Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of June 26, 2024
Posted on: July 18, 2024
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, June 26, 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; and Ben Neiman, Council at Large Member. James Agnew and Jim Schramm notified President Davis that they could not attend this meeting.
President Davis reminded Council that there are two Special Council Meetings scheduled for tomorrow, June 27. These meetings will address legislation only. The first one will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the second one will be at 10:15 a.m.
Minutes: Minutes of the June 5, 2024 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Part of Hanover Street is shut down due to a problem with a manhole. Once fixed, problems in the alley that stretches from the Romano Building to Unified Bank will also be alleviated.
Last week, when the weather was very hot, pool admission was free on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The Mayor believes the cost of operating the pool during these days was covered by concession stand sales. The Pool was closed on Saturday due to a Swim Meet.
The cemetery grounds are in good shape. City employees are doing routine maintenance. There have been a couple of water breaks in the last week.
On July 6 at 10:30 a.m., there will be a dedication of the new sign at the Walnut Grove Cemetery which lists the historical facts of the cemetery. Also on July 6, the Celebration in the Park will begin at 12:00 noon and includes a free swim, entertainment, inflatables, and food vendors. Fireworks at dusk will close out the celebration.
The Mayor expressed his disappointment of the handling of the Austin Masters situation by the State and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). A phone conversation with ODNR is scheduled for June 27 with the Mayor and Service/Safety Director. Mayor Davies said ODNR has to understand that if the city’s aquafer gets contaminated with radioactive material from the Austin Masters plant, it will affect all of the Ohio Valley and possibly the Tri-State area. Litigation is ongoing until July 25 and there has been no progress to clean up the facility.
Service/Safety Director: The Force Main by Turf Care should be hooked up by next week and it will flow into a new Eastern Ohio Regional Wastewater Authority line instead of the city’s main line. The project has been financed with no cost to the city.
There have been many good comments on the condition of swimming pool and the new pump is doing well. Crews are getting caught up with weed control.
Mr. Sutak gave an update on the improvements to the Water Plant. Equipment has been received to re-do valves at the Woodmont Pumping Station.
Auditor: Council was given a Statement of Cash Position. A couple of line items are being watched but there are no “red flags”. A public Budget Hearing will be held on July 17 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, before the next Council Meeting. Mr. Regis will notify The Times Leader of this event.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief Murphy reported that all officers, including himself, have attended or are scheduled to attend Active Shooter Training hosted by the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. Installation of the 3 laptops and accessories acquired with funds from the JAG Grant award is complete and the equipment will begin to be used soon. Chief Murphy will apply for 2024 JAG Grant and if received, it will be used to purchase a speed enforcement project and equip every police cruiser with equipment capable of producing electronic citations. He would also like to obtain pole mounted radar signs that display the oncoming driver’s speed and flash an over-speed alert.
Fire Department: No report.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: Mr. Hunker reported the Finance Committee met on June 11. Auditor Regis told the committee the budget is looking good. The committee is recommending Council appropriate $3,066.00 from the General Fund to repair an EMS car that was involved in an accident. Since no formal notice for funding has been received from the Martins Ferry Historical Society, the committee decided no action will be taken until a request is received. The Fire Department has requested $1,500 for the Betty Zane Days Celebration. The Committee recommends Council appropriate $1,500 from the General Fund for this event. Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: The Committee met on June 24 to discuss the ongoing improper use of electric bicycles and scooters in the city. After researching the current Ordinances that already pertain to this subject and listening to Chief Murphy’s advice, the Committee determined that the Ordinances, which are already established, cover everything the police need to enforce the proper use of electric bicycles and electric scooters. It was also suggested that a public notice of the upcoming enforcement be place in the newspaper. Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Safety: No report.
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.
