The two sides arguing over dogs on Willard Beach have found agreement on one idea: take the question to referendum.

That was the consensus from leaders of the South Portland Dog Group and Save Willard Beach, speaking before the City Council Monday as it received the official report from the Willard Beach task force, which has been studying the contentious issue for the past four months.

Both Dan Labrie of Save Willlard Beach and Crystal Goodrich, president of the South Portland Dog Owner’s Group, suggested separately that the question of how to regulate dogs on Willard Beach be taken to a public referendum. City Councilor Linda Boudreau had first mentioned the idea of a referendum at last week’s Council workshop, saying that if the City Council cannot come up with an equitable solution this fall, the decision should go to the voters.

Councilors voted to accept the recommendations of the task force, which will be taken to workshop. The vote came after a four-hour meeting in which both sides aired their disagreements and traded accusations about who is at fault for the ongoing disagreements.

The recommendations, presented by Assisitant City Manager Erik Carson, the non-voting spokesman for the task force, included:

Increase enforcement and education on current rules.

Keep dogs on leash until reaching the high-water mark.

Tighten restrictions on leash control and voice command.

Consider requiring dog walkers to purchase permits and use the money to fund enforcement efforts.

Among those speaking during the meeting was Beach Street resident Steve Gray, who has been at the center of many arguments with dog owners.

“It’s not safe for people to go down to the beach,” he told the City Council. “It’s up to the Council to make it safe for people to go down there. Otherwise, we have to take it into our own hands.”

This led to a disagreement with Christine Nelms of Sawyer Street, who accused Gray of hitting her dog in a previous altercation on the beach.

“I don’t feel you’re balanced enough to be an enforcer,” she told Gray before Mayor Jim Soule stopped the discussion.

Two members of the task force also spoke against the report their group had authored. Both Gary Crosby and Devin Gray complained that the task force was “stacked” with dog owners and people in favor of allowing dogs on the beach and that their anti-dog viewpoints were not supported.

“A preponderance of people on the committee were biased,” said Devin Gray, wife of Steve Gray.

Goodrich later said she welcomed the idea of a referendum.

“It’s time for a referendum. That will be the answer,” she said.

Before voting to accept the report, councilors Kay Loring and Maxine Beecher both also mentioned the referendum, saying they expected the question would eventually go to the voters.

Councilors postponed action on Beecher’s request to ban dogs on Willard Beach during the summer months. Beecher did not comment or offer any reason for her decision to wait on the request.

Last week, Beecher submitted the request in time for it to be read at Monday’s meeting, saying she wanted to make sure it was on the Council’s agenda.