Note: "The group” refers to the Paw Pals of Grand Prairie.
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Lorna Rankin calls meeting to order.
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Introductions around table, making sure everyone is in the yahoo group.
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Election of officers:
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Deb Koplen – elected President
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Robert Bradford & Bob Stacy – elected co-Vice Presidents
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Dawn Cummings & Tracie Keck – elected co-Secretaries
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April Sewell – elected Treasurer
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Meeting turned over to newly elected officers
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President's Comments
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Letter from Councilman Bob Fregoe expressing general city council support
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The proposed bylaws will be on the group site, members should download and
send comments to committee members (listed in item X). Lorna Rankin will
review for legal suitability.-
Jim Cummings explains how the group will not necessarily name the dog park,
the city has processes they follow to name parks.
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Everyone state on the sign-in sheet specific skills they have that could help the group.
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She specifically discussed trying to get an ISP company to donate web-hosting space.
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Treasurer's Comments: April Sewell explained there are no charges for a business checking account at Bank of America.
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Deb Koplen discussed how we need dues for operating funds, and to indicate voting members.
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Motion made for “Paw Pals of Grand Prairie” to be the name of our group. Voted in.
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Motion made for $25/annual dues for individual membership. Voted in.
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The year begins January 1.
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We need bylaws and organization before we can collect dues. We will meet the first Thursday of the month at 7:00pm. The next meeting will be February 3 at 7pm.
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Legal Council's Comments: Lorna Rankin discussed the obtaining of nonprofit status.
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The officers will be the Board of Directors. The group purpose will be as stated in the proposed bylaws, items 1) and 3).
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The President will be the Registered Agent.
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Our management will be vested in our Board of Directors.
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The Animal Shelter mailing address will be used for the group.
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We can possibly get the filing fee from the city.
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City of Grand Prairie Representatives
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Deb Koplen thanks Jennifer Vuitel for all the publicity given the group.
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Jim Cummings gave a brief history of the dog park idea. The idea evolved to put the animal shelter in an area people would want to go to (parks) in order to increase adoption rates. To assist in bringing people in, a dog park was suggested adjacent to the shelter. Excess funds from the building of the shelter could possibly be used for the dog park.
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Jennifer Vuitel responded as follows to questions previously submitted by Deb Koplen:
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Once the group achieves formal 501(c)3 status, the city can recognize us with a resolution or similar document.
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The official relationship between the group and the Parks Department / Animal Shelter will be to coordinate any special events, etc. by obtaining proper permits, and for enforcement of any pet ordinances. The Animal Services Advisory Committee will report the group’s plans and progress at ASAC meetings. The group members can also attend ASAC meetings.
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The Parks Department will provide design and handle all contracts for the dog park. All standard amenities will be chosen by the Parks Department, the group can suggest others. There are no grants planned for the group. The dog park will remain part of the city’s parks system.
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The city has $200k-$300k available and the City Council would need to approve its use.
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The planned park calls for 5 acres located behind the animal shelter.
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The group will be able to schedule fund raising events with the appropriate permits from the Parks Department. An entrance fee is possible and was discussed by the group. The group would prefer to not have entrance fees. Funds raised from any fund-raising event would be distributed between the city and the group depending on the amount of city resources required for the event.
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As a 501(c)3, the group will need to set up its own bank account.
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The Parks Department will attempt to go through the budget process for funding for general maintenance of the dog park. If they are successful, funds raised by the group would best be utilized for extra amenities that the group may want in the park.
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The city will provide standard parks amenities, and will look to the group for extras. The city is willing to have open discussion with the group during the design of the park.
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Jennifer Vuitel will get dimensions of the dog park to the group for planning and discussion purposes. All members are requested to submit sketches for dog park design ideas at the next meeting.
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A committee was suggested to research other dog parks to get pictures, ideas, and problems to avoid.
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The publicity committee will cover fundraising. Eagle Scouts may be utilized for assistance.
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The publicity co-chairs will be Linda Sherin, Miggy Scott, and Nann Phillips.
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The photographer/historian will be Kenda Stacy.
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The bylaw chairs will be Lorna Rankin, Bob Stacy, and Robert Bradford. The deadline to submit prospective bylaw modifications to the committee is January 20.
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Primary assignment for next meeting is list or drawing for park, and pictures of good and bad areas of other dog parks.
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Secondary assignment for next meeting is to pull bylaws together.
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Closing of meeting. Next meeting scheduled for February 3, 2005.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dawn Cummings
Click below for our a map to our New Dogpark
