Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2025
Posted on: September 5, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, August 20, 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; Melissa Yeso, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member arrived a few minutes later. Since most of the regular business was handled at last week’s special meeting, President Davis stated this meeting would be abbreviated to handle legislation and some miscellaneous business.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
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 was given a third reading. Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to pass the Ordinance as read. Mr. Schramm seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Yeso, Schramm, and Echemann voting yes. Rev. Agnew and Mr. Hunker abstained. The motion was declared passed with a 4-2 majority vote in favor of the Ordinance.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded to suspend the 72 Hour Rule. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Determining That A Real And Present Emergency Exists In The Water Plant And Authorizing The Mayor And Service Director To Seek Quotes And Enter Into A Contract For The Repair And/Or Replacement Of The Roof And Work Necessary To Stop Leaks Damaging The Water Plant And Creating Potentially Hazardous Conditions.
Mr. Schramm made a motion to suspend the rules for 3 readings. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Yeso and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Rev. Agnew to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm, voting yes. The 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 approve the New Hire and Payroll Summary Reports. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried. Miss Yeso asked if the Payroll Summary could be broken down by Departments. President Davis will check with Auditor Regis.
Auditor Regis could not attend this meeting but did leave a report which will be filed with these minutes.
The Mayor stated that the Beretta Road/Dutch Hill Project needs to be paid out of the General Fund not Fund 024 Permissive Tax. If funds for this project were to be taken out of Fund 024, it would bankrupt the Street Department.
The Mayor and Service Director made recommendations on how various projects that need completed in the city could be funded.
Mr. Sutak has received estimates for a new generator for the well field. Cost could be around $400,000. Once the police report is received regarding the vandalism of the generator at the well field, Mr. Sutak will submit a claim to the city’s insurance company. An adapter has been wired to notify the Water Department should there be a power failure. A generator would then have to be rented until the power comes back on. Plans are being made to install security cameras at the Well Field.
Mayor Davies stated that the Jefferson Street Project needs to be paid out of the Sewer and Water Department Fund when this project materializes, if it does. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that a grant can be secured from the Ohio Public Works Commission for this project. Certain criteria need to be met and time is running short. Mr. Sutak explained how the funding mechanisms work and the details about loan repayment.
Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to allow the Water Operating Fund 101 and Sewer Capital Fund 109 to be used for the Jefferson Street Sewer Main Project. Motion was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried.
Motion was made by Rev. Agnew and seconded by Mr. Schramm to transfer $30,000 from General Fund to the Sanitation Fund. A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers and Yeso voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to return $61,053.33 from the East Ohio Regional Hospital Income Tax Line Item (204) to the appropriate funds. Miss Yeso seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm, voting yes. The motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong and seconded by Mr. Schramm to appropriate $250,000 from the General Fund to be put in a line item under the General Fund for the Overlook Drive and North Ridge Road Project and encumber it until the project gets started. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried.
Motion was made by Mrs. Armstrong to put 3% of the income tax money into the Street Construction Maintenance Repair Fund for the Beretta Road and Dutch Hill Road Project until the project is completed. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Schramm made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded to request that the Chief Financial Officer’s Certification of Local Funds reflect that the Beretta Road/Dutch Hill Road Project for $191,651.00 be taken from Fund 021 Street Department instead of Fund 024 Permissive Tax City. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried.
Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Echemann. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, September 3 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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