Due to absences, Councilman Bill Gossett fills in as council president during Thursday evening's Marietta City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Marietta City Council reorganized its leadership for Thursday evening’s meeting before taking up a limited agenda because several city officials were absent.

Council President Susan Vessels was not present, and Mayor Josh Schlicher appointed Council President Pro Tempore Harley Noland to serve as acting mayor for the evening, City Law Director Paul Bertram said. Councilman Ron Wesel also was absent and was excused by council.

Because Noland was serving in an administrative role, he could not vote as a member of council.

“He’s now administrative, not legislative,” Bertram said. “He has no ability to vote.”

Council then nominated and approved Councilman William Gossett to serve as president pro tempore No. 2 and preside over the meeting.

City Law Director Paul Betram discusses how voting will change due to absences during Thursday evening's Marietta City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Bertram said the absences limited what council could do Thursday because they did not have enough voting members to suspend the rules on new legislation.

“We cannot vote on anything this evening, other than that which is pending and is on its third reading,” Bertram said.

He said new legislation would receive first readings only because suspending additional readings requires six votes.

On third reading, council unanimously adopted Resolution 11, accepting the donation of two parcels of real property on Jahn Street from the heirs of James Thomas Robinson Sr. and Janice Marie Robinson.

Council also voted to table Resolution 13, which would adopt the city’s tax budget for calendar year 2027 and submit it to the Washington County auditor.

Marietta resident Donald Washburn shares his concerns regarding fast-moving traffic on Pennslyvania Ave. during Thursday evening's City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“I am not exactly sure why we need to, but I have been requested by the law director to table this issue,” Councilman Jon Grimm said. “It will be brought back at the next regular meeting.”

Bertram said Resolution 13 is expected to be brought back July 2, when a public hearing on the tax budget also will be held.

“There will be a public hearing on the tax budget, then it will be before this legislative authority, this council, for passage so that it can be then transmitted to the auditor of Washington County,” Bertram said.

Resolution 14, which would adopt the city’s 2026-2030 Community Development Consolidated Plan and 2026 Annual Action Plan for filing with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, received no further action Thursday.

During call on officials, Noland reported the city will receive $150,000 through the capital bill for work related to the Start Westward Monument. He said the money will be used for sidewalks, lighting and educational platforms at the new monument site.

Jocinda Jeffery, a local Girl Scout, discusses design plans for signs near Indian Acres Park and the Marietta Aquatic Center with council during Thursday evening's meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“I’d like to thank the mayor and administration for submitting this proposal,” Noland said, adding that the funding means “that project will move forward.”

Safety-Service Director Steve Wetz outlined several committee items expected to come before council in the coming weeks, including leases for the Lockmaster House and 308 Putnam St., a proposed memorial bench on Front Street, the Knox Park property line issue, a repeater tower donation from Marietta College, crosswalk painting at Butler and Second streets, stormwater fees, a water reclamation plant backup generator and a sanitary sewer tap application outside city limits.

Marietta resident Donald Washburn was the only visitor to address council. Washburn raised concerns about storm drains and speeding on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“Pennsylvania Avenue is a race track,” Washburn said.

Washburn said he has complained about the issue before and recently left a message with the mayor’s office but had not received a return call. He said 16 to 18 children have moved into the neighborhood within the past year and said he is worried someone could be hurt.

“One of these kids is going to get hit by a car,” Washburn said.

Washburn also said water has continued to collect near storm drains on Pennsylvania Avenue, contributing to deterioration of the road.

“I’ve complained about this for over two years,” Washburn said. “The road is starting to break apart because it lays wet all the time.”

Council gave first readings to several new pieces of legislation but took no further action on them.

Those included Ordinance 67, an emergency measure authorizing the safety-service director to enter into a contract with GeoStabilization International LLC, of Westminster, Colo., for the North End Maple Street Extension Emergency Slip Repair Project at a cost not to exceed $180,808.

Other first readings included an appropriations and transfers ordinance; an emergency ordinance increasing city fees for emergency medical transport services; and an ordinance authorizing the purchase of two Stryker power load/cot systems at a cost not to exceed $152,297.60 through Ohio’s cooperative purchasing program.

Council also gave first readings to ordinances amending city code chapters related to medical marijuana control and adult-use cannabis facilities or dispensaries.

Three resolutions also received first readings. One would authorize local Girl Scout Jocinda Jeffery to design five signs to be installed by the city, at Jeffery’s expense, on city-owned property near Indian Acres Park and the Marietta Aquatic Center. Another would authorize GLP Holdings LLC, doing business as Greenlight, to sponsor two Adopt-A-Highway signs on Ohio 7. A third would recognize the Marietta Morning Rotary Club’s 35 years of maintaining and improving Discovery Garden at Seventh and Greene streets and authorize a memorandum of understanding for continued support.

Jeffery, who spoke briefly during the meeting, said she has been planning what the signs will look like and intends to get help from a neighbor who is a graphic designer.

Council members also discussed technology upgrades for council meetings, including future streaming or recording requirements. Gossett said council should not delay the process.

“That’s been on my mind, because I’ve talked to somebody else about the lack of City Council streaming this or otherwise,” Gossett said.

Councilwoman Jade Thompson said a local resource connected with Marietta College had agreed to research possible service providers.

Wetz also said the city’s “All Out Clean Out” at Indian Acres Park had filled dumpsters during its first weekend and would continue for one final weekend.

“Apparently, it was very successful because the dumpsters were completely filled, compacted and filled again,” he said.

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