Martins Ferry City Council Special Meeting Minutes of December 22, 2025

Posted on: January 8, 2026

The Martins Ferry City Council met in Special Session on Monday, December 22, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., in the Donald Myers Council Chambers to consider legislation and any other business that may properly be brought before Council.  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; Rick Rodgers, Fourth Ward Council Member; Melissa Yeso, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.   Absent:  Suzanne Armstrong, Third Ward Council Member.  

Minutes:  Minutes of the December 3, 2025 Council Meeting were approved as written.  

Ordinances and Resolutions:  

An Ordinance To Make Appropriations For The Expenses Of The City Of Martins Ferry, State Of Ohio, During The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025, And Declaring An Emergency.

            Mr. Schramm made a motion to suspend the rule for three readings.  Rev. Agnew seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, Yeso and Agnew voting yes.  Motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Rodgers to pass the Ordinance as read.  Mr. Hunker seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes.   The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.

         An Ordinance To Make Temporary Appropriations For The Expenses Of The City Of Martins Ferry, State Of Ohio, During The First Quarter Of The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2026, And Declaring An Emergency.

            Mr. Rodgers made a motion to suspend the rule for three readings.  Mr. Schramm seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes.   Motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Echemann to pass the Ordinance as read.  Rev. Agnew seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, and Hunker voting yes.   The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.

A Resolution Accepting The Amounts And Rates As Determined By The Budget Commission And Authorizing The Necessary Tax Levies And Certifying Them To The County Auditor.   

Mr. Hunker made a motion to suspend the rule for three readings.  Mr. Schramm seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew and Schramm voting yes.  Motion carried.  Motion was made by Rev. Agnew to pass the Resolution as read.  Mr. Echemann seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Rodgers, and Yeso voting yes.   The motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed.

Miscellaneous Business

Mayor Davies presented President Davis with Flowers, a Proclamation and Plaque commemorating her 25 years of dedication, serving first as a Council Member and them as Council President.  President Davis was also gifted with the gavel that she has been using during her term as President.  She was given a standing ovation for her service.  Mr. Schramm presented President Davis with a gift from Council. Proclamations were also given to Mr. Rodgers and Miss Yeso.  It was also acknowledged that a Proclamation will be given to Mrs. Armstrong who was absent from tonight’s meeting. 

The sewer project on Broadway Street should be completed this week.  Cost of the job was just under $50,000. 

Last fall, the YMCA held classes at the Recreation Center and was fairly successful.  The YMCA is asking for permission to run the Recreation Center as well as the pool.  They will pay the city for use of the building.  Details are still being finalized. 

The Mayor will be part-time beginning January 1, 2026 and he will not be able to do everything that he has done in the last 6 years.  He asked Council to consider splitting the Safety/Service Position, which Director Sutak currently holds.  Law Director Stecker will be consulted to see if another Ordinance needs to be created to split this position.  Mayor Davies will no longer need Health Insurance Coverage beginning January 1, 2026, which will be a $25,000 savings for the city.   Council was asked to consider giving a $10,000 raise to Mr. Sutak because he will be absorbing additional duties in January when the Mayor goes to part-time status.    

Miss Yeso made a motion to split the Safety/Service Director Position.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Hunker.  A roll call vote was heard with Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Rodgers voting yes.   The motion carried.  The Mayor will appoint a new Safety Director.  Mr. Sutak will continue as the Service Director.   

Miss Yeso made a motion to increase the Service Director’s wage by $10,000 per year.  Mr. Schramm seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was heard with Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Rodgers voting yes.   The motion carried.  This adjustment will take effect beginning in 2026. 

Mr. Echemann proudly made a motion to excuse Mrs. Armstrong from tonight’s meeting.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Rodgers.  After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.

Mr. Rodgers made a motion and Mr. Echemann seconded to increase the salary for Elected Officials and the Council Clerk by $50 per month for the 2026 and 2027 Calendar Years.  A roll call vote was heard with Rodgers, Yeso, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes.   Motion carried.  This adjustment will be handled by the Auditor. 

Auditor Regis expressed his appreciation for President Davis’s kindness and service to Council. 

Mr. Richard Hord was given permission to speak.  He thanked the departing Council Members for their dedication and service to the city, especially President Davis. 

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       

             Mr. Rodgers moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Miss Yeso.  After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:32 p.m. with a salute to the flag.

            The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. 

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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council                           Phil Wallace, Council President

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