Mayor Sandoval read into the record the names of the following people that submitted a speaker card in support of Item No. 12 but did not wish to speak:

Katie Hudson                      Remington A. Cordova

Victoria Hemming                  Ryan Hemming

Jonathan Hemming                Emily Hemming

Helen M. Contreras                Alexis D. Cruz

Zubin Peer                         Raymond Ramirez

Chris Janda                        Calin Patice

Nizi Pigott                          Wendy A. Johnson

Enedina Vera                       Edgar Miranda & Angie Ayles

Erika Grajeda                       Monica Grajeda

Isaac Ramirez                      Ryan Martin

Anna Buck & Family                Heberto, Jennifer, Rebecca, Sophie, Emily, and Katherine Sanchez

Kevin Lin                           Nick, John and Sue Green

Ginna Escobar (Senior)             Alexis, Destiny and Helen Cruz

Sebastian Thorn                    Manuel Arias

Ismael Arias                        Maria De La Luz Arias

Dolores Alba                        Dareel Nielson

Herbert Youssefian                  Sam Sanaie

James Starr                         Sofia F. Bisarra

Tammy Munguia

The following people spoke in support of Item No. 12:

Monique Manzanares               Carolyn Hemming

Larry Egan                          Gustavo Ramirez

M. Joyce Bakersmith                Daniella Macias

Victor Caceras                      Kendra Buck

Jorge C. Yamzon                    

Brigit Bisarra submitted a speaker card in support of Item No. 12 but was not present to speak.

The following people spoke in opposition of Item No. 12

Jose Aldrete                             Cynthia Marino

Brian Mundy                             Eric R. Trypucko

Councilmember Escobar gave a brief presentation on this item and explained that the location and the amenities that will be available at the park.

Pat Schmidt, Pomona, stated that the dog park location will be near where children play, where families barbeque and there could be a potential smell, she inquired if anyone had looked into that; she expressed that she did not feel that there would be adequate parking in the area.

Councilmember Escobar informed that she did not think parking would be an issue and that the city was looking to work with the school district to make parking available.

Councilmember Robledo thanked the community for coming to express their opinion and stated she believes concerns that were coming up are in regards to the location; she informed that she happened to like the location but she could understand the concern that it is near the snack bar but the dog park will be fenced and it should not be an issue; she stated that she wants to have a vote of confidence that Staff and residents will keep the park clean; Councilmember Robledo also expressed that it is never the Council's intent to deter the youth from taking on opportunities in leadership programs or the opportunity to learn sportsmanship and she opined that the park was small enough where AYSO could still utilize the park; she expressed her gratitude to Principal Norwood for looking into the issue with the gophers and felt that the dogs could help deter the gopher problem; Councilmember Robledo also spoke on the strict timeline that the City has to use the funds available and if postponed the City could potentially lose the money.

Councilmember Gonzalez stated he was aware there were several community meetings regarding this item and he is not a fan of stagnancy when it comes to projects in the City; he also informed that it is only ten (10) percent of the land at the park that will be used for the dog park; he also opined that the dog park could help the City of Pomona with the image problem it faces.

Mayor Sandoval noted that a concern of his had to do with the soccer fields and to make sure that the children would not be impacted he recognized that there is a limited number of soccer fields and that a stronger effort to have soccer fields is needed. Mayor Sandoval informed he has inquired with City Engineer Rene Guerrero and he had been informed that the dog park would not impact the soccer fields; the needs to improve the grounds is an important conversation to have between the City and the school district to ensure children and not being hurt; he also informed that Measure 8 passed and it will bring revenue for the parks and if this project is not passed it will impact city revenue; he also spoke on the availability of parking and should this item pass the parking issue will need to be a priority.  

Councilmember Ontiveros-Cole expressed that the dog park was a great idea and it was important that Pomona begin to progress towards what other neighboring cities have and she felt confident this project will be successful; she also informed that in the future she would like to initiate a dog park in District 4; she commented that working with the Pomona Unified School District could solve the parking issue and hoped that people can recognize the need for a dog park.