From left, Councilwoman Jade Thompson listens as Councilman Jon Grimm describes Resolution 13, which covers the tax budget for the 2027 fiscal year. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

MARIETTA — Questions over private encroachments on city-owned land at Knox Park led public comment during Thursday evening’s Marietta City Council meeting, as council considered two proposed revocable license agreements related to the park.

The legislation, Resolution Nos. 19 and 20, would authorize Safety-Service Director Steven Wetz to enter into revocable license agreements with Joseph H. Wesel II and Kathryn J. Wesel, and with Donald J. McMahan, trustee of the Donald J. McMahan Revocable Trust. Both agreements would allow the property owners to use specific areas of city-owned property known as Knox Park in the 500 block of Front Street.

According to council, the landowners were unaware before a survey that portions of their properties encroached onto city property. The Wesel property has a concrete parking pad that extends about 4 feet onto park property, while the McMahan property has a fence that encroaches about 2 feet, according to the survey.

The proposals involve revocable licenses, not easements. A license would give permission for use of the property but could be revoked by the city. An easement generally creates a more permanent property interest allowing someone to use another property owner’s land for a specific purpose.

Marietta resident and former council member Roger Kalter urged council not to allow private use of the park property, describing Knox Park as “a sliver of city-owned heaven.” Kalter said volunteers and community groups have spent years improving the park with plantings, trees, a raised-bed garden and other work.

Roger Kalter, right, speaks during public comment at Thursday’s Marietta City Council meeting, urging council to enforce property boundaries at Knox Park and protect the city-owned parkland. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Kalter said the park is used daily by residents walking, picnicking and using the River Trail. He said the encroachments should not be treated casually because the land belongs to the public.

“It is not okie dokie,” Kalter said. “It is not the good old boy power play.”

Kalter urged council to enforce the property boundaries.

“Let’s just use common sense and follow the law,” he said.

Prudence Burgardt, who said her parents established Knox Park, also spoke against allowing the encroachments to remain.

Prudence Burgardt speaks during public comment at Thursday’s Marietta City Council meeting about proposed revocable license agreements related to encroachments on city-owned property at Knox Park. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“Municipal boundary laws must be enforced citywide without exception, particularly when private properties encroach on public parks,” Burgardt said. “Granting allowances to certain residents after multiple surveys have confirmed an encroachment is unfair and sets a dangerous precedent.”

She said the issue should be handled consistently.

“The law should apply equally and fairly to everyone,” Burgardt said.

The two Knox Park resolutions were given first readings Thursday and referred for further discussion.

Council also heard guidance from the law director’s office about conflicts of interest, ethics rules and the handling of legislation involving city property. Micah Tippie, assistant law director, speaking for Law Director Paul Bertram, said requests for legislation must come through proper channels.

“Officials and employees must conduct themselves at all times in a manner that avoids favoritism, bias and the appearance of impropriety,” Tippie said.

Tippie said granting public land by easement or license is considered something of value, and any participation by a council member closely connected to a beneficiary could create the appearance of impropriety or a potential conflict.

During miscellaneous business, 4th Ward Councilman Ron Wesel, who is a cousin of Joseph H. Wesel II and whose ward includes Knox Park, said he was frustrated by how much attention the issue has received.

“Definitely disappointed how much time’s been wasted on this particular issue,” he said. “We have way bigger fish to fry than this,”

In other business, council removed Resolution No. 13 from the table and adopted it after briefly reverting to an earlier order of business to hold a public hearing. The resolution adopts the city’s 2027 tax budget and provides for its submission to the Washington County auditor.

Councilman Jon Grimm said the tax budget is the first step in the city’s budgeting process and reflects expected tax receipts from the county, along with an expected 3% increase in salaries carried through from the previous year.

Council also adopted Ordinance No. 70, authorizing the safety-service director to enter into a contract with Stryker Sales LLC, of Chicago, for the purchase of two Power Load/Cot systems at a cost not to exceed $152,297.60 through Ohio’s cooperative purchasing program.

Resolution No. 14 also was adopted. The resolution approves the city’s 2026-2030 Community Development Consolidated Plan and the associated 2026 Annual Action Plan and authorizes filing the documents with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Council gave a first reading to Ordinance No. 73, which would authorize a lease agreement with GoPacks, a local nonprofit, for city-owned property at 308 Putnam St. Council also gave a first reading to Resolution No. 18, which would accept a donation from Christina Lee Benson to be used for lounge chairs at the Marietta Aquatic Center.

Mayor Josh Schlicher reported several project updates, including that work on the Maple Street extension is expected to move forward next week and is scheduled to be completed by July 17, weather permitting. He said work also started at Gold Star Park, with patching and painting expected next week, requiring the park to be closed during the work.

Schlicher said the city collected about 12 roll-off dumpsters during a weekend cleanup and said the levee project remains on track.

Wetz requested several committee meetings, including discussions on retention bonuses for remaining police personnel, a preemptive firefighter hire, donation of an older police boat to a local volunteer fire department, the sale of an old wastewater vacuum truck to the Streets Department, and a court request for special project funding for new flooring and desks for the probation department.

During miscellaneous business, Councilwoman Jade Thompson said the Marietta Aquatic Center had 581 visitors Thursday and brought in $4,623 in admission revenue as of the time she received the update. She said the numbers were encouraging but noted concerns about vaping and drugs among older children at the facility.

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for July 16.