Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2025
Posted on: October 2, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on September 17, 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, 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 Yesso, James Agnew and James Schramm, Council at Large Members.
Minutes: Minutes of the September 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies deferred 25 minutes of his time to State Representative Ron Ferguson so Mr. Ferguson could address Council regarding the initiative to abolish property taxes in Ohio. He then answered questions from Council Members and the audience.
Mayor Davies asked for an Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel.
The First Christian Church asked for permission on Sunday, September 21st to block off North Zane Highway from Jefferson Street to Monroe Street, and Zane Highway to Pearl Street, from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Mayor expressed concerns about the Sanitation Department’s finances reported at the last Finance Committee Meeting. Mr. Hunker stated that the Finance Committee decided to meet again after September 30 to review the finances again due to a 3-pay month during the 3rd quarter of the year.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak gave an update on the renovations to the Water Plant. New pumps have been installed in the Walnut Street Pumping Station which should save the City on utility costs.
The Administration is still waiting on a report from the Insurance Company regarding the stolen generator from the well field. However, a report was received from Homeland Security today but the Mayor hasn’t had a chance to look at it. He believes it will have recommendations on how to make the next generator more secure. Mr. Sutak will seek funding through Homeland Security to secure the well field, i.e. cameras, fence, etc.
Hopefully, work on the Water Plant roof will begin in a couple of weeks.
As requested by the Auditor’s Office, Mr. Sutak asked Council to approve final payment of Audit costs of $28,950.
Auditor: Mr. Regis was not at this meeting but did supply the Payroll Summary and New Hire/Termination Report to Council Members.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: No report.
Fire Department: Justin Smith, Assistant Fire Chief, reported he will be attending a meeting this evening with the Belmont County Auditor to discuss the Property Tax Abolishment Issue.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: The Committee met on September 3, 2025 and decided to continue paying $5,000 every month to the Recreation Center until the end of the year. The issue will then be revisited at the beginning of the year to see if it is still needed.
The Street Income Tax percentages were discussed and the Committee decided to add an additional 1% for Street paving making a total of 21% (17% to Street Operations and 4% to Street Paving).
At the August 20, 2025 Regular Meeting, Council approved 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. It does not appear that this has been done. Council would also like to know if the East Ohio Regional Hospital Income Tax money from Line Item (204) has been dispersed to the appropriate funds. This action was also approved at the August 20, 2025 Council Meeting.
The Committee also has questions regarding the American Rescue Money which will need to be addressed with Auditor Regis.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: Rev. Agnew said the Committee has discussed Zoning Issues on First Street. The Mayor explained that currently there is a 1 year and 5 year time travel in the City’s Source Water Protection Area. The Administration would like to change to Zones instead of years traveled and determine what businesses can go into Zone 1 that would be the least amount of exposure to the well field. Zone 1 is where the former Austin Masters facility was located.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: Mr. Schramm reported that the Fire Department is in favor of changing its bylaws to say “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”. Council must approve of this bylaw change. Assistant Chief Justin Smith addressed Council regarding this issue. The Mayor asked for documentation, such as a copy of the meeting minutes that noted this bylaw change was acceptable to the membership.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Real Estate/Building and Grounds: No report.
Utility: There will be a Utility Committee Meeting on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, thanked everyone who helped organize the Town Hall Meeting on September 9. During this meeting, it was asked that the city administration arrange a meeting with the County Commissioners. The Mayor said this meeting has not been scheduled. A public record request has not been submitted regarding information on the Austin Masters situation. There has been activity at the former Staffilino building but the Mayor has nothing definite to report. Also, nothing new is known regarding the re-opening of East Ohio Regional Hospital.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Requiring Utilization Of City Sanitation Services.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. The Mayor explained the importance of this Ordinance. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules for 3 readings. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Mr. Echemann to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso and Agnew 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 and Mr. Rodgers seconded to approve final payment of the audit costs of $28,950. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried.
Mrs. Armstrong made a motion to approve the street closures (South Zane Highway between Jefferson and Monroe Streets and Madison Street, from Zane Highway to Pearl Street) requested by the First Christian Church on September 21, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Hunker made a motion and Mrs. Armstrong seconded to add an additional 1% of the Income Tax Money to Street Paving, making a total of 21% (17% to Street Operations and 4% to Street Paving). A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Schramm inquired about the paving schedule for the top of Mackey Avenue and Kuckuck Lane. Mr. Sutak said he would check on it.
The YMCA has expressed interest in conducting some programs at the Recreation Center. Mayor Davies asked Council for permission to negotiate this arrangement. Mr. Echemann made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to allow the Mayor to proceed with negotiations with the YMCA to conduct programs at the Recreation Center. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried.
Property at 615 Walnut Street is now owned by the Land Bank. The City has someone interested in this property. Fund 46 (Demolition Fund), which is donated money, has $12,700. The Mayor asked for Council’s permission to approach the Belmont County Auditor and Treasurer to see if the County would release that property to the city. The city would have the structure demolished. If demolition costs exceeded $12,700, the person interested in the property would need to pay the difference. This would use the donated money (Fund 46) as it was intended to be used. Rev. Agnew made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to allow the Mayor to speak to the Land Bank regarding releasing the property to the city and if permitted, use Fund 46 for demolition and speaking to the third party buyer about shared costs. A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, and Rodgers voting yes. Ms. Yeso abstained. The motion carried.
Mr. Sutak clarified that out of the 17% for Street Operations (of the Street Income Tax Percentage of 21%), 3% of this will go to the city’s share of funding for Beretta Drive.
Ms. Yeso asked about a Fall Clean-Up Day. The Mayor said a date has not been set since the Sanitation Fund is being watched closely. A decision on a Fall Clean-Up day will be made after the end of this month when the Cash Position Report is received to make sure the city can afford this service.
Mayor Davies announced that Halloween will take place on Friday, October 31, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Echemann made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to approve the Payroll Summary and New Hire/Termination Report. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried.
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 Rev. Agnew. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to go into Executive Session under the Ohio Revised Code 121.22, G1 (includes the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, or promotion of a public employee or official.) A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Hunker made a motion and Mrs. Armstrong seconded to go out of Executive Session. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to continue to give $5,000 per month to the Recreation Center as the Service Director requested and it will continue for the next 90 days. Mrs. Armstrong seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Schramm made a motion and Mrs. Armstrong seconded to allow the Mayor and Service Director to restructure the current Tri-County rate to 6.3454 with the minimum continuing at 6.3 mil. until the City recoups its costs. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Echemann moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Kristine Davis, Council President
___________________________________
Date