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October 15, 2015 Page 2 7. DEFERRED MATTERS 8. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 9. NEW ITEMS A. Enclosed Off -Leash Dog Areas as a Recreational Amenity within Kimber, Walnut Grove, and Estella neighborhood Parks; Site Meetings at Conejo Community Park, Del Prado Playfield, and North Ranch Neighborhood Park for Potential Off -Leash Areas; Memorandum of Understanding with the Conejo Off -Leash Area Friends Hare reported that about a year ago the Board directed staff to establish temporary off - leash dog areas at Kimber, Walnut Grove and Estella Neighborhood Parks. Hare reviewed the procedures behind the site monitoring surveys and the distillation of the results. As a result of the study, staff recommends enclosing the current Off -Leash Areas as added amenities for all three parks. It is also recommended that District staff consider the possibility, after determining if there is community support, of setting up similar areas at Conejo Community Park, Del Prado Park and North Ranch Neighborhood Park. And finally, it is recommended to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the non-profit group "Conejo Off -Leash Area Friends" (COLA) and to establish a working relationship with this group, which is devoted to supporting the Off -Leash Areas. Hare introduced Monica Nolan, President of COLA, who addressed the specifics of the partnership between CRPD and COLA. Laura Beth Heisen, Thousand Oaks, is in favor of the making the OLAs permanent. Emerald Jones, Thousand Oaks, spoke in favor of making the OLAs permanent. Elaine Carter, Thousand Oaks, spoke in favor of the OLA and would like further amenities added, such as shade areas and dust control. Shirley McLaughlin, Thousand Oaks, and a member of ETI #37, expressed concern over unleashed dogs at Conejo Creek Equestrian Park. Michael Smith, Thousand Oaks, spoke in favor of the OLAs. Tara Kadium, Thousand Oaks, supports the OLAs and would like to see additional amenities. Board members thanked Hare and expressed pleasure at the large number of residents attending tonight's meeting. Gibson stated his belief that there is a procedural issue with this item, and that he preferred to see the CEQA categorical exemption included as part of the Board item. Huffer recommended deferring final action on recommendation #1, and going ahead with a vote on #2, 93 and #4. He noted this will not change the status of the current temporary Off -Leash Areas.