(Photo by Gwen Sour) Marietta City Councilman Mike Scales, center, asks Safety Service Director Steve Wetz, right, if he has any updates for the council during Thursday’s council meeting.

Marietta City Council convened for a regular meeting Thursday, covering a wide range of issues including fiscal improvements, citizen concerns about public safety, upcoming community events and ongoing legislative efforts.

Council members expressed cautious optimism regarding the city’s financial health.

“For the first time in a while, we were in the black on revenue versus our expenses, by about $300,000,” Councilman Mike Scales said. “I have to congratulate the administration and all the employees; you’ve worked hard to get to this point.”

Heather Warner, who lives on Douglas Avenue, discussed her concerns with the designated camping spot at 426 Douglas Ave. on Harmar Hill. According to Warner, there have been multiple incidents involving homeless individuals trespassing into her yard.

“The homeless people are moving into my yard,” Warner said. “Three nights in a row, they’ve banged on my door. … My kids haven’t been home in two weeks because they’re scared.”

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Marietta City Councilman Bill Gossett discusses possible scheduling for upcoming committee meetings during Thursday’s council meeting.

Council last year passed an ordinance banning camping on city property unless it was a specifically designated area. Safety Service Director Steve Wetz explained the Douglas Avenue site was selected as such a designated area because it was zoned for camping and is closest to downtown services, such as the drop-in center, making it a more accessible location for unhoused individuals. He acknowledged the situation has presented safety concerns for nearby residents.

“My concern is for the residents up there,” Wetz said. “I feel like if we move them to another city property, just moving them is what we’re doing, we’re not solving a problem. We’re just relocating the problem.”

Wetz said city officials – including Councilwoman Erin O’Neill, City Development Director Geoff Schenkel and Robin Bozian with the Washington County Homeless Project – would meet to discuss possible solutions and evaluate what is legally and practically feasible.

“We want to try to learn the legalities of what we can and can’t do and then use Robin and Erin to figure out what we should do.” Wetz stated.

The council proceeded with several legislative items, with Councilmen Bret Allphin and Ben Rutherford absent. Mayor Joshua Schlicher was also absent, with Council President Susan Vessels standing in for him and Scales leading the meeting in her place.

Approved legislation included:

¯ Ordinance 176 – An Ordinance to amend the step schedule for the position of maintenance manager at the Water Reclamation Plant.

¯ Ordinance 181 – An Ordinance to repeal Ordinance 79, passed on July 3, 2024; upon the approval and passage of Resolution No. 56, which is a resolution adopting a Budget Stabilization Account/Reserve Fund Policy.

¯ Resolution 55 – A Resolution to amend Resolution 22 that was passed on July 3, 2024, in order to remove the second and third “whereas” paragraphs that are no longer pertinent, and to further amend the language of the fourth “whereas” paragraph to conform with the Budget Stabilization Policy.

¯ Resolution 56 – A resolution adopting a budget stabilization account/reserve fund policy.

Also during the meeting, Vessels shared upcoming community events. The Paul Revere Commemoration is set for 7:30 p.m. today in Muskingum Park, featuring speakers and reenactors honoring the 250th anniversary of Revere’s ride. An Earth Day Celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Armory which will include education exhibits.