Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of March 27, 2024
Posted on: April 18, 2024
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 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, Spencer Echemann, Second Ward Council Member; Suzanne Armstrong, Third Ward Council Member; Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member; James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Ben Neiman, Council at Large Member, informed President Davis that he was unable to attend this meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the March 6, 2024 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Council approved changing the order of the meeting so Mayor Davies could read a proclamation honoring retired Sergeant Beth Scales, recognizing her 31 years of service to the Martins Ferry Police Department. The Mayor also swore in Micah Armstrong to the position of Sergeant to replace retiring Officer Scales.
The American Legion is asking for permission to hold a Poppy Day on Friday, May 24. Sales will be conducted from 11:30 – 5:30 p.m.
The Street Sweeper will run only during the last two weeks of April and November. Street signs have been adjusted to note the new dates/hours that residents must move their vehicles. Cars not moved on designated Sweeper days will be ticketed.
Saturday, April 6 will be Clean-Up Day from 8:00 – 12:00 noon. Items needs to be taken to the old City Garage on 1st. Street. There will be an extra charge for Mattresses and Box Springs. No tires, batteries or hazardous waste will be accepted.
Approximately 2/3 of the turf has been laid for the Splash Pad. The rest will be completed when weather permits.
Council was updated on the closing of the Austin Masters facility located on 1st Street. The company took in an excess of 10,000 tons of debri over what their permit allows. The Plant is currently locked down and security is present to insure no one enters the building. The Mayor will meet with the EPA next week and ODNR will be consulted on the next steps to remedy this situation.
Service/Safety Director: Mr. Sutak updated Council on the upgrades to the Water Plant. Air Dryers are scheduled to be delivered on April 10. The High Service Pump #4 will be installed in the next couple of weeks. Dehumidifiers and heaters have been ordered and should be in soon. The Engineer has approved all the submittals. Updated equipment is being ordered for the lab. Comcast internet has been upgraded to meet the expectations of the Skadis Water System.
Auditor: If Council chooses to approve the Operator of Record Ordinance, the salary will be backdated to February 1. Mr. Regis commented on a few projects in the budget. Council was reminded that the budget needs to be submitted to the County by the end of the month and the Payroll Summary and the New Hire Report needs approved. Mr. Regis reviewed options for the Perpetual CD coming due at Unified Bank. In an effort to cut back on paper and outgoing mail, paystubs will now be sent by email.
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: The committee met on March 22 to review the budget which will have to be monitored closely this year. A carry-over for next year will be available as long as there are no unforeseen expenses. The Committee recommends passage of the budget for 2024. Minutes of the meeting were submitted to the clerk and will be included with these minutes.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: Recommendations from the committee, regarding fines for repeat offenders of property codes, were distributed to Council Members. These recommendations will be given to the Law Director so an Ordinance can be created.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Safety: Mr. Schramm met with the Fire Chief to discuss the roofing problems at the Vigilant Fire Station. It was discovered that a downspout was clogged causing water to leak into the engine room. The leak in the kitchen area still needs addressed.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
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.
Alexandria Goddard, 906 Carlisle Street, spoke regarding the violations that shut down the Austin Masters Facility on 1st. Street. She read a press release from David Yost, Ohio Attorney General, regarding his concerns about the city’s water system. When asked what the city plans to do, Mayor Davies said ODNR issued the permit and only they can revoke it. Ownership of the company has changed although the name remains the same. City Administrators have a meeting with the EPA next week and they will also be in contact with ODNR.
Beverly Reed, Bridgeport, Ohio, stated there is an imminent threat to the public for radiation contamination from the Austin Masters Facility and has concerns for the water supply. The Mayor doubts that company officials will speak to anyone and the company will probably file bankruptcy. The Mayor said the City will move forward to find a solution to this problem.
Ron Reed, Bridgeport, Ohio, presented the media with a flash drive containing pictures from the Austin Masters Plant that were taken 3 years ago.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, reported that the property at 917 Virginia Street has been sold and the front yard has been cleaned up. However, there is still a pothole that need filled on the road in front of this house. In retrospect, the Mayor said the city could have insisted on inspection reports from Austin Masters to insure the company was in compliance. There is no information on the future of the S.M.A.R.T. Building on 5th Street owned by Mr. Young. No decision has been made on which streets will be paved in 2024.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Amending The Salary For The Position of Temporary Operator of Record.
This Ordinance was given a second reading. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker to suspend the rules. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm to pass the Ordinance as read. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance 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, 2024, and Declaring an Emergency.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker to suspend the rules. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Echemann to pass the Ordinance as read. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Mr. Hunker made a motion and Mr. Rodgers seconded to suspend the 72 hour rule. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the 72 hour rule was suspended. This Resolution was given a first reading.
A Resolution Requesting The County Auditor To Certify To The City Of Martins Ferry The Total Current Tax Valuation Of The City Of Martins Ferry And The Dollar Amount Of Revenue That Would Be Generated By A Three (3.0) Mill Renewal Levy And Declaring An Emergency.
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker to suspend the rules. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers to pass the Resolution as read. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong 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:
Mr. Schramm made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to cancel the April 3, 2024 Council Meeting. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Echemann informed Council he would not be available the week of April 24 should an emergency meeting be scheduled.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to accept the New Hire Report and Payroll Summary. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mrs. Armstrong asked if there were plans for the departments that were exceeding their budgets. Auditor Regis said these departments’ budgets are being watched and if anything is out of line, Council will be notified.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to allow the American Legion to conduct a “Poppy Day” on May 24, 2024. Sales will be conducted from 11:30 – 5:30 p.m. Mr. Rodgers 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. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Rev. Agnew made a motion to excuse Mr. Neiman from tonight’s meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Echemann. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned with a salute to the flag.
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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
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