The tethering of animals within the city limits of Athens could be banned Monday if the City Council votes to do so.

On the agenda for the regularly scheduled meeting is a discussion and possible vote on amending the city’s animal ordinance. The council has two avenues it could pursue — one to completely ban tethering and one that would allow the practice to continue, but only if the animal is tethered to a zip line.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. A work session starts at 4:30.

Councilman Harold Wales, who led a committee that examined the tethering issue, said the two bills were the outcome of several discussions with the city attorney, police chief and animal rights advocates. He said he could “live with” the zip line ordinance, but hopes the council approves the bill banning tethering entirely.

The caveat to that bill, however, is pet owners would be required to house the animals in a 10-foot-by-10-foot enclosed pen with a shelter for the animal.

“I like that one because it will get the animals out of the cold and rain and things like that,” Wales said. “It eliminates people from tying them to a tree or stake in the ground and problems with the feces and flies. We’re trying to clean all that up.”

What remains to be seen is how changes to the ordinance would be enforced at rental homes or on those with limited incomes.

“There may be some hardship on some people, but we will get involved,” Wales said. “There are animal groups here in town that have bought houses for a lot of dogs and there are fund drives for people who need help.”

The councilman said the city’s proposed changes would closely mirror current tethering restrictions in Florence, Cullman, Franklin, Tennessee, and Iuka, Mississippi.

Mayor Ronnie Marks said he felt changes to the ordinance were necessary to clean up some existing language. He feels the changes are positive and said committee members considered expense and enforcement when discussing the changes.

“We’ll see which bill is passed by the council and then look at what administrative changes we’ll have to make,” he said.

Rec center bids

The council may also vote Monday to approve a bid and architectural services for the new 72,000-square-foot recreation center. First Team Construction Co. of Auburn submitted the low bid of $14.2 million.

Marks said he was pleased with the quality of all the bids, but was particularly excited by First Team’s proposal because it includes a number of alternate items on Marks’ wish list. Those items include fixed and telescoping bleachers in the main gym, a multipurpose synthetic athletic field, tennis and volleyball courts, playground resurfacing and new playground equipment.

“I never dreamed we would get the bids we did, so we were able to roll the base and alternate bids into a low bid contract,” Marks said.

Construction on the new center could begin later this year. The current 20,000-square-foot rec center was built in 1977.

Features of the new center include a main gymnasium, an auxiliary gym and what planners call a “flex” gym for free play and handball. The second floor will include an indoor walking track and a fitness room.

Earlier this year, the City Council went to the bond market to secure $20 million for the rec center and other projects, including improvements to the Pilgrim’s Pride property off Pryor Street.

Other items

Other items to be considered Monday by the council include:

• The purchase of a dump truck for the water department;

• The purchase of a breathing air compressor system for Athens Fire & Rescue Service;

• The purchase of a 2018 Dodge Ram 2500 for the gas department; and

• A resolution to make improvements to Luke Street.