The city of Ironton will soon be stepping up its enforcement of recreational vehicles being parked on public grounds.

An ordinance on the matter, Ordinance 16-42, prohibiting the parking of certain vehicles upon the city streets, alleys and public rights-of-way, was given its first reading.

The types of vehicles affected include campers, trailers and boats.

Capt. Pam Wagner, of the Ironton Police Department, addressed Ironton City Council Thursday evening on the ordinance about the issue, stating that in the past year, the amount of recreational vehicles she has seen parked in the city has significantly increased.

She said that she counted 49 recreational vehicles parked on the street, alleyways or over the sidewalks on Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Streets from Quincy to Lorain.

Ironton councilman Rich Blankenship said he agreed something needed to be done on the issue, but advised council to let the ordinance have three separate readings in order for affected people to have an opportunity to address council about concerns.

Anyone who is affected by this is ordinance is advised to address Ironton City Council at the next meeting, Thursday, Nov. 10.

Also at council, the issue of cats in the city was addressed. The current ordinance doesn’t address the city dog warden taking in stray cats. However, the finance committee felt it was important for cats to be taken care of as well, as long as the animal control city line item doesn’t exceed its $5,000 limit.

Ironton councilman and Vice Mayor Craig Harvey said that it is currently up in the air if the dog warden will eventually be able to pick up cats, or if someone else would need to be hired to do so. For the time being, however, residents who are experiencing problems with cats may capture them and take them to the Lawrence County Animal Shelter themselves for $10 per cat and $7 per kitten.