From left, Marietta Law Director Paul Bertram and City Councilman Harley Noland discuss legislation prior to the start of Thursday’s Marietta City Council meeting. Read more in the weekend edition of The Marietta Times or online at mariettatimes.com. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

City officials are continuing cleanup efforts after a damaging storm swept through the area Wednesday, downing trees, damaging property and leaving debris across Marietta.

Mayor Josh Schlicher told council Thursday evening that crews worked into the early morning hours responding to the storm’s impact, clearing streets and assessing damage.

“I think everybody that I’ve talked to in the last 24 hours has either damage or some type of insurance claim,” he said.

He estimated around 20 trees were down in areas including Mound Cemetery and said damage to city vehicles and buildings is still being evaluated. Despite the widespread impact, no injuries were reported.

“So far, we had no injuries reported because of the storm,” he said, asking residents for patience as cleanup continues.

Council members also praised residents and city crews for assisting with cleanup, noting neighbors clearing storm drains and roadways in heavily impacted areas.

Discussion later in the meeting turned to the city’s aquatic center, with Councilwoman Jade Thompson outlining several ideas aimed at expanding access and increasing usage. She said the city is exploring a digital ticketing system that would allow residents to purchase and scan passes on their phones, eliminating the need for printed materials.

“It’s going to make it so convenient,” Thompson said, adding that the system would reduce costs for the city while shifting fees to users.

She also said residents have expressed interest in expanded programming, including dedicated senior swim hours and lap swimming times.

“I’ve had people contact me and say, ‘Could we have senior hours?'” Thompson said, noting the city is considering morning swim times and possibly water-based exercise classes.

Council is exploring additional ways to “reinvigorate” the aquatic center through new programming and community-focused offerings.

In legislative action, council addressed four ordinances:

* Ordinance 38 (26-27) authorizes the temporary employment of an interim office manager in the Public Works Department for 60 days to train for the position through July 17, 2026, and temporarily amends the city’s table of organization. Council suspended rules and adopted the measure unanimously.

* Ordinance 39 (26-27) declares an emergency related to a collapsing sanitary sewer main near Front and Greene streets by the Lafayette Hotel and authorizes the city to enter into a contract with The Ruhlin Company for repairs not to exceed $150,000 without formal bidding. The ordinance was adopted unanimously after rules were suspended.

* Ordinance 40 (26-27) would authorize an agreement with the Washington County Commissioners for zoning and property maintenance code enforcement services through the Southeastern Ohio Building Department. No further action was taken.

* Ordinance 41 (26-27) amends Chapter 139 of the city’s codified ordinances related to the Police Department. Council suspended rules in a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Jon Grimm opposing the suspension, and later adopted the ordinance 6-1, with Councilman Bill Gossett voting against it. Grimm stated he felt the ordinance needed more discussion before putting it forward.

Grimm announced several upcoming committee meetings, including a consolidated finance session at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Armory, with additional meetings scheduled for April 9 and 20.

The next regular meeting of Marietta City Council is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Armory.