Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2024

Posted on: August 26, 2024

The Martins Ferry City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, July 17, 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, Ben Neiman, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.  Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member notified President Davis that he was unable to attend this meeting.

Before this meeting, a budget hearing was held for the Public at 5:30 p.m.  No one voiced any concerns at this meeting.         

            Minutes:  Minutes of the June 26, June 27 (2 meetings), and the July 5 Council Meetings were approved as written.  

Correspondence:  There was no correspondence. 

Reports of Officers of the City:

Mayor:  City Workers are doing basic maintenance such are garbage pick-up, cutting weeds and fixing water breaks. 

The Celebration in the Park on July 6 went well and the Fireworks Show was great!  The Mayor expressed appreciation for Council’s support for this event.

Court proceedings, regarding clean-up of the Austin Masters Facility, are going well.  On July 18, two Martins Ferry Fire Chiefs and an experienced hazmat Chief from Youngstown will tour the Austin Masters Building and devise an emergency plan in case an event, such as fire or flood, would arise before the hazardous material is removed.  ODNR will also have a representative on the scene.  Mayor Davies spoke to the property owner who said he would not lease the property to another gas and oil company. 

Someone has expressed interest in purchasing a piece of city-owned property in the Crawford Heights area.  The Mayor asked Council to consider selling this property.  A minimum price could then be established and the property would be advertised for bid.   

Service Director:  Mr. Sutak updated Council on the Water Plant upgrades.  Sandblasting and coating of Contact Tanks 3 & 4 should be finished by tomorrow.  The filter bed lines have been checked.  Dehumidifiers and louvers should be installed by next week. 

A new motor and dry unit will be installed at the Woodmont Pumping Station.   There are also plans to upgrade the city’s other pumping stations.

The road to the city’s wells on First Street is now closed to traffic, specifically truck traffic from National Limestone. 

            Auditor:  Auditor Regis asked Council to pass the budget tonight so he can get it to the County Auditor by Friday.  The yearly audit is proceeding well and should be finished by the end of July.  Auditor Regis asked Council to make a motion that Council has recognized the transfer of $15,000 to the Cemetery Fund.  The Sanitation, Insurance, Water and Electric line items are being carefully watched.  Mayor Davies noted that landfill fees have increased significantly.  Since the city had to buy the new Packer, the Administration has discussed increasing the Sanitation fee by $5 and then removing this fee when the Packer is paid off.  It was mentioned that even though it has been 5 years since there was an increase to the sanitation bill, the Administration has continued the 2 yearly free Clean-Up Days as a service to the residents.  Mr. Regis asked Mr. Hunker to schedule a Finance Committee Meeting.  He reminded Council to make a motion to note the Payroll Summary Report and the Statement of Cash Report was received. 

            Law Director:  Mr. Stecker asked that an Ordinance Committee Meeting be scheduled to discuss creating an Ordinance regarding items on the sidewalks in the downtown area. 

            Police Department:  Chief Murphy gave the June, 2024 end of the month Police Report.  A copy of this report will be included with these minutes.  The Mayor will send Chief Murphy information regarding city-owned vehicles on First Street so these vehicles can be placed on the Auction Site. 

            Fire Department:  Justin Smith, Assistant Fire Chief, reported on the second quarter calls for the Fire Department.  He noted there was a structure fire on Pearl Street last week and thanked the Colerain and Bridgeport Fire Departments for their mutual aid.  Betty Zane Days, sponsored by the Fire Department, will be held on July 31-August 3 at the city park. 

Code Administrator: No report.

            Park District: No report.      

            Water Department:  No report.       

Reports of Committees of Council:   

            Finance and Audit:   Mr. Hunker set a Finance Committee meeting for Monday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m.  He also asked that a short meeting for the Real Estate Committee beheld immediately after this meeting.   

Street: No report.

Ordinance:  The Ordinance Committee will meet on Friday, July 19 at 1:00 p.m. at Mr. Stecker’s Office to discuss an Ordinance for items on sidewalks in the downtown area.

            Sewer/Sidewalk:  No report.

Code Administration:  Rev. Agnew reported a meeting will be scheduled soon.

            Safety: No report.

            Service:  No report.

            Cemetery:  No report.

Public Relations:  No report.

Real Estate/Utility:  The Committee will meet immediately after the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting on July 22 to discuss the sale of property in the Crawford Heights area.

Income Tax: No report.

Citizens To Be Heard:  President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.  

Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, expressed his appreciation for the excellent city sponsored Fireworks Show on July 6.  Mayor Davies said no request for funding has been received from the Historical Society.  Rev. Agnew informed Mr. Hord that the former Curley Property is being used as a parking lot for his Church.  When asked how many structures were on the Belmont County Land Bank list to demolish, Mr. Sutak said 10-12 parcels have been submitted for demolition.  If someone is interested in purchasing the property once demolition is completed, the Land Bank makes demolishing these properties a higher priority in order to get these properties back into tax collection. 

Frank Papini, President of the United Steel Workers of America, Retiree Organization, Martins Ferry, asked about the deadline given to the owners of Austin Masters for clean-up.  The Mayor said the deadline was July 22 and ODNR is prepared to start the clean-up on July 23.  ODNR will use bond money and possibly taxpayer’s money for the clean-up.  Martins Ferry will not have to pay for the clean-up.  Also, Mr. Papini asked how often Martins Ferry’s ground water is tested.  The Mayor replied “daily”.  He will get a list of the items tested to Mr. Papini.  Mr. Sutak said that the Water Department follows all the EPA Guidelines. 

Beverly Reed, Bridgeport, informed Council that the President of the Parent Company of Austin Masters will go to jail on July 29 if he does not post the $1.2 million bond to clean up the mess at the Austin Masters Facility.  She would like to know if the bond is not posted, where will the money come from and what will be the cost of the clean-up?  She believes this information should be available to the public.

Ordinances and Resolutions:  

            A Resolution Adopting A Budget For The City Of Martins Ferry For The Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 And Declaring An Emergency.      

             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, Armstrong, Neiman and Agnew voting yes.  The motion carried.   Motion was made by Mr. Hunker to pass the Resolution as read.  Mr. Echemann seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm 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 approve the transfer of $15,000 from the General Fund to the Cemetery Fund.  Mr. Neiman seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes.  The motion carried.

Mr. Echemann made a motion that Council acknowledges receipt of the Payroll Summary and the Statement of Cash.  Rev. Agnew 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. Echemann.   After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.  

Mr. Echemann made a motion to excuse Mr. Rodgers from the meeting tonight.  Rev. Agnew seconded the motion.  After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.    

             Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Schramm.  After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:39 p.m. with a salute to the flag.

            The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be held on August 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. 

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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council                           Kristine Davis, Council President

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