**************ATTENTION PETITIONERS*************************YOU MUST SIGN THE OFFICIAL PETITION TO HAVE YOUR SIGNATURE COUNTED! ORIGINAL SIGNATURES IN INK REQUIRED. TEXT : "SIGN PETITION" to 786-246-2035. The petition committee will text back to get your original signature on the official petition. All original signatures must be from registered voters of KB. Signatures will be audited by Miami Dade elections department after the Petitioner's Committee files the signatures with the Village Clerk. SPREAD THE WORD! Forward this PETITION TODAY to your contacts who believe entire Village Green should remain a people park. It is Urgent to halt construction and redesign the construction plans to make the VG better for people of ALL ages! Yes the residents have many ideas of a cool, shady park for ALL residents to enjoy together. June 6th: Due date for the 625 signatures required to stop the dog park construction and change the design to a SAFE/CLEAN people park for ALL residents to enjoy. It is NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE to a PEOPLE PARK!                   DON'T BELIEVE THE VILLAGE COUNCIL AND THE "JUST THE FACTS" FLYER THEY WASTED YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO PRINT AND MAIL BECAUSE THEY KNOW THOSE THAT OPPOSE THE PARK HAVE LEGITIMATE REASONS TO PETITION A BAD DECISION! YES, THE PARK DESIGN CAN BE CHANGED WITH MINIMAL COST. YES, ALL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS ARE DESIGNED TO ALLOW CHANGES. YES, CONSTRUCTION FUNDS ARE ONLY RELEASED IN INCREMENTS OF MILESTONES COMPLETED. I HAVE BUILT MORE THAN A DOZEN MILLION DOLLAR HOMES. YES, THE SELECTED CONTRACTOR  BUILDS ALL KINDS OF PROJECTS. THEY ARE NOT EXCLUSIVELY A DOG PARK BUILDER. YES, THE COUNCIL WILL TELL LIES BECAUSE THEY ARE EMBARRASSED OF THERE DECISION TO PUT A DOG PARK SO CLOSE TO OUR CHILDREN. THEY ARE COMPELLED TO JUSTIFY THEIR DECISION EVEN IF IT PUTS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN DANGER OF SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES.  A vote on the issue  will then be necessary  on November 1st as a referendum at the general election for president and other state, and local offices. There will only be a referendum if the council doesn't make the wise decision to change to a people park. Residents are enthusiastically anticipating a clean, safe "playground" for preteens to adults to exercise and have fun. Ideas include fitness park, court for   volley ball & basketball (keep our children away from drugs, crime and excessive video gaming & TV) REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY with Miami Dade elections department to have your vote count! Under Key Biscayne's Charter, citizens can force a referendum(official public vote) if they gather 625 signatures by petition (10% of register Village voters).    The voting residents should be given their statutory right to decide the outcome of this contentious issue BEFORE the dog park is built. Currently the Council says they will build the park in spite of this petition. How dare the Council take away our statutory right to legally repeal their decision! If you are not an eligible voter, you can still sign this unofficial online petition here on CHANGE.ORG . Everyone who signs will have their voice heard by the Village Mayor and Council.  REASONS THE VILLAGE GREEN SHOULD REMAIN FOR 
                                         PEOPLE ONLY   1)    VILLAGE GREEN LAND  IS LIMITED IN SIZE AND IS OVERUSED AND OR UNDER UTILIZED IN AREAS DUE TO LACK OF PROPER DEVELOPMENT. 

