Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2026
Posted on: May 7, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 5:30 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.
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Echemann to change the order of business so Mr. David Schafer, candidate for Belmont County Commissioner, could speak. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed. Mr. Schafer gave Council a brief history of his life and work experience and asked for their vote of support on May 5.
Minutes: Minutes of the April 1, 2026 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: City Workers are working on water lines, sewer lines and basic maintenance. They will begin pothole patching soon.
The American Legion has asked if they can conduct a Poppy Day Fundraiser on May 22 at the corner of Zane Highway and Hanover Street and 5th Street and Hanover Street.
The Sanitation Line Item is being closely watch. The Mayor thinks it will be OK this month but rates may have to be increased in the future. There has been no decision yet on a Spring Clean-Up Day.
The YMCA has decided not go forward with their plans at the Recreation Center. The Administration will begin looking for life guards for the swimming pool.
Service Director: Workers have done major repairs to the sewer in the alley behind the American Legion Building. A lead line was found after discovering a water line break on Fifth Street. This line will be replaced to the curb box sometime next week. Mr. Sutak received confirmation that the EPA reviewed the medium used in the Water Plant’s new filter bed and everything is correct. The work on the other filter bed will begin in the next couple weeks.
Mr. Sutak attended a Bel-O-Mar Meeting today and inquired about funding for School Road. During the application process, the city would have to pay 20% (or $200,000) of any geotechnical engineering drilling on the slip. It is hoped that 100% grant funding could be secured for the construction part of this project.
An Ordinance will be needed to pave Ellett Street to Center Street. The job will be done by the same company that is doing the paving of Hanover Street to Ellett Street for the County. County Permissive Tax money will be used for this project.
Applications have been submitted to try and secure funding for the slip on 6th Street.
Auditor: The Statement of Cash Position, Payroll Summary and New Hire/Termination Report was distributed to Council Members. Mr. Regis requested a Finance Committee Meeting which was then scheduled for Wednesday, April 29 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Motion was made by Mr. Harris and seconded by Mr. Schramm to note that Council has received and reviewed the Statement of Cash Position, Payroll Report, and the New Hire/Termination/Retirement Report, and to make these reports part of the minutes. A roll call vote was heard with Harris, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Smay, and Robey voting yes. The motion carried.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief West reminded everyone in Chambers about the Police Renewal Levy that will be on the May 5th ballot. Passage on this levy will not raise taxes and will ensure the department will continue to operate efficiently and successfully. Chief West asked everyone to spread the word so the importance of this Levy is understood.
Fire Department: Chief Smith did not have a report. Mary Greer, EMS Supervisor, explained the details of a 5-year maintenance contract for a hydraulic self-load piece of equipment. This equipment protects EMS personnel from getting hurt when lifting patients. As of February, the warranty on this piece of equipment has expired. Today, repairs were required on this equipment and since the repairman wasn’t sure if it was the manufacturer’s fault, the city wasn’t charged for the parts, labor and travel costs which would have amounted to $1,709. This is the second time repairs were needed for this equipment since the warranty expired in February. A five-year maintenance contract is $19,060, or $3,812 per year. Ms. Greer is asking Council to pay the yearly payments until 2028 when the equipment will be paid off. EMS can then be responsible for the remaining 3 years of maintenance payments. President Wallace asked the Safety Committee to meet and have a recommendation at the next council meeting on the EMS issue. Mr. Regis will call the equipment company to see if a discount is available on full payment of the 5 year maintenance contract.
Safety Director: J.B. Green Team, with the assistance of Project Forward, has awarded the city a $10,000 grant for Commercial Planning of the downtown area. Grant applications are being prepared for the Fire and Police Department for different opportunities that may become available in July. On Monday, 8 code violations were reported and 16 additional violations were submitted today. The city is seeking to condemn 2 properties.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: The Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 29 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: No report.
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, invited everyone to the Martins Ferry Public Library on Saturday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. for a “Meet Your County Candidates” event and on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. for a “Meet Your State Candidates” event.
Regarding a new street sweeper, Mr. Robey received a bid of $300,000 for a new street sweeper. He is looking into options on fixing the old sweeper.
Mr. Hord raised concerns about bikes and scooters on the sidewalks. Riders need to be considerate and cautious of pedestrians.
Concern was also raised for a few businesses in town that are closing. Mayor Davies stressed that citizens need to support our local businesses so Martins Ferry can thrive.
Don Kline, 1010 Dutch Hill Road, asked for an update on the Beretta Road and Dutch Road project, noting that equipment has been removed from the site. Mr. Sutak said that some of the catch basins need restructured and some of the sewer lines may need moved. In the next couple of weeks, Mr. Sutak will be meeting with the Engineer and the National Lime and Stone Company. He told Mr. Kline he will call him when he has some information on this project.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
There were no Ordinances or Resolutions to read.
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. Sutak asked Mr. Stecker to re-do an Ordinance for a Water Superintendent noting that the position needs only Class I and Class II certifications. Because of the downsizing of the Water Department, Class I & II certification are all that is needed.
Mr. Echemann has contacted the city’s technology consultant and the camera for the live streaming of the Council Meetings has been fixed.
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.
Mayor Davies reported that a contract for the fireworks display on July 3, 2026 has been secured. Fireworks will be set off at dusk after the Celebration in the Park.
Mr. Hunker made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to allow the American Legion to conduct a Poppy Day Fundraiser on May 22 at the corner of Zane Highway and Hanover Street and 5th Street and Hanover Street. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Echemann moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Rev. Agnew. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:24 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
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Kay H. McFarlan, Clerk of Council Phil Wallace, Council President
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