Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of September 3, 2025
Posted on: September 18, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, September 3, 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 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; Melissa Yeso, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.
Minutes: Minutes of the August 12, 2025 and August 20, 2025 Council Meetings were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies did not have a report and announced he had a prior commitment and needed to leave at 5:30 p.m. There were no questions for the Mayor.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak spoke to the Mansuetto Roofing Contractors about getting on their docket for the Water Plant Roof replacement. Mr. Regis will prepare the Purchase Order for this project.
Auditor: Mr. Regis reported the Finance Committee met this morning and Mr. Hunker, Finance Chairperson, will give his report later in the meeting.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief Murphy gave the end of August, 2025 Police Department Report which included the Impound Lot Report. Three more Flock License Plate Readers need to be installed before training and full implementation can begin. Chief Murphy thanked the Shadyside Police Department for providing the Martins Ferry Police Department with a rear seat and rear partition from one of their decommissioned vehicles. This enabled the Department to transform a former K-9 vehicle into a useful patrol vehicle. Mrs. Armstrong reported complaints of cars parked illegally by a fire hydrant. Chief Murphy said when this situation is observed again, alert the Department and an officer will be dispatched to investigate.
Fire Department: Justin Smith, Assistant Fire Chief, reported the Air Packs that Council approved for purchase got delivered and they are now in use.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: The Committee met this morning to review the motions that were made at the August 20, 2025 meeting. All the motions were fine except one. In May, 2025, approval was given to appropriate 2% of the Income Tax Receipts from the General Fund to the Street Department. At the last meeting (Aug. 20), Council appropriated an additional 3% of the income tax funds to the Street Department for a total of 5%. All that was needed was an additional 1% for a total of 3%. Chairman Hunker asked Auditor Regis for a breakdown of the Income Tax.
Later in the meeting, a Finance Committee Meeting was scheduled for September 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the City Building.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: Mr. Echemann has not heard anything more regarding Mr. Probst’s retaining wall.
Safety: The Fire Department would like to make the following changes to its by-laws:
Remove: To be eligible to run for the Chief I or Chief II positions, a member must be an
eligible voting citizen living within the corporation limits of the City of Martins
Ferry.
Insert: To be eligible to run for the Chief I or Chief II positions, a member must live
within a 7-mile radius of the Martins Ferry City Building, 35 South 5th Street.
Mr. Schramm asked Council to think about this change and vote on it at the September 17 meeting. The Fire Department wants this change because the membership is declining and members living outside the corporation limits of Martins Ferry would like to run for the Chief I and Chief II positons.
Service: No report.
Real Estate/Building and Grounds: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Utility: A Utility Committee Meeting was scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the City Building.
Code Administration: No report.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Greg Roby, 1053 Broadway Street, would like to have answers to two complaints that he filed 3 months ago regarding two Martins Ferry Police Officers. President Davis told Mr. Roby that the investigation has not been completed and Council does not directly control the Police Department.
Lisa Ward, Executive Director of the Belmont County Mental Health and Recovery Board, St. Clairsville, Ohio, asked for support of their renewal levy which will be on the November ballot. This is a 1.25 mil renewal levy. Ms. Ward gave a brief description of the programs and services the Board provides. Two brochures were made available for anyone interested in learning more about the services provided by this organization.
Nikki Weigand, 1128 Colerain Pike, gave a testimony of her experience with substance abuse 13 years ago. At that time she had to go out of state for treatment. She is now a member-at-large of the Mental Health and Recover Board and is appreciative that an in-state facility is now available for those suffering from Mental Health Issues.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, asked for an update on East Ohio Regional Hospital. Miss Yeso said Bankruptcy was filed Friday on Dr. Johnson, owner of EORH. Regarding the financial situation of the city, Mr. Regis said the city was holding its own and trying to get as much done as possible. Small businesses are moving into the city which is a positive thing. Mr. Hord reminded everyone that a Town Hall Meeting with the Belmont County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center.
Frank Papini, President of the United Steel Workers of America, Retiree Organization of Martins Ferry, Ohio and a resident of Bridgeport, Ohio, asked about taxes owed to the city by E.O.R.H. Mr. Stecker explained that the city is going to put a lien on the unpaid utilities owed to the city. Property taxes are a secured lien and if the EORH building would be sold in bankruptcy proceedings, the city would be paid from those funds.
Don Cline, 1010 Dutch Hill Road, asked for the status on the repairs that are going to be done to Beretta Road and Dutch Hill Road. Mayor Davies said a bid was accepted and the project will likely be completed in the Spring.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the 72 hour rule for reading this Ordinance. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. This Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Providing For Assessments To Be Levied And Authorizing The Service Director To Certify Those Assessments To The Belmont County Auditor And Declaring An Emergency.
Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Mr. Hunker to suspend the rules for three readings. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso and Agnew voting yes. Motion carried. Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Motion was made by Rev. Agnew and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the 72 hour rule. A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers and Yeso voting yes. The motion carried. This Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Fayette Street in the City of Martins Ferry, Ohio.
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the rules for three readings. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. Motion carried. Mr. Echemann made a motion and Mr. Rodgers seconded to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker 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:
Mayor Davies, Mr. Sutak and Auditor Regis will meet on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the distribution of the income tax receipts and the Street Department Fund. Mr. Hunker then scheduled a Finance Committee Meeting for Wednesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m.
During the May 21, 2025 meeting, President Davis stated Council transferred $15,000 from the General Fund to the Recreation Fund and agreed to transfer $5000 per month with the stipulation that this action be reviewed every 90 days. Mr. Hunker ask Mr. Sutak to meet with Auditor Regis and gather information to see if this amount is still adequate.
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 Mr. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Rodgers announced on Sunday, October 12, the St. Mary’s Church will be celebrating its 150 year presence in the city with a special worship service at 3:00 p.m. The celebration will follow with a catered dinner. If anyone plans to attend the dinner, please let Mr. Rodger know at the next Council Meeting so he can submit your reservation to the church.
Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at
4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
___________________________________
Date