Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of January 15, 2025

Posted on: February 6, 2025

The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 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, Suzanne Armstrong, Third Ward Council Member; Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member; Ben Neiman, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.   Excused:  Spencer Echemann, Second Ward Council Member.

President Davis announced she would not seek re-election next year.  Council was reminded of the rules of conduct during Council Meetings.  This year, President Davis requested that Ordinances be sent to the Ordinance Committee first and then have 3 readings before being passed, unless it’s deemed an emergency. 

Financial Disclosure Forms are due to the Belmont County Board of Elections by April 7 if a Council Member is running for re-election and May 15 if they are not running again.  President Davis asked for a copy of the form to include in each Council Member’s file which is reviewed by the State Auditor.  Petitions for Candidacy must be submitted to the Board of Elections by 4:00 p.m. on February 5, 2025.             

            Minutes:  Minutes of the December 23, 2024 Council Meeting were approved as written.  

Correspondence:  Correspondence was received from Columbia Gas of Ohio regarding rate increases beginning in May, 2025.  A copy of this letter will be filed with these minutes. 

Reports of Officers of the City:

Mayor:  Mayor Davies praised President Davis for her years of service as a Council Member and Council President. 

The Mayor asked that citizens be patient regarding snow removal on roads since the city has 39 miles of roads to maintain and the top priorities are the roads to the hospital and school campus. 

In March, the Mayor announced that he will be part-time and not be in the office every day.  The city will need to look into hiring an Assistant Service Director.

Service Director:  The city purchased a couple more truckloads of road salt which should be enough to last through next week.  Grit has also been purchased to mix with the salt for better traction. 

Water Plants Upgrades:  In February or early March, upgrades to the filter beds should begin.  Equipment is in the process of being re-built for the Ozone Room. 

Ohio Department of Transportation will be rebuilding the Pedestrian Bridge that goes over Ohio Rt. 7.  Barriers are installed but people have been pushing them aside and crossing the bridge.  ODOT is in the process of trimming tree and bushes to get ready for the rebuild.  They ask that no one use the pedestrian bridge to avoid any accidents.  Mr. Sutak asked The Times Leader Representative to post a notice in the paper noting that no one should use the bridge. 

            Auditor:  The Sanitation Department is still in the red in part due to a disabled truck that needs repairs.  Mr. Regis commended the Street Department is their efforts to clear the roads of snow.  He also distributed the Statement of Cash Position with month-to-date totals. 

            Law Director:  No report. 

            Police Department:  Police Chief Murphy gave the end of December Report as well as the end of the year report.  Continuing Professional Training for 2025 now requires 8 hours of mandatory curriculum to be completed online and 16 hours of elective curriculum which must be in-person training at a regional training site.  This will requires travel time for the officers.  Other options to eliminate the need for travel are being explored.   The Chief is looking into Flock Safety, which provides license plate readers on stationary poles on pinnacle points in town. This system could alert the Department when criminals enter the city.   The Agency interested in K9 Linus has declined but another department is coming at the end of the month to meet the canine officer.   This department is not interested in the Dodge K9 vehicle which might now be transformed into a prisoner transport unit.  The condition and mileage of the department’s vehicles were discussed. 

            Fire Department: Justin Smith, Assistant Fire Chief, gave the Fire Department’s Fourth Quarter Report and the 2024 Call Breakdown.  Copies of these reports will be filed with these minutes.  Ladder Truck #1 is currently out of service because of a steering issue.  Mechanics are due to look at the truck tomorrow and diagnosis the problem.  Bellaire Fire Department is on standby for automatic response for any structure fire.  Mr. Stecker will check to see if the Levy Fund for Purchasing Fire Trucks could be used to pay for the cost of repairing the fire truck.

Code Administrator: No report.

            Park District: No report.      

            Water Department:  No report.       

Reports of Committees of Council:   

            Finance and Audit:   The Committee met on Wednesday, January 15.  Chief Murphy submitted a request and reasons for a salary increase of 20% for his position.  The Mayor and Service Director asked for a 3% increase for the Recreation Department and a 2% increase for the Street Department be re-instated to these department’s budgets.  They also requested consideration of hiring an Assistant Service Director, a position which would be under their supervision.   A “Workshop” will be held in the near future with Council Members so everyone involved can have a better understanding of the issues the city will be facing this year.  This workshop will be open to the Public. 

Street: No report.

Ordinance:  No report.

            Safety: No report.

            Service:  No report.

            Real Estate/Building and Grounds:  No report.

            Cemetery:  No report.

Public Relations:  No report.

Utility:  No report.

Code Administration:  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, complimented President Davis on her service to the city and as well as the Street Department on the great job clearing the streets of snow recently.  The Austin Masters Plant clean-up continues using the rail system, with ODNR supervision.  Mr. Hord asked for clarification on the Martins Ferry City Council Committee Liaison to the Division of Development.  President Davis explained this Committee was set-up by an Ordinances in the 1950’s but it has not been active in quite some time. When asked if the city might open the rest rooms again to the public, the Mayor said if someone asks, the facilities can be opened but if left unsupervised, the facilities are exposed to vandalism.    When asked what the top priorities were for the city in 2025, the Mayor replied: 1) funding for city building repairs and 2) attracting new businesses to town.

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 and Mr. Schramm seconded to approve the 2024 Replacement Pages for the Codified Ordinances Books.  After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried. 

The Mayor announced that the Senior Citizens Center donated $340 to the After School Program at the Recreation Center.  A letter will be sent recognizes these seniors and their generosity to the city’s youth.  Mr. Regis acknowledged several kids recently offered to clear snow from senior citizen’s sidewalks free of charge. 

Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong and seconded by Mr. Rodgers to note that Council has received and reviewed the financial reports including the check register for the month of December, 2024.  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 Rev. Agnew.   After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.  

Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong and seconded by Mr. Neiman to change the meeting time of Council to 4:30 p.m. until the end of May.  This will allow Mr. Echemann to attend the meetings due to a conflict in his schedule.  Council will continue to meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.  A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Neiman, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes.  Motion carried. 

Mr. Neiman announced he would not be seeking re-election to Council next year. 

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

             Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Schramm.  After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned with a salute to the flag.

            The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. 

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

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