(Photo by Gwen Sour) Councilman Bret Allphin discusses the intersection between Greene and Front streets at Thursday evening’s Marietta City Council meeting.

Marietta City Council revisited an intersection project at Greene and Front streets, adopted a downtown zoning amendment, and heard about a year-long community “sign the flag” effort tied to America’s 250th birthday during its Thursday meeting.

Council first voted 4-2 to reconsider Ordinance 206, then took it up again on third reading and adopted it 5-1, with Councilman Jon Grimm voting against, following a debate.

Before the vote, a member reported fresh traffic counts.

“We did get the preliminary counts back, and it looks like there are roughly 10 to 12 semi trucks per day with the intersection there, which I think is a reasonable amount,” said Councilman Bret Allphin.

Grimm shared his desire for the public to weigh in.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) American Flags & Poles Owner Sylvia Caporale discusses a flag that was designed for the 250th anniversary of America.

“I’m glad that this was done, but it was not yet shared with council in a public meeting, probably most appropriately, streets (committee). I would urge council to open this up for discussion and public comment before taking this vote, any additional discussion.”

Councilman Harley Nolan objected, citing concerns about losing a motor coach parking spot downtown.

“Most of them barely walk, and they want to be as close as possible,” Nolan said, warning the change could make access harder for museum visitors.

City staff said the change would “essentially eliminate one car parking spot,” and motor coach operators believe they could still park four buses on the block and if that was inaccessible, then the fourth would be moved to a spot in front of the Lafayette Hotel.

Two old loans were cleared from the city’s books. Resolution 71 forgives a 2007 advance from the Capital Improvement Fund to the armory account, and Resolution 72 forgives a $6,890 advance from 2017.

“It’s time to get this stuff off the books,” Councilman Mike Scales said.

During presentations, Sylvi Caporale of American Flags & Poles unveiled a 30-by-60-foot U.S. flag that residents will be invited to sign over the next year in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“We’re going to ask our mayor to sign the first part of this flag tonight, and then we’re going to offer it to the community for a whole year, for people to sign it,” Caporale said. “It can be in schools, it can be in churches. It can be in businesses.”

Other adopted legislation includes:

¯ Ordinance 212 – changes the “intended purposes” and “use regulations” sections of the C-4 Downtown Commercial District in the city’s zoning code. In plain terms, it updates what kinds of activities and businesses are allowed downtown and clarifies the district’s overall goals.

¯ Ordinance 216 — An ordinance that approves the hire of an additional clerk for the Water Administrative Office.

¯ Ordinance 219 — To authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety and Service to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the Colegate Pedestrian Safe Crossing Project, at a cost not to exceed $73,917.60.

¯ Ordinance 220 — Authorizes the Director of Public Safety and Service to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the Harmar Miscellaneous Brick ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Sidewalk Revitalization Project, not to exceed $123,336.00,

¯ Ordinance 225 — To create and enact Section 529.022 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Marietta, Ohio, relating to alcohol possession and consumption of alcohol on school grounds.