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40 <br /> <br /> Mr. 'Rob Vaughan, representing Virginia Festival of the Book, said that author <br />Lee Smith from Grundy will be working with City and County students as part of the <br />Festival. Mr. Vaughan said he thinks the City gets good value for their money. <br /> Ms. Julia Jones, 1935 Lewis Mountain Road, volunteer for the Shelter for Help in <br />Emergencies (SHE), thanked Council for their past support and said she hopes this <br />support will continue. Ms Jones urged Council to reconsider the cuts recommended by <br />the review team. <br /> <br /> Mr. Dan Meador, 956 Woodlands Road, Chair of the Board of the SPCA, said he <br />realizes that the amount requested by the SPCA, $20,000, is a large amount. Mr. Meador <br />said the City has a legal obligation to maintain an animal pound. Mr. Meador said that <br />the City and Council are both being asked for $750,000 from the capital budget to help <br />build a new animal shelter. <br /> <br /> Ms. Frances Van Dell, representing English as a Second Language, said that the <br />organization provides a free and unique service which enhances employability. Ms. Van <br />Dell asked for one time funding to do outreach and test the methodology of the prograrm <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that the next budget work session will focus on new poSitions, <br />agencies, festival funding, and capital project recommendations. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he hopes Councilors will come prepared to resolve the issue with <br />the SPCA. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he hopes more data will be developed from agencies for <br />measurement purposes. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, Mr. Meador of the SPCA said that <br />the SPCA requested $364,000 from the Cotmty, and $44,545 has been proposed. <br /> <br /> Mr, O'Connell said that summary information from agencies has been given to <br />Council, but other information is available if Council would like it. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEAR. lNG/ORDINANCE: EXTENDING DOG LEASH REQUIREMENT <br />TO SCHOOL GROUNS/EXTENDING "POOPER SCOOPER" ORDINANCE TO ALL <br />CITY PARKS <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that the proposed ordinance expands the leash law to <br />public school grounds and the "pooper scooper" law to all City parks. Mr. O'Connell said <br />that staff is researching locations for a dog park and will be having discussions with <br />County staff. This information should be available by late May. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked about dogs defecating on private property, and Mr. Gouldman <br />said that it is technically trespassing, though without a sign it would be difficult to <br />convict. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he would like to consider extending the "pooper scooper" law to <br />all publicly paved rights-of-way. <br /> <br /> RespOnding to a question from Ms. Richards, Mr. Gouldman said that a fine of up <br />to $250 can be imposed if convicted of a Class IV misdemeanor. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said it appears to him that the law must be self regulating or it does not <br />work. <br /> <br /> <br />