GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

MINUTES

February 18, 2006 – 9:00 am

General Updates............................................................................................ Sandy Norell

Acknowledgement of Jeannine Lawrie

Jeannine Lawrie was acknowledged for her years of work and commitment to making the Orange dog park a reality. The ODPA presented her with an engraved vase and flowers.

New Memberships: 01-21 06 – 02-17-06

There were a total of 20 new members for this reporting period.

Secretary’s Report...................................................................................... Sandy Sladen

01-21-06 Membership Meeting Minutes on Info table

Minutes from the General Membership Meeting, January 21, 2006, were distributed for questions and comments.

Treasurer Report................................................................................... Margaret Manson

Current Expense Report and Annual Budget on Info table

The February 16, 2006, income and expense report was distributed. The 2006 ODPA Annual Budget was distributed and discussed. Members present suggested that the City be asked to consider waiving the annual payments, or even one annual payment, since the Park has become such a valuable community asset. Other suggestions included having bi-monthly or weekly membership drives at the Park since many users are unaware of the association and the cost of maintaining the park. A City permit is required to have a Membership Table at the Park.

Old Business:................................................................................................. Sandy Norell

Donations Collected for City of Orange Police Department K-9 Unit

A check for $100.00 will be sent to the City of Orange Police Department before the end of the month.

Change of Contact Information Forms and Correct Email

Forms are on the Information Table as well as a list of email addresses to update / correct.

Doggie Walk of Fame and Dogs of Service Tribute

As this project formulates, more information will be made available regarding the purchase of personalized interlocking pavers. We hope to have them available for sale at the Orange Street Fair – Labor Day weekend.

Fire Hydrant Donation Collection Devices

The City has been sent our Proposal for outlining how the donations will be collected and accounted. Once we have their permission, the 2 hydrants will be modified and installed inside each section of the Park.

Alternate Doggie Walk Bags

A new vendor has been contacted and a sample of the bags as well as means to modify the existing dispensers will be tested. If satisfactory, vendors will be changed. This will greatly reduce the price of doggie bags. The Sponsorships will reflect the price change, once implements.

Committee Sign-Ups

A sign-up sheet is on the Information Table. Please sign up if you are interested in joining a Committee – we need your help and support!

Orange Street Fair

The Orange Dog Park Association will sponsor a booth. Please contact a Board member if you are interested in helping – either before the event or during the weekend of the Fair.

Memberships, T-Shirts, and “Doggie Boutique”

Memberships and T-Shirts are always for sale at the Information Table. This month we have added bandannas for $2.00. Your support of our fundraising efforts is appreciated.

Doggie Walk Bag Dispenser Sponsorships

We are STILL looking for sponsors. Please take a Sponsorship packet if you know of someone or a business that would be a potential sponsor for one of the dispensers. They are on the Information table and on the web site.

Fund Raising Events....................................................................... Sandy Sladen

The Fundraising Committee has been looking for “passive” fundraising activities as a way of raising funds without too much expense. The first event will be a “Dinner At Rubio’s Baja Grille” located at the Village (formerly the Mall of Orange). The Orange Dog Park Association will receive a percentage of the proceeds of menu items purchased within a specified window of time based on flyers turned in at the time of purchase. More information will be made available as the date and time is confirmed. Patrons of the Park have expressed a desire to be able to sell “craft” items to help raise funds for the Park. We are looking to host a “Dog Fair” at the Park where vendors can set up their booths and the ODPA will host a “Doggie Boutique” booth. Other suggestions were to make it a “family friendly” event with a “bounce house” and other activities for families and kids. The Board will draft a proposal to the City to seek permission to hold an event of this nature. The Orange Dog Park will be celebrating our FIRST “Birthday” in June, so we are looking for ideas for the celebration for the June General Membership Meeting to be held on Saturday, June 17, 2006.

New Business:

Small Dog Section Closure.............................................................. Sandy Norell

Park Maintenance and Improvements

The Small Dog section of the Park will be closed from Monday, February 27 through Friday, March 3, 2006 so the fence along the south border can be replaced. The City may complete this before Friday, and will re-open earlier if possible. Patrons are asked to use common sense if they want to consider taking their small dog into the Large Dog section during the closure. The City will also be using the dirt from the berms to fill in the gaps along the fence line of the Large Dog section to help eliminate the possibility of dogs crawling under the fence.

The City will be installing more benches at the Park. We do not have a date for the installation as yet. We will keep you posted.

The Association will be experimenting with Rye grass seed to supplement the Bermuda grass currently at the Park. The Bermuda grass goes dormant during the winter, so the Rye grass will be used to help eliminate the dirt/mud sections. Please do not enter any sectioned-off areas so the grass can germinate and take hold. Keep your dogs out the areas as well.

Please be on the look out for digging dogs and stop them at once. Fill in any holes as they are discovered. The maintenance crews have been collecting the abandoned tennis balls and toys and throwing them in the trash prior to mowing. To avoid this waste, the ODPA will provide orange buckets for storing these items. They will be place along the perimeter of the fences and we ask that patrons help collect the toys and balls and place them in the buckets before the Park closes on Tuesday evenings.

Comments and Questions

Next membership meeting will be Saturday, March 18, 2006 – 9:00 am