WEIRTON — The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation and the Mary H. Weir Public Library could see their yearly allotment of funding from the city reduced as a result of continuing cuts implemented in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The issue was discussed by Weirton Council during its meeting Monday, at which time it was proposed a 5 percent reduction in the allotments to both groups be made for the 2020 fiscal year. Council will schedule another meeting in the coming weeks for additional discussion and formal action.

“The 5 percent isn’t really detrimental to either one of them,” Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich said, participating in the meeting by teleconference.

A letter was sent to council, and read into the record Monday, by former state Sen. Ed Bowman, chairman of the park board, expressing disappointment in the proposal, which would amount to approximately $39,000.

Bowman, in his letter, said this reduction, if implemented, in addition to the losses already sustained by the temporary closure of park facilities, could prevent the board from meeting its budgetary obligations, and he requested council consider a 2.5 percent reduction instead.

Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle, also participating by telephone, said a decision has yet to be made on the summer operations of the Starvaggi Memorial Pool, explaining if it were to open, the earliest would be June 6 and precautions would need to be taken through guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We have not made a final decision,” Shingle said, noting he and the park board feel a 5 percent reduction would be detrimental either way, but is working on making its own cuts to offset as many losses as possible. “We understand and we want to be a team player. We’re looking at a lot of losses now, and probably more in the future.”

City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo noted the efforts the Park Board has made to cut costs during the pandemic, including closing the Millsop Community Center and instituting layoffs for much of the staff.

For his part, Rik Rekowski, director of the Mary H. Weir Public Library, said cuts are being made there, also, and he appreciates the support council has provided over the years.

“We know the decisions you have to make are difficult,” Rekowski said. “We are with you as you’ve always been with us.”

Ward 4 Councilman George Ash recommended holding off on making the payments until further discussion is held, with others agreeing, saying more information is needed.

“We don’t know if they’re going to open or not,” Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso said of the pool.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone, however, noted there still is overhead involved even if the facilities are not operating.

“They’re losing a lot of revenue not being open,” Perrone said.

Ward 2 Councilman Mike Adams, who also is a member of the park board agreed, saying upkeep of the various playgrounds is still taking place.

“The park board is not just the pool,” he said. “There’s a lot of moving parts.”

Council convened into a 14-minute executive session prior to the public discussion, which City Attorney Vince Gurrera said was for personnel items and the cleanup of a site on 4th Street.

In other business, council heard a mayoral proclamation for Kids to Parks Day on May 16, and announced there will be a Peace Officer Memorial Service at 11 a.m., Wednesday in front of the Weirton City Building.

Council also:

¯ Approved, 7-0, the final reading of an ordinance amending the text of the Unified Development Ordinance Table 1.

¯ Passed unanimously a resolution to extend the city’s maintenance and support agreement with Idemia Identity and Security USA for the LiveScan Station Ruggedized software for the Weirton Police Department, at a cost of $3,237.

¯ Approved a resolution to purchase one 2020 Ford SUV fully equipped police cruiser at $43,287, and a resolution to purchase one 2016 Ford SUV fully equipped police cruiser at $16,189.

¯ An ordinance to place a 14-foot yellow line across from the driveway at 201 N. 15 St. died after council opted to keep it tabled for the third time.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)