Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of January 21, 2026
Posted on: February 5, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 21, 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. Answering Roll Call were 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.
Minutes: Minutes of the January 7, 2026 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: The city will be receiving a couple loads of road salt for preparation of the impending snow storm forecasted for the weekend.
A few Council Members were concerned about the condition of the bottom of Mackey Avenue which was torn up from a water break. The Mayor said city workers will try and widen the road so people would have room to go around the damage. The road will be like this until it can be paved in the Spring.
Council Members were invited to talk over problems they see in the city anytime with the Mayor. They don’t need to wait until the next Council Meeting.
Trash collection is a little behind this week because of the observance of Martin Luther King Day on Monday and trying to plow snow covered City Streets.
Mr. Echemann inquired about “Jake Brake” signs for trucks on Route 7. Mayor Davies believes there are signs on the north end and the south end of Route 7. He would also like to meet with the Finance Committee and Safety Committee to discuss some issues and ideas.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak said the plow trucks will be loaded with salt and ready for the snow storm this week. He asked that citizens have patience as the city workers clear the roads.
Mr. Sutak met with the engineering company regarding lead lines through the city and residential properties. Funding for replacement of these lines is being researched through the EPA. It is mandated that lead lines be replaced by the Year 2037. Mr. Sutak strongly encouraged residents to contact the city if they suspect they have a lead water line running from the curb box to the meter in their home. The city can put this information into a RCAP (Rural Community Assistance Partnership) Mapping Program which can be submitted to the Federal/State Government to possibly get funding to help residents with the replacement of these lines. Mayor Davies emphasized it is the responsibility of the homeowner to replace their lead lines, not the city’s responsibility. Water Service will not be shut off if Residents have lead lines because they will have until 2037 to replace these lines.
Work is slowly progressing on the Dutch Hill Road project due to the weather. As soon as the weather breaks, work will begin on the North Ridge/Overlook Drive Project. The Water Line Extension Project, which will run from the Water Plant directly to the business district, will also begin when the weather turns nice. Work on exercising valves and/or replacing them will be another project for the Spring.
Water Plant Updates: Cleaning, for one filter bed, is almost finished. Skadis System is almost finished. Updates to the pumping stations are done. The roof work is complete and it will have a 20 year guarantee.
Auditor: No report.
Law Director: No report.
Safety Director: Regarding the complaint made at the last Council Meeting of excessive cats being fed at a property on 3rd Street, Ms. Yeso reported the Humane Society has been contacted and will trap and spay/neuter the cats. A rescue shelter has been found to take the cats after their surgery. Arrangements were made for the property owner to clean up the exterior of the house which they have done, except for draining the pool. These homeowners were warned to maintain their property. Two other properties were visited which neighbors have complained about but which are part of a rental program. The owners of these properties have been notified that the city will no longer tolerate excessive trash kept around homes and this needs to be communicated to their tenants. Ms. Yeso will soon visit a decrepit house on Clinton Street where property destruction from this home that has fallen on a neighbor’s property. Unfortunately, this property owner has delinquent taxes of $20,000 so it is unlikely that the owner will care about their neighbor’s property. Council Members were invited to reach out to Ms. Yeso if they have any questions.
Police Department: Chief West reported that the Department is currently experiencing phone problems. Calls have not been missed since 911 dispatchers are sending them to the Department.
The Department is accepting donations for their new Junior Public Safety Program, which is a collaboration between the Police Department, Fire Department and EMS.
Chief West encouraged everyone to drive safe and watch their speed if they have to be on the roads during the upcoming storm.
Fire Department: No report.
EMS Department: Mary Greer, EMS Captain, asked Council’s permission to sell an extra LifePak 15 version 1 defibrillator/monitor to the Beech Bottom Volunteer Fire Department, This unit has been in storage since the EMS Department stopped transportation services in 2018. The Beech Bottom VFD cannot provide EMS services because they no longer have a working LifePak. Ms. Greer asked Council for permission to sell a LifePak 15 version 1, 2 batteries and 1 charger for $3,000 to the Beech Bottom VFD. Mr. Stecker said that Council can approve this sale by voice vote tonight and an Ordinance can be presented at the next meeting.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: A Finance and Safety Meeting was scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chamber.
Street: Mr. Smay will schedule a meeting when he hears back from Mr. Regis regarding his availability to meet.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: This Committee will meet on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with the Finance Committee.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: No report.
Code Administration: No report.
Real Estate/Building and Grounds: No report.
Utility: No report.
Income Tax: No report.
Citizens To Be Heard: President Wallace asked if any citizen would like to speak on any relative matter that needs to be brought to Council’s attention. He reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, was concerned about the Belmont Breworks Restaurant possibly closing down. The Mayor has not spoken to the manager of this restaurant so he could not comment on this issue. Regarding the parking meters, Ms. Yeso explained there was concern that the city was not yet ready to go into the electronic age. Meters will be removed and signs posted noting 2 hour free customer parking. This will alleviate residents/employees using the downtown parking spaces as their “driveway” and will create store front parking for customers. The Police Department will have the ability to “chalk” tires to enforce the 2 hour parking rule. When asked about the recent penalties assessed to the Austin Masters Corporation by the State of Ohio, the Mayor said this doesn’t have anything to do with the city. The city’s main concern was to get the building cleaned up and the area safe for the citizens. A business similar to the Austin Masters Corporation can never again be brought into the city.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Separating The Positions Of Director Of Public Service And Director Of Public Safety And Establishing The Annual Salaries Therefore, Effective January 1, 2026.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
An Ordinance Increasing The Salary Of The Director Of Public Service, Effective January 1, 2026.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
An Ordinance To Confirm The Increase To The Salaries Of The Elected Officials And The Clerk Of Council Of The City Of Martins Ferry And Declaring An Emergency.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
A Resolution Noting And Confirming The Annual Salaries Of The Elected And Appointed Officials Of The City Of Martins Ferry.
This Resolution was given a first reading. This Resolution will go to a second reading.
A Resolution Requesting The County Auditor To Certify To The City Of Martins Ferry The Total Current Tax Valuation Of The City Of Martins Ferry And The Dollar Amount Of Revenue That Would Be Generated By A Five (5.0) Mill Renewal Levy And Declaring An Emergency.
This Resolution was given a first reading. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules for three readings. 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. Echemann and seconded by Rev. Agnew to pass the Resolution as read. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution 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. Schramm made a motion and Mr. Harris seconded to permit the Martins Ferry EMS to sell a LifePak 15 version 1 defibrillator/monitor, 2 batteries and 1 charger to the Beech Bottom EMS. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried.
Mr. Schramm asked Mr. Smay and Mr. Robey if they could attend the Finance/Safety Committee Meeting on Monday, February 2. Mr. Smay said he works on Mondays and would be unable to attend meetings on Mondays.
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. Robey. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Hunker moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Smay. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:16 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next regular meeting of the Martins Ferry City Council will be on Wednesday, February 4, 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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