ELY – Ely could be going to the dogs.

The city of Ely voted last week to lend its support to an effort by the Ely Rotary Club to establish an off-leash dog park. The move was made on recommendation from the city’s Park and Recreation Committee.

“We had a wonderful presentation from the Rotary Club about having an enclosed, off-leash dog park,” said Council member Heidi Omerza. “They believe there is interest out there and essentially they want support from the city council to work with the Rotary through the Park and Rec Board to pursue that idea.”

The idea of a dog park has been proposed before, and with increasing complaints of violations by residents and visitors alike who are ignoring the “no pets allowed” signs at Whiteside and other city parks, dogs could soon have their own place to do their business away from the public.

Omerza emphasized that the Rotary Club is in the early stages of their proposed dog park project. “They are still looking for locations,” she said. “They are still trying to figure out if this is a feasible idea. We felt comfortable with the idea, and all the research they have done so far. We are at a very early stage of this.”

Council member Albert Forsman said that a dog park would be a benefit to the city’s visitors. “We want to welcome dogs into our community. It is important for our community development, and for people to think that Ely is a dog-friendly town.”

The Ely Rotary Club has had initial discussions with city staff and as many as five parcels of city land have been identified as possible locations for a dog park.

Ownership and operational funding have yet to be discussed. Costs can vary from $5,000 to $100,000. “This group is preparing to apply for Rotary Club grant monies to cover the $5,000-$10,000 in matching funds in a potentially two-phase project,” Levar said.

In the proposal, discussed at the June 26 Park and Rec meeting, Rotary Club President Sarah Guy-Levar said, “Ideally, this Rotary-led project would include approval and/or participation by the Ely Park and Rec Board and be a community project, in partnership with the city of Ely, designed to satisfy the needs of dog owners and non-dog owners, residents and visitors alike.”

She said major funding would be sourced through the Ely Rotary Club “with supplementation from fundraising, private donors and, if an option, the city of Ely.” In-kind donations of work and materials will also be solicited as part of the project.

A basic off-leash dog park includes the following components:

• One acre or more (three to five acres is average) of land surrounded by a six-foot high chain link fence;

•At least one double-gated entry to keep dogs from escaping and to facilitate wheelchair access;

•Access to shade and water;

• Safe and accessible location with adequate drainage;

•Dog waste bags and waste receptacles;

•Safety lighting (in parking area);

•Signage (hours, rules and regulations);

•Minimum of 10 parking places close to the park area.

According to the Ely Rotary Club proposal, there is an annual average of 100 dogs licensed though the city of Ely. Based on a query by the club of dog owners with Ely mailing addresses, from the Ely Veterinary Clinic, there are an estimated 500 dogs living in the city limits with potential for using an off-leash park.

Other business

In other business, the council members took the following action:

• Approved the recommendation from the Telecommunications Advisory Board to advertise the public-access TT contract for bids;

•Approved and signed the Law Enforcement Labor Services contract;

•OK’d the transfer of Matt Litherland into the Equipment Operator II position;

•Agreed to the Cooperative Agreement Regarding Public Safety Related to 2018 Super Bowl Security and agreed to send at least two Ely Police Department members to the event to aid in security;

•Approved recommendation for a picnic shelter at Semer’s Park and authorized advertising for bids;

•OK’d travel for the library director to Denver, Colo., to attend a conference for NASA @ My Library Program.