Parkersburg City Council members, from left, Sharon Kuhl, Roger Brown, Mike Reynolds, Andrew Borkowski and Robert Moore are seen during Tuesday’s regular meeting at the Municipal Building. Councilwoman Wendy Tuck and Councilman Zak Huffman joined for the Parkersburg City Council meeting over the phone on Tuesday. Councilman Chris Rexroad was absent. (

PARKERSBURG – The first reading of an ordinance banning the feeding of animals on city property was approved Tuesday by Parkersburg City Council after two amendments adding stricter guidelines.

The amended ordinance passed 6-2, with Councilman Chris Rexroad absent and Councilwoman Wendy Tuck and Councilman Zak Huffman participating by phone.

The amendments, both proposed by Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl, expanded the prohibition from city parks to all city property and established a fine of $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.

Kuhl suggested making the ban apply to sidewalks as well, but Tuck said that could take away the rights of homeowners if sidewalks are included.

“I understand public property and maintaining public safety, but I would be hesitant to restrict the right of homeowners to do what they want on the sidewalks that they control,” Tuck said.

Kuhl said she wanted to make the ordinance more strict “because we’re dealing with safety and public health.”

Parkersburg resident Alisa Prince expressed her support for the ordinance during the meeting’s public forum.

“We all want our parks, sidewalks, and recreational areas to remain clean, safe and accessible for all residents,” she said.

Mayor Tom Joyce agreed that there were concerns about sanitation and public health as a result of animals being fed in the parks, pointing to the feeding of cats in Southwood Park.

“We’ve asked these folks to not do this … you start messing with Mother Nature and you’re going to see the unintended consequences,” he said.

Council unanimously confirmed Joyce’s reappointments of Wayne Waldeck and Mike Williams to the Downtown Facade Committee for terms expiring Jan. 10, 2026, and Jan. 8, 2028, respectively. The vote also corrected the terms of Austin Young and Sydney Weber to expire July 8, 2028, instead of 2029.

The proposed allocations of the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Fund were approved in a 5-3 vote with Tuck, Huffman and Council President Mike Reynolds opposed.

A few members of the public voiced their concerns that the ordinance needed to be looked over and revised before passing due to a lack of representation in Districts 4 and 5 on the Finance Committee.

Following the regular meeting, council met as the Urban Renewal Authority with two agenda items. Carol Webb’s application to purchase 1509 Andrew St. for $500 was not taken up because no motion was made.

No motion was made on Chasity Murphy’s application for the URA to purchase 320 10th St. Kuhl recommended she put the lot up for sale before asking the city to buy it.

The next Parkersburg City Council meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 in council chambers.