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34 She said there are not adequate resources to determine if a dog is dangerous. She said this provision has been voted down several times at the State level. She suggested that the fee for a non-spayed dog be increased to $10. She said the City has a contract with the SPCA to serve as the pound. Ms. Naomi Roberts, 1140 St. Clair Avenue, expressed concern about the huge real estate assessment increases and the burden on tax payers. She expressed concern that Council will stop supporting retirees. She said citizens are provided with poor trash services and there is inadequate police coverage. She said the City should stop charging higher fees and charges. Mr. Robert Bricker, 1216 Meriwether Street, President of McGuffey Art Center, discussed outreach programs provided by McGuffey artists, including the Art Zone, playground program, Planet Art, and jail art classes. He said an after school arts mentoring program is being developed. He said that the City has already raised the rent for artists by 25% and the only cost to the City is maintenance of the property. He asked that Council’s interest not shift from art to financial gain. Ms. Ann Cheeks, 2505 Frays Mill Road, Ruckersville, a McGuffey artist, said McGuffey has a positive impact on the downtown mall. She said McGuffey artists have served as resources for County elementary schools and studios are open to the public. She said higher rents will push some artists out. Ms. Rose Hill, 207 Douglas Avenue, a McGuffey artist, said she provides outreach by teaching art at the jail. Ms. Phyllis Back, Program Director at the Jail, said the McGuffey community outreach program has been very successful. Ms. Karen Quik, 924 Royer Drive, owner of All Things Pawsible, said there are very few fatalities as a result of dogs nationwide and in the State, and she expressed concern that the proposed animal ordinance will make people paranoid to take their dogs out in public. She said she does not think there is a problem. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, said that last year we were told there was a budget shortfall, yet there was a surplus. He said there have been surpluses for the last five years. He said assessments have gone up an average of 18% and the tax rate should be cut to 88 cents which would still allow a healthy increase. He said a more compelling and detailed case needs to be made for the budget increases. Ms. Martha Levering, 712 Grove Avenue, said Mr. Pfaltz covered her concerns. th Mr. John Gaines, 214 9 Street, N.W. representing the WCEH Neighborhood Association’s Executive Committee, recommended, in honor of Black History Month, that a marker be placed on West Street recognizing the prominent African American, John West, after which the street was named. He said the Committee did not discuss it, but he recommended that a marker also be placed on Taylor Street recognizing Fairfax thth Taylor. He also asked that the 9/10 Street Connector be named after Roosevelt Brown, the only Charlottesville native in the NFL Hall of Fame. He said he is sure that the Executive Committee also has concerns about assessments and the cost of gas. Ms. Holly Hatcher, 211 Meade Avenue, said she frequently goes to Riverview Park with her dog and she and her dog were attacked by another dog. She said that was an example of clear evidence of a dangerous dog. She urged Council to pass the proposed ordinance. She said dog owners need to be accountable for their pets. She said it comes down to enforcement, and there is a great need for more enforcement in all parks. Ms. Elizabeth Beverly, 960 Charter Oaks Drive, said that as a dog trainer she is concerned about the definition of dangerous and aggressive dogs. She said the containment provision in the ordinance is problematic and the language should be adjusted. She said the language regarding a dog approaching someone is based on