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Leash Free Markham Committee

Celebrate Leash Free Markham.

December 9, 2007

After more than three years of work, it is now legal to set up and operate a Leash Free Park. (often referred to as a Leash Free Park)

On November 13, 2007, the Markham Leash Free Committee was finally passed by Council and Robert Bowman, Alan Glushko and Robert Goddard were appointed for the term ending November 30 2008.

This has been a long process that Stan Daurio and I have been working on with staff and the community to bring to fruition.

With the institution of the Committee, my role is finished. 

Although I will be near-by should problems arise, it is a Committee that has a staff lead assigned to it, currently Nory Takata at 905-477-7000, Extension 3326.

I they are having organization meetings and should be advertising for the public to start the process of more Leash Free Parks by mid April.

I have posted the Terms of Reference for the Committee below:

Please click here for the Terms of Reference

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the staff report dated February 5, 2007 , entitled “Dog Off-Leash Terms of Reference Report”  be received;

 

AND THAT Council adopt the “Leash Free Markham Committee Terms of Reference 2007” attached as Appendix “A” which is based on the Council approved “Town of Markham Parks Department Guidelines for Permanent Dog off-Leash Areas”;

AND THAT the Leash Free Markham Committee Terms of Reference 2007 be used to govern the Leash Free Markham Committee and the operation of Dog Off-Leash Areas;

AND THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

PURPOSE:

To recommend the adoption of the Leash Free Markham Terms of Reference 2007.

  

BACKGROUND:

The issue of Dog Off-Leash Areas was considered by Council in 1999 and again in 2000. On July 10, 2001, Council approved a 14 month pilot project for a Dog Off-Leash Area in a 5 acre section of Milne Dam Park. Due to a number of complaints regarding safety of park users, disturbances of wildlife and objections from residents adjacent to the park, the Milne Dam’s pilot project site was closed in July, 2003. A permanent Dog Off-Leash Area on Miller Avenue was opened at that time.

In November 2003, the responsibility for the Dog Off-Leash issues was transferred from the Dog Off-Leash Committee to the newly created Community Issues Committee. The Miller Avenue Dog Off-Leash Area appeared to be meeting the needs for an off-leash area at that time and the Community Issues Committee did not meet to discuss the Dog Off-Leash issues until a request was received to further review the issue in October 2004.

On January 9, 2006, the Community Issues Committee recommended a permanent volunteer run Dog Off-Leash program be established based on a successful model run in the City of Mississauga. The Dog Off-Leash Report was submitted to the Mayor and Council. At the request of Council, Mississauga Councillor Pat Saito appeared before the General Committee on June 19, 2006, to speak about the Mississauga program. On June 27, 2006, Council approved the program including “Town of Markham Parks Department Guidelines for Permanent Dog Off-Lash Areas” and the formation of a Leash Free Markham Committee (LFMC) to organize and represent all local Dog Off-Leash Groups.  

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

In order to move forward with the creation of the Leash Free Markham Committee, an official Terms of Reference needs to be approved by Council. The adoption of the Terms of Reference 2007 is recommended to create and govern the actions of the Leash Free Markham Committee and the operation of Dog Off Leash Areas. The Terms of Reference details the Duties and Composition of the Leash Free Markham Committee. The Terms of Reference are based on the Guidelines approved by Council. The Terms of Reference has been reviewed by Town staff and the Town Solicitor.

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Terms of Reference 2007

Duties of Leash Free Markham Committee

1.  The role of the Leash Free Markham Committee (“Leash Free Markham”) is to act as an umbrella organization which has the have the overall responsibility for all Dog Off-Leash Areas established within the Town of Markham.  Leash Free Markham shall review all proposals for new Dog Off-Leash Areas and will oversee the implementation, maintenance and day to day operation and activities of all Dog Off-Leash Areas approved by the Town.

2.  Leash Free Markham will review all proposals for new Dog Off-Leash Areas submitted to the Town based on the policies and procedures outlined in the “Town of Markham Operations Department Guidelines for Permanent Dog Off-Leash Areas” (referred to as “Guidelines”) Leash Free Markham will only refer those areas and proposals which meet the requirements set out in the Guidelines to the Town for review.

3. Leash Free Markham is responsible for issues relating to the cost, establishment, operation and maintenance of Town approved Dog Off-Leash Areas, which includes but is not limited to the following:  working with the Dog Off-Leash Groups to develop a feasible proposal to pay down debt for fencing and other amenities installed at the expense of the Town;  providing education for dog and non-dog owners regarding etiquette and responsibilities while in Dog Off-Leash Areas; and acting as the representative for the local Dog Off-Leash Groups when liaising with Town Staff and Council regarding Dog Off-Leash issues. 

4.  Leash Free Markham and the Dog Off-Leash Groups shall be responsible for costs related to the implementation of the Dog Off-Leash Areas including costs required to install and maintain fencing, parking, water, washrooms, furniture, poop and scoop bags, and any other amenities proposed and approved by the Town.  Leash Free Markham shall be responsible for repaying all debts incurred by or on behalf the Dog Off-Leash Groups, including repayment of any Town funds granted for the initial startup or improvements to approved Dog Off-Leash Areas.  The individual Dog Off-Leash Groups will also be responsible for grass cutting and general grounds maintenance within the Dog Off-Leash Areas. 

5.  Leash Free Markham shall also be responsible for monitoring and supervising all individual Dog Off-Leash Groups; organizing and attending annual events which promote the Dog Off-Leash initiatives to the community; guiding new volunteer groups through the application process for the creation of new sites; and fostering volunteer participation.

 

6.  For each approved Dog Off Leash Area, Leash Free Markham, the Dog Off Leash Group and the Town shall enter into an Operations and Maintenance Agreement in a form acceptable to the Town Solicitor.  The Operations and Maintenance Agreement will outline the duties and responsibilities of Leash Free Markham, the Volunteer Dog Off Leash Group and the Town with respect to the operation and maintenance of the approved Dog Off Leash Area and terms of repayment of any monies borrowed from the Town.

7. Leash Free Markham shall act as liaison between the Town and the Dog Off-Leash Group. 

 

Composition

 

8.  Initially, Leash Free Markham will consist of 3 members who shall be appointed by the Town.  The Clerks department will advertise for prospective committee members.  These applicants will then be interviewed by the  Councillor who currently sits on the Community Issues Committee for the Town.  Based on these interviews, the Councillors will appoint three members who shall become the President, Treasurer and Secretary for Leash Free Markham. 

9.  Once formed, Leash Free Markham shall then develop a constitution and operating guidelines which establish a democratic framework within which it will operate and which includes the following: 

• (a)    establishing an elected Board of Directors or executive of not less than three; 
• (b)   membership must be determined through a set process which may include the payment of membership fees; 
• (c)    membership must be open to all Markham residents and shall be comprised of a minimum of 80% Markham residents;
• (d)   all members shall be eligible to vote;
• (e)    the group must hold general meetings 3 times a year or more often as required;  
• (f)     the manner in which the group will dispose of any assets in its possession at the time of its dissolution;  and
• (g)    the future Board of Directors or executive is to be elected/reelected from the general membership on an annual basis.

 

10.  Leash Free Markham shall also appoint to its committee each co-coordinator from each approved Dog Off-Leash Group.  The co-coordinator shall act as the liaison between Leash Free Markham and the Dog Off-Leash Group. 

11.  A Town Staff representative will be appointed to attend scheduled meetings of Leash Free Markham’s Board/Executive and the Town Staff representative will act as a liaison between Leash Free Markham and the Town.  Leash Free Markham shall give notice of all scheduled meetings of its Board/Executive to the Town appointed representative.    

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