Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of October 16, 2024
Posted on: November 7, 2024
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 16, 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; Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member; Ben Neiman, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.
President Davis reminded Council that early voting has started and encouraged everyone to vote. Two local issues, as well as state and federal elections are on the ballot.
Minutes: Minutes of the October 2, 2023 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 due to a conflicting meeting.
Safety/Service Director: The major water line project on East Road is complete and the employees did an outstanding job!
Yesterday Mr. Sutak and the Mayor met with the engineer and their structural architect, who is putting together cost estimates and recommendations for the city building’s roof repair. Mr. Sutak is working with OMEGA to see if U.S.D.A. grant funding of 55% or more might be secured for the roof repair. Other federal and state funding will also be explored.
Bel-O-Mar has been contacted to see if there might be funding through ODOT for the Alumni and School Road project. Hopefully both roads can be fixed and if not, at least the two areas that are the most damaged. If secured, the city may have to give up federal funding for streets in town.
The Mayor met with the Lions Club and the Park District concerning the installation of the Pickle Bal Court including lighting and security cameras. Mr. Sutak asked Council for permission to get bids for lighting and cameras.
The note issue is coming due for the $5,000,000. Additional upgrades are still needed in the city’s water system to make sure everything is brought up to standard. Mr. Sutak is asking Council to increase the note to $5,500,000 to take care of all the projects that need done. A final list of Project Upgrades, for the Water Treatment Plant was distributed to Council Members and explained and clarified by Mr. Sutak and Water Plant employee Jeremy Shrodes. The Water Plant was built in the 1990’s and nothing has really been updated since then.
A larger generator was purchased for the Sunset Heights Pumping Station, because the station now has new updated powerful pumps. This generator will run on propane and kick on when power is lost.
Auditor: Council Members were reminded of the Exit Audit ZOOM Meeting with the State Auditor on Tuesday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m. Auditor Regis highlighted a few line items on the Statement of Cash Position, MTD. He noted that his office will closing the books on December 6 in order to have plenty of time to get ready for the end of the year.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Sergeant Vince West reported that there is an agency interested in the extra K-9 officer as well a vehicle. Mr. Sutak and the Mayor will look at the value of the dog and vehicle then set a price.
Fire Department: No report.
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: Rev. Agnew reported the committee received a request from the Mayor to revise the Deputy Auditor Ordinance. This issue will be discussed with Law Director Stecker.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: No report.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Code Administration: 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.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, asked if the city could possibly hire a City Business Developer. Mr. Sutak said there is not funding for that position. The Austin Masters clean-up will continue for at least a year under the supervision of ODNR. The Land Bank has taken down one house this year is the city. Mr. Sutak explained the steps the Land Bank follows to tear down dilapidated houses. Mr. Hord inquired about the former Vending Machine Building on 4th Street where a lot of work is being done. The Mayor to President Davis that it was a private business and that was all he knew. President Davis announced that Trick or Treat will be held on October 31, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A Resolution Accepting The Amounts And Rates As Determined By The Budget Commission And Authorizing The Necessary Tax Levies And Certifying Them To The County Auditor.
This Resolution was given a first reading. 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 and the rules were suspended. Mr. Echemann made a motion to pass the Resolution as read. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to suspend the 72 hour rule. Mrs. Armstrong seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Authorizing The Issuance Of $5,500,000 Of Water System Improvement Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2024 (First Renewal) To Renew Notes Originally Issued To Pay Part Of The Costs Of Water Well Upgrades, Water Plant Upgrades, Pumping Station Upgrades, And Other Related Costs And Improvements, Including But Not Limited To Motors, Pumps, Controls, Generators, Filtration Screens, Transfer Switches, Electrical Upgrades, Computer Control Systems, Heating And Dehumidifying Systems, Contract Tank Repairs, And Compressor Units And Declaring An Emergency.
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
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, Neiman, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried. Mr. Rodgers made a motion to pass the Ordinance as read. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Miscellaneous Business:
Council was reminded that the Street Sweeper will run the first 2 weeks of November. Tickets will be issued to those vehicle owners who park on the wrong side of the street.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to give the Safety/Service Director and Mayor to look into the expenses for cameras and lighting for the Pickle Ball Court to be donated by the Lions Club. Mr. Neiman seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried.
President Davis reminded Council Members to give her any requests regarding Committee assignments at the end of the meeting.
Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn which was seconded by Mr. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next Martins Ferry Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the City Building.
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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
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