Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of July 16, 2025
Posted on: August 18, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.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.
A moment of silence was held for the late Jack Cera, former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, who recently passed away.
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 and James Schramm, Council at Large Member. President Davis announced that Council had a quorum to hold the meeting but not enough members present to suspend the rules for legislation. A meeting will need to be held tomorrow, so all 6 Council Members can attend, in order to pass the Resolution for the 2026 Budget. Other Ordinances may also be read at this meeting.
Before this meeting, a Budget Hearing was held for the Public at 4:00 p.m. No one voiced any concerns at this meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the June 18, 2025 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies asked that the phrase “Part-Time” in the Ordinance for Increasing the Hourly Wage for Certain Part-Time Positions in the EMS Department be changed to “Non-Contractual”. This is due to an applicant applying for an EMS full-time job and he did not want to be tied to the contract.
Mayor Davies explained that a gentleman came to his office asking if Council would consider vacating Fayette Street which dead ends into 1st Street. This gentleman owns property on both sides of the road and would like to remove a house on one side, develop the area and construct a large building. The Mayor asked Council to look at this area. He will bring drawings and the plans to the next Council Meeting.
The controlled water outage went well. A 12 foot piece of pipe and 2 valves were replaced and water was restored 2 hours quicker than anticipated.
Crews are trying to get caught up on grass cutting and pot-hole patching.
Service/Safety Director: Mr. Sutak distributed a letter from an individual concerned about the condition of St. Rt. 647. He has placed a call to ODOT to discuss the situation.
Mr. Sutak has met with Bel-O-Mar to try and get funding for repairs to Alumni Road and School Road. The gentleman that is working on this project with Mr. Sutak is pretty confident that as soon as Federal and State funding opens up, this project will be approved.
Auditor: Mr. Regis asked Council to approve an invoice from the Walter Drane Company for $4,860. This invoice was directed to a former employee whose email address isn’t being used.
A transfer to the Sanitation Department on June 30, 2025 of $63,000 needs to be approved. Council can either make this a “transfer” or a “loan”. If it is a loan, a repayment schedule will have to be included.
The budget will have to be approved and submitted to the County by July 18.
Mr. Regis asked Council to consider helping the Fire Department purchase Air Packs that are now being offered at a special rate. Cost is $35,000. The Fire Department has applied for a grant to purchase the Air Packs and if received, would reimburse the General Fund. If the grant isn’t received, the Mayor recommended that the loan from the General Fund be forgiven.
Law Director: Mr. Stecker asked for an Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss potential litigation.
Police Department: Chief Murphy reviewed the end of June, 2025 Police Activity and Dispatched Calls Report as well as the Impound Lot Report. An update on the Flock Safety System was also included. President Davis expressed her concern regarding the safe operations of electric bicycles in the city. A copy of the Chief’s report will be include with these minutes.
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: Mr. Rodgers asked for an update on the Dutch Hill Road Project. Bids will be accepted for the project in the Fall or early Spring. The Mayor explained some of the changes to the project as well as issues that still need to be worked out.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: Mr. Echemann reported that Mr. Stecker recommended turning the matter of Mr. Probst’s wall over to our Insurance Company and wait for an answer from them. He is still waiting for a decision from the Insurance Company. A copy of these minutes will be include with these minutes.
Safety: No report.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Real Estate/Utility: No report.
Income Tax: Mrs. Armstrong emailed the city’s R.I.T.A.’s representative regarding submitting subpoenas for tax information from a local Heating and Cooling Company. Mr. Regis was asked to call the R.I.T.A. representative and request a meeting with this committee to discuss the matter.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Greg Roby, 1053 Broadway Street, asked for an investigation of misconduct of Officer Young and Officer Cole. Mr. Roby has been conducting programs with kids at the Park and Recreation Center and he alleges that Officer Cole is harassing these kids and telling them he is a manipulator. Mr. Roby would like to know why he is being investigated by the Police after he started to complain about these Police Officers. President Davis said Safety Director Sutak and Chief Murphy will look at the police body cam video and then discuss their findings with Mr. Roby. The Mayor stated the Park is cleaner since Mr. Roby started working with the kids and there aren’t as many kids in the Park after dark.
