Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of May 18, 2022
Posted on: June 3, 2022
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 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; Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member; Tom Burns, Jim Schramm and Jack Regis, Council at Large Members.
Minutes: Minutes of the May 4, 2022 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies presented a Declaration of Proclamation to Don Falbo, who has been a barber in the city of Martins Ferry for 70 years.
Pothole and street patching has been difficult because of the weather and access to asphalt. Also, because of the rainy weather, grass cutting in the cemetery is falling behind and workers are trying to get caught up.
The water line on Center Street that runs in front of the old city garage down to the Martins Ferry Yacht Club, has been replaced.
Several citizens, including several young men, worked to get the swimming pool ready for the season. The pool is currently being filled. No opening day has been set.
Two houses, one on Indiana Street and one on Washington Street, have been demolished since the last Council Meeting. One garage was torn down on Breitenstein Lane. The garage which was falling down in the alley between 4th and 5th Streets, was torn down a couple of weeks ago.
An interest rate of 4.9% was quoted to the Administration on a loan of $1,200,000 for the paving project discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Sutak is checking other financial institutions for better rates.
The new Veterans Memorial Monument was set in place yesterday in the Cemetery.
The Fireworks in the Park Event is set for July 2. The Mayor asked Council for $5,000 to purchase fireworks. Some private citizens have promised money toward the purchase of fireworks, but nothing has yet been received. The fireworks need to be ordered soon before they sell out. Also, there will be a free swim for the kids at the city pool on July 2.
Recently another letter was sent to the gentleman who owns the house on “S” Curve of Broadway Street, giving him 15 days to complete the demolition of his house. The Administration will meet with the owner tomorrow and tell him he has until Monday to get his belongings out of the house. The city will then demolish the house and haul the debri away. Council was asked to appropriate up to $5,000 from the General Fund for the destruction of this house.
The Mayor met with Bel-O-Mar last week and gave them the names of three Contractors to solicit for bids to tear down the former Curley residence. The price for the job should be below $50,000. One house on Jefferson Street, one on Virginia Street, one on Center Street and one house on Zane Highway should be demolish within the next month.
Mrs. Armstrong asked for an update on the Kosky House. The Mayor said the owner was going to secure the building but it hasn’t been done yet. The front lawn was mowed. The Mayor will contact the owner again.
Service Director: The Mayor said Mr. Sutak apologized for not being at this meeting. He had another meeting to attend.
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 reminded Council that there will be a public hearing on the Budget on Wednesday, July 13 at 5:30 p.m. prior to the Council Meeting.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Safety: Mr. Schramm announced that there will be a Safety Committee Meeting on May 19 at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Service: Mr. Shrodes asked the Administration to send a follow-up letter after Property Violations are issued. He expressed thanks and praise to the Civics and other individuals who took the time last weekend to clean the City Park. Mrs. Armstrong asked if the sidewalks at the Park could be swept and cleared of grass clippings.
Cemetery: Mr. Burns reported he fixed a Veteran’s Flag that was chopped up by a mower and will check on another flag when he gets the location of the grave. He will also do some touch-up work on the shed.
Public Relations: No report.
Real Estate/Utility: No report.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, thanked the City for honoring Don Falbo with a Declaration of Proclamation. It was stated that a plaque has been erected to honor the past Fire Chiefs and hangs to the left of the Chiefs of Police plaque. Mr. Hord asked if East Ohio Regional Hospital had plans for expansion. The Mayor said EORH is checking to secure funding for new projects and they are trying to be more visible in the surrounding communities. When asked what the plans might be for the Curley property once the house is demolished, the Mayor replied there has been interest in the property but no concrete plans as of yet. The Land Bank has demolished a yellow house across from Totterdale Brothers Supply Co. but future plans for demolition were unknown at this time.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
There were no Ordinances or Resolutions to be read.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MARTINS
FERRY TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE ZANE
HIGHWAY 12” WATERLINE CONNECTION TO AETNA
STREET BOOSTER STATION AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENC
Miscellaneous Business:
Since the Veteran’s Monument is now in place, Mr. Burns will focus on advertising and selling flags to honor or memorialize Veterans. The flags will be erected in the downtown area and possible Zane Highway. He also shared his experience of escorting City Police Officers on their 3-11 shifts.
President Davis reminded Council that July 13th will be the only meeting in July. A public meeting for the budget will be held before this meeting at 5:30 p.m.
A citizen, who has accessibility issues with Council Chambers, has requested to attend the June 1st meeting. Therefore, President Davis announced the June 1st meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center.
Mr. Regis made a motion to appropriate $5,000 from the General Fund for the Fireworks on July 2 at the Park. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Shrodes made a motion to appropriate up to $5,000 from the General Fund for demolition of property on Broadway Street with a lien to be put on property for the used amount. Motion was seconded by Mr. Burns. A roll call vote was heard with Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, Regis and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Schramm 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. Regis. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Regis made a motion to appropriate $450 from the General Fund for compensation for the cleaning services performed at the swimming pool by Trey Regis, John McFarland, and Alexander Finsley ($150 each). Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Rodgers moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
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