NOVEMBER 1, 2005 EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE CHARTER NOVEMBER 1, 2005 EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE CHARTER NOVEMBER 1, 2005 EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE CHARTER

TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

FROM: DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT

DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2005

SUBJECT: EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE CHARTER

Staff Coordinator: Dave Blumenthal, Associate Planner

RECOMMENDATION

The Equestrian Committee recommends that the City Council approve its proposed charter and list of officially assigned duties and responsibilities.

BACKGROUND

On March 1, 2005, the City Council considered the status and purpose of the Equestrian Committee, which resulted in the Council allowing the Equestrian Committee to continue as a body until March of 2006. At that time, the City Council would reconsider extending the Equestrian Committee for additional time. During the public hearing, the Chair of the Equestrian Committee requested that the Council consider expanding the Equestrian Committee’s charter. Accordingly, the City Council directed staff to place the discussion of the Equestrian Committee’s charter (minutes attached) on a future agenda.

DISCUSSION

According to Municipal Code Section 17.46.070, "The purpose of the equestrian committee is to advise the director, planning commission and city council on technical matters pertaining to the implementation and enforcement of this chapter, to assist with the resolution of disputes regarding the keeping of large domestic animals, to discourage the boarding of more than four horses and other large domestic animals, and to consider conditional large domestic animal permit applications in accordance with the terms and requirements of this chapter and the procedures described in Section 17.76.115 (Large domestic animal permits) of this title." This code section has functioned as the Equestrian Committee’s charter and has provided the Equestrian Committee with their assigned duties and responsibilities.

On July 14, 2005, during a regularly scheduled meeting, the Equestrian Committee discussed the adoption of a formal charter (minutes attached). At the conclusion of this discussion, the Equestrian Committee agreed that its charter should be as follows:

  1. Advising the Director, Planning Commission, and City Council on technical matters pertaining to the implementation and enforcement of the equestrian overlay district to encourage preservation of a semi-rural lifestyle in RPV.

  2. Assisting with the resolution of disputes regarding the keeping of large domestic animals.

  3. Balancing the needs of equestrian and non-equestrian interests.

  4. Consideration of Conditional Large Domestic Animal Permit applications.

Additionally, the Equestrian Committee agreed to request that its officially assigned duties and responsibilities be as follows:

  1. Advise on the preservation of the Equestrian Overlay Districts.

  2. Advise on the development and operation of the proposed Equestrian Park.

  3. Advise on all trails and the viability of the trail networks within RPV.

  4. Advise on equestrian safety (especially road crossings).

  5. Advise on emergency and evacuation plans.

  6. Encourage trail easement dedications to the City.

  7. Advise on open space issues.

  8. Conduct hearings to resolve disputes regarding the keeping of large domestic animals.

  9. Conduct hearings for Conditional Large Domestic Animal Permit applications.

Staff believes that the proposed charter and list of assigned duties is consistent with the purpose of the Equestrian Committee, as described in Municipal Code Section 17.46.070. If the City Council agrees with the Equestrian Committee’s proposed charter and assigned duties, the charter and duties will be included in the Equestrian Committee’s Guidelines and the City’s website.

FISCAL IMPACT

None.

CONCLUSION

The Equestrian Committee is requesting that the Council adopt the above listed Equestrian Committee charter and official list of assigned duties and responsibilities. If the Council finds the charter and duties appropriate, staff recommends that the Council adopt the new charter and duties, via minute order.

ALTERNATIVES

In addition to the Equestrian Committee’s recommendation, the following alternatives are available for the City Council’s consideration:

  1. Modify, add, or delete to the Equestrian Committee’s proposed charter and list of officially assigned duties and responsibilities.

  2. Take no action on the Equestrian Committee’s proposed charter and list of officially assigned duties and responsibilities at this time and take up the issue when the Equestrian Committee status is reevaluated in March of 2006.

Respectfully submitted:

Joel Rojas, aicp

Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement

Reviewed:

Les Evans

City Manager

Attachments