Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of May 1, 2024
Posted on: May 16, 2024
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., at the Martins Ferry Recreational Center. The meeting was called to order by Council President Pro-Tempore 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; Ben Nieman, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Mr. Rodgers reserved his right to vote. President Davis let Council know at the last meeting that she was unable to attend this meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the April 17, 2024 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies distributed a letter that was written in response to the school attorney’s letter regarding the Annex Agreement. The letter states the city feels they are in compliance with the maintenance and repairs and will continue to salt, plow and patch potholes on the school road as well as continue to look for funding to replace the road if necessary.
The Street Sweeper has finished running until November. The Mayor said workers are hot-patching potholes. If Council members see any potholes that need patched, please let the Administration know.
The company that built the Splash Pad is coming Tuesday to set it up for the summer.
The city was unable to receive a grant to assist in purchasing fencing and other material to secure the Well Fields on First Street. The city will move forward with the needed security measures.
The Mayor asked for guidance regarding grass cutting for city owned lots as well as other private lots that are neglected.
Public Service Director: Mr. Sutak gave a report on updates to the Contact Tanks, Well #5 and the Skadis System at the Water Plant.
The city submitted a request to FEMA for a generator for East Ohio Regional Hospital. Bids have been received and have been given to the Engineer to review and make recommendations.
Council was asked to sign a letter to ODNR regarding the Austin Masters situation. Copies of this letter will be sent to other state and local officials and entities in hope that they will support Martins Ferry and agree that the Austin Masters Plant is not located in the right place. Mr. Sutak spoke with the Chief of ODNR and explained the situation and concerns of the city regarding Austin Masters. The Chief said that ODNR has to go through their litigation process and will keep the city informed on what transpires.
Auditor: Mr. Regis asked Council to consider passing the legislation regarding 1) re-establishing the position of EMS Captain and 2) Part-time wage increase for EMS workers and 3) increasing the salary of the Director of Public Service. He also asked that Council review and pass the Payroll Summary and New Hire Report.
Law Director: Mr. Stecker request Council’s permission to close the following roads for the Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 8: 4th Street from Hanover Street to Locus Street, Walnut Street from 3rd Street to 5th Street, Hickory Street from 4th Street to 5th Street and the Parking Lot located next to Mr. Stecker’s Law Office (42 South 4th Street).
Mr. Stecker reported that the Academic Awards Banquet honoring 454 students (who either go to a school within the Martins Ferry School District or live within the Martins Ferry School District) will be held on Tuesday, May 7 at the Wesbanco Arena.
Police Department: Chief Murphy distributed the end of April’s Police Department Report. He is applying for grant funds to help with hiring of (2) police officers. Letters, to be included with the grant proposal, are needed from city officials (City Administrators and the Mayor) for support of these additional police officers. Mr. Sutak suggested passing a Resolution supporting the hiring of two additional police officer. The Resolution would be signed by every Council Member and be included with the Grant Proposal. Mr. Rodger will consult President Davis on this matter. The Martins Ferry Police Department was also recognized for excellence in policy management and training by Lexipol, the nation’s leading provider of policy training and wellness support for first responders and public servants.
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 Finance Committee met on Wednesday, April 24 and reviewed the budget. The Committee recommends the purchase of a new Lawn Tractor for the cemetery be paid out of the General Fund. Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: Rev. Agnew said that passing an Ordinance prohibiting Hazardous Waste Facilities to move into the city may not be legal. Law Director Stecker is researching this issue.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Safety: No report.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: Mr. Echemann will be setting up a meeting regarding summer events in the city.
Real Estate/Utility: Mr. Hunker scheduled a committee meeting for Wednesday, May 8 at 10:00a.m.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, congratulated Chief Murphy and the Martins Ferry Police Department for being recognized for excellence in policy management and training by Lexipol and achieving Gold Level status, the highest level of recognition offered. Mr. Hord asked for an update on sites in the city possibly being designated as historical. Mr. Stecker said the process is still ongoing and surveys still need to be completed. Code enforcement is being worked on by Terri Leasure and Officer Starkey. The Mayor told Mr. Hord that East Ohio Regional Hospital seems to be doing well.
Beverly Reed, Bridgeport, Ohio, commended Council for writing letters to State and Local government representatives regarding the Austin Masters situation. She gave Council a copy of a newly published book “Petroleum-238” by Author Justin Nobel that deals with how the U.S. oil and gas industry has avoided environmental regulations and created a dangerous and radioactive public health crisis. Mr. Nobel will be speaking at the Ohio County Public Library Auditorium on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m. This event will be live streamed.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
This Resolution was given a second reading.
An Ordinance Increasing The Hourly Wage For Certain Part-Time Positions In The EMS Department.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to suspend the rules. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Nieman and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Neiman to passed the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
This Resolution was given a second reading.
A Resolution Declaring It Necessary To Levy A Tax In Excess Of The 10 Mill Limitation And To Renew A 3.0 Mill EMS Levy For Five Years And Declaring An Emergency.
This Resolution will go to a third reading.
This Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Re-establishing the Positions of EMS Captain and Declaring an Emergency.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to suspend the rules. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried. Mr. Echemann made a motion and Mr. Neiman seconded to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
This Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Increasing the Salary of the Director of Public Service, effective April 1, 2024.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Schramm seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Mr. Schramm made a motion to pass the Ordinances as read. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Nieman and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
This Resolution was given a first reading.
A Resolution in Support of Sending Letter to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Other Elected Officials and Agencies regarding Austin Masters.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to suspend the rules. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Mr. Schramm made a motion to pass the Resolution as read. Mr. Hunker seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman 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:
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to close 4th Street from Hanover Street to Locus Street, Walnut Street from 3rd Street to 5th Street, Hickory Street from 4th Street to 5th Street and the Parking Lot located next to Mr. Stecker’s Law Office (42 South 4th Street) on June 8 for the Strawberry Festival. Motion was seconded by Mr. Echemann. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried.
Since this Council meeting was at the Recreation Center, live streaming was not available. At the last meeting, the live stream had no audio but the picture was very clear. Mr. Echemann will contact ForeFront Technology and ask them to address the audio issue and how to live stream when we have the Council Meeting in a difference venue.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to note that Council has reviewed and accepted the Payroll Summary, New Hire Report and the Statement of Cash Position. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Rodgers asked Council to consider having the next Council meeting at the Recreation Center to support Mr. Neiman’s health condition. Hearing no objections, the next Council Meeting will be held on May 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center. Mr. Neiman thanked Council for the meeting location change.
Mrs. Armstrong moved and Mr. Echemann seconded to approve the purchase of a tractor (up to $20,000) for the cemetery. This purchase will be paid out of the General Fund. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann, voting yes. The motion carried.
Applications are being accepted for summer help for grass cutting. Mr. Sutak would like to have 5-6 workers possibly beginning on May 6. Mr. Stecker explained that grass cutting is needed for city owned lots as well as another 68 lots that have been neglected or abandoned and have become a hazard for the neighborhood.
The Mayor asked Council if a decision has been made regarding selling the lot on the corner of 9th Street. If it’s not sold, the city will have to cut the grass. Mr. Hunker said this issue will be addressed at the Real Estate and Utility Meeting next Wednesday.
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.
Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried. The meeting was then adjourned with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Recreation Center.
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
___________________________________
Date