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Councilmember Pentin noted that some of the trees planted along the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail are 10 years old and fail to provide any significant amount of shade. He asked whether there is any recommendation regarding a certain type of tree that may mature more quickly. Bob Tanaka, project architect, said he would propose native trees of the fast-growing deciduous variety, which should grow faster than the broad leaf evergreen trees along the trail. Regardless, he would not expect that they would provide any significant shade for at least 5 years. Vice-Mayor Brown said she received a call from a resident expressing their preference for decomposed granite footing and asked staff to explain its recommendation to use the Fibar material. Mr. Tanaka explained that Fibar is used throughout the city's playgrounds. Generally, it is more attractive and less abrasive to a dog's sensitive foot pads than something like decomposed granite. Vice-Mayor Brown asked how Fibar rate in terms of cleanliness, given the level of urine and fecal matter contamination. Mr. Tanaka estimated that natural turf would be ideal in terms of cleanliness but is not a viable option for obvious reasons. Being natural, organic matter Fibar would seem to be the next best alternative. In terms of eliminating contaminated material this, like any other surface, will require manual removal. Vice-Mayor Brown asked again how likely it is that a large dog could leap the 3.5 foot fence to the small dog side of the park. Mr. Tanaka explained that large dogs can scale 6 foot high fences; therefore any fence of a reasonable height presents that sort of potential. As such, much of the responsibility for ensuring that does happen falls to the dog owners. He said he felt the fence height was adequate and explained that the taller 5 foot portion is intended to provide an increased sense of security for trail users. Councilmember Pentin asked and staff confirmed that Muirwood has the same 3.5 foot fence height. He agreed that many dogs, his own Border Collie included, are capable of scaling a 6 foot fence and that an owner's willingness and ability to control their pet is important. He said he was comfortable with the proposed heights and expressed concern that anything much higher would create more of a penitentiary like setting than an inviting area. Vice-Mayor Brown asked if, as this project would modify a portion of the Bemal Property, there is any conflict with Measure P. Mr. Bocian said "no," the Council determined this use to be compatible for the side as was allowed by Measure P. Vice-Mayor Brown opened the item for public comment. Wendy Stevens asked how the Fibar product compares to the wood chip footing at Muirwood which tends to be sharp, decomposes fairly easily and does not compact very well. Mr. Bocian explained that one of the benefits of Fibar is that it does tend to bond and compress, creating a firmer base that does not dig up as easily, and is a very common material in dog parks. As with any product it will require a regular maintenance program. Cele Gutierrez asked and staff confirmed that the perimeter barrier, which was discussed at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and is designed to minimize migration of the footing onto the trail, is still part of the project. She said she would prefer to see a 5 foot fence around the entire perimeter although thought that even 4 feet would be preferable to the 3.5 feet proposed. She noted that some of City Council Minutes Page 7 of 12 January 20, 2015