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Thursday Marietta City Council introduced legislation to put the city's harbor up for a bid to lease.
"I'd like to have this go the full three readings," explained Councilwoman Cindy Oxender after the first reading of Ordinance 146. "Since there is an emergency clause on it, it should still be in good shape for the spring."
An emergency clause on council's legislation allows the measure to go into effect immediately after its passage by council and approval by the mayor.
The new lease is currently being considered by current lessor WASCO Inc., which is a nonprofit company which provides employment opportunities to adults with disabilities in Washington County.
But this round of bidding may also see a private investment team bid on the lease to run the Harbor, led by Chip Coffin.
Council also suspended the rules and dispensed with the second and third readings of Ordinance 145 Thursday and passed the measure to increase third-party billing fees this year for emergency services.
"This is something we do every year as our cost for equipment and manpower goes up," explained Councilman Steve Thomas. "The first (lowest) rate is for our basic EMTs and the most expensive ones is our paramedics."
Council unanimously passed the legislation along with two other routine ordinances reviewed annually concerning the city's purchase of fuel for its vehicles.
'These are going out to bid (Friday) so we can get the replies by the end of January," explained Councilwoman Kathy Downer. "This is routine and done yearly."
Finally, council also passed an ordinance to remove 410 Fearing St. from the city's list of blighted properties, selling the now-leveled parcel for $5,050 to Northwest Settlement Co., LLC.
"There was a successful bid that was offered on the property that was higher than the previous bid that was offered," noted Oxender before the unanimous adoption.
"And it was higher than the minimum bid we put out for that, fantastic," added Councilwoman Cassidi Shoaf.
Council will next meet on Jan. 9 at 4:15 p.m. for Streets Committee followed by Employee Relations Committee at 5:15 p.m.