PARKERSBURG - City Council approved a resolution to accept a nearly 2.4-acre tract of land that includes a lake.

Tuesday, council members peppered Mayor Bob Newell and city officials with questions regarding the proposed acceptance of a 2.393-acre tract of land from ASC Enterprises.

The site along First Avenue is beside the Elite Center and the city's targeted skate park. Newell said the area would become a recreational use site.

"The entire property down there was left to the city for the purpose of recreational use," Newell said. He touched on the idea of extending the Little Kanawha bike/walking trail around the area, across Neal Run and eventually connecting to Fort Boreman.

Council member Mike Reynolds said grass and trees have been planted around the pond in conjunction with BB&T and Reynolds Landscape.

"If the city could put a walking trail around that lake it would be a nice addition," he said.

Newell said they would put a sidewalk around the pond if grant money can be found.

Most members of council were satisfied with the answers they received - except for Nancy Wilcox. The District 1 representative was the lone no vote on the resolution.

Wilcox was also opposed to enhancing a section of the city for what she said amounted to a solitary business.

"They want us to enhance something for a private enterprise and we don't have the money to do projects for residents."

Members approved the resolution by a 7-1 vote. Council member John Sandy was absent. Councilman Tom Joyce attended the meeting via telephone.

Council was introduced to Kim Bock Wilson, a nominee to the Municipal Planning Commission. Wilson got endorsements from council members Wilcox and Sharon Lynch for the post.

Council unanimously approved Sam Baldwin to the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority for a three-year term.

Council approved the final reading of an ordinance to rezone 1324 36th St. from R-3 to B-2.

Members had a moment for silence for retired city police officer John Elliott, who passed away Tuesday.

Randall Roberts, president of Parkersburg Homecoming, spoke during the public forum Tuesday. Roberts thanked council for its support. He noted how the event paid off last year's event, paid for this year's event and has some money leftover for 2010. But he also wanted to let council members know the Homecoming Committee once again planned to seek city support for next year's event.

Prior to the regular meeting, council members, meeting as the city's Urban Renewal Authority, voted to approve an offer to purchase 2311 45th St. for $5,100. The buyers, Harold and Mary Ann Wilkes, said they wish to purchase the place, remodel the home and give it to a grandchild as a residence. The URA had a second offer on the property for $1,000.

The URA also approved an offer to purchase 823 14th St. for $2,000. The buyer, Steve Frederick, said he has plans to renovate the property for rental purposes. The URA approval stipulated Frederick provide a time frame for remodeling the place within six months.

The URA also unanimously approved a request from the Building Enforcement Agency to take 1709 16th St.

City Development Director Ann Conageski provided the URA with an update on demolitions.

Conageski said demolitions were recently completed at 610 East St., 1128 Swann St. and 1009 Charles St. at a total cost of $20,900 from the city's general fund. She said 1122 Avery St., 514 13th St., 116-118 11th St. and 1423 Spring St. will be out for bid for demolition.

The city has $37,570 in the general fund and more than $59,411 in CDBG funding for demolitions.