SPECIAL FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
SPECIAL AGENDA ITEM #4
MEETING DATE May 8, 2024
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Christine Foster, Deputy Town Clerk
SUBJECT Discuss/consider the Residents’ Petition submitted per Town Code requesting to Discuss the Creation of a Dog Park
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss/consider the petition and direct staff as appropriate.
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to Fairfax Municipal Code Section 2.08.090 (C), if the Council is presented with a petition signed by 25 Fairfax residents urging consideration of an issue, the issue shall be placed on the Council’s agenda for discussion.
On February 26, 2024, a residents’ petition was submitted by Jon Elkin to the Town for the Council’s consideration. The petition has 25 signatures of Fairfax residents, which meets the 25-signature threshold, and is on file with the Town Clerk. The petition states:
“WHEREAS the Fairfax Town Council has at least twice in recent years been petitioned by residents to take up the issue of creating a dog park in Fairfax (at the July 12, 2017 meeting and its April 7, 2021 meeting);
WHERAS approximately 38-44% of households in California own one or more dogs, with the 1.6 being the average number of dogs per dog-owning household; WHEREAS in a recent informal, unscientific poll on nextdoor.com, on whether respondents are in favor of a dog park in Fairfax, not in favor, or don’t care. 67% responded they are in favor, 18% are against, and 14% don't care (11 = 76 respondents);
WHEREAS Fairfax is one of the few incorporated towns/cities in Marin without a dog park; We, the undersigned, petition the Fairfax Town Council to take up the issue of creation of a dog park in Fairfax.
We request that you continue to diligently work on this item until either it comes to fruition, or the Town Council formally votes not to pursue it for the remainder of this term.
We request that you ensure that the issue doesn't fade away with no resolution, as with past petitions on this topic.”
The petitioners will be at the meeting to make a brief presentation of 3 to 5 minutes. After the presentation and taking public comment, the Council may discuss the matter and direct staff if the Council would like to prepare a further report, or as needed.
ATTACHMENTS
Previous Park & Recreation Commission Minutes regarding dog parks Town of Fairfax
Minutes of
Fairfax Parks and Recreation Commission
Monday, May 10, 2021
7:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
PARC Commissioners in attendance: Sisi Parry-Hansen, Sam Pany, Chris Borjian, Dustin Liebman. Others in attendance: Neil Smith, Tom Boss, Marin County Bicycle Coalition. Staff in attendance: Maria Baird, Recreation & Community Services Manager, Garrett Toy, Town Manager
The meeting was called to order at 7 :00 p.m.
The minutes of the April 12th meeting were approved.
Public Forum: Tom Boss announced there is a move underway to take Cascade Canyon Preserve out of the creek. He will keep us posted on the effort.
Staff Report: Maria stated that Marguerite Elliot will attend the June meeting to present a proposal on a new sculpture in the Parkade, as she was not yet ready for this meeting.
New Business
1. Bocce ball courts improvement-Neil Smith attended the meeting because he has recently started playing bocce ball and thinks the courts are in need of repair. He has been sweeping the courts, and plays weekly with his neighbors. He thanked the Town for repairing the side rails. Garrett mentioned it was Public Works who had made the repairs. He suggested that $10-$15K would be sufficient funds to put in new courts. He originally had indicated he might be interested in starting a GoFundMe to collect funds, but has since starting working again and is not sure if he can commit to the project. He added that $550 to add new granite and composite would improve the courts, and perhaps its an amount that the Town could provide. Maria mentioned that the Age Friendly Fairfax Committee might be interested in this project, since the bocce ball courts are used by seniors primarily. She added that the Ross Valley Seniors were using the bocce ball courts on a monthly basis when they were meeting in person at the Women's Club.
2. Expansion of Peri Park- Garrett explained that when the new play structures were ordered, there was no site visit conducted by the manufacturer, since the company is based in New York. The structures that were thought to need a 6 feet fall radius for safety actually required a 12 foot fall radius, as it was 6 feet from each structure. In order for the older kids multi-play structure to be installed, the red Spiderman climbing structure had to be disassembled and removed. There is only one company that has the expertise to take the structure apart and put it back together. In order to fit the red Spiderman climbing structure and the swing set,