Public speakers raise legal and safety concerns over new Montebello dog park; council approves related consent item

Public comment produced sharply differing views on the city's recently opened dog park. Delia Delgado praised the dog park and maintenance of Acuna Park earlier in the public comment period, saying the facility was centrally located and well kept. Later in the same meeting, Linda Nicholas criticized the new dog park in strong terms, alleging multiple legal violations and asserting the design and siting were improper and would expose the city to liability. "I wanted to figure out how this happened," she said, adding her claim that non‑residents frequently use the park.

Nicholas told the council she believed the park lacked ADA compliance, was too small for its location and said she expected litigation; another speaker, Margie Duarte, repeated claims of disrespectful treatment toward the police chief at a prior meeting and linked that to broader concerns about city leadership.

Council approved the consent calendar item tied to park matters by unanimous roll call during the same session. City staff did not respond to the detailed legal claims during public comment; no code enforcement or administrative action on the dog park was taken at the meeting. Councilmembers and staff may follow up outside the public meeting record to review compliance, enforcement or operational policies related to the facility.