Martins Ferry City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 23, 2024

Posted on: January 16, 2025

The Martins Ferry City Council met in Special Session on Monday, December 23, 2024 at 3:00 p.m., in the Donald Myers Council Chambers to discuss legislation.  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.                 

            Minutes:  Minutes of the December 4, 2024 Council Meeting were approved as written.  

Ordinances and Resolutions:  

            Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to suspend the 72 Hour Rule.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes.   The motion carried and the Ordinance was read. 

An Ordinance To Make Appropriations for the Expenses of the City of Martins Ferry, State of Ohio, During the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024, and Declaring An Emergency.

            Mr. Echemann made a motion to suspend the rule for three readings.  Rev. Agnew seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes.  Motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Schramm to pass the Ordinance as read.  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 and the Ordinance was declared passed.

Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Neiman seconded to suspend the 72 Hour Rule.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes.   The motion carried and the Ordinance was read. 

An Ordinance To Make Temporary Appropriations for the Expenses of the City of Martins Ferry, State of Ohio, During the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025, and Declaring An Emergency.

Mr. Rodgers made a motion to suspend the rule for three readings.  Rev. Agnew seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes.  Motion carried.  Motion was made by Rev. Agnew to pass the Ordinance as read.  Mr. Schramm seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Neiman voting yes.   The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.

Mr. Schramm made a motion and Mr. Rodgers seconded to suspend the 72 Hour Rule.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman and Agnew voting yes.   The motion carried and the Ordinance was read. 

An Ordinance Authorizing The City of Martins Ferry To Enter Into An Amended Agreement For The Sale Of Water To The Village of Bridgeport.

          Mr. Hunker made a motion to suspend the rules for three readings.  Mr. Schramm seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm voting yes.  Motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Schramm to pass the Ordinance as read.  Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman and Agnew voting yes.  The motion carried and the Ordinance 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       

            Mr. Sutak asked Council to approve an invoice for $4,400 from Schonhardt and Associates (who does the cost allocation breakdown).  Mr. Hunker made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to approve paying the invoice of $4,400 to Schonhardt and Associates.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew and Schramm voting yes.  Motion carried. 

            Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to cancel the January 1, 2025 Council Meeting.  Mr. Schramm seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker and Echemann voting yes.  Motion carried.  The next regular meeting of Council will be Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 

            Mr. Hunker voiced concern about legislation not submitted to committee first before being read at Council Meeting and suspending the rules instead of having 3 readings.  He also asked, if possible, that legislation be delivered or emailed early (at least 72 hours) so Council Members have adequate time to review the documents.    

             Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong.  After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 3:27 p.m. with a salute to the flag.

            The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 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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