09/15/18: Meeting Minutes
Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition Minutes (link to PowerPoint)
Date: 09/15/2018
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Rocha Dollar & Eileen Magill
In Attendance
Rocha D., Jim H., Rosa H., Larry J., Eileen M., Tegan B., Jane V., John V.
Joined by: (from the community at large) Donna C., Lawrence H., Dora S., Robbi W., John H., Julie G., Rich B., Jim C., & Dan F.
Approval of Minutes
These minutes have been approved by the following: Rocha, Eileen
Reason for Meeting
To update the community at large of the Vancouver Dog Parks Coalitions (VDPC) mission statement, efforts, findings, results of the Dog Toy Drive, and upcoming dog park supporting events. The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition was present to discuss our efforts to support the Vancouver Public Off-Leash Dog Parks in their efforts to remain: Free, Safe, and Open to the Public. The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition is a grassroots movement consisting of over 70 determined dog lovers from Vancouver, Washington who were alarmed when The Columbian articles suggested imminent dog park closures – specifically Ross/Ike – as soon as Sept 1st 2018. The Columbian article dated 07/12/2018, Mark Watson (DOGPAW, President) was quoted saying “By Sept. 1, if we cannot come to some form of agreement with this, we will pull up stakes.” Vancouver Dog Parks coalition is interested to understand what can be done to ensure our dog parks stay open, with specific importance on Ike/Ross. In a letter to both the City of Vancouver and Clark County dated 06/07/2018, Watson again reaffirms, “Unless the City and County can commit to our proposal by September, 1 2018, DOGPAW will regretfully relinquish its role of maintaining and operating the off-leash parks, on your behalf, and for all your constituents, as of December 31 2018.”
Key Issues
Mark Watson, DOGPAW’s board president, requested to meet with a small group of members from the Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition on August 22nd, 2018. During the 08/22/2018 meeting, three representatives from DOGPAW (Mark Watson, Paul Harris, and Valerie Hooks) DOGPAW discussed the dog parks uncertain future. “We run and operate the parks, but we have no control over them,” Watson told a small group of Ike Memorial Dog Park regulars, “We’re leaning towards letting the city and county take them over.” Watson cited key issues pertaining to: Costs of operation/maintenance, safety of patrons and lack of animal control enforcement, and tensions with park landowners. The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition requested the current bylaws and were denied. In written response to a request to attend the DOGPAW member September meeting
Since the 08/22/2018 meeting, the Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition is and has worked to understand: What are DOGPAW’s bylaws, what are the land owner’s concerns, what is the future of our dog parks under DOGPAW, and how can we the community help our public dog parks?
What are DOGPAW’s bylaws?
We’ve heard concerns from paid members of DOGPAW that they have been asking DOGPAW for the bylaws, but have not heard back. The VDPC asked three representatives of DOGPAW during the 08/22/2018 meeting to see the bylaws, we were directed to view the bylaws on the website, which does not have the bylaws posted. A formal request to DOGPAW on 08/29/2018 for Form 1023 of DOGPAW, INC. as filed with the IRS when the 501(c)3 was founded got us not only the 2004 founding bylaws but the “under review” quoted as most current 2016 bylaws as well. We’ve made both versions viewable on our website (2004 & 2016).
We encourage users to read the differences between the two bylaws. Members in 2004 had the right to vote for board members, had an annual meeting with board members, and were members of a public and open off-leash park group. Conversely, the 2016 bylaws mention that DOGPAW has the “potential [for a] private DOGPAW member only park”. The 2016 bylaws state the Treasurer shall “make financial information available to Board, DOGPAW members, and the public on a monthly basis.” We have been unable to gain access to the monthly financial statements DOGPAW’s bylaws state the Treasurer shall be making public.
If DOGPAW moves to privatize the parks, this would leave Ike and Dakota on uncertain terms as both are on Federal land and fee based restriction of public recreational land is not permitted. Privatization of both Ike and Dakota is not legal at Ike and Dakota; privatization of these two sites in particular is akin to closure of these two parks. What does DOGPAW plan on doing? We don’t exactly know. Each time we’ve ask DOGPAW about the future of the parks they give a different response, this week VDPC has asked DOGPAW to issue a formal written statement to the public and DOGPAW members with an update on park closures and the response was the board of DOGPAW “have made no official statement.”
What are the land owner’s concerns?
Clark County’s 4 off-leash parks are on either county-owned or federally-owned land. Per Watson, Dakota and Ike are both on property owned by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), with Dakota operated on a long-term lease with the city.
