Parks commission to talk dog park

Among several matters Thursday, the Porterville Parks and Leisure Services Commission will discuss opening a dog park within the city.

According to a report in the commission’s agenda, correspondence was submitted to the commission by Porterville resident Tom Henry in January of 2013 regarding the city opening a dog park. The commission requested an agenda item to discuss the matter and Henry agreed to attend the meeting to address the commission.  

Donnie Moore, the city’s Parks and Leisure Services Department director, said Henry has been pushing for a dog park in the city for a while.

“This gentleman walks his dogs out at the Sports Complex, and he was hoping something would go out there,” Moore said.

Moore said that in the past, the commission has identified several locations throughout the city for a potential dog park to no avail. One location was a drainage basin at the Tule River Parkway near Highway 190 and Highway 65. Moore said the commission approached the city’s public work’s department with the idea, but “they weren’t too keen on that,” he said.

Moore said he thought Porterville could “definitely” make use of a dog park.

“I just see the amount of people that are out walking their dogs and I’ve been to other communities that have them and I think it’s a neat concept and a lot of communities are going that way. I think if there’s enough interest in town, one would definitely be utilized a good amount,” Moore said.

The commission will also discuss concession licenses.

According to a report prepared by parks staff, nonprofits are entitled to request a license agreement with the city to authorize the use city facilities for fundraising concession sales.

Three youth sports organizations have expressed interest in the Sports Complex concession license for at least the fall season. The three organizations are the Porterville Youth Soccer League, the American Youth Soccer Organization and the South Valley Chivas Academy. The current license expires this month.

In the past, the concession license has been split up into six-month segments. Scheduled spring-summer leagues include the city’s Youth Baseball and Junior Giants Baseball leagues.

Scheduled fall leagues include the city’s fall Soccer, AYSO, Porterville Youth Football, Porterville Flag Football, Porterville Youth Soccer League and South Valley Chivas Academy.

The city also has a concession building at Hayes Field that is home to the city’s Youth Softball League in the spring. No organization currently has a license for the Hayes Field facility.  

The current fee for concession building usage is $6.01 per hour. The fee is adjusted yearly on July 1 by the San Francisco Consumer Price Index. Representatives of the three organizations were invited to attend the commission meeting to provide response to any questions from the commission.

The commission is expected to come up with a recommendation to the City Council regarding the licensing.

Also Thursday:

•  The commission will consider implementing a twilight or reduced rate for green fees/carts during the slower hours of business at the Porterville Golf Course.

•  The commission will discuss the unpaved parking portion at the Sports Complex east of the main entrance.  

The commission is set to meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the council chambers at City Hall, 291 N. Main St.