Heather Regan White / The American Press

WESTLAKE — The City Council on Monday put off introducing an amendment to allow the use of motorized watercraft on Jones Pond, a stretch of water between Shady Lane and Guillory Street. 

Gary Richardson in June presented a petition from people who live around the pond who want language prohibiting trawling motors removed.

The item was brought up again Monday, and several residents spoke in opposition. One man said the state recommended the prohibition because invasive vegetation was likely brought in by boats from other waterways.

Another resident said the vegetation on the pond was so bad that residents couldn’t swim or fish.

Richardson defended the amendment request, noting the pond is no longer accessible to the public because all entry points are privately owned. Much of the algae bloom on the pond is due to lack of aeration, which trawling motors would resolve, he said.

The foreign vegetation, Richardson said, was from aquariums being dumped into the pond and that the plants would get in regardless of motors.

The council agreed with Mayor Bob Hardey that more research was needed to determine who owns the pond, and whether the city is allowed to have any say in what is prohibited. 

Legal counsel Maci LeTard said that if the property is privately owned, the council should repeal the ordinance.