IT’S QUITE A TAIL….pun intended……
Discussion and/or action concerning a dog friendly beach…
The Commissioner said the people asked for a dog beach and with the help of staff felt it could be established
The Commissioner made a motion, seconded by the Vice Mayor, that the Municipal Director at the direction of the Town Manager develop a dog friendly beach at the foot of El Prado Avenue, with specifics, on a 6 month trial basis.
The Mayor questioned the motion in relation to the rules and regulations and if the trial passed would the rules of that motion stand. The Commissioner assured that the structure would be that of the Manager and the Director.
Discussion followed as to the exact beach area off El Prado Avenue, the hours and the days chosen. The Director agreed to supply all the specifics at the next meeting.
The Attorney advised that either an Ordinance or amendment to the existing Ordinance would be required. The Manager would provide the City of Fort Lauderdale regulations as a model to prepare a draft Ordinance.
The Vice mayor asked how the beach would be cleaned. The Director advised that the City of Fort Lauderdale cleaned their beaches the same way as LBTS did. He added signs are posted required that people clean up after their animals or fines would be imposed.
The Commissioner modified his motion, seconded by the Vice Mayor to include the specifics be clarified and and an amended Ordinance be generated and brought before the Commission …..for consideration.
The motion carried 5-0
11..Ordinances 1st Reading
A. Ordinance…….Town of LBTS…amending chapter 5, section 5-24 “Pets Prohibited on Beach” to allow dogs on the beach within the north and south boundaries of El Prado; authorizing the Town Manager to establish a system for issuance of permits; authorizing the establishment and modification of permit fees by resolution of the Town Commission; providing for severability; providing for codification; providing for an effective date
The Town Attorney read Ordinance by title only.
Commissioner made a motion, seconded by the Commissioner to approve on 1st reading.
The Commissioner reminded everyone that this was a trial period and if owners did not pick up after their dogs, it would be rescinded.
The Commissioner (who enacted the Ordinance) found the vast majority of dog owners wanted a place to walk their pets. He referred to the success of the City of Fort Lauderdale beach. He added that nothing was written in stone.; the doggy beach was a six month trial project.
Another “Commissioner” disagreed and felt a workshop should be scheduled to hear all the people, as not a single person told him they wanted a doggie beach.
Another member of the dais said he was receiving negative remarks from people since the last meeting. He wanted a workshop and additional investigation.
The Manager would do the best doggy beach possible if it were the direction of the Commission. Although LBTS did not have the same resources as City of Fort Lauderdale………..
The Commissioner thanked the “dais member” for his fair idea of a workshop. He believed the majority of the people would be in favor of a doggie park.
The Mayor advised a yes vote was a vote to adopt the Ordinance.
The motion failed 2-3.
The Mayor scheduled this item for discussion and/or action for scheduling a workshop…..
A re-scheduling of the workshop…to be from 5-6pm…
“CUTTING TO THE CHASE”….the CLIFF NOTES….ON THE WORKSHOP….
5 …Commission members…
6 ….Residents…
1 ….Expert…….
3 locations…..Palm Club/Surf and Yacht Club/El Prado
City of Fort Lauderdale VS LBTS…
Costs….revenue increase…for Fort Lauderdale $1800-$12,000
Telephone calls…THE POLL….
Commissioner who initiated the doggy beach…27 responses…yes/ 7 no…with the belief that 4 of the no votes were suspect…6 of the 27 suspect….
“Commissioner ” #3…said 84.7% against the dog beach….
The Vice Mayor …changed his mind…phone “ringing off the wall” with opposition….
The Mayor did not see an overwhelming demand for a dog beach….received only calls opposing the proposal….
The majority consensus was against …3-2 this matter would not appear on the next agenda….
UNTIL….
2 years and 18 days later……..on June 24,2008…
First put on the agenda…March 28,2006….
Followed by…Ordinance 1st Reading….April 11,2006….
1st scheduled workshop April 28,2006….2nd scheduled workshop….June 6,2006
The comments above….from the archived minutes…
the Mayor…Parker…
the Vice Mayor….. Yanni..
the “Commissioner #3…Mayor Pro Tem Clark..
the Attorney….. Cherof…
the Manager……. Baldwin…
the Development Director……. Mason….
the Commissioner who seconded…Commissioner Silverstone…
the Commissioner who introduced the doggy beach…then- Commissioner McIntee….
the doggy beach was beached ….
BCbythesea hears…it is beached still………Town Topics….
DEJA VU….
more to come…….
Tags: LBTS Agendas/Meetings, Local Politics, Scoops