Frank Papini, President of the United Steel Workers of America, Retiree Organization, Martins Ferry, asked the Mayor if the parent company of Austin Masters has ever been contacted regarding the radioactive waste that was left behind? The Mayor believes the owner will be doing 30 days in jail. Mr. Papini said a firm from Texas bid on the clean-up project of Austin Masters but was turned down by ODNR because the firm wanted a guarantee that they would be able to operate at the facility after it was cleaned up. The Mayor is concerned that the Austin Masters facility will get flooded, contaminating the water supply, and there is no contingency plan in place. The Mayor and Service/Safety Director voiced their frustration with the lack of communication from ODNA and the State.
Beverly Reed, Bridgeport, Ohio, reported that the owner and the parent company of Austin Masters have been added to the lawsuit by the Attorney General. Ms. Reed distributed and reviewed a graphic timeline of what has transpired with the Austin Masters plant from last summer until now. She is asking every Council member to get involved and make phone calls every day and write letters. The more people that get involved, the more successful the city can be to get the Austin Masters Plant cleaned up. The Mayor stated the city is working to create a page that can be accessed through the city’s website with information regarding the unsettling Austin Masters radioactive situation.
Bob Reed, Bridgeport, Ohio, feels that ODNR is “fiddling” with this situation since they say “they are watching it” which is not acceptable. When Mr. Sutak spoke to a woman at ODNR and asked what is the plan if flood waters threatened to breach the Austin Masters Facility? The woman could not give him an answer. Mr. Reed is concerned that the last time the facility was threatened with flooding it came up in 3 days. He stresses that we must keep on top of this situation – we must have a plan!
William Hans, Martins Ferry Resident, a Chemist, has had experience with radiation, held the highest security clearance available and had had access to anything nuclear. He feels people do not understand what is going on and the threat the Austin Masters Facility poses to the city. Mr. Han states that he has a Geiger Counter at his home and is monitoring radiation levels. He urged the City Administration to continue pushing to get the Austin Masters Plant cleaned up at the expense of the state.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, inquired about future plans for The Times Leader Building. The Mayor said he has not heard anything but knows they have moved most of the staff and production to their Wheeling Location. Mr. Hord asked for an update on smoke testing the sewers. The Mayor said these are EPA mandated items that need done. In between water breaks and routine maintenance, crews have been identifying lead lines and performing smoke detection of lines running into the sewers. Regarding the Recreation Center, Mr. Hord was told the pool is doing well, Roller Skating has been suspended until the Fall, and new equipment has been purchased for Pickle Ball. When asked about a possible Satellite Office for Belmont College, the Mayor responded the College is considering a site but parking is a concern to be worked out.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
This Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Authorizing The Director Of Public Service To Advertise For Bids For The Sale Of Municipal Property And To Sell The Property To The Winning Bid.
This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
This Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 1155, Source Water Protection Area, Of The Codified Ordinances Of The City Of Martins Ferry, Ohio.
This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
President Davis reminded Council that these two Ordinances will have a second and third reading at the two meetings scheduled for tomorrow, June 27.
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:
The Mayor informed Council that citizens will no longer receive a warning about high grass. The city will cut the grass, when it reaches beyond 12 inches high, and send the owner a ticket. If the ticket is not paid, the amount owed will be place on the owner’s property taxes. Mr. Rodger asked if the trees could be cut along the 5th Street Exit of Route 7.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Neiman seconded to appropriate $1,500 from the General Fund to the Fire Department for Betty Zane Days. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Neiman, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion to appropriate $3,066 from the General Fund for repair of the EMS vehicle which was involved in an accident. Mr. Neiman seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Neiman, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to excuse Mr. Schramm and Rev. Agnew from tonight’s meeting. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Echemann 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.
Motion by Mr. Hunker that we designate the Council Clerk as the Council Clerk of Records. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Neiman voting yes. The motion carried.
It was agreed that the next meeting of Council will be in Council Chambers at the City Building.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to cancel the July 3 and August 7 Council Meetings and call special meetings as needed. Mr. Hunker seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried.
President Davis has been contacted by John Theibert of Aspen Energy regarding Electric Aggregation. At this time, Council decided not to pursue this issue.
Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Neiman. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned with a salute to the flag at 7:11 p.m.
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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
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