Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of October 15, 2025
Posted on: November 6, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 15, 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; Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member; Melissa Yeso, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.
Minutes: Minutes of the October 1, 2025 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies gave the oath of office to Sargent Vincent West who was sworn in as the new Chief of Police. Chief West then expressed his thanks for the support of his family, friends and colleagues who were present to witness the swearing-in ceremony.
The Beretta Road project was started this week, beginning with the removal of several trees. There was a problem with traffic but that has now been resolved.
The Clean-Up Day on October 11 was well received by the residents. Crew are catching up on pothole repairs. General maintenance is being performed to prepare for winter weather.
Service/Safety Director: Mr. Sutak previously distributed an ordinance in support of more upgrades to the Water Plant. Replacement and upgrades to the Filter Beds at the Water Plant should begin on October 27. After the Filter Beds are finished, installation of the Ozone Equipment will begin.
Work on North Ridge Road and Overlook Drive will begin in the Spring when the weather breaks.
Auditor: Auditor Regis asked Council to approve a purchase order from Erb Electric. Also, Council needs to approve the Payroll Summary and the New Hire Report.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief West presented Council with the September, 2025 Police Report, noting an increase in juvenile complaints. This report will be included with these minutes.
Fire Department: No report.
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: Mr. Echemann said there was no updates regarding Mr. Probst’s retaining wall.
Safety: Mr. Schramm expressed best wishes to Vince West on his appointment to Police Chief.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: Mr. Echemann reported a Trunk or Treat Event will be held on October 28, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Walnut Street. Line-up begins at 5:30 p.m. Someone, possibly Mr. Echemann, will participate in it to represent Ohio University Eastern Campus.
Miss Yeso reported that Project Forward is sponsoring a 5K Walk on Friday, November 28 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Proceeds will benefit Veterans and the Fraternal Order of Police. She encouraged everyone to participate in this worthy cause.
Code Administration: No report.
Real Estate/Utility: No report.
Income Tax: Mrs. Armstrong asked Auditor Regis to contact the City’s R.I.T.A. representative for an update on the city tax revenue received from a certain business in town. Mrs. Armstrong was told that the revenue for this company was nearly double what it was last year.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, thanked Mr. Sutak for seeing that the potholes on South 10th Street were repaired. When asked for an update on East Ohio Regional Hospital, the Mayor replied he has not heard anything concrete. No information regarding the Austin Masters situation was available. The inside of the former Staffilino Building is being remodeled for a new business which will open up soon. Mr. Hord announced that on October 12, St. Mary’s Catholic Church celebrated 150 years of service to Martins Ferry. He also expressed gratitude to former Police Chief Murphy and wished the best to Chief West!
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance authorizing the issuance of $6,000,000 of water system improvement bond anticipation notes, series 2025 (second renewal), to renew notes originally issued to pay part of the costs of, and to pay additional costs of, water well upgrades, water plant upgrades, pumping station upgrades, and other related costs and improvements, including but not limited to motors pumps, controls, generators, filtration screens, transfer switches, electrical upgrades, computer control systems, heating and dehumidifying systems, contract tank repairs, compressor units, valve repairs/upgrades, and other water works and/or water system permanent improvements and declaring an emergency.
Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers and seconded by Mr. Hunker to suspend the rules for three readings. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes. Motion carried. Mr. Schramm made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded 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. Rodgers made a motion to approve payment of $10,240.90 from the Capital Projects Fund to Erb Electric for a generator. Rev. Agnew seconded the motion. A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Armstrong voting yes. Motion carried.
President Davis announced that the Council Clerk is unable to attend the November 19 Council Meeting. Mrs. Armstrong made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to cancel the November 19 Meeting with the understanding that it could be re-scheduled if needed. A roll call vote was heard with Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. Motion carried.
Mrs. Armstrong asked about the progress of establishing an Ordinance stating that only 1 citizen can speak, per subject that is brought to Council’s attention. Mr. Stecker has done research on this issue. He said if public speaking is allowed during Council Meetings, Council cannot limit speaking to one person per issue. The subject matter must be related to Council/City business and the person should be a Martins Ferry Resident or speaking about a Martins Ferry concern.
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. Echemann made a motion and Mr. Rodgers seconded to note that Council has received and reviewed the financial reports including the Payroll Summary and New Hire Report. These reports will be incorporated into the minutes. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Regis suggested that after all the upgrades to the Water Plant are finished, a plaque be displayed commemorating the dedicated people responsible for getting the project completed.
Rev. Agnew made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to go into Executive Session under the Ohio Revised Code 121.22, G1 (employee compensation) and G3 (pending litigation). 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 and Mr. Rodgers 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 and Council went back into Regular Session.
Mrs. Armstrong moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Echemann. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, November 5, 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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