Martins Ferry City Council Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2026
Posted on: November 5, 2026
The Martins Ferry City Council met in Regular Session on Wednesday, October 21, 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 Andrew Smay, Third Ward Council Member; Ryan Robey, Fourth Ward Council Member; Gus Harris, James Agnew and Jim Schramm, Council at Large Members. Bob Hunker, First Ward Council Member and Spencer Echemann, Second Ward Council Member were unable to attend this meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the October 7, 2026 Regular Council Meeting were approved as written.
Correspondence: The Walter Drane Company notified the Clerk that it’s time for the next update to the Codified Ordinances. The Clerk sent the requested material.
Reports of Officers of the City:
Mayor: Mayor Davies read a Proclamation honoring Alanna Williams, a recent Martins Ferry High School Graduate, who has excelled in Track and Field in Local and State Competitions. Ms. Williams received a round of applause from those present in Chambers for her achievements.
Service Director: Construction work on Beretta Road and Dutch Hill Road is basically completed. Mr. Sutak will meet with the Engineers next week to discuss some minor details. Reflectors have been placed on the guard rails to increase safety at night.
Before the next meeting, Mr. Sutak notified Council that Mr. Stecker will be sending out the final Ordinance for the $6,000,000 Water System Improvement Bond rollover. Mr. Stecker explained that because of who was buying the bonds, they need a separate agreement that requires an amendment to the Ordinance that Council passed at the October 7 meeting. Because Council will need to pass this agreement at the next Council Meeting, the rule for 3 readings will need to be suspended.
Mr. Sutak distributed a letter from the Ohio Department of Public Safety regarding the Belmont County 2026 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan identifies hazards that may affect the city and establishes mitigation strategies intended to reduce the potential loss of life, property damage, and disruption of essential services. It is important that the city adopt this plan which is an important step in completing the countywide planning process and demonstrating the city’s commitment to reducing future disaster risks. The Ordinance Committee was asked to review the Ordinance when they receive it from Mr. Stecker. Council was asked to pass this Ordinance at the November 4 Meeting.
Hopefully next week, the city will received 80-100 tons of road salt next week in preparation for any bad weather.
The Engineers are still waiting for the results on the samples taken on 6th Street.
Mr. Sutak said a meeting needs to be planned to discuss the City Building roof. A company has been hired to take care of the area at the Police Department where rain seeped in. It was stressed that this is only a temporary fix.
Auditor: A statement of Cash Position was distributed to Council Members. Mr. Regis said that $85,874.70 could be taken from the Permanent Improvement Fund to pay off the Packer. A motion will be needed to note that Council has agreed to pay it off. Mr. Stecker will bring in an Ordinance stating that the loan has been forgiven. Mr. Sutak and a few city employees have been brainstorming ways to help the Sanitation Fund but it will still end up in the red at the end of the year.
Law Director: No report.
Police Department: Chief West distributed a 10 year renewal Contract Proposal from Axon for Body Cameras, Tasers and Cruiser Dash Board Cameras. With this proposal, new cameras and Tasers will be received and can be upgraded to newer models for the life of the contract. For safety and prosecution reasons, this proposal will have to be decided on next year.
Three I-Pads were anonymously donated to the Department to assist Officers in logging complaints and violations in the GovPilot Project.
The Department received 540 calls during the month of September.
Fire Department: No report.
Safety Director: Chief West reported that Ms. Yeso had a scheduling conflict and could not attend tonight’s meeting.
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: This Committee will be meeting soon to discuss Ordinances that may need tweaked or corrected.
Sewer/Sidewalk: No report.
Safety: Mr. Schramm reported that the new police cruiser’s technology is amazing and the vehicle is a nice addition to the fleet.
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, inquired about options for repairs to the city building. The Mayor said that will depend on funding. Mr. Hord asked for Proclamation considerations for Deluxe Toy and Hobby and Don Falbo’s Barbershop. Both of these businesses have been operating in the city for over 70 years. Mr. Sutak told Mr. Hord that the Recreation Center is being used a lot by the Civics and is rented for parties, skating, meetings, etc. There were no updates on the former East Ohio Regional Hospital Building. The former Dollar General Building on 4th Street is part of a Bankruptcy Trustee Sale and is a separate foreclosure than the former EORH building. Mr. Hord expressed his appreciation for the Police Department who patrol the streets during “Trick or Treat” which will be celebrated by the city on October 31.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
There were no Ordinances or Resolutions to be 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:
Rev. Agnew made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to appropriate $85,874.70 from the Permanent Improvement Fund to pay the remaining balance of the Packer Truck payments. A roll call vote was heard with Agnew, Schramm, Smay and Robey voting yes. Mr. Harris voted no. 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.
Rev. Agnew made a motion and Mr. Schramm seconded to excuse Mr. Hunker and Mr. Echemann from tonight’s meeting. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Smay thanked Mr. Sutak and the Mayor for the Pothole Patching that was done throughout the city in the last two weeks. Mr. Sutak will relay this appreciation to the workers who performed the patching work.
Motion was made by Rev. Agnew and seconded by Mr. Robey to note that Council has reviewed and accepted the Auditor’s Statement of Cash Position-Financial Report. After an affirmative voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Schramm moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Mr. Robey. After an affirmative voice vote, the meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m. with a salute to the flag.
The next meeting of the Martins Ferry Council will be on Wednesday, November 4, 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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