Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of July 15, 2026
Posted on: August 6, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, July 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; Ryan Robey, Fourth Ward Council Member; Gus Harris, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Andrew Smay, Third Ward Council Member, was not at this meeting due to Military duty.
Before this meeting, a budget hearing was held for the Public at 5:00 p.m. No one voiced any concerns at this meeting.
President Wallace stated Council operates under Robert’s Rules of Order. Committee Assignments were distributed at the beginning of the year. An Ordinance, that will be read later in this meeting regarding increasing the city income tax, should have gone to the Income Tax Committee and then to the Ordinance Committee. This kind of action will not be tolerated in the future. If it happens again, the person taking this action could be censored.
Minutes: The minutes of the July 1, 2026 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies reported that there are about 6-8 pools in town that are unattended, stink and are breeding mosquitos. There are no Ordinances that puts this situation in violation. The Mayor asked Council to consider creating an Ordinance that would address neglected and stagnant swimming pools.
As a project for Eagle Scouts, a young man cut grass, painted poles and cleaned up the Betty Zane Cemetery. He did a phenomenal job and the Mayor will recognize this young man at a future Council Meeting for his dedication to the city.
Paving on Fifth Street is finished but still needs striped. There is about $93,000 in the budget for paving. The Mayor asked Council to recommend 2-3 streets in a row that need paved before the weather gets bad. He suggested 7th Street, from Center Street to Ellett Street as well as patching Mackey Avenue.
The Mayor encouraged the Finance Committee to meet with Mr. Regis to discuss funding for many projects that need completed in the city.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak has received the Engineer’s report for the 6th Street slip. He would like the Street Committee to meet and discuss funding for this project. President Wallace asked Mr. Robey to contact Mr. Smay about setting up a Street Committee Meeting.
Last Friday night, a fire hydrant was destroyed across from the Liberty Fire Station. Chief West will give a report to Mr. Sutak who will then file a claim with the City’s Insurance Company.
The bid for the Overlook/North Ridge Drive Project will be awarded to the Ohio-West Virginia Excavating Company. This will also be discussed at a future Street Committee Meeting.
All the paperwork has been done for the Opportunity Zone and has been submitted to the Ohio Department of Development. Hopefully Martins Ferry will become one of the Zones to receive help to attract new businesses.
For City Income Tax purposes, Mr. Sutak notified Mr. Regis about a new company moving into the old Carolina Freight building.
Auditor: Mr. Regis asked Council to make a motion to note they have received and reviewed the Statement of Cash Position, Payroll Summary and New Hire/Termination/Retirement/Change Report.
Mr. Regis reviewed the financial aspects of the North Ridge/Overlook Drive Project.
Regarding creating a capital fund line item for a new packer, Mr. Regis emailed the State Auditors for direction on how to proceed with this task.
An invoice from Border Patrol Construction, amounting to $72,959, will have to be approved by Council. This is the company that fixed the sanitary sewer near Broadway Gardens. Mr. Sutak mentioned there are a few more sewer issues that will have to be dealt with in the future due to old infrastructures.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief West reported there is video of the fire hydrant being hit near the Liberty Fire Station. The video is dark but it’s being sent away to see if it can be lightened to recover any helpful information. The Mayor suggested attaching a camera to the Liberty Fire Station since WIFI would be available. The Department is looking into grants for traffic (not flock) cameras. Mr. Sutak will check on the cameras in the city park.
The Chief reminded Council Members that the third reading of the Ordinance for the Electric Bikes will be read tonight. He is still getting complaints, but not as many since the public is becoming aware of safety regulations.
Fire Department: No report.
Safety Director: Chief West’s performance review went very well. Due to the financial situation of the city, he has decided to forego the payments that were promised to him. Quarterly meetings will be continued so progress of the Department can be monitored.
