Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2021
Posted on: June 16, 2021
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., at the Donald Myers Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Council President Kristine Davis with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those present in chamber, followed by a prayer by the Clerk.
Answering Roll Call were Bob Hunker, First Ward Council Member, Bruce Shrodes, Second Ward Council Member; Suzanne Armstrong, Third Ward Council Member; Tom Burns and Jack Regis, Council at Large Members. Jim Schramm, Council at Large Member, informed President Davis he could not attend this meeting because he would be out of town. Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member, notified President Davis that he had a death in the family and would be unable to attend the meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the June 2, 2021 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
As previously discussed, Council agreed to change the order of business for the meetings in June so Legislation could be addressed first. Since Mrs. Armstrong needs to leave at 6:30 p.m., this allows her to be present for the reading of legislation. President Davis announced that since only 5 Council members were present, the rules could not be suspended. Council, by majority, can drop the 72 hour rule, and the legislation can be read.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A Resolution Authorizing The Filing Of The FY 2021 Belmont County Community Housing Impact And Preservation Program Application To The State Of Ohio, Office Of Community Development.
This Resolution was given a first reading. This Resolution will go to a second reading.
A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase And Use Of An Employee Dishonesty And Faithful Performance Policy.
This Resolution was given a first reading. This Resolution will go to a second reading.
Mr. Regis made a motion to suspend the 72 hour rule. Motion was seconded by Mr. Shrodes. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong and Burns voting yes. Motion carried and the Ordinance was read.
An Ordinance Awarding COVID Hazard Pay to City Employees.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
Mr. Shrodes made a motion to suspend the 72 hour rule. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker. A roll call vote was heard with Shrodes, Armstrong, Burns, Regis and Hunker voting yes. Motion carried and the Ordinance was read.
An Ordinance Increasing The Hourly Wage For Certain Part-Time Positions in the Police Department.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
Mr. Regis made a motion to waive the 72 hour rule. Motion was seconded by Mr. Shrodes. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong and Burns voting yes. Motion carried and the Resolution was read.
A Resolution Adopting a Budget For The City of Martins Ferry For The Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2022 and Declaring an Emergency.
This Resolution was given a first reading. This Resolution will go to a second reading.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies said the water line replacement projects are finished. Workers are busy keeping the grass cut in 2 cemeteries, the Parks and 55 lots around the city.
The Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, June 26, 12:00 noon – 10 p.m.
Invitations have been sent to Council for the Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at East Ohio Regional Hospital on Monday, June 21, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Music, games, food and inflatable rides for the kids will be available. Governor DeWine will be present.
The Chamber of Commerce is unable to host a Fireworks Display this year. The Administration is trying to secure a date and funding to have a display. If plans fall through for a fireworks display, the Mayor would like to have a 4th of July celebration with music and food vendors in the City Park. Several sponsors have committed funds for this event. The Mayor asked Council to appropriate $2,000 toward this event if it is held.
The city pool is closed due to a broken starter. The repairs will cost $1,500-$3,000. The part should arrive within 3 – 7 days. The Mayor is concerned with the management of the Recreation Center. He read a letter that was sent to the Park District regarding the possibility of terminating the lease agreement between the city and the Park District. A new lease agreement would allow the Park District to manage the pool and concession stands. The city would then assume responsibility for the management and maintenance of the Recreation Center, city parks and ball fields. The Mayor asked Council for permission to write a new lease stating the city will assume management of the city’s recreation facilities and allow the Park District to manage the swimming pool and concession stands.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak will consult with the Mayor and Law Director and write a new policy regarding the cost of water shut-offs and restoration of water services. Sewer and building permit rates will also be addressed. An Ordinance will be written listing the rates for these services.
Council was asked to review the Budget. Mr. Sutak proposed having a Public Hearing for the Budget on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. The Budget needs sent to the County by July 20.
Mayor Davies gave an update on the request to purchase property, owned by the city, adjacent to the Draft Co. Building. The gentleman that made the request does not own the former Draft Co. Building but is looking to purchase it. Councilman Shrodes said he would like to put this request on hold.
Safety Director: No report.
Auditor: No report.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: No report.
Fire Department: No report.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: Mr. Regis will schedule a Public Hearing on Wednesday, July 7, at 5:30 p.m. President Davis said she spoke to Mr. Stecker before the meeting regarding the 2 bonus Hazard Pays and the Police Department part-time employee pay increase. These items have already been acted upon and the ordinances presented tonight are to back-up the actions taken at the last meeting. Mr. Stecker said these adjustments can be paid out before the Ordinance is acted upon.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: The Ordinance Committee met on June 15, 2021. They are in the process of updating the Organizational Chart for the city.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Safety: No report.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: Mr. Burns met a woman, traveling through the area, who said she loved Martins Ferry and the beautiful well-kept Riverview cemetery.
