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MARIETTA -- During the regular meeting Thursday night, Marietta City Council adopted an emergency resolution supporting the proposed emergency shelter for at-risk persons that have been displaced from their homes.
The emergency shelter has been discussed for an extended amount of time, with recent conversations starting in November.
Councilman Harley Noland brought up the issue for an emergency shelter at a committee meeting with Robin Bozian of the Washington County Homeless Project putting the proposal forward. This emergency shelter would be in addition to the daytime drop-in warming center at 274 Front St. that is a source for food, laundry and shower needs that the Homeless Project oversees.
The resolution states the council's support for the shelter, whose location has not been determined. Councilwoman Erin O'Neill, 4th Ward, said the Homeless Project is looking at possible locations. There had been discussions about placing it in the city-owned building at 308 Putnam St., but O'Neill said it will not be at a city facility, as the shelter is not a city project.
"We've been wanting to do this, and I want to thank Mr. Noland for his efforts for the shelter. It's been challenging getting to this point, and it will continue to be going forward," said 2nd Ward Councilman Bret Allphin. "Through this partnership, this will preserve the dignity of the people who need the shelter and those who provide the shelter for them. Through grant writing, they will be able to make the shelter happen. We're happy to present this resolution for Mr. Noland."
Noland was unable to attend Thursday night's meeting, but other council members announced their support of the resolution. Councilman Bill Gossett, 3rd Ward, said he was happy with the support for the emergency shelter, and O' Neill said the shelter was overdue and that she appreciates the hard work that is going into it.
In other business, an ordinance was adopted to appropriate and/or transfer funds to cover the extra cost for Teamsters uniforms and clothing allowances, for the Parking Lot Fund for supplies and maintenance, for the General Fund for miscellaneous professional services pertaining to city lawsuits and for Community Development Program administration.
Mayor Josh Schlicher briefly discussed the sinkhole at Fourth, Marion and Fulton streets, saying that a few pipes were discovered but no water lines were affected and the city is continuing to work on fixing the hole.
Several council members as well as Safety Service Director Steve Wetz requested committee meetings for the upcoming weeks, including:
* Streets Committee for discussion of people living in cars and parking on City right of way.
* Streets and Finance Committees for the discussion on SIB loan payoff with Budget Director Mitch Dimmerling.
* Streets, Finance and Water and Sewer Committees for the vehicle fleet review.
* Water and Sewer Committee for the discussion of the replacement of main line closed-circuit television equipment and to discuss the sewer tap application for Blizzard LLC.
The next regular Marietta City Council meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in Armory Room 10.
Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com