Martins Ferry City Council Special Meeting Minutesof Thursday, July 17, 2025

Posted on: August 18, 2025

         The Martins Ferry City Council met in Special Session on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 10:30 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 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.     

This Special Meeting was called for passing the 2026 Budget, reading of several Ordinances and miscellaneous business. 

Ordinances and Resolutions:

            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 was given a second reading.  Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes.  The motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Echemann and seconded by Mrs. Armstrong to pass the Resolution as read.  A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes.  Motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed. 

An Ordinance Increasing The Hourly Wage For Certain Non-Contractual Positions In The EMS Department. 

This Ordinance was given a second reading.  Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the rules.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes.  The motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Rev. Agnew to pass the Ordinance as read.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Agnew voting yes.  Motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed. 

An Ordinance Increasing The Salary Of The EMS Captain And Declaring An Emergency.

            This Ordinance was given a first reading.  Mrs. Armstrong made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded to suspend the rules.  A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes.  The motion carried.  Mrs. Armstrong made a motion and Mr. Rodgers seconded to pass the Ordinance as read.  A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes.  The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed. 

            Motion was made by Mr. Echemann and seconded by Mrs. Armstrong to suspend the 72 hour rule.  A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes.  The motion carried.   This Ordinance was given a first reading.

            An Ordinance Creating a Charge For Sanitation Capital Projects Beginning August 1, 2025.
            Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the rules.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Agnew voting yes.  Motion carried.  Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mrs. Armstrong seconded to pass the Ordinance as read.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes.  The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.

          
          Motion was made by Mr. Echemann and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the 72 hour rule.  A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes.  The motion carried.   This Ordinance was given a first reading.

           An Ordinance Accepting The Final Plat And Confirming The Dedication To The Use Of The Public, Martins Ferry School Streets And Declaring That This Ordinance Shall Take Immediate Effect. 
           This Ordinance will go to a second reading. 

            Mr. Hunker would like to schedule a Finance Meeting to discuss the General Fund carryover, the 2026 Budget, and projects/cost for next year.  The Meeting was scheduled for Monday, July 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. 

            Mr. Schramm will meet with Justin Smith, Assistant Fire Chief, to discuss several issues including only purchasing 24 bottles of Air Packs.

            Mrs. Armstrong would like an Ordinance created to limit one speaker per group during the citizen’s time to speak at Council Meetings.  Rev. Agnew scheduled an Ordinance Committee Meeting for Monday, July 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss this matter. 

            At the next meeting, Council will discuss the repayment of the $63,000 to the General Fund from the Sanitation Fund. 

Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to adjourn and seconded by Mr. Rodgers.  After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 11:28 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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