V. Additional Business

VI. Proposed Dog Park

I. The meeting was called to order.

II. The Secretary’s report was copied for members and placed at their seat.

III. April Sewell told us that we now could accept membership dues, and that we had a checking account and a Post Office box. Deb Koplen let us know some of the things the group was collecting funds for (fliers, PO Box, events). The checking account is at Bank of America, and the PO Box is on Westchester. Paw Pals of Grand Prairie is finally a state recognized charitable organization.

IV. Dave Lester from the Parks board was introduced to the group. Shurpets explained to the group how the fundraising was handled for any of their products purchased (25% of sales excluding tax donated to the group).

The Spring Fling will be May 7^th, to coincide with the Prairie Paws Adoptathon. The Spring Fling will draw attention to the group and the future dog park. It was determined the following people will be in charge of the specified tasks:

Sandy Ray – microchipping

Tim Shinogle – fencing, tents

Beverly Gammon – publicity for event

Miggy Scott – owner groups (non-rescue), agility groups

Ann Joiner pointed out that it would be best for the Adoption Center to not involve breed-based rescue groups. Their presence takes attention away from the animals at Prairie Paws.

Bob Bradford – door hangers

Lorna Rankin - door prizes (w/ assistance from Ann Joiner)

Viva Nunnelley – get the group involved in the Cinco de Mayo parade. Tim Shinogle stated that Doug Biech 972-237-8100 (community relations, special events planning for the city) is the person who could help us.

The group decided to keep the event simple. It will not be off-leash. The group will try to get the perimeter of the future dog park staked so that guests can see the size of the park. For the event, we will use fencing provided by the city. We will need a permit from the city for the Spring Fling.

V. The group decided that t-shirts would be preferable to other attire. Deb Koplen will try to get pricing with possible assistance from Sandy Ray.

We will move the May meeting to the first Thursday (May 5) so that it will occur just prior to the Spring Fling. This gives the group an additional meeting prior to the Spring Fling.

VI. The meeting was turned over to Tim Shinogle and Rob Rodriguez of the Parks Department. Rob Rodriguez showed the group the master plan for the park. The park will be bordered by Texas 161 to the east (to be constructed starting this summer), Arkansas Lane to the north, Warrior Trail to the south, and a road yet to be built to the west. After some additional retention ponds are built, the dog park will be completely out of the 100-year flood plain. The proposal shows two large dog park areas (105’x406’) on either side of a small dog area (72’x406’). Only one large dog area will be open at a time to save on the grass (rotation). After the group gives our ideas to Rob Rodriguez and Tim Shinogle, the city will draft a budget at their next meeting. Jess Davis with the city of Plano presented many valuable “Lessons Learned” from their park.

The group then broke into smaller groups to gather ideas for the park. These were presented to Tim Shinogle and Rob Rodriguez, and the meeting was adjourned.