Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of December 21, 2022
Posted on: January 12, 2023
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, December 21, 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; Tom Burns, Jim Schramm and Jack Regis, Council at Large Members. Suzanne Armstrong, Third Ward Council Member, informed President Davis that she would not be able to attend this meeting. Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member informed President Davis that he would be a few minutes late. (Mr. Rodgers did arrive at 6:08 p.m.)
Minutes: Minutes of the December 13, 2022 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: All Council Members were notified by email that the State Auditor’s report has been officially filed. Council members should review the online report for accuracy. It will be available for 14 days via the email that was received. Everyone received a copy of this report at the Audit hearing on December 6. After 14 days, the Audit will be made public.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: City workers are busy with general maintenance, water line breaks and sewer lines breaks.
Epoxy Flooring is being installed at the Recreation Center as time permits. During 2022, upgrades to the Center included: Roller Skating events, Splash Pad installation, and renovations to the swimming pool rest rooms.
Impound Lot – Parts are being made and shipped. Next week the Mayor will meet with the Installer to finalize the layout of the lot.
A Christmas Party for children, which included roller skating and a visit from Santa, was held at the Recreation Center on Sunday, December 18. The Mayor thanked the EMS, Fire Department and the Lion’s Club for organizing and sponsoring this event.
Police Chief McFarland informed the Mayor that a $12,084 Grant has been awarded to the Force for new Body Cameras.
The house on the “S” curve of Broadway Street has been demolished. Clean-up will be finished on the property during the first week of January.
The Mayor thanked Council for working with the Administration to accomplish many things this year such as paving and demolition. Special thanks was given to Service Director Sutak for his hard work with the city finances.
The City is prepared for the possible ice storm this weekend. If the storm does materialize, the Mayor asked citizens to stay off the roads, if possible, so the city workers can clear the roads.
The Mayor announced this is the third year in a row that the city has not raised any rates.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak praised the work of the Deputy Auditor and Payroll Clerk for their exemplary work these last couple of months. Deputy Auditor Trish Headley will be assuming the duties of Auditor until a new Auditor is appointed. Mr. Sutak will help the Deputy Auditor with certifications for next year. Once completed, Council will be given copies of the certifications showing what the projected revenues will be for Year 2023.
Council was asked to pass the Resolution regarding the Capital Improvement Grant through ODNR. This grant will go to reimburse funds for the cost of the Splash Pad. Also, Mr. Sutak asked for Council’s support to pass the Resolution to obtain certain Federal Financial Assistance under the Disaster Relief Act. This is to help East Ohio Regional Hospital acquire new generators.
Mr. Schramm asked Mr. Sutak to check Carlisle Street, near the old high school property, for a possible waterline break.
Mr. Burns informed Mr. Sutak that a hole, filled by the Gas Company after work was done, needs smoothed out. Otherwise it may create problems if the snow plows scraps the raised asphalted patch into a culvert.
Safety Director: Director Regis reported the back-up generator, approved for purchase by Council last year, will be installed at the Liberty Fire Station by Erb Electric before the end of the year.
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: No report.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Safety: No report.
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, commented that East Ohio Regional Hospital recently opened their new Residential Detox Center and the Mayor responded the Hospital is progressively moving forward. Also, the recent opening of the re-built Marathon/Bell Store is another positive addition to Martins Ferry. When asked if there were any disappointments this past year, the Mayor replied there were no disappointments but some things were going slower than expected. Concerning the selection of a new Auditor, the decision will be up to the Republican Party.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Motion was made by Mr. Regis to suspend the 72 hour rule on the following three pieces of legislation. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
A Resolution Authorizing The City Of Martins Ferry To Enter Into The Capital Improvement Community Park, Recreation/Conservation Project Pass-Through Grant Agreement With The Ohio Department Of Natural Resources And To Execute Contracts As Required.
This Resolution was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Shrodes and seconded by Mr. Burns to suspend the rules. A roll call vote was heard with Shrodes, Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, Regis and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm to pass the Resolution as read. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Rodgers, and Burns voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed.
A Resolution Designating John Davies, Mayor Of Martins Ferry, As Authorized To Execute For And In Behalf Of The City Of Martins Ferry, A Public Entity Established Under The Laws Of The State Of Ohio, This Application And To File It In The Appropriate State Office For The Purpose Of Obtaining Certain Federal Financial Assistance Under The Disaster Relief Act (Public Law 288, 23rd Congress) Or Otherwise Available From The President’s Disaster Relief Fund.
This Resolution was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Shrodes to suspend the rules. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Shrodes, Rodgers, Burns, Schramm, and Regis voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Burns to pass the Resolution as read. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Burns, Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, and Rodgers voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed.
An Ordinance to Make Appropriations For the Expenses of the City of Martins Ferry, State of Ohio, during the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2022 and Declaring an Emergency.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Mr. Regis made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to suspend the rules. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Mr. Burns made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read. Mr. Schramm seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Burns, Schramm, Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, and Rodgers voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed. President Davis thanked Mr. Sutak and Trish Headley for all their hard work on getting this Ordinance created.
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. 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. Schramm. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Shrodes made a motion to excuse Mrs. Armstrong from tonight’s meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Regis. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Regis made a motion to pass the Cost Allocation Report prepared by Schonhardt and Associates. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Regis made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to move the first meeting of January to Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Donald Myers Council Chambers. A roll call vote was heard with Regis, Hunker, Shrodes, Rodgers, Burns and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
President Davis thanked the Council Members for all their hard work and support this year. Council Members and Mayor Davies added their thanks and appreciation for Council, Administration and the City’s Work Force.
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 6:34 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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