A Winchester city sub-committee voted Friday morning to recommend a ban on feeding waterfowl in area parks. City officials think the proposed ordinance will help control the geese population.

In June, the city contracted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to come in and euthanize 210 geese at Wilkins Lake in Jim Barnett Park.

They say when residents feed the waterfowl at city parks and lakes it attracts more birds, which poses a safety hazard for residents.

Winchester City Manager Brannon Godfrey says, "The number of geese there not only contribute to the problems with their health, but certainly the health of the humans and environment, and aquatic life in the lake there from all the waste that they drop."

The ordinance will likely go to the full city council for a first reading September 9 and a vote at the October 14 meeting. Violating the ordinance would carry a $50 fine.