Marietta mayor vetoes two Knox Park measures
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MARIETTA -- Mayor Josh Schlicher has vetoed two pieces of legislation involving the use of city-owned property near Knox Park, telling Marietta City Council on Thursday that officials still need to reach an agreement with adjoining property owners.
Schlicher returned unsigned Ordinance 80 and Resolution 19, which council adopted Aug. 20. His written objections were read into the record during Thursday's council meeting.
Ordinance 80 would have authorized an easement agreement allowing the successful bidder to use a portion of Knox Park adjoining property owned by the Donald J. McMahan Revocable Trust. Resolution 19 would have authorized a revocable license agreement allowing Joseph H. Wesel II and Catherine J. Wesel to use another portion of city property near the park.
Schlicher said he vetoed the measures to maintain consistency, preserve goodwill among those involved and avoid establishing a precedent with potential future consequences.
"We still need to work something out with adjoining property owners, but I don't feel that these two pieces of legislation need to be enacted," Schlicher said.
Council took no action Thursday to reconsider the measures.
In other business, council unanimously authorized the city to seek an Ohio Water Development Authority loan of up to $1.57 million to replace a generator at the city's water reclamation plant.
Council suspended the second and third readings of Ordinance 95 before adopting it as an emergency. The ordinance amended legislation adopted in July that had authorized up to $1.27 million for the project.
Finance Committee Chairman Jon Grimm said the existing generator was purchased in the 1960s and rebuilt in 1985. Replacement parts are no longer available, he said.
"This is pretty important, so it's carrying an emergency clause," Grimm said. He said bids for the project came in at approximately $1.5 million.
Council also unanimously approved changing the Marietta Police Department's dispatcher staffing from four full-time and four part-time positions to six full-time and one part-time position.
Employee Relations Committee Chairman Ron Wesel said the change would allow the department to provide full coverage. Grimm said the department has experienced difficulty retaining part-time dispatchers, resulting in additional training costs.
"The police chief has had a hard time keeping them employed," Grimm said. "We have to pay to retrain. So, in the end, this move will help us with turnover."
Council also unanimously approved Ordinance 94, appropriating more than $2.1 million for water and wastewater facility upgrades, $16,000 for engineering expenses and $17,100 for the removal of a fence along Ohio 7.
Grimm said the water and wastewater appropriations are connected to sanitary sewer improvements associated with the Acme Street project. The engineering money will cover projected expenses through the end of the year, including easement permits, while the fence removal has already been completed, he said.
Other legislation unanimously adopted Thursday included:
* A change order of up to $334,705.27 with Triton Construction Inc. for the water treatment plant renovation and upgrade project.
* A contract with Strand Associates Inc. of up to $25,000 for the wastewater treatment plant administration building floor door replacement project.
* The reinstatement of longevity benefits for certain city employees hired or rehired on or after Jan. 1, 2025.
* The reinstatement of tuition reimbursement benefits for non-union employees.
* Authorization to seek bids for the disposal of sanitary sewage sludge and the purchase of Water Department chemicals for 2027.
* Authorization for property at 300 Commerce Drive, outside the city limits, to connect to Marietta's sewer system.
* A resolution accepting a $10,000 donation from the Mid-Ohio Valley Aquatic Center remained pending after its second reading. The money would be used to provide swimming lessons at the Marietta Aquatic Center to children from families with limited financial resources.
Council's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17.