Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of November 16, 2022
Posted on: December 15, 2022
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, November 16, 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, 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; Jim Schramm and Jack Regis, Council at Large Members. Tom Burns, Council at Large Member had informed President Davis that he was unable to attend this meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the October 30, 2022 Special Meeting and the November 2, 2022 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies deferred part of his time to Ben Bintz, Vice-President of the Martins Ferry Aquatic Club. Mr. Bintz communicated to Council that the Aquatic Club and the Martins Ferry Recreation Center Pool is at a crossroads and if it is going to survive, needs financial support from Council. A brief history of the success of the Aquatic Club was presented. Recent problems with the pool were explained such as the filter system and pump system. Currently, the Aquatic Club is working with city officials on securing grants for some potentially long term possibilities for the Recreation Center and Pool. Mr. Regis scheduled a meeting on Tuesday, November 29 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the future of the city pool. Council, the Park Board and other persons with specific knowledge of the pools workings will be asked to attend.
The Paving Projects for this year are almost complete. One block of Seabrights Lane still needs finished and hopefully can be completed this year if the weather cooperates.
Project Forward would like permission to close Hanover Street, from 4th Street to 5th Street and 5th Street from Carlisle Street to Walnut Street on Saturday, December 3, 2022, for Winterfest.
The Mayor said the city has road salt stored and is ready for snowy weather.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak scheduled a tentative Post Audit Exit Meeting with the State Auditors as requested by Council for Tuesday, December 6 at 10:00 a.m. He will contact the Auditors to confirm this date and email everyone a confirmation.
Mr. Hunker asked if there has been any word on who owns the property that St. Rt. 647 runs through. Mr. Sutak said he has not heard from Mr. Delguzzo but will send him an email asking for an update.
Mr. Sutak asked Council to approve the Ordinance regarding the ODOT Municipal Bridge Inspection Program. This is to place the city back into a contract for state bridge inspections.
The Temporary Budget needs passed before the end of the year so it can be in place for the first 3 months of next year before the annual appropriations are passed.
Mr. Sutak explained the process of replacing Auditor Randall who will be retiring on December 31, 2022.
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: A Finance Committee Meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in the Mayor’s Office.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Safety: Mr. Sutak has not heard anything regarding the new cruisers. A cruiser that had mechanical problems will hopefully be back in service next week.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Real Estate: No report.
Utility: No report.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard:
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, complimented the City for paving Pearl Street and asked if South Broadway to Etna Street could be considered for paving. Mr. Rodgers will make a note of this section for possible paving next year. Mr. Hord asked if potholes could be patched on the 900 block of South 10th Street. The Mayor said when the weather cooperates, the city tries to patch as many potholes as possible. Mr. Hord was told that it was just a rumor that WVU Medicine was buying East Ohio Regional Hospital. There were no updates on activity with the former Staffilino building, the former Dollar General space or the PNC Bank Building. Mr. Hord thanked the city and everyone who voted for the Library Levy which passed at the last election.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Amending Various Parking Fines Set By City Ordinance.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
An Ordinance For The City Of Martins Ferry To Enter Into The ODOT Municipal Bridge Inspection Program.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Regis to suspend the rules. Motion was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm to pass the Ordinance as read. Motion was seconded by Hunker. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, and Rodgers voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Motion was made by Mr. Regis to suspend the 72 hour rule. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
An Ordinance To Make Temporary Appropriations For The Expenses Of The City Of Martins Ferry, Ohio, During The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023 And Declaring An Emergency.
This ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
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:
Mr. Shrodes thanked the Mayor, Service Director, Terry Wildman, and everyone on the Committee for the outstanding dedication service of the Veteran’s Memorial at Riverview Cemetery.
Mr. Regis made a motion to approve the closure of Hanover Street, from 4th Street to 5th Street and 5th Street from Carlisle Street to Walnut Street on Saturday, December 3, 2022, for Winterfest sponsored by Project Forward. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Schramm reported he received a bid of $11,662 for a tractor for the cemetery.
Mr. Shrodes made a motion to go into Executive Session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22, Section G4 to discuss contract negotiations. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. A roll call vote was heard with Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Schramm, Regis and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to go out of Executive Session. Mr. Shrodes seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong and Rodgers voting yes. The motion carried. Council was in Executive Session for 10 minutes.
Mr. Shrodes made a motion to excuse Mr. Burns from tonight’s meeting. Mr. Regis seconded the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, 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. Rodgers spoke to a citizen of Floral Valley regarding curb damage to his driveway after his road was paved. The Mayor doesn’t believe the paving company damaged the curb but that the curb was broke when the drain was put in. The Mayor has already spoken to this gentleman about this issue.
Mr. Schramm informed Mr. Sutak there was water coming up in the middle of Clinton Street, just above where the sinkhole was patched. A work order has been issued for this.
Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Shrodes. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m. with a salute to the flag and a Happy Thanksgiving wish from President Davis.
The next regular meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Donald Myers Council Chambers.
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
____________________________________
Date