Miss Yeso has spoken to the owners of a neglected swimming pool in the city but they are resistant to do anything about it. However they have been fined for high grass and weeds. A few other pool owners in town have been encouraged to take their pools down or clean up the situation. Law Director Stecker said there is a General Nuisance Ordinance but he recommends doing a new Ordinance to specifically target swimming pools.
Violations have been sent out this week for high weeds and grass. These situations must be corrected within 48 hours or the owners will have to appear in Mayor’s Court.
GovPilot is proceeding well. Three tablets have been purchased for the Police Department to use when officers are in the field.
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: There will be a third reading for the Electric Bike Ordinance and a first reading for the Ordinance to Increase to the City Income Tax.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: No report.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: Mr. Echemann commented that the 4th of July Celebration was great and thanked all those who helped make it a successful event.
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.
Larry Deaton, 1102 North 9th Street, is a school bus driver and is concerned with the conditions of 7th Street and Mackey Avenue. He urged Council to get these roads paved before school starts. Also, Mr. Deaton is concerned about a cable that runs up 6th Street and around to 8th Street. It’s low enough to be touched and the wrapped end has fallen twice. Mr. Sutak said he would check on this.
Mike Bianconi, resident of Bridgeport, Ohio and a Belmont County Pease Township Trustee, thanked all those involved in the Beretta Drive/Crawford Heights Project. Mr. Larry Riser was specifically thanked for cutting the grass and keeping the property looking nice.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, said that on Sunday, July 19, Mr. Don Falbo, a local barber, will be celebrating 70 years of business in the same location on 5th Street. A Town Hall Meeting with the Belmont County Commissioners will be held on Thursday, August 13 at 6:00 p.m. at the Martins Ferry Public Library. Everything is ready for Betty Zane Days, which will be held July 29-August 1. Mr. Sutak gave a report on activities at the Recreation Center.
Don Kline, 1010 Dutch Hill Road, suggested the city pave Vineway Road, between Crawford Heights and Terrace Road, which is crumbling and contains many potholes. He also thanked Mike Bianconi for the work being done in Crawford Heights.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Regulating The Operation Of Electric Bicycles, Motorized Bicycles, Motorized Scooters, And Other Low-Speed Micro-Mobility Devices Within The City Of Martins Ferry, Ohio And Providing For Safety Requirements, Operational Restrictions, Penalties, Impoundment And Enforcement.
This Ordinance was given a third reading. 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, Robey, Harris, Agnew and Schramm, voting yes. The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed.
A Resolution Adopting A Budget For The City Of Martins Ferry For The Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2027, And Declaring An Emergency.
This Resolution was given a first reading. A motion was made by Mr. Harris and seconded by Rev. Agnew to suspend the rules. A roll call vote was heard with Harris, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, and Robey voting yes. The motion carried. Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Mr. Echemann to pass the Ordinance as read. A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Robey, Harris, and Agnew voting yes. The motion carried and the Resolution was declared passed.
An Ordinance Approving Amending Chapter 193, Income Tax Sections 193.03 And 193.04 Of The Administrative Code Of The City Of Martins Ferry, Ohio To Provide For Imposition Of Annual Income Tax Rate Of Two Percent (2.00%) Per Year On Income On Or After January 1, 2027 And Declaring An Emergency.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
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. Hunker made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to approve payment of the $72,959 invoice to Border Control Construction for repairs done on the sink hole and the sanitary sewer system near Broadway Gardens. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Robey, Harris, Agnew and Schramm, voting yes. 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 Mr. Robey. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Echemann gave an update on the repairs to the Live Stream System. The laptop died and a new one has been ordered and should arrive on Friday. Hopefully by the next meeting the system will be up and running.
Mr. Echemann made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to note that Council has received and reviewed the Statement of Cash Position, New Hire/Termination/Retirement/Change Report, and the Payroll Summary from the Auditor. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Echemann made a motion and Mr. Robey seconded to excuse Mr. Smay from tonight’s meeting. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Echemann moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Rev. Agnew. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, August 5, 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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