Since the VG land is limited and overused it should be reserved for the people (no dogs) to use and enjoy. The VG is the main gathering place for Key Biscayne residents of every age and is currently overused with no options to increase the limited land mass. Many events attract the majority of our residents and their entire families to the Village Green including organized sports (soccer, football, and field hockey), field days for local schools, fund raising events Relay for Life, Rotary Art Fair, 4th of July picnic, Halloween Party, Winter Carnival, Easter egg hunt, baseball parades, exercise classes (T-Fit, Gymnastics, Tai Chi).  The VG is also a place where many people come to have fun with their families on the weekend or play a pick-up game of soccer or Frisbee.  The Village Green is a valuable asset to our community. Unfortunately the VG has limited land and is overused; a good example of the overuse is the frequent closure of the playing fields     “Field Closed – Keep Off”. The north side of the VG should be developed into additional needed “people only” park space. If $809,000 is invested in a well designed “people park space” then the north side of the park will be used by significantly more of residents for the various activities listed than would a dog park. A large percent of KB residents (with or without dogs) will never use a dog park due to many reasons including health and safety risks.  The subset of our residents who will frequent a dog park is minimal relative to the number of people who currently visit the “people only” portion of the VG. Also, Children under the age of 8 are not allowed in the dog park, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult  for health and safety reasons. This limits the number of residents that can use the north side of the park. Children under 12 are the majority of the daily users of the VG. It should remain a park for children because they will go to all areas of the park because the Village Green is the family park of KB and it should remain that way.   B) The investment in a dog park is an exorbitant and irresponsible use of our tax dollars. Currently a minimal number of residents use the temporary dog park at 530 Crandon.  A very small percent of our residents will use a dog park even if it is well designed  because of many reasons including health and safety issues listed below. The approved construction budget to for the dog park planned at the north side of the Village Green is $809,000. This amount does not include the daily maintenance that will be required to keep the park “clean” and well maintained.  If 200 residents use the new dog park frequently this would amount to an initial investment of $4045 per person using the dog park not including the budget for maintenance. The majority of our residents believe this is an exorbitant and irresponsible use of our tax dollars. (The temporary dog park is usually unoccupied or has less than a dozen or so people – so the estimate of 200 frequent users may be inflated). Even on weekends or after school the dog park often remains empty while the VG is overflowing with people of all ages.  C) The posted sign at the temporary dog park  states that : “Children under the age of 8 will not be allowed into the dog park in the Village Green and children under the age of 12 are allowed only if they are accompanied by an adult.”  Allocating a portion of the VG to a dog park will reduce the size of the park children under 12 can use. Children under 12 are the majority of the park users and the park is already over-crowded.The dog park land should be dedicated to people use only because it is obviously needed to reduce the wear and tear of the playing field. Also, it is very dangerous for a dog park to be within ball kicking distance from the congested playing fields.   2)    Exposure to Safety & Health Hazards A)    All people using the VG (especially our children)  will be exposed to the inherent health hazards if a dog park is located in the VG. The health and safety of our all our residents that use the VG should be a Village priority. Soccer players, T-Fit enthusiasts, sports spectators, toddlers, gymnasts doing cartwheel and somersaults, are just a few of the ways our residents are in frequent contact with VG grass. When the presence of dogs is increased in the VG (fenced or not) the residents will be exposed to the dog feces and other disease and insects they carry. When it rains heavily causing flooding ,for example, the bacteria from the dog park will flood into the grassy areas near the park which are used for many activities such as gymnastics.  B.)    Dog parks pose an inherent risk of conflict and injury for both the humans and dogs in and out of the park.  The entire VG should be appropriate for children since they are the primary users and the VG is primarily a people park. Our first priority should be to the people in the VG: Health risks and accidents should be avoided and minimized in our Village Green. Any time unfamiliar dogs and/or dogs with different temperaments are mixed will increase the likely hood of conflict and injury. Children (both supervised and unsupervised) will be compelled to enter a fenced dog park if it is on the VG. Supervised children are also at risk since their guardians are often not monitoring their children due to intentional and unintentional distractions such as spectating sporting events, socializing or attending to other siblings. It  is very dangerous for a dog park to be within ball kicking distance from the congested playing fields. When children enter the dog park to retrieve the lost soccer ball they will not only confront safety and health issues.  C.)    Exposure to out of control dogs poses a risk to people in the park especially young children. Strange dogs from outside the island will visit the  free million dollar dog park. The average dog owner does not take the time to understand or train their dog for proper “pack structure” inside a dog park. Untrained dogs can be out of control when exposed to a dog park environment.  Dogs have strong pack instincts even when they are friendly family pets. Dog’s instinctive “pack drives” can and often do click into high gear when a dog is taken into a park with strange dogs. When a “new dog” comes into a dog park that other dogs visit every day the “new dog” is often seen an intruder into the personal territory of the regular dogs. This often leads to either to territorial aggression, dominance aggression or fear aggression.  D.)    Many visitors to dog parks do not practice proper hygienic           practices. People are expected to clean up and properly dispose of all waste created by their pets. Unfortunately there are many people visiting dog parks that don’t follow these rules in and out of the dog park. These people that don’t pick up after their dogs include owners, housekeepers, dog walkers. There is no park police to enforce the rules in or out of the dog park.  i.     