Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2025
Posted on: December 5, 2025
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, November 5, 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.
President Davis congratulated those who were elected last night to serve on Council for another term and also applauded all those across the state who had the courage to run for public office but were defeated.
Minutes: Minutes of the October 15, 2025 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies reported that the city did not score high enough to get funding for the Jefferson Street Project through the Ohio Public Works Commission. Other options for funding will be explored for this project.
City crews are doing general maintenance, i.e. pothole patching, winter preparations. The city has plenty of road salt in case of snow and slippery roads this winter.
The Mayor distributed an (Employee) Handbook that he would like to discuss with Council in an Executive Session at the end of the meeting.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak reported that the Mansuetto Roofing and Sheet Metal Company is still working on the roof at the Water Plant and hopefully in a month it will be finished. After the roof is completed, Mr. Sutak will contact the Ozone Company and the Filter Bed Company and schedule them to come and install their equipment.
Auditor: Auditor Regis distributed a memo that he sent to all Departments Heads stating the City will be closing the books on November 26, 2025. The office will then only process extreme emergency purchases on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Regis also asked that Council approve the Payroll Summary and the New Hire/Termination Report.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief West supplied Council with the Department’s end of October Monthly Report. He reported the Department’s K-9 was being re-trained with a new handler. Permission was given to conduct a Police Sergeant’s Civil Service Exam on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 12:00 noon in Council Chambers.
Chief West and Council Member Yesso spoke to a Company Representative about Electronic Parking Meters. These meters would alert the Police Department directly to a meter violation instead of having an officer walk around checking meters. The Chief commended 2 of his officers, along with EMS personnel, who recently administered CPR on an 8 year old juvenile.
Fire Department: Assistant Fire Chief Justin Smith reminded everyone that the Fire Department is hosting the Annual Christmas Parade on Friday, November 28. Line-up will begin at 4:30 p.m. on 1st and Center Streets. The Parade starts at 6:30 p.m.
Chief Smith invited Council to the Annual Fire Department Meeting scheduled for Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vigilant Engine Company.
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: No report.
Service: No report.
Real Estate/Building and Grounds: No report
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: The Ohio University Eastern Campus did not have enough volunteers to participate in the Trunk or Treat held on October 28th on Walnut Street.
Utility: No report.
Code Administration: Citizens, who are concerned about Martins Ferry’s “curb appeal” are canvassing streets looking for houses that have high grass and weeds, especially the section between the sidewalk and street. A list of these properties will be given to the city. Two weeks ago Mr. Sutak sent letters to 21 property owners notifying them of the high grass violations. Not many have responded. The next step will be ordering them to Mayor’s Court.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Davis reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, commended the Police Department for patrolling the city with cruisers and officers on foot patrol during Trick or Treating on October 31. He also congratulated all those who got elected to Council. There was no news regarding the opening of East Ohio Regional Hospital. The Mayor said the former Staffilino Building may become an auto body shop. There is no target date for the opening of this shop. Concerns expressed by former Auditor Rita Randall at the October 1, 2025 Council Meeting will be addressed under legislation.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Classifying Transfers From The General Fund To The Sanitation Fund As Loans And Directing Reimbursement.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Rev. Agnew 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. Rodgers 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. President Davis explained this Ordinance referred to the $93,000 that was transferred from the General Fund to the Sanitation Fund and explained the arrangements for repayment of this money.
An Ordinance Adjusting The Charge For Sewer Capital Projects And Creating A Charge For Water Operations.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Echemann and seconded by Mr. Hunker to suspend the rules for 3 readings. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Rodgers 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:
President Davis stated the November 19 Council Meeting is cancelled. The next meeting of Council will be on December 3, 2025. She also stated that Auditor Regis would like Council to consider cancelling the December 17 meeting and to reschedule the meeting when the books are closed and the Auditor has everything ready for the end of the year. Mr. Hunker made a motion to cancel the December 17 Meeting and reschedule this meeting when notified by the Auditor that the office is ready to close the books. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Armstrong. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion was declared passed.
Mr. Sutak said a Special Meeting may be needed at the end of the year because a note is coming due at the end of December and a couple of Resolutions may need passed to renew this note.
Mr. Schramm made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to note that Council has received the Payroll Summary and New Hire/Termination Report. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
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. Hunker made a motion and Mr. Rodgers seconded to go into Executive Session under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22, G4, (to discuss employee compensation). A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and Council went into Executive Session.
Rev. Agnew made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to go out of Executive Session and back into Regular Session. A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Armstrong, Rodgers, and Yeso voting yes. The motion carried and Council went out of Executive Session.
Mr. Echemann moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:09 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, December 3, 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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