Local News

Marietta City Council creates infrastructure fund, approves Hillcrest repair

MARIETTA -- City Council unanimously approved a new infrastructure fund and a $65,861 landslip repair project Thursday evening after a Finance and Taxation Committee meeting focused on spending priorities and budget transfers.

The Capital Infrastructure Projects Fund will hold money exceeding reserve limits established under the city's budget stabilization policy. Council adopted the resolution creating the fund after suspending its second and third readings.

During the preceding Finance meeting, committee Chairman Jon Grimm said he was narrowing the resolution's language before introduction to reflect the uses discussed in committee.

The fund will cover bridges, roads, sidewalks, sewer systems, water systems and stormwater systems. Grimm removed provisions covering real property, permanent municipal buildings, heavy equipment, fire trucks, rescue squads and police cruisers.

"It was written for everything we could use it for, but we're narrowing it down to the things we want to use," he said.

A separate ordinance involving $319,751.52 received its second reading without a vote on adoption. Grimm said he plans to amend that legislation at the next meeting to direct the money into the newly created infrastructure fund.

Council also unanimously authorized a contract with Bob Lane's Welding Inc. for the Hillcrest Slip Repair Project at an estimated cost of $65,861. Members added an emergency clause and suspended the second and third readings before adopting the ordinance.

Grimm said the repair will be paid for with adult-use cannabis revenue designated for infrastructure improvements.

"This is exactly the kind of thing that we set this fund up to do," he said.

The appropriation for the Hillcrest work was included in amendments to Ordinance 114, which council unanimously adopted. The measure also included $58,955 in Ohio Department of Natural Resources urban forestry grant funding, which Councilman Harley Noland said would support planting more than 150 trees in the city to expand the tree canopy and provide shade.

Also part of the measure were transfers to cover electricity expenses, including $62,000 within the water fund, $20,000 within the sewer fund, $5,200 within the street fund and $700 within the fire levy fund. Grimm said the transfers moved money from budget lines with available balances to lines needing additional funding.

During the Finance meeting, Grimm emphasized that the internal transfers did not increase total spending within the affected funds.

Council also unanimously approved two measures moving funds within the Municipal Court's budget. Grimm said those measures shifted available money to areas needing funding, including salaries and wages.

In other business, council unanimously approved continuing the city's Community Reinvestment Act agreement with Perry & Associates Holdings LLC, accepting a recommendation from the Tax Incentive Review Council.

"This is a great asset for our community," Noland said, citing employment and the project's contribution to city income tax revenue.

Council also unanimously approved a 2027 contract with the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley for the impoundment, care and humane disposition of animals found running at large in violation of city ordinances. Grimm said the organization had requested substantially more funding than the city could provide and that the contract included an increase he estimated at 5%.

Members authorized advertising for bids to lease the Lockmaster's House. The safety-service director must return the bids and a recommendation to council within 30 days of the bid opening.

Council also approved a lease with Marietta Main Street for approximately 625 square feet in Room 9 on the ground floor of the Armory at 241 Front St.

A proposed 3% salary increase for full-time and part-time nonunion employees in 2027 received its first reading, with no further action. The proposal excludes seasonal workers, elected officials and municipal court employees.

Council unanimously approved replacing one water distribution laborer I position with an additional water distribution service technician position.

Members also unanimously accepted the preliminary plat for Hard Rock Hills Subdivision for record purposes only. Noland said the proposal would bring new housing to vacant property and that copies of the plat were available for public review in the clerk's office.

A separate $2,200 appropriation for a donated park bench passed 6-0, with Grimm abstaining. He said the donation was his and would commemorate his mother.

Mayor Josh Schlicher announced that leaf collection will begin Monday. He said the city expects to run two crews, compared with one in recent years, with a goal of completing two rounds by Christmas, weather permitting.

Crews also plan to trim low-hanging limbs around sidewalks, crosswalks, signs and pedestrian signals.

During public comment, former council member Roger Kalter presented a petition he said carried 45 signatures seeking attention to deteriorating brick pavement in the 600 block of Ninth Street. He described raised bricks and a vehicle bottoming out on the street. Kalter also criticized the city's handling of Knox Park issues, claiming council members had “colluded” regarding the park and raised safety concerns about the levee amphitheater.

Janet King asked the city to remove a dead tree outside a Frederick Street home, saying a large limb had fallen near the entrance. She also said tree roots had raised sections of sidewalk, creating a tripping hazard.

Council's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Armory.