Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2024
Posted on: June 6, 2024
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., at the Martins Ferry Recreation Center. 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; Ben Neiman and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Rev. James Agnew could not attend tonight’s meeting because he was receiving the Liberty Bell Award for outstanding community service from the Belmont County Bar Association. Council applauded this announcement.
Minutes: Minutes of the May 1, 2024 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies commented on the letter the city received from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in response to the Austin Masters issue. He is unhappy with the lack of communication and that no activity been seen around the building. Mr. Sutak will follow-up with a phone call to ODNR to find out what is being done to facilitate clean-up at the facility.
Installation of the new pump is almost finished so the swimming pool should be ready to open Memorial Day Weekend. A few sections of concrete are being replaced.
Two part-time men have been hired to cut grass in the cemetery as well as 60+ lots throughout the city. The tractor has been ordered and should be here next week.
City workers are doing general maintenance such as patching potholes and painting street lines. It is unlikely the city will be able to pave any streets this year. Mr. Sutak reminded Council that County Permissive Tax Money can only be used for a dedicated street (no alleys or pothole patching). Mrs. Armstrong asked about paving 5th Street. The Mayor said there isn’t time to tackle this project and contracting it out would cost too much. If citizens want more paving to be done, a Street Paving Levy needs to be passed.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak reminded Council that the city is not able to use County Permissive Tax Money to pay down the paving loan taken out last year. Payments on the paving loan is coming out of the Street Department Fund.
Per Council’s request, almost 40 letters have been sent to state and local officials and other entities asking them to write letters to ODNR and support Martins Ferry with the Austin Masters clean-up effort. Only 2 responses were received. Mr. Sutak will contact ODNR and asked what has transpired at the Austin Masters Plant and inquire about future plans for clean-up.
Water Plant Update – Work on Contact Tank 1 and 2 (welding and sandblasting) has been started. The survey on the Well Field is done. Mr. Sutak is preparing a cost analysis report on the upgrades to the Plant. Once finished, he will send a copy to Council Members.
During the last two weeks, sewer issues and infrastructure problems that have been neglected over the past couple of years have been resolved. Once a permit is secured from the Railroad, the Turf Care Sewer Project should be completed within 3-4 weeks.
Auditor: Auditor Regis reported a representative from Perry and Associates will be in contact with the Auditor’s Office to discuss the information needed for the yearly audit. As soon as it’s known what’s needed, Mr. Regis will schedule a Finance Committee Meeting.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: No report.
Fire Department: Betty Zane Days is scheduled for July 31 – August 3. The Fire Department is requesting permission to utilize the Park as well as closing Zane Highway (Grant Street to Hickory Street) during the hours of the event. Also requested was using a section of South Fourth Street on Saturday, August 3 for the Fire Fighter’s Water Battle and using the same parade route as previous years.
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: Mr. Echemann scheduled a Committee Meeting for Monday, May 20 at 9:00 a.m. Discussion will center on expanding the summer scheduled events.
Real Estate: The Committee recommends selling the city owned property at 1200 North 9th Street using the bid process. Recommended minimum bid is $9,000. Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Utility: Utility bill issues for the high rise apartments in town were discussed. The Service Director is looking into rate adjustments for these buildings. When more information is gathered, another meeting will be held to hear the recommendations. Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, received a letter from the Martins Ferry Historical Society asking for his yearly dues. The letter also stated that the Society does not receive financial support from the city. Council members did not believe they have ever been approached for a donation of support. Mayor Davies said he would reach out to the Historical Society President to see if the city can assist the organization. Mr. Hord announced that on Wednesday, May 22, Don Falbo will be celebrating his 72nd anniversary of being a barber in Martins Ferry. There was no news regarding the former Staffilino Property. The Mayor recommended Mr. Hord speak to Rev. Agnew regarding the Tree of Life Church’s intended use of the former Curley Property.
Michael Deleonardis, 58881 Creek Road, on behalf of the Lions Club, asked for permission to use the City Park on Saturday, September 14, noon – 6:00 p.m. for their 4th Annual Fall Fest. The Lions Club would also like to use the park on the evening of September 13 to set-up crafters and food trucks. They will be collecting a mandatory fee from the vendors, which will be given to the Park Board. The Lions Club requested permission to close Zane Highway, from Hickory Street to Grant Street, for crafters to set-up during the festival. They also want to set up a Beer Garden from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Two off duty police officers will be hired to patrol the area while the alcohol is being served. The Park will be cleaned up on Sunday morning, September 15.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
This Resolution was given a third 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.
Mr. Sutak stated that this was not a new levy but a renewal (existing) levy and it will not cost citizens any additional funds. 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, and Neiman voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed.
Mr. Echemann made a motion to suspend the 72 Hour Rule. Mrs. Armstrong seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution was read.
A Resolution In Support Of The Martins Ferry Police Department’s Application For The Cops Hiring Program Grant.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Mr. Schramm made a motion to pass the Resolution as read. Mr. Neiman seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Neiman 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. Hunker made a motion to allow the Mayor and Service Director to sell the 1200 North 9th Street property and set the minimum bid at $9,000. Mrs. Armstrong seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman and Schramm voting yes. The motion was declared passed. Mr. Stecker will prepare an Ordinance for this sale.
Mr. Echemann noted some children had set up a Lemonade Stand at the park for a few days last week. He encouraged everyone to support these young entrepreneurs.
Mr. Echemann made a motion to note Council has approved the financial reports. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to allow the Lions Club to use the Park on September 14, 2024 for their Fall Fest, including use of the Park for set-up on the evening of September 13 and the closing of Zane Highway from Grant Avenue to Hickory Street during the Festival. The Lions Club will do clean-up on Sunday morning, September 15. Motion was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Neiman voting yes. The motion was declared passed.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to allow the Fire Department to use the City Park for Betty Zane Days on July 31-August 3 including closing Zane Highway from Grant Street to Hickory Street nightly, use of 4th Street on Saturday, August 3 for the Fireman’s Water Battle and use of the regular route for the parade. Motion was seconded by Mr. Neiman. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Neiman voting yes. 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.
Council agreed to hold the June 5 and June 19 Council Meetings at the Recreation Center. President Davis asked The Times Leader representative to publish the change of the location of the June meetings.
Mr. Schramm moved to excuse Rev. Agnew from tonight’s meeting. Mr. Neiman second the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Rodgers 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, June 5, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center.
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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
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