Cory Marks, no address given, is requesting an investigation of Officer Penne and Officer Carpenter who he says harassed him on the night of July 13 as he was trying to get custody of his children. President Davis said Council does not have the authority to address this issue and it will be referred to the Police Chief and Safety Director.
Deborah Dorfab, 518 ½ South Zane Highway, commented on her nephew Greg Roby’s situation in the Park. She doesn’t approve of people accusing him of starting a cult.
Nakeecha Woolley, 628 Columbus Avenue, asked to speak to Mr. Sutak later.
Robert Allison, Hickory Street, expressed his hope that Chief Murphy will investigate the incidents that Mr. Roby spoke of and meet with him about the findings.
Jennifer Vickers, is the former Youth Director of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Martins Ferry, where she worked with kids for 8 years. She supports Mr. Roby and his work with the kids at the Park.
Jennifer Paesani, resident of Wheeling, WV, states she is a licensed social worker who serves kids in Martins Ferry. She wants the city to know that there are educated individuals who will continue to stand up for the kids who live in Martins Ferry.
Frances Green, 519 South Zane Highway, alerted the city that her son, who was driving her car, almost went down the sewer next to her house. A neighbor let her borrow a temporary barricade to put over it. Mayor Davies said this issue is on the agenda but currently they are dealing with water problems. The work force has been down-sized to keep the rates as reasonable as possible. Mr. Sutak explained the plans for fixing this issue.
Don Cline, 1010 Dutch Hill Road, (Crawford Heights Area), asked about the time-line regarding the funds from the Ohio Public Works for the Dutch Hill project. Mr. Sutak said the city has received a grant and a loan. The Engineers had to re-do some of the plans for Dutch Hill Road and the Township had to request more funding because their cost of the project increased. The bids for this project are expected to go out by the end of August. Regarding the fatality on July 5 at the City Swimming Pool, Mr. Cline was told that the lady had health complications. The Life Guards called 911 and a CPR Instructor who was there administered CPR. Procedures at the pool were discussed.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, thanked Council for hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. He felt with the Hospital opening up again and the United Dairy expanding that this was positive news for the city. Mr. Hord asked about the funding allocations from Belmont County. The Mayor isn’t happy with the Commissioner’s formula for the funding distribution, but they have control of the allocations.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Because there were only 4 Council Members present, President Davis explained that Council can only hear the reading of one Ordinance and the Budget Resolution because we have had this legislation longer than 72 hours. It takes 6 Council Members to suspend the 72 hour rule.
This Resolution was given a First Reading.
A Resolution Adopting A Budget For The City Of Martins Ferry For The Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2026 And Declaring An Emergency.
This Resolution will go to a Second Reading.
This Ordinance was given a First Reading.
An Ordinance Increasing The Hourly Wage For Certain Part-Time Positions In The
EMS Department.
This Ordinance will go to a Second Reading. Mr. Rodgers made a motion to change the words in this Ordinance from “Part-Time” to “Non-Contractual”. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Agnew, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried.
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 approve the transfer of $63,000 from the General Fund to the Sanitation Fund, retroactive to June 30, 2025. Mr. Rodgers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried.
Rev. Agnew made a motion that Council approve the Statement of Cash Position, Payroll Summary and the New Hire Report. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Echemann made a motion to excuse Mr. Hunker and Mr. Schramm from tonight’s meeting. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mrs. Armstrong seconded to approve an invoice of $4,860.86 to the Walter Drane Company. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Agnew, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Echemann 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.
Mr. Stecker will bring in an Ordinance regarding the purchase of Air Packs for the Fire Department.
Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong and seconded by Mr. Rodgers to go into Executive Session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22, G3 (pending legislation). A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, and Echemann voting yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded to go out of Executive Session. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, and Echemann voting yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to extend the date to set the rates of the Tri-County Water Authority Contract from July 1st to October 1st. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, and Echemann voting yes. Motion carried.
A meeting was scheduled for Thursday, July 17 at 10:30 a.m. to read the Budget Resolution and the other Ordinances.
Mr. Rodgers moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Rev. Agnew. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:09 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next regular meeting of the Martins Ferry City Council will be on Wednesday, August 20, 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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