Members of Parkersburg City Council prepare to convene as the Urban Renewal Authority Tuesday following a brief regular meeting in which they approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a bond issue to fund construction of a new recreational facility and a fire station. (Photo by Clara Noelle)
From staff reports
PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg City Council approved the final reading of an ordinance to buy property for a new fire station and passed the first reading of an ordinance to fund its construction, along with a planned replacement for the City Park Pavilion, during a brief meeting Tuesday evening.
Council approved the final reading of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of property on Briant Street behind Seventh Street United Methodist Church from the church for $50,000. The vote was 7-0, with Councilwoman Jesse Cottrille and Councilman J.R. Carpenter absent and Councilwoman Wendy Tuck participating by phone. They also unanimously approved an amendment to the ordinance specifying that the property would be used for the new fire station.
The first reading of an ordinance authorizing a bond issue of up to $15 million to fund construction of that facility and the proposed recreation center in City Park also passed 7-0. The property would be transferred to the Municipal Building Commission and leased back to the city; however, the ordinance did not specify which properties. Bond attorney John Stump previously said the locations and the precise amount of the bond issue would be added by a supplemental resolution.
The bond issue will not require an increase in taxes or fees, Mayor Tom Joyce has said. The bonds will be repaid using the city’s new debt service fund, he said.
After the 10-minute council meeting, members convened as the Urban Renewal Authority. Full coverage of that meeting will appear in Thursday’s edition of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel.