Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of January 7, 2026
Posted on: January 22, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 4:30 p.m., in the Donald Myers Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Council President Phil Wallace with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by those present in chamber, followed by a prayer by the Clerk. NOTE: President Wallace was sworn into office by Mayor Davies before tonight’s Council Meeting.
President Wallace asked if Council would consider changing the order for tonight’s meeting so Mayor Davies could take care of a few items. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Rev. Agnew to change the order of the meeting. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris and Agnew voting yes. Motion carried.
Mayor Davies gave the oath of office to the new and re-elected Council Members. Fire Chief I and Chief II and Fire Department Officers were also sworn into office. Ms. Melissa Yeso, former Council Member, was introduced as the new appointed Safety Director.
President Wallace introduced Mr. Ron Green, Vice-President of the NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers), who asked Council for their support in recognizing the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Post Office. Mr. Green gave a short history of the Postal Service. Mayor Davies read the city’s Proclamation, honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Post Office, and then presented the decree to Mr. Green.
President Wallace expressed his appreciation for Kristy Davis and her years of service on Council and serving as Council President. He vowed to do his best to run Council Meetings efficiently and smoothly. He congratulated the re-elected Council Members and welcomed the New Council Members.
A Roll Call was then held with the following members answering: Bob Hunker, First Ward Council Member, Spencer Echemann, Second Ward Council Member; Andrew Smay, Third Ward Council Member; Ryan Robey, Fourth Ward Council Member; Gus Harris, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members.
Mr. Echemann motioned and Mr. Schramm seconded to re-appoint Kay McFarlan as Clerk of Council. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Harris made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to keep the time of Council Meetings at 4:30 p.m. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
President Wallace reminded Council Members of the Ohio Sunshine Law Training and the Cyber Security Training that needs to be completed by every Council Member by the end of January, 2026. A certificate of completion needs to be submitted to President Wallace.
Minutes: Mr. Hunker made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to approve the December 22, 2025 Special Council Meeting Minutes. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. Motion carried and the minutes were approved as written.
Correspondence: A note of gratitude was received from the past Council President, Kristine Davis thanking Council and the Administration for the kind words and gifts presented to her at the December 22 Meeting.
Mayor: Mayor Davies reported that Broadway Street is now open to one lane of traffic and will completely open up on Monday, January 15 after being closed due to a 15 ft. sinkhole. Repairs to this Street cost approximately $50,000.
The Fire Department was commended for the tremendous job of containing the recent fire on Pearl Street. Two houses were lost in the fire but the damage could have been a lot worse. Unfortunately, one life was lost.
Service Director: Installation of the Filter Beds, Skadis System and Ozone Equipment still need to be completed. The Water Plant Roof Project is almost done. The city will be working with the EPA on a water consumption project which will hopefully save the city money.
The Beretta Road Project will begin as soon as the weather breaks. A report is expected soon on the environmental drillings taken on Overlook Drive and North Ridge Drive. This project will be partially federally funded. Martins Ferry’s financial portion of this project has been set aside in the budget.
Mr. Sutak asked that each committee of Council meet with Auditor Regis and discuss the responsibilities and current business of that committee.
Auditor: Auditor Regis distributed the Statement of Cash Position, Payroll Summary and New Hire/Termination Reports. He also congratulated the newly elected and re-elected Council Members and the city’s new Safety Director Melissa Yeso.
Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Mr. Robey to note that Council has received and reviewed the Statement of Cash Position, the New Hire Report, and the Payroll Report and to make these reports part of the minutes. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief West congratulated all the new and re-elected Council Members and said his office is always open if help is needed. He distributed the December, 2025 monthly Police Report as well as the 2025 Yearly Report. Chief West also complemented the Fire Department on their team work to contain the Fire on Pearl Street.
Fire Department: Chief Justin Smith reported the Fire Department ended the year with 272 calls, which is 100 more calls than in 2024. He expressed gratitude for all who helped in the containment of the fire on Pearl Street. On behalf of Council, President Wallace thanked the Fire Department for all they do for the city. Applause was given to the Fire Department by those present in Council Chambers.
Mr. Sutak would like to schedule a meeting with Chief Smith and Safety Director Yeso to discuss some ideas and issues for the city.
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 did not have a report but wanted to also thank the Fire Department for the great job they did in containing the fire on Pearl Street.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Real Estate/Building and Grounds: No report.
Income Tax: Mr. Regis has contacted R.I.T.A. and has given them Mr. Echemann’s contact information, noting that he is now the Chairperson of the Income Tax Committee.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Wallace reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, wished the best to President Wallace, Council Members and the new Safety Director in 2026 and expressed appreciation for their service. He asked Mayor Davies what he is most proud of accomplishing in 2025. The Mayor replied that it was an Up and Down Year for the City with the “Down Side” being that East Ohio Regional Hospital closed. The “Up Side” being the tremendous working relationship and cooperation between Council, Administration, city workers, and the Union. Mr. Sutak noted it’s because these employees care about the city. When asked about his goals for 2026, Mayor Davies expressed satisfaction that younger people are getting interested in serving as shown by the newly elected Council Members and the newly appointed Safety Director. The city will probably not see big industry come back, so the city must transform to technology or some other line of job creation. Mr. Hord asked for consideration of acknowledgement of the retirement of John Kramer, DDS and the Kramer family for their presence in the same building on Fourth Street for almost 100 years. Mr. Hord also asked for an update regarding the Parking Meter Situation. The Mayor said there have been conversations on how to go forward with the operation of the parking meters. The meters are now functioning and if money isn’t put in the meter, citations will be given.
David Marshall, 105 South 3rd Street, complained about the cats in his neighborhood destroying his property. He showed Council a device that will sting an animal to get it away from your property but will not kill it. Mr. Marshall noted an ordinance is in place that prohibits electric fencing to deter animals in the city. He asked Council to consider changing this Ordinance so that he may protect his property from further destruction from the feral cats. This issue was referred to the Ordinance Committee.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance To Enter Into An Agreement With The Full Time EMS Employees Of The City Of Martins Ferry.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the rules. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Rev. Agnew and seconded by Mr. Echemann to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, and Harris voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Harris to suspend the 72 Hour Rule for reading this Ordinance. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Setting The Salary For The Positon Of Operator Of Record For The Water Department.
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Rev. Agnew to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, 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. Smay made a motion and Mr. Hunker seconded to elect Mr. Echemann as President Pro-Tempore. After an affirmative voice vote from Mr. Smay, Mr. Robey, Mr. Harris, Rev. Agnew, Mr. Schramm and Mr. Hunker, the motion passed. Mr. Echemann abstained.
Motion was made by Mr. Echemann and seconded by Mr. Hunker to note that Council has received and reviewed the Statement of Cash Position, the New Hire Report, and the Payroll Report and to make these reports part of the minutes. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
President Wallace said he would like an Ordinance Committee Meeting scheduled to discuss the Ordinance of electric fencing for animal deterrence in the city.
Mr. Regis thanked Chief Smith for putting the report of fire calls on Facebook. The outpouring of appreciation from the public was incredible.
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. Sutak asked President Wallace for a list of all the committees, noting the chairperson and members.
Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Echemann. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:26 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, January 21, 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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