Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2026
Posted on: August 20, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, August 5, 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 and James Agnew, Council at Large Members. Jim Schramm, Council at Large Member was unable to attend this meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the July 15, 2026 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: The Clerk received an email regarding a public records request from Ken Deloian, Data Acquisition Specialist at SmartProcure. The request is for PO/Vendor Information. This email was forwarded to the City’s Finance Department.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Martins Ferry was rejected for Emergency Grant Funding for the 6th Street Project. Mr. Sutak reached out to our State Representatives who advised the city to reapply and submit more pictures of the damage. A new application is being worked on. This will be a million dollar project. If funding is received, 90% of the cost will be covered by the grant and 10% will be covered by the city.
The Beretta Road Project is progressing. Work is being done on the curbs and gutters which means they are almost done with the drainage part of the job. Paving and guard rails will be the final aspect of the project.
North Ridge/Overlook Project – Work will begin as soon as the power lines are moved out of the work area on Overlook Drive. The Mayor explained there may possibly be a problem with the Geotech and bedrock, which may result in an additional cost to the city.
The Fifth Street Project is finally completed. The man-hole covers and valves have been raised and the striping is finished.
Service Director: No report. Mr. Sutak was unable to attend this meeting.
Auditor: Mr. Regis was unable to attend this meeting but supplied a Statement of Cash Position and the July Financial Reports for Council Members. He also left a Purchase Order for Council to approve.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief West distributed the July, 2026 Department’s Report. He said that the Betty Zane Festival went well with only a few incidents that his officers needed to handle.
Fire Department: Chief Smith thanked the membership, community, vendors and sponsors who assisted in making the Betty Zane Days a success.
Safety Director: The Ordinance Committee met yesterday to discuss the recommendation from the Mayor and City Council to enact a Pool Ordinance. Law Director Stecker is currently reviewing this Ordinance and it should be ready by next week for Council. Eighteen letters have already been drafted for pool violations and are ready to be sent once the Ordinance is passed. Home Owners will be fined if there is a health or safety issue discovered with their pool.
The planters, purchased through a grant from the JB Green Team, have been delivered. Ms. Yeso thanked Ferry Hardware for receiving this merchandise. A special “thank-you” was given to Councilman Robey and Councilman Smay for helping to get these planters in place. A “planting” date will be determined when the weather conditions are favorable.
City officials met with a Representative regarding the approval of the Code Administration part of the GovPilot program. Contract registration and permit distribution should go live on August 15.
Code Administrator: No report.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: Mr. Hunker set a Finance Committee Meeting for Wednesday, August 12 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. He will notify Mr. Schramm of this meeting.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: The committee met on August 4 to discuss the Ordinance for maintaining Pools in the city. Also discussed were two possible Ordinances for future consideration: Vacant Properties and “Non Approved” Businesses.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: No report.
Service: No report.
Cemetery: No report.
Public Relations: Mr. Echemann did not give a report but thanked the Fire Department for a successful Betty Zane Days 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.
Richard Hord, 915 Virginia Street, reminded Council of the Town Hall Meeting with the Belmont County Commissioners on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Martins Ferry Public Library. He also congratulated the Fire Department for a wonderful Betty Zane Days Festival. Mayor Davies explained how citizens, who would like to have their water lines checked for lead, can contact the City’s Utility Office to schedule an inspection. There were no updates on repairs to the city building. Belmont County will control the sale of the former East Ohio Regional Hospital Building.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
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.
Mr. Hunker made a motion to table this Ordinance (since the filing date has passed) and asked Law Director Stecker to prepare another Ordinance updating the dates for next year’s Primary Election. Motion was seconded by Rev. Agnew. After discussion, a roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Smay, Robey, Harris, and Agnew voting yes. Mr. Echemann abstained. Motion carried.
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 Mr. Echemann seconded to approve a purchase order of $3,500.39 to Totterdale Brothers Supply Company. This was for parts, needed by the Water Department, for a water break on Sunday near the Unified Bank. After discussion, a roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, and Agnew voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Echemann made a motion and Mr. Robey seconded to note that Council has reviewed and approved the Statement of Cash Position and the July Financial Reports. Hearing no discussion, a roll call vote was heard with Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, Agnew and Hunker voting yes. Motion carried.
Rev. Agnew made a motion to excuse Mr. Schramm from tonight’s meeting. Mr. Echemann seconded the motion. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.
Mr. Hunker 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.
Rev. Agnew moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Smay. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, August 19, 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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