Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of September 4, 2024

Posted on: September 19, 2024

The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Donald Myers Council Chambers.  The meeting was called to order by Council President Pro-Tempore Rick Rodgers, with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those present in chamber, followed by a prayer by the Clerk.   A moment of silence was held for Tom Kelly, former Fire Chief and city employee, who passed away earlier today.  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, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.   Mr. Rodgers reserved his right to vote.      

            Minutes:  Minutes of the August 21, 2024 Council Meeting were approved as written.  

Correspondence:  There was no correspondence. 

Reports of Officers of the City:

Mayor:  Mayor Davies was unable to attend this meeting.  No report.

Service Director:  City crews have finished patching holes caused by recent water breaks.  Part-time employees are trying to keep up with grass cutting at the city owned lots and the cemetery. 

Mr. Sutak asked that Council go into Executive Session later in the meeting to discuss pending legislation regarding the school roads. 

The Administration has received one estimate on the masonry work for the city building and they are waiting on 2 estimates for the roof.  As soon as these estimates are received, Mr. Sutak would like to schedule a Finance Committee Meeting to discuss how to fund the cost of this project, as well as the removal of fire sirens and the small building on the roof. 

Mr. Sutak has estimated the value of the Crawford Heights property at $9,900 and asked Council to approve this as a minimum bid to sell the property.  Once approved, Mr. Stecker will bring in an Ordinance for Council to pass so the property can then be advertised for bid.  

Mr. Sutak expressed frustration over the high grass, overgrown bushes and weeds that property owners are not addressing.  He states he is getting phone calls from neighbors of run down properties asking the city to do something about the situation.  The city doesn’t have the manpower to address the problems of all these properties.  Mr. Stecker will look into putting a registration block on the property owner’s driver’s license.  After the block is in place, property owners will need to contact the city and pay the fines in order to renew their license. 

Mr. Sutak updated Council on the Water Plant upgrades.  Council Members will be invited to tour the Plant when the upgrades are completed.  Mr. Hunker asked how the city was going to get rid of the water softener tanks.  Mr. Sutak said the City’s Engineer is looking into options of disposing the tanks.

Mrs. Armstrong asked about the date for Curbside Clean-Up.  Mr. Sutak thought it was in October but he will check with the Mayor and inform Mrs. Armstrong of the date.

Mr. Echemann asked if weeds at a property on Carlisle Street (across from where the old High School stood) could be trimmed.  Mr. Sutak will try and get workers to trim around the bushes.  This structure is on the city’s list to get demolished when funding becomes available.

Mr. Rodgers asked when work on Beretta Drive will begin.  No starting date has been set.  After the core sample results have been received, final plans can then be completed.

            Auditor:  Mr. Regis asked Council to make a motion that they have received and reviewed the Financial Report, Payroll Summary and Report of New Hires.  As soon as the total cost of the roof project is known, Mr. Regis will check into funding for the project. Regarding the softener tanks, Mr. Regis warned they contained hazardous material. 

            Law Director:  No report. 

            Police Department:  Chief Murphy was unable to attend this meeting but provided an August Monthly Report which was distributed to all Council Members. 

            Fire Department: Justin Smith, Assistant Fire Chief, expressed his condolences to the family of Tom Kelly.  He noted that the Fire Department will be escorting Mr. Kelly’s funeral procession to Riverview Cemetery on Saturday.

Code Administrator: No report.

            Park District: No report.      

            Water Department:  No report.       

Reports of Committees of Council:   

Finance and Audit:   No report.

Street: Mr. Rodgers would like an estimate on paving Spring Haven Drive and then see if there might be funds available for the project.   

Ordinance:  No report.

            Sewer/Sidewalk:  No report.

Code Administration:  No report.

            Safety: No report.

            Service:  No report.

            Cemetery:  No report.

Public Relations:  No report.

Real Estate: No report.

Utility: Mr. Hunker scheduled a Utility Meeting for Thursday, September 5 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. 

Income Tax: No report.

Citizens To Be Heard:  President Pro-Tempore Rodgers reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.  

Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, asked that city crews check out an indentation on the road in front of 917 Virginia Street.  It seems to always have water or liquid in it even when it doesn’t rain.  Mr. Hord asked if the Staffilino Building or The Times Leader Building might be considered for a new site for the city building.  Mr. Sutak said it would depend on the price of another building and how much it would cost to remodel the structure to meet the city’s needs.  Also, the cost to tear down the current building would have to be considered.  The city will have utilities in place for the Lion’s Club Fall Fest to be held in the City Park on September 14.  If inclement weather, the Recreation Center would be available.  When ask for an update on the Austin Masters Facility, Mr. Sutak said the hazardous material continues to be removed. 

Frank Papini, President of the United Steel Workers of America, Retiree Organization of Martins Ferry, Ohio and a resident of Bridgeport, Ohio asked if there might be an increase in the water rates for Bridgeport residents.  Mr. Sutak said a decision has not been made about the water rates for Bridgeport Residents.  Regarding a time table for the clean-up of the Austin Master’s Facility, Mr. Sutak states the Mayor has a letter from ODNR stating the projected completion date but he didn’t know the exact date.  ODNR will not issue a permit to any industry that wants to use the building for hazardous waste storage.  Council also passed an Ordinance addressing this issue.       

Ordinances and Resolutions:  

            There were no Ordinances or Resolutions to be read.

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 go into Executive Session under the Ohio Revised Code G121.22, G3, regarding the subject of pending or imminent court action.  Mr. Neiman seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried.  Rev. Agnew abstained and excused himself from the Executive Session due to a conflict of interest. 

Mr. Schramm made a motion to go out of Executive Session.  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 Council went back into regular session.  

 Mr. Hunker made a motion to put a $9,900 minimum bid on the Crawford Heights property.  Mr. Echemann seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried.  Mr. Stecker will prepare an Ordinance for the sale of this property. 

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 Mrs. Armstrong.   After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.  

Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to accept the Financial Report, Payroll Summary and Report of New Hires.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm.   After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.  

            Mr. Hunker motioned and Mr. Echemann seconded to approve the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, (a Written Internal Control Policy which will be incorporated into the Police Department Handbook).  This document was presented by Chief Murphy at the last meeting.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, and Schramm voting yes.  The motion carried. 

             Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Neiman.  After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. with a salute to the flag.

The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at the City Building. 

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

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