Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of October 1, 2025
Posted on: October 20, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 1, 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 September 17, 2025 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies announced that Friday, October 3, 2025 will be Police Chief Murphy’s last day. Sargent Vince West will be the interim Chief.
There will be a Clean-up Day on Saturday, October 11, 8:00 – 12:00 noon. There will be Boxes on First Street for Citizens to dispose of their unwanted trash. No curbside pick-up.
The Mayor met with a YMCA Representative regarding a trial-run of several programs at the Recreation Center in October and November. If the programs are well received, the YMCA may choose to offer additional courses. Mayor Davies thanked those persons involved in getting this endeavor organized.
City workers are doing routine maintenance. Mr. Rodgers asked if the potholes, on 8th Street, from Mackey Avenue to the Community Center, could be patched. Also, potholes near the Selby Apartments to the Polish Club need filled.
The Mayor believes Peace Township has a contract in place to fix the road where there was a slip on Mackey Avenue.
Service/Safety Director: Mr. Sutak said city workers are trying to catch up patching potholes and water break holes. He also updated Council regarding the delivery of the Ozone Equipment and installation of the Filter Beds and the SCADA System at the Water Plant.
Mr. Sutak and Mr. Regis will discuss information regarding the Preliminary Note Issue. The Note will roll over soon and another $500,000 will be put into it for a total of $6.mil. This money hopefully can be used for additional upgrades to the Water Plant. Roof work for the Water Plant should begin in a week or so if the weather stays nice. Estimates are being sought for the installation of cameras and lighting for the Well Fields. Mr. Sutak offered to conduct a tour of the Water Plant to Council Members.
Auditor: Mr. Regis apologized for missing the last Council Meeting due to a family obligation. The East Ohio Regional Hospital Income Tax money from Line Item (204) has been dispersed. Auditor Regis said when Council asks for funds to be moved, approved minutes are needed as proof of the action. He noted that $250,000, from the General Fund, has been encumbered in a line item under the General Fund for the Overlook Drive and North Ridge Road Project. Regarding the Sanitation Fund discussion at the last Council Meeting, Mayor Davies said an estimated cost was given for the rest of the year but he would have liked to see an estimated revenue number also.
Law Director: Mr. Stecker didn’t have a report but he did send an email to Mr. Sutak regarding how to proceed with the Kaufmann situation. Also, talks are still being conducted with Tri-County Water concerning contract rates.
Police Department: No report.
Fire Department: Assistant Fire Chief Justin Smith gave the Fire Department’s Third Quarter Report. The Department was not awarded the AFG (Assistance to Firefighters Grant). Chief Smith expressed his concerns for the Fire Department as well as other entities should Ohio discontinue Property Taxes.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: No report.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: Mr. Schramm noted Assistant Fire Chief Smith distributed meeting minutes of all the Fire Stations stating they unanimously approved of changing the 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”. The Department’s membership is down to 39 members and in order to get additional members, the radius needs to be increased.
Service: No report.
Real Estate/Building and Grounds: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Utility: The Committee met on September 25. Fifty Delinquent Utility bills were sent out and 40 have now been paid. Ten accounts are in the process of being turned off. The Sanitation Fund is doing better due to the updated fee structure for the apartment buildings in town and the increased charge for extra sanitation. Minutes of the meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Code Administration: No report.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Rita K. Randall, 246 North 7th Street, former City Auditor, frequently requests the city financial reports. In reading over a recent report, she noticed that $93,000 was taken out of the General Fund and given to the Sanitation Fund which is an Enterprise Fund. She said this is not allowed. The Enterprise Funds are supposed to stand alone and pay for themselves. She also noted that the condemned houses in the city are creating a haven for raccoons and other rodents which have been destroying her property as well as other properties. She feels the $93,000 could have been used for demolition of dilapidated structures in the city.
Phil Wallace, 801 Spring Haven Drive, spoke on the impact of abolishing property taxes in Ohio which is a constitutional change. He states that eliminating property taxes would create a catastrophic impact on Ohio local services including public schools, emergency services and libraries. No plan for replacement of these funds has been created. Mr. Wallace asked the citizens to vote against this Initiative next year. President Davis urged Council to take a stand next year and educate the citizens on the consequences of eliminating property taxes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, asked about the re-opening of East Ohio Regional Hospital. The hospital is involved in bankruptcy proceedings, and although another entity is interested, it doesn’t want to go through due process. Mr. Hord asked if patchwork could be done on the 900 block of South 10th Street. The Mayor expressed frustration with not being able to attract new business in town because there are no store fronts available. No plans are known about the future of the former Times Leader building,
Larry Deaton, 1102 North 9th Street, was told that the patching of the road at the top of Mackey Avenue is the responsibility of Peace Township. Mr. Sutak and Mr. Schramm offered to contact the Township and find out when the road will be fixed. If it isn’t fixed soon, the city may have to look into fixing it due to safety reasons and send the project cost to the Township. Mr. Sutak will keep Mr. Deaton updated on the situation.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
There were no Ordinances and Resolutions to be read.
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:
President Davis directed Council’s attention to a copy of the letter addressed to Superintendent Jim Fogle in support for the School District’s application to the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program for funding to pave the roads of the school campus. Mayor Davies said this is for the safety of the children and is not costing the city anything. Mr. Schramm made a motion to support the Martins Ferry City School District in their application to AMLER for funding. Motion was seconded by Mr. Rodgers. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Yeso voting yes. Rev. Agnew abstained. The motion carried and Council Members were asked to sign the letter after the meeting. A copy of this letter will be filed with these minutes.
Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to allow the Fire Department to amend their 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”. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann and Armstrong voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Echemann asked Council to express their condolences to the family of a High School Student who tragically passed away last week.
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.
Mayor Davies noted that a $400,000 grant will go to the OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) on November 5 for the Jefferson Street Project. This is a 1.1 mil. Project to replace water and sewer lines.
Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn which was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, October 15, 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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