City Safety Service Director Steve Wetz shares his concerns about the delay of Ordinance 40 during Thursday evening's council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Marietta City Council approved several infrastructure and equipment-related ordinances Thursday evening while tabling a proposal tied to restructuring zoning and code enforcement services and receiving updates on the ongoing Start Westward Monument project.

Council voted 5-2 to table Ordinance 40, which would move zoning, code inspection and permitting functions to the Southeast Ohio Building Department. The proposal had drawn discussion in recent weeks over the elimination of two city positions and the consolidation of permitting services.

Safety-Service Director Steve Wetz said the measure was intended to simplify the process for residents and contractors while reducing costs.

“We’re trying to save money, but yet also streamline the whole process for people,” he said. “If people can just go to the Southeast Ohio Building Department and they get it all instead of them going to get a building permit from the Southeast Ohio Building Department and then the Southeast Ohio Building Department saying you got to get ahold of zoning at the city to get permission from them for us to issue. We’re trying to get it all down there.”

Wetz said the agreement would cost the city about $125,000 annually but would save money compared to current staffing and enforcement costs.

“It’ll be two salaries saved,” he said.

Rick Dostal, the city’s chief building official, also supported the proposal, describing it as a way to create a “one stop shop” for permits.

“It makes it easier and simpler on the residents and the contractors, and everybody needs a permit from the very beginning to the very end,” he said.

After the legislation was tabled, Wetz voiced frustration during committee discussions.

“I have wasted too much of my time on this matter,” Wetz said. “We’ve wasted too much of this man’s time.”

Councilman Jon Grimm said he generally supported the ordinance but believed additional discussion was warranted.

“I don’t think a two week delay is too much to ask to make sure that we do our due diligence and make the right decision,” he said.

Council also approved Ordinance 56, authorizing bids for the city’s 2026 alternative street resurfacing program. Members amended the legislation to add an emergency clause before unanimously approving the ordinance itself.

Mayor Josh Schlicher said the city was facing a tight timeline to complete the bidding process.

“There’s two companies in this area that do that type of work,” he said. “One company is really tight on that schedule, and the other one is getting there.”

Council also received an update on the Start Westward Monument project. Law Director Paul Bertram said lease and cultural use agreements tied to the project were nearing completion following discussions with attorneys involved in the process.

“The lease has been completed,” Bertram said. “The cultural use agreement has been completed. It was initially brought to them. They were good. I made some minor changes.”

Bertram said the documents should be distributed to council members next week for review and discussion.

The monument project involves cooperation between the city, the Ohio History Connection and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. Council also continued second readings on legislation related to a bronze replica connected to the monument and agreements tied to the project site.

During administrative reports, Utilities Director Ryan Boley announced the city’s annual “All Out Clean Out” program would return June 12-13 and June 19-20 at Indian Acres. He said the city typically averages about 12 roll-off dumpster loads during the cleanup effort.

Council also approved legislation appropriating funds for sewer equipment purchases, including a previously approved vac truck, and accepted donated radio communication equipment from the Marietta College Campus Police Department for use by the city police. Members additionally approved the donation of four city police bicycles to the college police department.

Discussion also continued regarding upgrades to the sound system at the Armory, including accessibility and closed-captioning requirements connected to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bertram said municipalities the size of Marietta must comply with updated accessibility requirements by April 2027.

“If you act, do it right,” Bertram said while discussing potential livestreaming and captioning improvements for council meetings.

In other business, Bertram provided an update on a nuisance property issue near South Sixth and Meigs streets after complaints from residents.

“There were arrests made, and there have been letters sent by certified mail to the owners concerning cleanup,” Bertram said. “There is a lawsuit … that will be filed next Friday.”

The next regular meeting of council is scheduled for May 23 at the Armory.