Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2026
Posted on: March 10, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, February 18, 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; Gus Harris, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Ryan Robey, Fourth Ward Council Member, informed President Wallace that he was unable to attend this meeting.
Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Mr. Smay to change the order of the meeting. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried. Mayor Davies then swore in Kade Carpenter into the office of Sargent for the Martins Ferry Police Department. Time was then given to Kevin Flanagan, who is running for Common Pleas Court Judge in Belmont County, to introduce himself and explained his background and experience for the job.
Minutes: Minutes of the February 4, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Crews have been working on several water breaks during the last couple of days. Mayor Davies asked Council to approve the Ordinances that will be read later in the meeting and stated why the passage of these Ordinances were important. He also asked that a Utility Committee Meeting be scheduled to discuss items that need addressed.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak updated Council on the Water Plant’s filter beds and the Ozone Equipment. He asked Council to approve the purchase order for $279,925 in order to contract with Quick-Sol National Limestone for work on the Beretta Road and Dutch Hill Road Project. This is the city’s portion of the project.
Auditor: Mr. Regis supplied Council with a current Statement of Cash Position.
Law Director: Mr. Stecker reminded Council that they would have to have suspend the 72 hour rule to hear both Ordinances read.
Safety Director: Ms. Yeso reported that 37 letters have been sent to property owners regarding sanitation issues or code violations. Owners have been given a 7 day notice. A list of Violations and Ordinance Citations, as well as the required corrective action, was distributed to Council Members. A Meeting has been set up for Council Members to view a Platform Software that will help with building permits and move the city forward technologically.
Ms. Yeso explained the problem of wood pallets piling up at businesses in the city. Even though these businesses have been given options for disposing of the pallets, to date none of the pallets have been removed. Council was asked to create an Ordinance to require businesses to be responsible for disposal of wood pallets instead of piling them up on their property and creating sanitation issues in the city. Ms. Yeso has also asked the Sanitation Employees to report residents not using garbage cans for trash or just putting bags of trash out on the sidewalk, sometimes days before trash pick-up. Garbage cans must also have lids. Director Yeso would also like a Dumpster budget. This Dumpster Service (at the discretion of the Mayor, Service Director and Safety Director) would be offered to property owners needing financial help to clean up their trash (with the understanding that afterwards they maintain a clean property). Mr. Stecker asked for an Ordinance Committee Meeting to be scheduled to review the pallet and trash issues. He will then draft an ordinance to address these concerns.
An updated draft letter, dealing with the 2-hour Customer Parking Policy, was distributed to Council Members. Employees, who work in the downtown businesses, are being asked to purchase parking permits in the city’s designated lots. This frees up parking in front of businesses to ensure that customers have convenient access to storefronts. There will be no exclusive business-only parking on the streets.
Another draft letter, given to Council, will be sent to residents and property owners reminding them that parking in alleyways is strictly prohibited. This will ensure that emergency responders can reach affected areas quickly and safely.
Police Department: Chief West provided Council with the February 1-17, 2026 Police Report. After receiving complaints regarding reckless operation of bikes and electric scooters in town, traffic laws will now be strictly enforced on these vehicles. After a drug raid was recently made at a residence in town, Chief West encouraged residents to report suspicious activity that may be drug related. Regarding East Ohio Regional Hospital, people have been entering the building and destroying property. The owner has been contacted and some safety issues are now being addressed.
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: Rev. Agnew reported there is an Ordinance being read tonight regarding piling of snow on City Streets.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: Mr. Schramm said the Committee reviewed prices on a new Ford Explorer Cruiser. He will meet with Chief West to go over the different packages.
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 reminded citizens to limit their speaking to 5 minutes.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, asked for an update on repairs to the city building. Currently, additional work to the building has been put on hold. The former Valley Vending Building on South 4th Street is privately owned and the Mayor had no information on future use of the structure. The former PNC Building was purchased by a local business man and the Mayor did not know who owns the former Keith Sommers building. Mr. Hord asked if the 1200 block of Indiana Street could be named in honor of former Mayor John Laslo. The Mayor replied that would be City Council’s decision.
Ben Bintz, local business owner, Board Member for the Park District, residing on Colerain/Mt. Pleasant Road, thanked the Administration and Council for their support of programming at the swimming pool and the Recreation Center. He feels attendance for the Aquatic Club will be good this year.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the 72 Hour Rule for reading this Ordinance. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Harris, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Regarding Piling Of Snow And Ice On City Streets And Private Property.
Motion was made by Mr. Echemann and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules for three readings. A roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Smay, Harris, Agnew, Schramm and Hunker voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Rev. Agnew to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Harris, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the 72 Hour Rule for reading this Ordinance. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Harris, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was given a first reading.
An Ordinance Authorizing The Service Director To Solicit Bids For An Oil And Gas Lease And For The Mayor To Execute The Same.
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the rules for three readings. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Harris, Agnew and Schramm 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, and Harris 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:
A Service Committee and Utility Committee Meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Agnew also scheduled an Ordinance Committee Meeting for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Schramm asked Mayor Davies to prepare a Proclamation for Vince Keller of Keller Funeral Home. The Keller Funeral Home has been serving families in Martins Ferry for 100 years.
Mr. Echemann made a motion to excuse Mr. Robey from tonight’s meeting. Mr. Smay seconded the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
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 to approve the purchase order of $279,925 with Quick-Sol National Limestone for work on the Beretta Road and Dutch Hill Road Project. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schramm. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Harris, Agnew and Schramm voting yes. The motion carried
Rev. Agnew moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Hunker. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:36 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, March 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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