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Minutes 1-23-97 Page 4 In response to Board inquiries, Sorensen said that: Crew Leaders are grounds crew personnel; they wear uniforms; their park presence varies; class attendance, training, and testing would be required; five employees would be trained; expense would be minimal; City of Thousand Oaks - Los Angeles County Animal Control has primary responsibility for enforcement of the leash laws, even on District property; Crew Leaders would carry badges; based on his experience at Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, there are no liability issues unless limited weaponry is issued; citations would be handled through the District Attorney's office; it would be the same level of authority as that of parking enforcement personnel. Lange suggested an education effort may be necessary to inform the public about leash laws. Berger expressed concern about the recommendation's negative impact on employees' time, and the apparent low priority assigned by the City to such violations. Gillette concluded that: the City is not adequately addressing the problem of violations; the granting of peace officer powers is a significant act; more research is needed; given the diminishing resources available for law enforcement, he sees the possible need for a second level, community wide, security enforcement mechanism. Jacobsen said he did not want to emasculate the responsibilities of a Crew Leader, he is concerned that the District's policy will be perceived as an over response, the focus should be on the City to supply increased support for District facilities, the proposed training may be insufficient, and the welfare of District employees must be considered. Ward said that prior to 1988, approximately 50 District employees had citation authority, the rescission of that authority left District employees with few options in the face of violations, the recommendation was seen as a modest approach, staff would welcome the assistance of all appropriate agencies, and Crew Leaders observe and must respond to violations of other laws, as well as leash law violations.