Martins Ferry City Council Special Meeting Minutesof Monday, May 5, 2025

Posted on: May 8, 2025

The Martins Ferry City Council met in Special Session on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., in 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.   Auditor Jack Regis assumed the Clerk’s duties at this meeting since Ms. McFarlan was unable to attend.  Answering Roll Call were Spencer Echemann, Second Ward Council Member; Suzanne Armstrong, Third Ward Council Member; Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member and James Agnew, Council at Large Member.  Absent: Bob Hunker, First Ward Council Member, Ben Neiman and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.  Note:  There were 4 Council Members present which constitutes a quorum and a majority of the votes.    

This Special Meeting was called for review of contracts and miscellaneous business. 

Mr. Sutak applied for a grant to fix road slippages on North Ridge Drive and Overhill Drive.  Total cost for the project is $1,000,000.  The grant was awarded, however the city’s share of the project is $225,000 for both projects.  The Mayor has signed the paperwork for the project and the issue for financing the city’s cost of $225,000 will be referred to the Finance Committee. 

Mayor Davies is not in favor of the County’s Budget Commission Report.  All the increases went to the western side of Belmont County, such as Barnesville and St. Clairsville.  Martins Ferry’s Park District portion was cut by $5,000.  The Mayor also thinks that 10% of the money isn’t enough.  It should be at least a minimum of 15% because Martins Ferry is the largest city in the County.  St. Clairsville received a 2 ½ % increase where Martins Ferry received only a ½ % increase.   

Mr. Sutak explained that previous boards of Commissioners have waived their 15% because of all the funding they had been receiving, mainly from Gas and Oil Taxes. 

Mayor Davies reviewed the increases for a few communities, and was puzzled that St. Clairsville had a $50,000 increase and Barnesville has a $41,000 increase, but Martins Ferry’s share only increased by $10,300.  Shadyside, which is only a Village, increased by $16,000.  The Commissioners asked for a response from the City by May 8.  However, the Mayor asked Mr. Stecker to check on this because he believes the deadline is August 8.  Mr. Sutak informed Council that most of the local government funding goes to the safety forces. 

It was suggested to send a letter to the Commissioners asking for an explanation on the formula for distribution of monies and why the population of the cities were not taken into consideration.  The Mayor feels the distribution should be based on need and population. This issue could be sent to the State to decide how the County has to distribute it but there is still time to negotiate these percentages.  Mr. Stecker explained what could happen if Martins Ferry rejects this proposed funding.  He urged city officials to speak to the Commissioners to work out these issues.  Mayor Davies will call the Commissioners to see if he can get on their meeting agenda to discuss the formula used for the proposed distribution of funds.

At the Regular Meeting of Council on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, a vote will be taken to decide whether or not to accept the Commissioner’s Budget Report.  Anticipating that Council might vote to reject that Budget Report, a letter will be composed stating Council’s reasons for the rejection and be available for Council Members to sign on Wednesday Night.  The Mayor said he would then take it to the Commissioners on Thursday, May 8. 

When Mr. Sutak met with the Life Guards, the need to hire a part-time Pool Director/Recreation Director was discussed.  Unfortunately, 3% of funding was taken from the Recreation Center’s budget. Mr. Sutak was concerned about who would be in charge of getting concession items or take care of payroll for the Park District.  He asked Council to place the 3% income back into the Recreation Department’s budget so a part-time Manager can be hired to oversee day-to-day operations of the pool and Recreation Center. 

The Mayor announced that after July 1, 2025, he will be part-time and will not in the office everyday. 

East Ohio Regional Hospital is currently behind on their Water Bill again.  Mr. Stecker was asked what would be the liability for the city if the water was turned off.  Mr. Stecker recommended the city leave the water on and alert the County Auditor of the continuing delinquent monthly water bills owed to the city and place it on the hospital’s taxes.  

Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to adjourn and seconded by Mr. Echemann.  After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 11:53 a.m. with a salute to the flag.

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

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