The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition has been in contact with multiple members of the BPA in key positions to the land and safety of Ike. The BPA officials have indicated two key areas the public can help be good neighbors and stewards of off-leash areas: leashing dogs when entering/exiting the parks and scooping pet waste. We have confirmed with all members of the BPA that it is the land owner’s rights, wants, and wishes that all dogs be leashed when entering both Ike and Dakota from the outside. Ensuring dogs are leashed outside the parks is enforced by both local Vancouver officials as well as BPA security officers. BPA also sends a friendly reminder (as BPA folks use the off-leash parks for their dogs too!) that all pet waste should be bagged and thrown away in the appropriate waste bin.
As always, patron and pup safety is a top concern. BPA confirms they are working with the City and County to keep our public parks safe. If there are any safety concerns, first get to safety and dial 911 in the event of an emergency. The non-emergency number, 311 or (360) 693-3111, routes to dispatchers but prioritizes emergency calls. DOGPAW’s number for concerns is (888) 899-0025.
What is the future of our dog parks under DOGPAW? How can we, the community, help our public dog parks?
As of 09/16/2018 DOGPAW has made no follow-up to their statement indicating they will “relinquish its role of maintaining and operating the off-leash parks, on your behalf, and for all your constituents, as of December 31 2018.” Since March 2018 DOGPAW is on record having suggested the parks may be expanded, closed, privatized, and transferred to another agency… we’re asking, which one is it? Concerned park lovers can reach out to DOGPAW and ask them directly, what is in the bylaws and what is the future of our public dog parks?
The community can help efforts to ensure the off-leash dog parks stay free, safe, and open to the public by: asking DOGPAW about their plans for the future of our PUBLIC dog parks, educating yourself and others about DOGPAW’s proposed closure and privatization (see: DOGPAW 2016 Bylaws which include the “potential [for a] private DOGPAW member only park”), writing local City and County members, being good neighbors and stewards of off-leash areas by leashing dogs when entering/exiting the parks, and scooping pet waste.
Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition wants to extend a huge THANK YOU to the people across all 5 off-leash parks in Clark County who scoop the poop! Check back for the upcoming Ike Memorial Dog Park Clean-up Day and let us know if you are interested in forming your own clean-up day at another off-leash park.
Key Business
Vancouver Dog Parks coalition has over 70 members from the Ike Memorial off-leash park. Members stay in contact through email (vancouverdogparks@gmail.com). We encourage users from the other parks to organize and join our efforts to keep the parks free, safe, and open to the public.
The Dog Toy Swap gathered over 30 toys and more than 20 balls for the dogs at our local Humane Society for SW Washington. The donations were delivered 09/14/18 and we have contacts with the Humane Society for future projects.
BPA has requested the public’s help in keeping the parks safe; please keep your dogs leashed when entering and exiting the dog parks. Let others know that respecting leash laws and pet waste pickup laws benefits the community, landowners, and the neighborhood.
The broken main gates at Ike have been fixed as of 09/02/2018! Thanks to DOGPAW for the prompt replacement and an extra special thanks Larry for adjusting the latches so they close freely!
The Vancouver Dog Parks Coalition is actively looking for members to assist with efforts including volunteers, community liaisons, communications, graphics, and pretty much everything! We are a grassroots movement and volunteers keep us running!
The Website’s addition of the Action Center helps to connect users with ways to contact local representatives to let them know our parks are important.
Thanks to public support, we’ve collected enough funds to fully fund 6 pet waste kits (waste scoop and 5-Gallon bucket)! Our next goal mark targets the constantly empty waste dispensers at Ike Memorial; $50+tax buys the 2,000 bags needed to restock the park several times.
Thanks to community support, we've successfully raised funds for 6 dog waste kits (one pet waste scoop and one 5-Gallon bucket). This makes cleaning up waste much easier for volunteers and reduces the amount of bags used, which means less dookie in the field and more bags on the rolls for park patrons. Bow WOW. Sept 14th, 2018: The Dog Toy Swap collected and donated over 35 toys and more than 20 balls to local shelter dogs at the Humane Society for SW Washington. Thank you to all who stopped by, donated, and said hi! The Sept 8th, 2018 Dog Toy Swap was a huge success and gathered much needed toys for dogs awaiting their forever homes at the Humane Society for SW Washington.
Committee Reports
Dog Toy Swap donations
Park closure status
Public awareness
Volunteer efforts
Community support
Announcements
Our upcoming efforts to support the park include organizing a community park clean-up day consisting of pulling weeds, filling digging holes, moving yard debris up to the haul-away area, and scooping pet waste.
Next Meeting
Date 11/03/2018 | Time 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Location Downtown Vancouver Community Library
Motion to adjourn was made at 12:00 p.m. and was passed unanimously.
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