Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2025
Posted on: June 23, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 4:30 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; James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Absent: Ben Neiman, Council at Large Member.
Mr. Neiman spoke to President Davis and asked if Council would consider meeting at the Recreation Center so he would be able to attend the next meeting.
President Davis discussed holding only 3 regular meetings this summer on June 18, July 16 and August 20. Special meetings could be called if necessary.
Minutes: Minutes of the May 7, 2025 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies asked for an Executive Session regarding contracts, before voting on anything pertaining to the city. Crews are behind with pothole patching due to the number of projects needing attention such as sewer repairs, water line breaks and weather related issues.
The swimming pool should be opened on Tuesday, May 27.
The Mayor and Service Director are still seeking funding for the school road project.
There is some “movement” at the East Ohio Regional Hospital site and it is hoped that the hospital can re-open with a different owner.
Sewer line repairs have been started on Zane Highway from Willow Street to Adam Street. Two catch basins are also being installed.
Service Director: Employees are trying to get the grass cut so the cemetery can look nice for Memorial Day.
The Park District is getting the pool ready to open next week. Life guards have been hired. Mr. Sutak posted a job opening for a Pool Manager on the city’s website. He hopes the Ordinance to transfer funds to the Recreation Department passes so he can structure the hours of the Pool Manager based on the funding.
Auditor: The Finance Committee and Auditor are monitoring the Sanitation Department Line Item. The Street Sweeper was paid off this month and the Packer will be paid off in November. Employee Medical Insurance will increase by 4.97% for the next contract period which will included 1 free month of insurance. Mr. Regis figured the city will lose around $14,000 in income taxes because of the job cuts this year in the School District. He also clarified for Council the County Certification.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: The Department will have a Civil Service Examination on June 25 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. This will enable the Department to create an eligibility list for hiring additional police officers. Chief Murphy report a few more conditions need to be met before funding for block cameras can be secured.
Fire Department: No report.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: The committee met on May 15, 2025 and discussed funding for the North Ridge and Overhill Drive slip repair. Grant money has been secured but the city still has to fund 25% of the projected cost of $1,000,000.
The committee recommended giving the Recreation Department $15,000 from the General Fund for the months of June, July and August and $5,000 per month thereafter as deemed necessary by the Administration. This funding situation will be reviewed every 90 days. An Ordinance dealing with this issue will be read later in the meeting.
The Committee requested that Council loan the Street Department $20,000, from the General Fund, until it recovers. However, if recovery doesn’t happen, rates will have to be increased. Mr. Sutak offered several reasons why the Sanitation Department Fund was low, such as a broken Packer and using the transfer boxes 5 days a week instead of once a week.
Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: Rev. Agnew reported two Ordinances will go to a first reading tonight as well as another ordinance that will go to a second reading.
Sewer/Sidewalk: Mr. Echemann reported the Committee met on Friday, May 16 to discuss the retaining wall at Tom Probst’s property on Elm Street. The Committee came to the decision that the wall was not on the city’s property and was not the city’s responsibility. Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Safety: No report.
Service: Mr. Schramm thanked the members of the Sewer Department for clearing out the sewer on 6th Street.
Real Estate/Building and Grounds: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Utility: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Income Tax: Mrs. Armstrong contacted R.I.T.A. for an update regarding income tax paid by a local company. Their response was “as this issue has a potential to involve confidential information, their correspondence will be solely with Jack Regis, who is the main contact”. Mr. Regis will address this issue since Council doesn’t think the information requested is confidential.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, thanked everyone involved in trying to get East Ohio Regional Hospital reopened. Regarding allocation funding from the County, a meeting has tentatively been set for May 27 to speak with the Commissioners, Budget Commission, and anyone else in the County who wants to talk about the methodology on how the Commissioners distributed the funding. There were no updates on Austin Masters, the former Staffilino building and the property on 4th Street owned by Dr. Johnson. Mr. Hord mentioned that May 22 will be Don Falbo’s 73rd Anniversary as a barber.
Larry Riser, 57019 Ferryview Road, on behalf of the Martins Ferry Boosters Club, asked for help with parking during home Football Games since the hospital’s parking lots will not be available until later this this fall. He asked if the city could clear out some of the dilapidated vehicles in the old city’s maintenance garage area in order to maximize the lot for parking. The Mayor said he would need Council’s permission to scrap these vehicles. Mr. Stecker said it would be best to have the titles to these vehicles before they are scrapped.
Mr. Hunker made a motion for Council to go into Executive Session under Ohio Revised Code 121-22, G4 for Personnel Issues. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and Council went into Executive Session.
Mr. Hunker made a motion for Council to go out of Executive Session. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and Council went out of Executive Session and back into regular session.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Amending Property Violation Fines Set By City Ordinance.
This Ordinance was given a second reading. This Ordinance will go to a third reading.
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, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Prohibiting the Parking of Commercial Vehicles in Residential Districts.
Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to suspend the rules for 3 readings. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker and Echemann, voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to pass the ordinance as read. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker and Echemann voting yes. Motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Rev. Agnew made a motion to suspend the 72 hour rule. Mr. Schramm seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, and Rodgers voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Transferring Funds To The Recreation Department.
Motion was made by Mr. Echemann to suspend the rules for 3 readings. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers to pass the ordinance as read. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes. 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
Miscellaneous Business:
Mr. Echemann made a motion to accept the Statement of Cash Position. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to change the schedule of Council Meetings for June, July and August to only the second normally scheduled Wednesday of the month (June 18, July 16 and August 20). Meetings to be held at the Recreation Center at 4:30 p.m. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker and Echemann voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to allow the Mayor and Service Director to scrap the dilapidated vehicles on the city owned First Street Lot. Motion was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Agnew voting yes. The motion was declared passed.
The Strawberry Festival will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to allow Project Forward to close 4th. Street from Hanover to Hickory Street, Walnut Street from 3rd. Street to 5th. Street and Hickory Street from 4th Street to 5th Street for the Strawberry Festival. Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker and Echemann voting yes. Motion carried.
President Davis received a revised proposal from Chief Murphy asking for consideration of the wage adjustment. She has forwarded a copy to Mr. Hunker so the Finance Committee can decide on an answer. An email with the proposal will be sent to all Council Members.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to appropriate 2% of the Income Tax to the Street Department line item. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. (Note: Mr. Rodgers was not present for this vote).
Rev. Agnew made a motion to excuse Mr. Neiman from tonight’s meeting. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
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 carried.
President Davis received an email from Aspen Energy regarding Energy Aggregation. After speaking to Mr. Sutak, it was suggested to spend some time this year asking for public opinion regarding this issue. It is difficult for citizens to understand that they must “opt out” of the program, otherwise it changes automatically.
Mr. Echemann moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, June 18, 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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