Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of December 21, 2023
Posted on: January 11, 2024
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Special Session on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., in the Donald Myers Council Chambers. The Meeting was for general purposes to include consideration of the final 2023 and the temporary 2024 budgets. 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, Spencer Echemann, Second Ward Council Member, Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member; Tom Burns, James Agnew, and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Excused: Suzanne Armstrong, Third Ward Council Member.
Minutes: Minutes of the December 6, 2023 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Mayor: Council agreed to change the order of the meeting to allow Mayor Davies to swear in Officer Vincent West as Sargent. Applause followed the pinning ceremony by Sargent West’s father (a former Martins Ferry Police Officer) and his wife. President Davis congratulated Sargent West on his promotion.
The Mayor asked Council to make a decision on School Road. Alumni Road will be shut down before school re-opens due to continued slippage. Currently School Road is open to all commercial vehicles. Mr. Schramm made a motion to allow the Mayor and Service Director to continue to handle the School Road situation and make decisions with the full support of Council. Mr. Burns seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, and Burns voting yes. Rev. Agnew abstained. The motion carried. The Mayor will try and set up a meeting next week with School Superintendent Fogle to discuss this matter.
Funding in the amount of $198,000 has been received for the Force Main Project. Currently the city is paying $4,000 a month to remove sludge from the tank.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak reported 20 tons of road salt has been delivered and he would like to get 2 more load which would give the city 60 tons. Council was thanked again for allocating money from the Permanent Improvement Fund to build the storage bin to protect the salt from rain and snow. Mr. Sutak asked Council to pass the Resolution regarding the Sanitary Force Main Extension Project.
An update was given on the improvements to the Water Plant. Wells #13 and #11 have been cleaned and Well #5 will be serviced next. In the future, well cleaning will be every 3 years. A new service pump should be operational in early January. Mr. Echemann thanked Mr. Sutak and the Water Department Staff for their hard work in the maintenance of the facility. Mr. Echemann was invited to make an appointment to tour the Water Plant to see firsthand the improvements that are needed.
Auditor: Auditor Regis asked Council to pass the Ordinance for the 2023 year end budget and the Ordinance for the 2024 temporary budget. The cash carry-over will amount to around $370,000 which is better than expected but Mr. Regis cautioned the finances will have to be monitored closely next year. Members were reminded that a motion is needed to note the Payroll Summary has been received and review by Council.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance To Make 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 first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers to suspend the rules for reading the Ordinance. Motion was seconded by Mr. Echemann. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Burns, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker to pass the Ordinance as read. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, Burns, Agnew, and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
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, 2024, And Declaring An Emergency.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, Burns, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Echemann to pass the Ordinance as read. Mr. Hunker seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Rodgers, Burns, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Mr. Hunker made a motion suspend the 72 Hour Rule. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, Burns, Agnew, and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution was given a first reading.
A Resolution Authorizing The Mayor Of The City Of Martins Ferry To Enter Into Contracts For The Construction Of The Sanitary Force Main Extension And Declaring An Emergency.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion to suspend the rules. Motion was seconded by Mr. Echemann. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Burns, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm to pass the Resolution as read. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, Burns, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution 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 this was his last meeting, Mr. Burns addressed Council and thanked everyone who supported him during the last 6 years of his service as a Council-at-Large Member. President Davis and Mayor Davies personally thanked Mr. Burns for his service.
President Davis passed out the new committee assignments. A correction was made to Mr. Echemann’s phone number. His area code is (304) not (740).
Mr. Echemann made a motion to excuse Mrs. Armstrong from tonight’s meeting. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Schramm thanked Police Officers Cory Barrett and Fred Owens for participating in the “Shop With A Cop” at Walmart on Sunday December 17. These officers received a round of applause.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded to note that Council has received and reviewed the Payroll Summary as of Pay Period Ending December 21, 2023. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
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 Rev. Agnew. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
President Davis announced that Live Streaming of the Council Meetings will begin in January. Once installed, citizens will be able to go to the city’s website and with one click be able to watch live Council Meetings.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to reschedule the January 3 meeting to January 10. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried
Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Echemann. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at the City Building.
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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
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