City of Martins Ferry

Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2022

Posted on: December 22, 2022

The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 5:00 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; Tom Burns, Jim Schramm and Jack Regis, Council at Large Members.  

            Minutes:  Minutes of the November 16, 2022 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.    

Correspondence:   There was no correspondence. 

Council approved President Davis’s request to consider legislation after the Mayor and Service Director’s reports since several Council Members had to leave at 6:00 p.m.

Reports of Officers of the City:

Mayor:  Mayor Davies deferred part of his time to Rev. James Agnew, Minister of the Tree of Life Church.  Rev. Agnew informed Council that his church is interested in purchasing the property at 913 Jefferson Street, Martins Ferry, where a house was recently raised.  The church would like to convert the property to off-street parking. 

City Crews are working on general maintenance and repairing sewer lids on the newly paved areas.  When the weather is bad, crews work in the Recreation Center doing repairs, painting, and laying new tile in the rest rooms. 

Impound Lot – Cost of the slide gate is estimated at $18,000 and the cameras cost around $15,000.  This is $3,000 more than the $30,000 approved by Council.  The Mayor and Mr. Sutak will look at the finances to see where they might find this shortfall. 

Service Director:  Mr. Sutak and the Mayor met with the Engineers about the Force Main and how it might be re-routed into the Eastern Ohio Regional Wastewater Authority’s line near Turf Care.  The plans are progressing for the waterline extension to the hospital and business district.  Permits need to be secured from ODOT and the Railroad since the waterline will be going under railroad tracks and St. Rt. 7.  Grants and funding are being researched for both of these projects. 

Mr. Sutak will call Cory DelGuzzo, of Northwest Title, for an update on the title search and the de-annexation of St. Rt. 647. 

Mr. Sutak asked President Davis to instruct the clerk to incorporate the names of the new hires for the year 2022 into the minutes.  Going forward, every month, new hires, part time and full time, must be noted in the minutes.  New hires for the year 2022 include:

James R. BlazyChristopher CapritaMarisa Cika
Zachary ColeJoshua CoxAlexander Finsley
Rodney GentileRyan HennesseyGeorge Hulsey
Codi KlausEmily KuhnJohn McFarland
Richard McFarlandMatthew McMahonTroy Neer
John NortonFred OwensConnor Probst
Trey RegisJackson RomshakRobert Shreve
Sarah ShreveDavid TeasdaleGabbrial Teasdale
Tyler ThomasMelissa Wade 

Mr. Regis made a motion to allow the Mayor to put the property at 913 Jefferson Street out to bid.  Mr. Shrodes seconded the motion.   A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes.  The motion was declared passed. 

            Mr. Rodgers inquired about the paving of 5th Street next year.  The sewer line on 5th Street is 10-12 ft. deep.  An estimate and additional details surrounding this project will be secured from the engineer and then shared with Council. 

Safety Director:  Director Regis said about 70 units participated in the Christmas Parade on November 25.  Many children took advantage of the ice-skating rink that was available before the parade. 

The Police and EMS Departments were praised for their quick response to a call that a 1 year-old baby was in cardiac arrest.  The baby did survive. 

Director Regis asked Council’s permission to contract with Frio and Stack Auction Services in Wheeling, WV, regarding conducting an auction in the spring for all city departments.  The auction will include items such as vehicles, furniture and equipment that are not being used or no longer needed.  The auction would take place at either the EMS Lot on Zane Highway or down near the old city garage.  Mr. Schramm made a motion and Mr. Regis seconded to allow Safety Director Regis to arrange an auction with Frio and Stack Auction Services for unneeded city equipment.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers and Burns voting yes.  The motion carried. 

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:  Two Finance Committee Meetings were held since the last Council Meeting.  Minutes of these meetings are filed with these Council Minutes.  Discussion centered on the Audit and General Fund revenue. 

Street:  No report.

Ordinance:  No report.

            Sewer/Sidewalk:  No report.

Code Administration:  No report.

            Safety: No report.

            Service:  No report. 

Cemetery:  Mr. Burns reported that he constructed a “Riverview” sign and installed it on the front of the storage building at Riverview cemetery.  His complete report is included with these minutes. 

Public Relations:  Mrs. Armstrong reported there is a group interested in raising funds to purchase new Christmas decorations for the city.

Real Estate:  No report.

