By Maddie Wilson

January 24, 2007 | PROVIDENCE -- Playing fetch with your dog in the park might not be allowed, according to Providence City Council Tuesday night during a somewhat confusing and heated meeting.

City Council discussed adopting an ordinance that would prohibit animals in city parks. City Administrator Skarlet Bankhead said this ordinance would also include cemeteries.

"If you do (take your dog to a cemetery), you need to keep your dog safely in your car," said Bankhead.

This ordinance is not newly created, Bankhead said. She said this ordinance is a copy of what the council had already decided upon in another situation.

Some audience members did not agree with this ordinance, stating there should be parks specifically for dogs. The council decided that city staff members and citizens would look further into this idea.

Among other ordinances voted upon in front of a flustered audience was one that would establish a land use authority and an appeals authority.

As Bankhead and council members spoke back and forth about how many members are in the appeals authority and who should be named the land use authority, many audience members could be heard making remarks under their breath such as, "The officers look confused."

One audience member stood and spoke directly to the council members, saying they were not following the agenda, and because of this she was not prepared to listen to what they were discussing.

Amid the confusion, council members voted 5 to 1 in favor of establishing an appeals authority consisting of four city members and one quasi-professional who may be paid.

The council also voted unanimously in favor of assigning the planning commission to the land use authority for all subdivisions, and city staff as land use authority for all other land.

The council will next meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 in the City Office Building.

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