Public Relations: No report.
Real Estate/Utility: Mr. Hunker asked Mr. Sutak to notify the Utility Committee when the rate structure is written regarding the city utility services. The Committee would like to review it before the Ordinance is written.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, commented that East Ohio Regional Hospital has received the Reemerging Business Excellence Award by the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance. He wondered why city officials were not at the ceremony. The Mayor wasn’t concerned about the oversite because the main objective was to get the hospital reopened. Mr. Hord asked about the financial impact the hospital reopening had on the city. The Mayor said to date, the income tax collect is $47, 167. The city will get 25% of this revenue. Mr. Hord was at the Belmont County Commissioners Meeting and learned that they are taking bids to construct a retaining wall on Colerain Pike. Regarding Auditor Randall’s condition, Mr. Hord was told she is feeling better and stronger every day!
Leslie Link, 1033 Colerain Pike, addressed Council regarding water run-off on her property. She has lost the use of a large percentage of her property because of this water problem. She submitted pictures of the property to Council. This problem is now affecting all the properties along the run-off. She has talked to the city’s Service Directors about this problem for the past 5 years. Mr. Sutak has had the city’s engineering company look at the property. Mayor Davies will check with the Corp of Engineers to see if a temporary fix can be done to secure the bank and allow the water to run through. Mr. Sutak is looking into grant funding for this project.
Jeremy Shrodes, 1305 North 7th. Street, is having issues with weeds and rodents at the house next door to his property. The address is 1307 North 7th Street where Councilman Rick Rodgers receives his mail. Mr. Rodgers has been fined and called into Court several times. The house does not have running water and is not owned by Mr. Rodgers. Mr. Hunker suggested that the City should be dealing directly with the actual owner of the property about these matters. Mr. Stecker stated that the house can be marked “Uninhabitable” until the conditions are remedied. The Law Director further clarified that a person is allowed to enter the facility but not spend the night. The Mayor directed Chief McFarland to post an “Uninhabitable Sign” on the property at 1307 North 7th Street and asked the police to make sure no one spends the night at the house. City workers will also cut the grass and the cost of labor will be added to the homeowner’s taxes.
Miscellaneous Business:
Mr. Burns asked when the house at 913 Jefferson Street will be torn down. A woman bought the house next to this property and wanted to know the date of demolition. Mr. Sutak will call Bel-O-Mar and ask if a date has been set.
Mayor Davies spoke with Christopher Dean who owns the property at 1056 Broadway Street regarding the demolition of the property. Mr. Dean now states he has an interested buyer for the property. The city will send another summons for dilapidated property and if Mr. Dean does not show up for court, a bench warrant will be issued.
The Mayor asked Council for permission to get bids for logging on Memorial Park Road next to Riverview Cemetery. If this property is logged, 5 additional acres could be made available to extend the cemetery.
Mr. Regis made a motion that Council allow the Mayor to meet with the Law Director to compose a lease with the Park Board, with the changes indicated by the letter that the Mayor submitted to the Park District. Motion seconded by Mr. Burns. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes and Burns voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Regis made a motion to reflect Council has received reports from the Officers and Management, and to incorporate these reports into the minutes. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to excuse Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Schramm from tonight’s meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Shrodes. A roll call vote was heard with Mr. Hunker, Mr. Shrodes, Mr. Burns and Mr. Regis voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Regis made a motion and Mr. Shrodes seconded to appropriate $2,000 from General Fund to use for the 4th of July celebration in the Park. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes and Burns voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Burns made a motion that Council allow the Mayor to investigate logging on Memorial Park Road. Motion was seconded by Mr. Regis. A roll call vote was heard with Burns, Regis, Hunker and Shrodes voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Shrodes made a motion to tabled discussion of the sale of property near the former Draft Co. Building. Motion was seconded by Mr. Regis. A roll call vote was heard with Shrodes, Burns, Regis and Hunker voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Shrodes mentioned he has had several complaints regarding the loud noise created by a Recycling Truck making pick-ups, between 3 a.m.-4 a.m., near the Dollar Tree Store. The Mayor said he is aware of this situation and will take care of it. Mr. Sutak said he will send a certified letter to the Recycling Company and propose pick-ups be made a little later in the day so the neighbors would not be disturbed by the noise.
Mr. Shrodes reminded everyone that with the warmer weather to please take extra precaution to bag trash properly so sanitation workers don’t have to deal with bugs and maggots.
Mr. Regis mentioned the alley behind his house is full of poison ivy. He worried about the sanitation workers picking up the trash. Mr. Sutak said he will try and arrange to have the area brush hogged.
Mr. Shrodes moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned with a salute to the flag.