From left, Director of Public Safety and Service Steve Wetz discusses upcoming committee meetings with Councilman Ron Wesel prior to the start of Thursday evening’s Marietta City Council meeting where council voted on a plan to enter a contract with American Structurepoint for a “safe streets and roads for all” action plan. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Marietta City Council heard updates on long-range planning efforts, adopted an emergency ordinance related to the city’s water supply and fielded renewed calls to restore online access to meetings Thursday.

Planning and Development Director Geoff Schenkel opened the meeting by outlining the city’s new five-year Community Development Block Grant plan. Schenkel urged council members to provide ward-level input, noting that only two of seven members have participated so far.

“What comes of this effort is what will guide our spending until the year 2030,” Schenkel said, adding that council members’ insight from their wards “is important, so please either write it all down in an email … or schedule time to talk things through with our department.”

Schenkel also announced that on Monday, Jan. 26, the Marietta City Board of Education will hear a presentation from consultant Neighborhood Strategies regarding the former Harmar School property. The $51,000 grant-funded study included about eight months of assessment and community engagement.

“Since Harmar School is owned by the school district, we’re going to present to them first out of courtesy,” Schenkel said, adding that the work was done so council and the mayor would be “prepared for good decision-making if we find ourselves in the situation where we are posed with a choice of what do we do with this new property.”

During the call on visitors, Marietta resident John Nichols told council he expects to approach city officials this year about potential sewer extension and road repairs on Grandview Street as he decides whether to renovate or demolish a fire-damaged home he purchased.

“I just need to know whether there’s any possibility of the road being fixed, sewer being extended,” Nichols said. “If not, I’ll just tear the place down.”

Council later introduced two ordinances, both declared emergencies.

Ordinance No. 3 (26-27), which would authorize the director of public safety and service to enter into a contract with American Structurepoint Inc. of Columbus to initiate the planning and research phase of the city’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Comprehensive Action Plan at a cost not to exceed $149,790, received its first reading. Council took no further action.

Ordinance No. 4 (26-27), which authorizes the city to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the purchase of chemicals for the Water Department, advanced more quickly. Council voted to suspend the second and third readings and unanimously adopted the ordinance, with Councilman Jon Grimm absent.

During discussion, Councilman Ben Rutherford said the emergency designation was necessary because the city is dangerously low on chemicals required by the Environmental Protection Agency to treat drinking water. Officials said the Water Department has about 35 days’ supply remaining.

“Otherwise we would just be suspending the readings, as opposed to declaring emergency,” Rutherford said. “But because we have 35 days in order to have chemicals in plant to continue operations, that is probably perfect to go ahead and do so.”

During other business, several council members discussed once again making meetings available to watch or listen to online.

“I’ve had a lot of people contact me, calling and texting that they’d like to see the council meetings back online,” said Councilman Jeff Schultheis.

Councilwoman Katie McGlynn said she has heard similar concerns and added that the city needs to address issues with the council chamber’s public address system.

Councilman Ron Wesel said residents value having access to meetings outside City Hall.

“The citizens enjoy it. They like knowing what’s going on,” he said.

Councilman Harley Noland said the city already has speakers installed and he has spoken with radio officials about potentially returning meetings to the airwaves, but emphasized that online access is also important.

“It’s embarrassing not to have a way for the public to learn what we’re doing,” Noland said.

The next regular Marietta City Council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Armory.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com