Utility:  No report.

Income Tax: No report.

Citizens To Be Heard:

Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, asked if potholes could be filled on the 900 block of South 10th Street.  The Mayor said crews will begin cold-patching potholes soon.  Regarding the retirement of Auditor Randall, the Republican Committee will be responsible for her replacement.  There is still no information on the future of the former Staffilino property.  Mr. Hord noted that recent festivities were well attended in the city.  When asked about the major accomplishments for the city in 2022, the Mayor replied: 1) replaced 5 water line, 2) paved streets amounting to almost 1 million dollars 3) working to secure the relocation of the Force Main, 4) developed plans to make the Water Extension Line a reality, and 5) the demolition of many properties in town.  Next year the Mayor hopes to do more demolition and paving, and complete the Force Main and Water Extension Line.  The goal is to continue to move forward and serve the citizens of Martins Ferry.  Mr. Hord thanked Council for permitting him to participate and ask questions during the meetings.

Ordinances and Resolutions:  

An Ordinance Amending Various Parking Fines Set By City Ordinance.

This Ordinance was given a second reading.  Mr. Hunker made a motion to suspend the rules.  Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, and Regis voting yes.  The motion carried.  Mr. Regis made a motion and Mr. Burns seconded to pass the Ordinance as read.  A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried.  Bags will be placed on broken parking meters.  Funding will need to be found to replace old meters since new meters cost about $2,000.

            An Ordinance To Make Temporary Appropriations For The Expenses Of The City Of Martins Ferry, State of Ohio, During The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023 And Declaring An Emergency. 

            This ordinance was given a second reading.  Mr. Regis made a motion to suspend the rules.  Mr. Hunker seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried.   Mr. Rodger made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read.  Mr. Schramm seconded the motion.   Mr. Regis made a motion to amend the Police Department Budget Line Item 001-011-5210-10120 (Police Wages-Other) to $130,000.  This will make the Budget Line $160,000.  This was given to Council by the Auditor as part of the temporary budget.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker.   A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes.  The motion to amend the Police Department Budget Line Item was declared passed  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes and Armstrong voting yes.  Motion carried and this ordinance was declared passed as amended. 

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, Burns and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried.   

            An Ordinance Directing the Allocation of Net Income Tax Revenue Received to Various Funds beginning January 1, 2023. 

            This Ordinance was given a first reading.  Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes and Armstrong voting yes.  The motion carried.  Mr. Hunker made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read.  Mr. Burns seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, and Regis voting yes.  The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed. 

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 land that the impound lot is to be built on belongs to the EMS, the Mayor asked Council if a certain percentage of the impound fees should be allotted to the EMS.  It was decided to consult Mr. Stecker on this matter.

The next Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the city building.  The Mayor and Mrs. Armstrong will not be able to attend this meeting.  Two additional Council meetings may have to be held before the end of the year. 

Mr. Regis made a motion to note in the minutes that Council has received and accepted the payment of bills as noted in the Check Register, for January 1 through November 30, 2022.  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. Schramm made a motion to note that Council has received and reviewed the financial reports for the previous month of November, 2022.  Mr. Hunker seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers and Burns voting yes.  The motion carried. 

Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Burns seconded, to note that Council has received and accepts a report of expenses paid in the previous month of November, 2022.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes and Armstrong voting yes.  The motion carried. 

Mr. Shrodes requested a list from the Auditor of all the equipment and vehicles owned by the city. 

Mr. Regis made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to accept the list of new hires for 2022 as submitted by the Service Director.  A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Armstrong, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried. 

Mr. Regis asked Council’s permission to permit Frank Papini to speak about a letter to Council from Kathie Brown, Director of Wheeling Health Right.  Funding has been cut for the services Health Right offers to the residents of Belmont County.  A couple, formerly of Martins Ferry, has offered to provide a matching grant of $20,000 yearly to Health Right over the next five years, if matched yearly by the $25,000 allocation from the Belmont County Commission, and $10,000 yearly each from the City of Martins Ferry and the City of St. Clairsville.  The letter will be filed with these minutes.  Health Right would like an answer by the end of January. 

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. Rodgers.   After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.

Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Hunker.  After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m. with a salute to the flag.

The next regular meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Donald Myers Council Chambers. 

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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council                           Kristine Davis, Council President

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