THE LONG BEACH RECREATION DOG PARK ASSN.
Summary of BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: June 6, 2002

Remarks

(none)

Committee Business

Projects & fundraising: Chairman and board representative Buzz Minnich.
-- Pet Fair: Mr. Minnich said that Gerrry Facon has mailed letters to potential donors for gifts for the silent and Chinese auctions, the Fire Department has agreed to bring its portable grill to the event and supply the hotdogs and hamburgers, the Water Department has agreed to furnish bottled water for the dog walk. Jim Walters said that he and Mr. Facon had worked up an entry form for the dog walk; a copy will be inserted in the Summer 2002 edition of Paw Prints. Mr. Walters has submitted applications to the Police Department Vice Squad for solicitation permits and to the Health Department for a temporary food license. Mr. Walters asked that the committee forward information on this year's schedule for a press release and a story in Paw Prints.
-- Pet-Assistance Fund: The board has ppaid the second and final installment of $1,089 to the Torrance Affordable Animal Clinic for the Lisa Garcia family's vet bill. The total bill came to $3,589. The association has raised nearly $6,000 for the fund.

• MOTION by Jim Walters, seconded by Pablo Droby, to rename the association's emergency animal assistance fund the "Adabisi & Zoeie Emergency Animal Assistance Fund" ("A to Z") after the Garcias' wounded dogs. Approved, 6-0.

In further action on the matter, the board has received a reply from VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital to the board's query into its emergency treatment guidelines. Board members agreed to post copies of both on the park's Bark Board and at the website. In addition, Mr. Walters and Mr. Drobny composed a letter to the editor of the Press-Telegram on the subject to inform the public of the fund's progress, our response from the Bellflower animal clinic, and perhaps receive further contributions to the emergency fund. Buzz Minnich has agreed to contact his own employer and other large corporations to see if they would agree to make an annual contribution.

Nominations and elections: Chairman and board representative Pablo Drobny.
-- Elections: Mr. Drobny said that the ballots have been printed and are ready to mail next week. Jim Walters provided address labels for the mailing.

Maintenance & planning: Co-chairmen and board representatives Jim Knutson and Fred Nicas.
-- Sprinklers: Mr. Knutson said that hee and Mr. Nicas are trying to estimate the cost of automating the system, so that watering can be done after dark on a regular basis, and trying to solve the poor water-pressure problems that will remain. A maximum of two heads can be in operation at a time for good coverage. It may be, Mr. Knutson said, that while the four main water valves covering the four quadrants of the park will be automated, the sprinkler heads themselves may have to manually be turned on and off every few days to ensure equal coverage.
-- Trees: Jim Walters relayed press repports of a pest that is killing eucalyptus trees throughout Southern California. The Dog Park has nine such trees. Mr. Walters met with Lee Miller, an arborist and superintendent at the Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine, and Theresa Maceyka, another Parks Department worker, at the Dog Park about the trees. Mr. Miller said that there is no cure for the disease. More frequent watering will slow, but not stop the destruction, he said. He and Ms. Maceyka said that the Dog Park's best bet is to plant several varieties of trees now that can provide shade in a few years when the rest of the eucalyptus come down. Ms. Maceyka also supplied information about the city's dedicated tree program at city parks; for $100 the city will plant a tree in someone's memory or to commemorate a special day. The board discussed dedicating trees to the city's canine officers - it would be set parameters on such a project and keep within the spirit of the Dog Park. Mr. Walters agreed to contact the Long Beach Police K-9 Unit Association about the project.

Membership: Co-chairwomen and board representatives Carolyn Reed and Shirlee Hitchcock.
-- Logo contest: Ms. Reed reported thatt thank-yous have been mailed to the participants in the contest. A total of 12 entries by six individuals were submitted. A panel of judges - Robie Cabutaje, Jeff Cozart, Lillian Estrada, Dennis Hite and Pam Trailer - will decide on a winning entry within the next few weeks. The winning logo will be announced at the annual meeting, July 27.
-- Membership drive: Ms. Reed and Jim WWalters will formulate a welcome letter for the coming membership year. Mr. Walters said that he has posted a printer-friendly membership form on the website that current members will be informed of by email. Ms. Reed noted that the ratio of new members to renewals for 2002-03 is about 50-50, the same as last year, when about three-quarters of the previous year's members renewed.

Communications & advertising: Chairman and board representatives Jim Walters.
-- Paw Prints: Mr. Walters reported thaat the next issue, Summer 2002, is on track for mailing at the end of June. Board members gave their permission to expanding the issue to 12 pages from eight to give room for all 12 entries in the logo contest.

Other Business

1. Dave Ashman of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine asked the board's assistance as in helping the city make long-range plans for its parks. Mr. Ashman said that the deparment is deciding how best to plan for the city's recreation areas, to get the most out of each site and serve as many city residents as possible. He said that the city is open to the idea of a second or even a third dog-friendly area and asked the board if it would consider taking on an advisory role in the planning process. While Belmont Shore dog advocate Justin Rudd has had success with his periodic Haute Dogs at the Beach program, the city currently lacks a natural site for a permanent dog beach, Mr. Ashman said, unlike Huntington Beach and San Diego. The city, he said, is interested in pursing the idea but also must please the California Coastal Commission which will not permit beach access to be blocked. There is also talk, Mr. Ashaman said, about setting up a second dog park at El Dorado. Mr. Ashman said that any plans for an additional dog facility in the city would probably more forward more quickly and carry more weight if such an established organization as the Recreation Dog Park Association were on board. Board members agreed to consider his request and noted that no decision should be made until after new trustees take their place on the board at the conclusion of elections in July.

2. Dave Ashman said he will attempt to secure the meeting room at the Parks Department's Studebaker headquarters as a permanent location for the association's monthly Board of Director meetings. Mr. Walters agreed to send Mr. Ashman a list of meeting dates.

• MOTION to adjourn, by Buzz Minnich, seconded by Shirlee Hitchcock, approved 5-1, with Pablo Drobny, Shirlee Hitchcock, Jim Knutson, Mr. Minnich and Carolyn Reed in favor; Jim Walters opposed.
  

Next Meetings

Next quarterly members meeting will be Saturday, July 27, at the Bruins Den.
Next regular board meeting: Thursday, July 11, at the Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine.

-- JIM WALTERS, June 21, 2002