Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of August 19, 2026
Posted on: September 3, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, August 19, 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.
Minutes: Minutes of the August 5, 2026 Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: There was no correspondence.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Last week a tractor trailer hit a fire hydrant on the corner of 4th Street and Grant Street. The Water Plant had to be shut down and the city went dry. Water Department Employees got the problem fixed quickly and restored water to the citizens. A company will be secured to relocate this hydrant without disrupting water service to residents. Mayor Davies explained the plan for valve replacements.
After being turned down the first time, Mayor Davies believes that the city will be awarded a $750,000 grant for the 6th Street Project. Total cost of this job is unknown at this time but the city will have to pay the difference between the grant money and the cost of the project.
Beretta Road Project – The storm drains are in and the curb and gutter installations are progressing. After receiving calls regarding discontinuance of water, the Mayor told the Project Engineer if the water needs shut off, it must be handled by a Water Department Employee.
North Ridge Project – The Mayor said the city may possibly have to pay an additional $3,500 because of inaccurate measurements given to the Project Engineer by someone they hired.
The second Packer is back up and running again.
Last week, the city received 2 ½ inches of rain in approximately 40 minutes. Mayor Davies distributed several pictures of pipe damage caused by the water runoff on the 1100 block of Hughes Avenue and also on Cemetery Road. He explained the problems associated with each area. Mr. Harris asked if the trash can found in the pipe on Cemetery Road, was vandalism or weather related. The Mayor said he hoped it was an accidental incident and not purposely done. Crews are going to build a grate to stop some of the debri from getting in the pipes. Mr. Smay asked about metal or concrete barriers to protect the fire hydrants in high traffic truck routes. The Mayor said barriers have been used but trucks run over those too.
Service Director: Mr. Sutak was unable to attend this meeting.
Auditor: Mr. Regis distributed the Payroll Summary, New Hire/Termination Report and Statement of Cash Position. He would like Council to have a workshop to look at the budget next year and brainstorm about some of the issues the city will be facing next year.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: No report.
Fire Department: Chief Smith reported that Sunday afternoon and evening were very busy. He thanked the Police Dispatchers and members of Fire Department for the great job they did handling all the calls that came in during that very short period of time.
Code Administrator: Miss Yeso was unable to attend this meeting.
Park District: No report.
Water Department: No report.
Reports of Committees of Council:
Finance and Audit: The committee met on August 12 to discuss the carry over balance in the General Fund. Mr. Hunker liked the suggestion of having a workshop with Council and the Administration, to take a hard look at the budget for next year. A date for the workshop will be set when Mr. Sutak returns to work. Minutes of this meeting will be filed with these minutes.
Street: No report.
Ordinance: No report.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report but Mr. Echemann commented that he also like the idea of having a workshop to discuss next year’s budget.
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, thanked Council for their support of the Town Hall Meeting on August 13. On September 24 at 6:00 p.m., the Martins Ferry Public Library will host a “Meet the Candidates” Session. Mr. Hord thanked all those involved in getting the water lines fixed on August 11. When asked about the swimming pool season this year, the Mayor said the pool, along with the Recreation Center, is something that is a luxury the city offers to its citizens and is currently financially stable. Mr. Harris said he has received positive feedback on the 2 hour free parking in the business district. The Mayor said he may attend the bankruptcy hearing for the former East Ohio Regional Hospital. The City Building roof had to be patched today due to a leak in Council Chambers.
Greg Chesonis, 1112 Hughes Avenue, inquired about the situation of the sewer lines in front of his house that was damaged by recent rain storms. Mayor Davies explained several issues involved in this area of Hughes Avenue. A company from Pittsburgh will be hired to look at and clean the sewers on Hughes Avenue, Cemetery Road and one near the American Legion. Mayor Davies said he would let Mr. Chesonis know what date the sewer company will be scheduled to be in Martins Ferry.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
An Ordinance Establishing Pool Maintenance Requirements And Penalties For Failure To Maintain Residential Swimming Pools.
This Ordinance was given a first reading. Mr. Harris made a motion and Rev. Agnew seconded to suspend the rules. A roll call vote was heard with Harris, Agnew, Schramm, Hunker, and Echemann voting yes. Smay and Robey voted no. The motion carried. This Ordinance will go to a second reading.
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, 2028 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:
Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Echemann to note that Council has reviewed and accepted the Auditor’s Payroll Summary, New Hire/Termination Report and Statement of Cash Position. A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, 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 moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Harris. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, September 2, 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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