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WILKES-BARRE — Even though city council on Tuesday withdrew from the agenda an ordinance aimed at managing feral cat colonies, residents for and against nevertheless spoke up.

At the combined work session and public meeting council members thanked city animal enforcement officer Adam Olver for his effort that led to the proposed legislation. But they decided it needed more work before voting on it.

Council vice chairman Bill Barrett said the ordinance covered more than trapping, neutering and releasing (TNR) the wild cats back into the neighborhoods where they were caught.

“There may be a need for a little more research on this,” Barrett said, adding he wants a workable solution.

The ordinance would replace a temporary agreement between the city and Happy Hearts and Tails and Whiskers World that carry out TNR, a practice that has an angered residents who said the cats are damaging their property and ruining their quality of life.

Maude Sienkiewicz of Bowman Street supported Olver’s ordinance. Feral cats still roam her neighborhood despite the practice of TNR, she said.

The people who feed the feral cats don’t do it on their properties, Sienkiewicz said.

“But the people who want to enjoy their property that they have worked so hard for and they deserve to be able to take care of their property themselves and enjoy it, you have condemned to another summer of stench and filth,” Sienkiewicz said.

Helene Kane, also of Bowman Street, welcomed the animals in her neighborhood. “I’m here for the cats. They are just trying to survive as any other animal is and that’s what I want to say,” Kane said.

Planters Peanuts, other items

Councilman Tony Brooks provided an update on the plans for the property containing the former Planters Peanuts building on South Main Street that was removed from the agenda for a vote earlier this month. He said there will be a meeting to see what the community wants to do with the building.

The Planters Peanuts Preservation Project meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on June 4 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre.

When it came time to vote council approved the three remaining agenda items:

• A resolution permitting the Wilkes-Barre Finance Authority to issue up to $20 million in notes to finance the purchase of the Little Flower Manor, St. Therese Residence and St. Luke’s Villa by Allied Services Personal Care Inc. The city will not be liable for the notes.

• The second and final reading of an ordinance regarding the Employees Pension Fund to reflect an increase in the monthly contribution contained in new contracts for the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 1310 and Teamsters Local 401. The pension contribution for employees hired after the contracts’ ratifications in April of this year will increase to 7% from 5%. The increase also will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2022 for all Local 1310 and Local 401 employees.

• The first reading adopting the 2019 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program budget of $1,520,526 and $358,653 for the Home Investment Partnership program.

Barrett
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_Barrett_Bill-cmyk-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBarrett

Wilkes-Barre animal enforcement officer Adam Olver is seen outside a city vehicle last week.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_TTL051619Cats1CMYK.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes-Barre animal enforcement officer Adam Olver is seen outside a city vehicle last week. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader
Residents still have say, however

By Jerry Lynott

[email protected]

Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.