Dogs should be vaccinated but there is no way to monitor this                     health rule.  ii.     People in the dog park, especially children, may run around barefoot, sit on the ground or roll around with their dogs. Soccer balls will roll around on the dog park surface and collect germs that will be distributed to other kids when the ball is returned to the game. There is a higher parasitic egg count in the soil, many of which can cause disease in humans.  Good hygienic practices such as washing hands after playing with the dogs and using antibacterial solution when leaving the park are not practiced. Children will go from the dog park into the VG children’s park and germs and parasites will be spread.  iii.     Many dog owners do not supervised their dogs or children inside the dog park. Lack of attention and supervision in the presence of dogs poses a safety risk to residents especially children. Their attention wanders to distractions such as children, conversations and phones.Many parents drop their children at soccer and gymnastics assuming their children will be in a safe park. If they go into the dog park unaccompanied because they have to retrieve their dog or are just curious as all children are, they will encounter health and safety issues.  iv.     Dogs, dog feces and communal water dishes can be a breeding ground the spread of disease among both humans and dogs: Disease Risks for Dogs (and some humans) in Social Settings such as Dog Parks as stated by AVMA “The following is a list of the most common diseases to which your dog(s) may be exposed at a dog gathering. People can also spread some of these diseases (such as mange, ringworm, kennel cough and canine influenza) from dog to dog through shared brushes, collars, bedding, etc. or by petting or handling an infected dog before petting or handling another dog.” * Canine distemper * Canine influenza ("canine flu" or "dog flu") * Canine parvovirus ("parvo") * External parasites (ticks, fleas and mange) *  Fungal infections (blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, coccidioidomycosis, etc.) * Heart worms * Heatstroke *  Intestinal parasites *  Kennel cough  * Regional wildlife risks and feral animals * Wildlife mixing with dogs can increase the risk of diseases, such as rabies and plague, as well as the risk of injury. Skunks, raccoons, foxes, feral cats and other wildlife can also carry rabies and other diseases that can infect dogs. * Ringworm  * spreading the infection to other dogs or to people.   * Tick-borne diseases (hemobartonellosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, rickettsial diseases such as Lyme disease, and others) * A variety of diseases that can infect dogs are spread by ticks, including Lyme disease and many others. These diseases can cause anemia (blood loss), lameness, weakness, lethargy, organ failure, and even death. The best way to prevent these diseases is to prevent tick bites *  Dog Waste is an environmental Hazard, pollutes land and water. * Strangers will visit the park where our kids are playing.            The Village Council should consider the following next steps to resolve the dog park issue: I)    Conduct a Referendum on the Dog Park Issue - The residents can force this vote if 10% of the registered voters sign this petition.   II)    Assign a new “Park Committee”, that is representative of our entire KB community. The objective of this committee will be to determine how the north side of the VG should best be developed to maximize use by residents.  Some of the ideas that have circulated include: •   outdoor fitness equipment appealing to preteens, teens and adults •   volley ball court •   game tables for chess and dominoes (similar to calle ocho) •   soccer practice area area  The council appointed  “Park Committee” should be a well represented of group of the KB demographics and interests of our community including especially those who regularly use the Village Green including: •   Parents of children of a variety of age groups: •   1 to 5 years of age •    6 – 12 •   13 – 17 •   Single adults residents: •   18 to 29  years of age •   30 – 59 years of age •   Elderly adults •   Residents who own dogs •   Residents who do not own dogs •   Parents of children enrolled in Village Organized Sports programs including soccer, football, gymnastics •   Regular exercisers (T-Fit, walkers, runners, fitness)  •   Parents of children that frequent the playground area _______________________________________________   6)    THE OPPORTUNITY COSTS OF ALLOCATING LIMITED TAX DOLLARS TO THE DOG PARK

A) The majority of the residents DO NOT agree that the dog park (in or out of the VG)  is a #1 priority for the Village resources . Many residents' priorities do not match the prioritizes the Village Council formally set for the months and years ahead. The Village Council’s decision to prioritize the building of a $809,000 dog park in the Village Green will take time and funds away from other projects that the majority KB residents prioritize over a dog park ; projects that will benefit high percent of our residents such as K-8 overcrowding, shared-use gymnasium at MAST with MDPS, VG park improvements to the north side for people only (no dogs). The Village Council's Priorities as reported in the Islander News published 3/11/16.   Council's Six Month Goals  (in no order of priority) 1. Land acquisition 2. On Going Drug Prevention 3. Building a Civic Center Park at 530 Crandon 4. Sea Level Rise Mitigation Planning and Implementation (long term) 5. Community Civility Initiative 6. Village Trolley Council's 12 – Month Goals (IN ORDER OF PRIORITY) 1. Construction of the Dog Park in VG 2. Buying the Staff parking lot 3. Smart Traffic Lights 4. Road Improvements (new side walks and street lights (including a safe routes to school study) 5. Painting Crandon Bike Lanes Green 6. Dealing with Impacts of the Boat Show 7. Smart Traffic Lights 8. Feasibility Study for the Burying of local Utilities 9. Improvements to the MAST Academy Auditorium to include local use 10. Conducting a Needs Assessment for K-8 Center Council's Longer-Term Goals for Two Years Out 1. K-8 Overcrowding 2. Possible Lease KB Presbyterian Church for ball fields/bay front park 3. Build a shared-use gym with Miami-Dade School District at MAST  IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PETITIONER'S COMMITTEE TO : 1.  Repeal the ordinance 2016.3 with the purpose of terminating the construction of the dog park in the Village Green by FHP Tectonics Corpfor an approved budget of $809,000.   2. Amend ORDINANCE NO. 2016. XX , to prohibit the property at 450 Crandon Boulevard, as know as Key Biscayne Village Green, from being used by domestic animals.  
