(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — Members of City Council will consider on Tuesday the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of animals in city parks.

The agenda also includes approval of the proposed plans for the city’s federal entitlement funding and reappointments and adjustments to terms on the Downtown Facade Committee.

Mayor Tom Joyce said the impetus for the park ordinance is primarily the practice of feeding stray cats in Southwood Park.

“We removed some makeshift ‘cat boxes,’ which were placed without authorization,” he said. “We have asked a couple individuals to cease their regularly feeding and those requests have been ignored, so this is the next logical step.”

Joyce said there have been issues with cats getting into trash and defecating in and around the newly refurbished water slide. The ordinance, if approved on two readings, would allow police to issue citations to people who feed or store or maintain food for stray cats and other animals in the parks. It does not list a fine amount.

A resolution on the agenda would approve the plan for the city’s Community Development Block Grant funds, as well as the Parkersburg-Wood County HOME Consortium, which is administered by the city but includes Vienna, Williamstown and Wood County.

Proposed CDBG allocations include:

* $165,000 to cover all or a portion of the salaries for four employees in the Development Department that oversee federal, state and locally funded programs.

* $153,803 toward repayment of the loan for renovations to Point Park.

* $150,000 for stormwater improvements.

* $150,000 for playground facility upgrades.

* $100,000 for the Residential Assisted Demolition Program.

* $55,000 to fund a position in code enforcement.

* $40,000 for Consumer Credit Counseling Services to provide housing counseling to low- and moderate-income households

* $27,292 to make a portion of the loan payment for Fire Station 2 at 16th and Covert streets.

* $25,000 to pay for memberships allowing children in low-to-moderate-income households to attend the downtown interactive children’s museum, Discovery World on Market.

* $20,000 for the YMCA Camp Navigator Scholarship Fund.

* $15,000 for critical equipment upgrades for the Fire Department.

HOME funds are proposed to be allocated as follows:

* $181,591 to the Down Payment Assistance Program.

* $150,000 for a low-income housing tax credit project, recipient to be determined.

* $41,000.13 for general administration.

* $40,000 to Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley, the consortium’s dedicated community housing development organization.

Joyce is also slated to reappoint two members to the Downtown Facade Committee, which reviews proposed improvements and modifications to buildings in the downtown central business district, as well as adjust the terms of two members confirmed at the July 8 meeting.

After the regular meeting, council will convene as the Urban Renewal Authority to consider an offer to purchase a lot at 1509 Andrew St. for $500 and an application for the URA to buy a property with a dilapidated structure at 320 10th St.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.