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WEIRTON -- A proposed ordinance which would have dissolved the current oversight structure for Weirton's parks operations was tabled Monday, with its sponsor saying she hopes the additional times provides an opportunity to break through what she considers a stalemate between Weirton Council and the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation.
The ordinance, which was tabled by a 7-0 vote following a one-hour executive session, would "revoke the powers of and the establishment of the Board of Park Commissioners." According to Monday's agenda, it was sponsored by Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone.
No members of council offered any comments on the ordinance during the meeting, but Perrone explained her reasoning following the adjournment.
"The idea behind the ordinance was to motive action for support of our Parks Department between council and our park board," Perrone said.
In particular, she said she hoped it would encourage engagement between the two entities, and increases in funding in support of the recreational operations in Weirton.
"We're working to see if there's another way to accomplish those goals," she said.
Weirton's recreation systems are overseen by a volunteer board of community members, appointed by council. The board, along with parks staff, is tasked with management of the Millsop Community Center, Starvaggi Memorial Park and Pool, Marland Heights Park, the Panhandle Rail Trail and approximately one dozen community playgrounds.
Weirton Council has allotted $700,000 from its budget per year to assist with operational costs.
In addition, in the fall of 2021, council set aside $500,000 specifically for use on repairs and maintenance for the southern wall of the Millsop Community Center, and, last year, appropriated $1.5 million from its American Rescue Plan Act funds to put toward various improvements to park facilities.
Park Board members have claimed, on numerous instances, reaching out to city council and the city administration, with little response. Council and the Park Board have met in joint work sessions at various points over the years, with the last one taking place in June 2022.
Earlier, during the Citizen's Comments portion of Monday's meeting, three residents approached council to offer their support of the Parks Board.
Dean Harris, a former mayor and member of council, explained the reasoning behind having autonomous boards in Weirton was an effort to keep politics out of those aspects of the city.
Noting he was on council during the "years of the 4-3," when council often was divided on issues, he said those years served as a prime example of why those elected officials should not be managing the city's parks.
"We wouldn't have gotten a tulip planted at Marland Heights Park," he said.
Karen Gould, offered her praise of the Park Board.
"I think they have functioned very well and very efficiently," she said.
Deb Witkowski, who served on the Park Board from 2004 to 2022, also offered her support.
At least three current members of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation were in attendance at Monday's meeting, though none opted to address council. All of them departed the meeting before it ended.