they're out of water and are dehydrated. It's hard to stomach these fur babies being neglected and tortured. I know this would be similar to a leash law, where the community would need to help with reporting those who should be fined, but I believe there are enough of us who care to get this achieved. If this makes a difference in 1 dog's life, it is worth it!
The biggest take away from the webpage linked below is the following: "Some pets may experience permanent organ damage or may die at a later date from complications that developed secondarily to hyperthermia. Pets that experience hyperthermia are at greater risk for subsequent heat stroke due to damage to the thermoregulatory center."
Please pass the motion to research this further for our county! Warm Wishes,
Tera Bozzini
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/heat-stroke-in-dogs
From: Terri Maritz
To: webCityClerk
Subject: Ordinance for animals in extreme heat
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 10:27:19 AM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
I am writing regarding tonight's city council meeting. I am absolutely shocked that Brentwood does not have any policy when it comes to keeping animals outside. Why are we not protecting our pets? The heat in Brentwood is extreme and it is cruel and abusive for anyone to keep a dog outside! There needs to be an ordinance in place to protect these animals in situations when their owners are not taking care of them. This poor dog on the Brentwood golf course has no voice and should be protected. It is unacceptable that this is allowed in any way.
Please put this policy in place!
Terri Maritz
From: Victoria Sandberg
To: webCityClerk
Subject: Alcohol sales and schools
Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023 3:10:56 PM
CAUTION – EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Mayor and Council members,
I wanted to speak up for the business (particularly restaurant) owners in Brentwood. In contemplating codifying restrictions on where in the city restaurants are permitted to serve alcohol, I fear you may hamstring new owners and make it more difficult to compete and be successful. The restaurant business is difficult and it is in everyone’s interest to help our businesses as much as we can. There may be detrimental, unforeseen consequences in going beyond the guidelines and policies of the ABC.
If a day care is considered a school because children are there, do we also include parks, playgrounds, libraries, ball fields and sports complexes? Ice cream parlors and other establishments that cater to children? Are the risks just perceived or is there actual evidence that can be pointed to as a reason to restrict the business owners' ability to be successful?
Please consider the consequences to the business owners (usually residents as well) as you discuss this item.
Sincerely,
Victoria Sandberg