The city has taken its first steps toward a management plan for the Children’s Pool. The Natural Resources and Culture Committee (NRCC) voted unanimously at a special meeting April 5 to send recommendations to the City Council for consideration. The committee voted to close the beach during pupping season when seals give birth to pups from Dec. 15 to May 15. Presently, the public is allowed on the beach but not past a rope barrier. The committee voted to keep the rope up year-round as a guideline for the public to stay behind, but with partial access to the ocean. The committee also voted to seek private funding for a park ranger or lifeguard to instruct people about rules regarding the seals and to help keep the peace. The committee also instructed the Park and Recreation Department to set up a training program for volunteer docents to be overseen by the park ranger or lifeguard. Finally, the committee voted to prohibit dogs from the beach year-round. The committee also instructed the City Attorney’s Office to investigate banning the pro-seal, informational tables set up at the beach, and to look into the accuracy of signage for the beach. District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner agreed to the recommendations at the NRCC meeting. Last week, Lightner had announced her intent to allow both seals and swimmers to use the beach by continuing the current joint-use arrangement, which ropes off the beach during pupping season.