Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of October 7, 2026

Posted on: October 8, 2026

The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 7, 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 September 16, 2026 Council Meeting were approved as written.

Correspondence:  There was no correspondence. 

Reports of Officers of the City:

Mayor:  Mayor Davies

Service Director:  Mr. Sutak

            Auditor:  No report. 

            Law Director:  No report. 

            Police Department:  No report.

            Fire Department: No report.

Code Administrator: No report.

            Park District: No report.      

            Water Department:  No report.       

Reports of Committees of Council:   

            Finance and Audit:   Mr. Hunker

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,

Ordinances and Resolutions:  

An Ordinance Authorizing The Issuance Of $6,000,000 Of Water System Improvement Bond Anticipation Notes Series 2026 (Third Renewal), To Renew Notes Originally Issued To Pay Part Of The Costs Of, And To Pay Additional Costs Of, Water Well Upgrades, Water Plant Upgrades, Pumping Station Upgrades, And Other Related Cost And Improvements,  Including But Not Limited To Motors, Pumps, Controls, Generators, Filtration Screens, Transfer Switches, Electrical Upgrades, Computer Control Systems Heating And Dehumidifying Systems, Contract Tank Repairs, Compressor Units, Valve Repairs/Upgrades, And Other Water Works And/Or Water System Permanent Improvements And Declaring An Emergency. 

This Ordinance was given a first reading.  Motion was made by Mr. Hunker and seconded by Mr. Schramm to suspend the rules.  A roll call vote was heard with Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, Agnew and Schramm, voting yes.  The motion carried.  Motion was made by Mr. Schramm and seconded by Rev. Agnew to pass the Ordinance as read.  A roll call vote was heard with Schramm, Hunker, Echemann, Smay, Robey, Harris, and Agnew voting yes.  The motion carried and the Ordinance was declared passed. 

            A Resolution Authorizing The City Of Martins Ferry To Participate In The Proposed Class Action Settlement With Amerex Corporation, Archroma U.S.  Inc.  Carrier Global Corporation And Nation Ford Chemical Company In The Public Water Systems’ Portion Of The Multi-District Litigation Matter, In RE: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation, MDO 2:18-MN-2873-RMG, Relating To PFAS Contamination Of Drinking Water; Authorizing The Service Director To Complete All Documentation And Execute All Releases And Agreements Necessary To Participate In The Settlements With Amerex Corporation, Achroma U.S., Inc., Carrier Global Corporation, And Nation Ford Chemical Company In The Public Water System’s Portion Of The MDL; And Authorizing Outside Counsel To Continue To Pursue Claims Related To PFAS; Providing An Effective Date. 

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, Robey, 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:   

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. Hunker.   After an affirmative voice vote, the motion passed.  

             Mr. Schramm moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Hunker.  After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at with a salute to the flag.

            The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, October 7, 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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