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Cotati council adopts updated park use, sets 6 a.m.–10 p.m. hours and waives insurance for small parties
Summary
Council adopted a resolution updating the City of Cotati Park Use and Special Event Permit Policy to standardize park hours (6 a.m.–10 p.m.), clarify facilities, allow dogs on leash (6‑foot maximum) with off‑leash at the designated dog park, and remove insurance requirement for small private gatherings under 50 people; adoption included editorial corrections.
The Cotati City Council voted to adopt an updated Park Use and Special Event Permit Policy, setting uniform park hours, clarifying facilities, and easing insurance requirements for small private gatherings.
Parks staff (Ashley) told the council the policy was last updated in 2018 and had been revised to align with recent municipal code changes and new or updated facilities (including Putnam Field and Cattell Field). Major changes include proposed park hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year‑round, posted parking‑lot hours for easier enforcement, a leash rule allowing dogs in parks with a maximum 6‑foot leash and permitting off‑leash access only in the Cotati Dog Park, and removal of the insurance requirement for small private parties (example used in the staff report: private birthday parties of about 50 people), which staff said discourages family events when the cost of insurance exceeds permit fees.
Council members asked staff to correct editorial errors and to ensure new restroom facilities are included in the facilities list; staff agreed to make those corrections before final publication. Council member questions also clarified that the policy would hold park hours in an administrative policy rather than an ordinance so hours can be changed more easily in the future.
A motion to adopt the resolution with the noted corrections was made and seconded; the chair declared the motion carried with all present voting in favor. Staff said there are no fee changes in the policy; any fee adjustments would come through the master fee schedule.
The updated policy will be published after staff incorporates the corrections identified during the meeting and will be available in the city’s public documents.
