THE LONG BEACH RECREATION DOG PARK ASSN.
Summary of QUARTERLY MEETING: July 27, 2002

Remarks

Lack of quorum, no action could be taken.

Committee Business

Projects & fundraising: Chairman and board representative Buzz Minnich.
-- Pet Fair: Mr. Minnich said that 14 veendor tables have been spoken for. An agility and demonstrations area will be set up next to the Casting Pond. Harriet - NEED LAST NAME - said that Rite-Aid Drugstores would be willing to donate ice cream and cones for sale, but the board noted that unless the store is willing to sell the cones itself and assume liability, the venture might not be covered by the association's temporary food permit from the Long Beach Department of Health. Mr. Minnich said that he would contact the Health Department on the matter. Mr. Minnich said that he and Pablo Drobny have discussed the starting times of the Dog Walk portion of the event and decided that staggered starting times would work best for the 1-, 2- and 3-mile walks, with about 15 minutes' separation.

Nominations and elections: Chairman and board representative Pablo Drobny.
-- Election: Mr. Drobny reported the folllowing tabulations for the recently concluded election for the four seats on the Board of Directors:

Carolyn Reed	(one-year seat)	49
Nancy Sheriff	(three-year seat)	47
Fred Nicas	(three-year seat)	47
Richard Ulibarri	(three-year seat)	45
Roger King (write-in)		1

 

The two new members - Ms. Sheriff and Mr. Uliberry - will join the board at its next regular meeting, Aug. 1. Ms. Reed and Mr. Nicas were incumbents.

Maintenance & planning: Co-chairmen and board representatives Jim Knutson and Fred Nicas.
-- Fencing: Mr. Knutson reported that woork is under way to fix the holes in the new fence at the west end of the park. The board has also authorized spending up to $750 to repair the double gates at that end, which were damaged by a gravel truck during one of the ground-cover drops.

Membership: Co-chairwomen and board representatives Carolyn Reed and Shirlee Hitchcock.
-- Logo contest: Jim Knutson reported thhat Ms. Reed has contacted the artists who submitted the two entries that tied for first place and they are working on a compromise design.
-- Membership drive: An additional 24 meemberships were sold in July, bringing this year's total to 81. Of that total, 35 are new and 45 are renewals

Communications & advertising: Chairman and board representatives Jim Walters.
-- ü Paw Prints: Mr. Walters is seeeking articles for the Fall 2002 issue.

Other Business

1. City of Long Beach: Jim Knutson informed the gathering of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine's request for assistance in establishing a dog beach or another dog park in the city. He said that he and Pablo Drobny have discussed the matter with Justin Rudd, founder of Haute Dogs on the Beach who is trying to establish a dog beach. Mr. Knutson said that the city believes - rightly or wrongly - that the association's assistance will give its efforts more credibility as it moves forward with long-range park plans and its dealings with local and state agencies in the matter. Mr. Rudd, Mr. Knutson said, is amenable to accepting the association's help. City Councilman Frank Colonna, Mr. Knutson said, is anxious to get a pilot program under way.

2. Friends of Long Beach Animals: The association will not be taking a booth at the organization's downtown fund-raiser in September. Last year's effort provided no new members for the association. Instead, the association will line up some volunteers to help the Friends set up and tear down for the event. Sandy Facon, a Friends member, asked the association to help with the Friends' mailing for the event and the board decided to oblige. Because the association's membership list is private, the Friends will supply the fliers and stamps and the association will do the mailing.

Next Meetings

Next quarterly members meeting will be Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Bruins Den.
Next regular board meeting: Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Parks Department headquarters.

-- JIM WALTERS, July 30, 2002