From left, Marietta City Law Director Paul Bertram and Councilman Harley Noland share a discussion prior to the start of Thursday evening’s council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Injection wells and aquifer protection resurfaced Thursday as Marietta City Council heard an update from Councilman Ben Rutherford during a meeting that also included action on parking changes, employee contracts, appropriations and utility rates.

Rutherford reported that the Injection Well Task Force continues to analyze potential risks to the city’s aquifer, including concerns tied to nearby Class II injection wells.

Rutherford also questioned whether the group could utilize a U.S. Geological Survey mapping program that the city previously relied on for flood modeling.

“We technically only used it for flooding predictions,” said Safety Service Director Steve Wetz. “But it also has a deposition portion to it, so we can probably use it for that also.”

Rutherford said early analysis suggests the greatest threats to the aquifer appear to come from surface pathways and the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, which can contribute water to the wellfield during pumping. He added that Marietta College faculty and students will assist with reservoir modeling and air sampling as the city considers where monitoring wells might be most effective for further data collection.

Rutherford also noted that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources recently sent a letter outlining inaccuracies and missing information in previous discussions. He said the task force will meet again to review ODNR’s concerns and prepare next steps.

Council approved Ordinance 240 after lifting it from the table, amending it and voting 6-1 for adoption. The measure updates minimum parking requirements for properties inside and outside the C-4 Downtown Commercial District and revises rules for where community facility parking may be located.

Councilman Bret Allphin called the changes a temporary fix until the city’s zoning code overhaul is complete.

“I’m proposing this as something that will help us get past that challenge until the new zoning can be taken up,” he said, noting that parking requirements continue to limit downtown redevelopment.

Law Director Paul Bertram said parking has been a major section of the zoning rewrite, which he and a consultant have been working through with council “every other week since June.”

Council then finalized Ordinance 255, renewing the city’s animal-control contract with the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley for 2026. Executive Director Amy Rogers said the existing $21,321 contract represents about 3% of the shelter’s operating budget and asked for an increase to match rising costs.

On a motion from Councilman Jon Grimm, members amended the amount to $22,500 and adopted the ordinance unanimously.

Ordinance 261, which updates wastewater discharge charges, was temporarily stalled when council initially failed to suspend the second and third readings. Bertram cautioned that without suspension or an emergency clause, “this particular ordinance will fail,” because the 30-day effective period would extend into the next council term.

Council reconsidered the vote after a brief recess, unanimously suspended the remaining readings and approving the ordinance, with Councilwoman Erin O’Neill voting no on final passage.

Council also passed two appropriations ordinances — 259 and 260 — after suspending their remaining readings. Ordinance 259 includes $3,000 for fire maintenance, $7,200 for 911 dispatch equipment and $188,816.09 for general fund cost allocation. Ordinance 260 includes several Municipal Court adjustments, including a $10,000 general fund transfer.

Finance Chairman Mike Scales reminded council that court-related appropriations are now handled as standalone ordinances and noted rising civil case mailing expenses.

Council also adopted Ordinance 257, which sets 2026 salaries for the city’s full- and part-time non-union employees.

Resolution 85 — which states that Council President Susan Vessels’ personal views do not necessarily represent those of individual council members or the council as a whole — received its second reading. A motion to suspend the third reading failed 4-3.

Bertram reported the administration is withdrawing its request to adopt the latest Ohio Fire Code until the city completes a full audit of Chapter 15 of the municipal ordinances.

Mayor Josh Schlicher said leaf collection crews have moved past Seventh Street and hope to complete a second pickup round before Christmas “if the weather cooperates.”

The next regular Marietta City Council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.