Section 2.            
Amendment of Chapter 19. That Chapter 19 of the Code of Key Biscayne, Florida, is amended as follows:Section 19-9.     2 Domestic animals.No person shall be permitted to take any domestic animal into any park whether on leash, in arms or running at large, dogs in particular being excluded, and provisions of Metropolitan Dade County Dog Control Ordinance No. 58-28 (Sections 5-3 – 5-25) shall apply to any and all park property located at 450 Crandon Boulevard shall be prohibited from being designated for the use by dogs and other domesticated animals. Furthermore any area on the property located at 450 Crandon Boulevard shall be prohibited from being designated for the use by dogs or other domesticated animals. The provisions of the section shall not apply to the use of a service animal, which means any dog guide or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. 3. Force a referendum so the registered voters of Key Biscayne can vote on the following three questions: YES OR NO: Should the tax payers of  The Village of Key Biscayne fund the building and maintenance of  a dog park? YES or NO : Should  the tax payers  of The Village of Key Biscayne fund the building and maintenance of a dog park in the property at 450 Crandon Blvd., also known as the Village Green? YES OR NO: Should the tax payers of The Village of Key Biscayne proceed with the contract to to build a $809,000 dog park in the Village Green?  YES or NO: Should decisions regarding the specific location and budgeted cost associated with the construction of a dog park be voted on by the registered voters of Key Biscayne at the next scheduled election?------------------------------------------------------------------   Background:  March 8, 2016: the Key Biscayne Village Council approved ORDINANCE 2016.3 : A Capital Project Authorizing Ordinance Of The Village Of Key Biscayne, Florida, Selecting FHP Tectonics Corp. For The Construction Of The Dog Park At The Village Green; Providing For Authorization; And Providing For An Effective Date. The approved budget for the dog park in the Key Biscayne Village Green is  $809,000 this is for construction only, it does not include daily maintenance or the Village Green land value allocated to the dog park. April 5th: A construction fence was put up at the site of  approved dog park area  at the northland of the Village Green. The construction fence butts up against the sports flied on the north end. The playing fields adjacent to the dog park site are often closed due to heavy use by sports teams  has caused the field grass to be trampled, and completely destroyed in some areas causing the playing field surface to become sandy and dangerous for players. If a dog park is built at the north end near the soccer fields it will not only take away space for spectators but will increase the wear and tear on the existing fields. Also, soccer balls in play have already been frequently landing in the dog park construction site.  April 7th: An Initiative Petition was filed with the  Village Clerk  by the Petitioners' Committee to repeal the ORDINANCE 2016.3 :A CAPITAL PROJECT AUTHORIZING ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, SELECTION FHP TECTONICS CORP. FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A THE DOG PARK AT THE VILLAGE GREEN, PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. April 12 : At the  village council meeting the Mayor and Councilmen acknowledged the Petitioners Committee Affidavit that was filed with the Village to stop construction of a dog park in the Village Green. Some members of the council spoke disrespectfully when referring to the petitioners. One of the councilmen went so far as to call one of the  petitioners a "liar" because of opposing views. Some of the councilmen recommended that the dog park construction should be completed before the November 1st election, thus ignoring the Village Code which gives residents the right to repeal an ordinance if filed timely with the Village Clerk. The council plans to ignore the petitioners even when the petitioners committee plans to submit the 625 required signatures by June 3rd deadline.  Already 628 residents have signed this unofficial change.org petition. It is the duty of our council  to honor and enforce the Village Code.