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18 <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if the issue has been raised with dog owners about leashing <br />dogs on school property, and Ms. Mueller said this was not discussed until later in the <br />process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked how a leash law would be enforced on such a long trail, and Ms, <br />Mueller said she has no idea, but the police would need to be involved. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if the number of dog waste bag stations could be increased, and <br />Ms. Mueller said they could. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Mr. Pat Plocek, Parks Manager, <br />said that the size of the area being considered at Towe Park for a dog run is two or three <br /> <br />acres. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked if other areas have been explored, and Ms. Mueller said that <br />all the land looked at has been privately owned, but it has not been explored extensively. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if staff has discussed the possibility of locating a dog park in the <br />County with County staff, and Ms. Mueller said no. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks the idea of a dog park is excellent and he would like to <br />explore locating it in the County. Mr. Cox said that County residents are using City parks <br />so it is obviously an issue for the County as well. Mr. Cox said he thinks all sides need to <br />come to a compromise. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that the erosion of the river bank concerns him and said we <br />should look at fixing this problem at Riverview. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked what issues need to be teed up before a public hearing is held. <br />Mr. Toscano said he feels it is appropriate to restrict dogs on school grounds when <br />schools are in session. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said the pooper scooper law could be extended to the entire park <br />system. Mr. Caravati said we need to investigate options presented by the Parks and <br />Recreation Board, and we need to start a discussion with Albemarle County as they are <br />an important part of the solution. Mr. Caravati said he would like to get a better idea of a <br />dog park, including how it would be financed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would like to see space shared for a portion of Riverview Park, or <br />a time limit for leashed versus unleashed dogs as a short-term solution. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said there is also a question of how we enforce these things. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards expressed concern about wildlife being harmed by unleashed dogs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said it sounds like Council is in agreement to change the dog clean-up <br />ordinance and restricting dogs on school grounds. Mr. Lynch said when we look at <br />providing a new facility, we need to look at how it gets financed, and questioned whether <br />dog owners would be willing to pay a higher dog license fee to pay for such a park. Mr. <br />Lynch asked about the feasibility of using the mulch pile on Melbourne Road or the <br />portion of Mclntire Park behind the fire station for a dog run. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if it is worth having staff continue to explore lighting the parks in <br />light of the neighborhood opposition. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he thinks it is worth exploring, but feels the issue should be put <br />in abeyance until other areas are pursued. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards agreed that lighting the parks should not be pursued at this time. <br /> <br /> <br />