A new taxi service will begin operation in Marietta next month, according to legislation adopted by Marietta City Council Wednesday night.
Marietta resident Ralph "Rusty" Adams thanked the council members for approving the ordinance that will allow him to open Adams Taxi and Transportation Service at 301 Scammel St. on Sept. 15.
"I've worked very long and hard on this," he said.
Councilman Denver Abicht, D-at large, and chairman of the streets and transportation committee, noted Adams had to clear several hurdles before receiving council's approval.
Adams has driven cabs with another company for four years, and decided to open his own service earlier this year, but it has taken several months to go through the process of opening the business in Marietta.
"If it's any consolation, we're working on streamlining this process and making it easier for new businesses to open in this town," council president Walt Brothers told Adams.
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Marietta City Council's water, sewer and sanitation; planning, zoning, annexation and housing; and lands, buildings and parks committees will meet beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor conference room at 304 Putnam St.
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There are currently at least two other taxi services reportedly operating in Marietta, including Ohio Valley Cab and Yellow Taxi.
In other business Wednesday, council members heard the first reading of an ordinance that would create a new hospital-medical "H-M" zoning district as requested by the Memorial Health System. The new zoning designation would enable medical facilities to build certain projects on their properties without having to seek council approval every time.
Also on Wednesday, council heard the first reading of ordinances naming the city's four boat docks and setting regulations and penalties for their use.
The regulations include no swimming; no consumption of alcoholic beverages; no smoking; no bicycles, scooters, skates, skateboards, roller blades, pogo sticks or remote control devices; no littering; no overnight mooring except at the Lafayette Docks during approved festivals; and no fishing, except from the Lafayette Docks.
The ordinance also sets hours for public daily use of the docks between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., and a $250 penalty for violation of the hours of operation. A $150 penalty is set for violation of the other dock regulations.
Councilman Harley Noland, D-at large, and chairman of the lands, buildings and parks committee, made a motion to pass the boat docks legislation Wednesday night, but the motion failed to gain the necessary 6 votes.
"I'm not in favor...I think the public should have an opportunity to comment before this legislation is passed," Vukovic said.
During council comments at the end of Wednesday's meeting, members expressed their sadness at the loss of former councilman Art Fordham, 66, who died Saturday.
Council also offered condolences to the family of Marietta resident and local newspaper columnist Joan Pritchard, 87, who died Sunday.
