T-L Photo/JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH This stone retaining wall along vine street is causing concern for the homeowner, Tom Probst, who spoke to Martins Ferry City Council about the issue on Wednesday. Council’s sewer and sidewalk committee will meet to consider the matter.

MARTINS FERRY — Martins Ferry City Council heard from a handful of residents on Wednesday evening, including one who wants a problem with a retaining wall to be resolved.

Tom Probst, a resident of 722 Elm Street, spoke to council about a retaining wall in the Vine Street side of his property that has partially collapsed. Probst said the wall failed April 6 and that Mayor John Davies and Service/Safety Director Andy Sutak came to look at the situation April 7, but no action has been taken to repair, replace or remove the wall. Second Ward Councilman Spencer Echemann also later visited the site.

Probst believes the wall is owned by the city, based on a past survey and on dimensions listed on his property tax records.

He is concerned that the soil behind the wall is continuing to shift and erode, and that this will lead to further damage to his lawn and, eventually, to his home.

“According to the survey that I have … my property line is well inside that wall,” Prost told city leaders. ” … So, I guess I’m here trying to find a resolution to the problem and see where we are going from here with it.”

Davies said he and Sutak had looked at it and said he is not sure the city is responsible for the wall.

“Here’s the issue that the city has: I don’t believe the city built the wall 100 years ago or however long ago. The same wall, also further up Vione Street, the same type wall. The city’s not in the business of building walls, obviously. … Depending on what council wants to do — we’re not going to build the wall, the city’s not going to build the wall. We don’t have the expertise to do that, we don’t have the manpower to do that.”

Davies also pointed out that the same stone used to build the wall also was used to build a staircase up to Probst’s property. He said if the city does own the wall and council wants it removed, city crews could perform that work; however, he acknowledged that removal could lead to future problems with Probst’s property, including the shifting of the earth and potential damage to the home.

“First of all, I think you need an actual survey, not a copy of the county record … you have to have a start point and an end point,” Davies advised. “… I’ll do whatever council recommends. The city work crew is not going to build that wall. … What it would cost to reset that wall, I have no idea.”

At the suggestion of Council President Kristine Davis, Echemann said he and the other members of the city’s sewer and sidewalk committee would meet about the matter with Solicitor Paul Stecker on hand to advise them. It was agreed that all committee members would view the wall as well. Council will then talk with Probst again and try to arrive at an agreement to resolve the situation.

Resident Richard Hord also spoke to council, raising several issues that have been high-profile topics in the city recently. He inquired about the status of East Ohio Regional Hospital, which closed in March, as well as about the cleanup of the Austin Master Services frack waste processing facility that has been underway for months. Davies said he was contacted by EORH Chief Financial Officer Julie Ross, who said people who should not be there had been entering the facility, Davies said he advised her to post no trespassing signs. He noted that there are potential buyers interested in the facility and that Belmont County Treasurer Katherine Kelich has begun foreclosure proceedings on the property due to delinquent taxes.

Regarding Austin Master, Davies said the Ohio department of Natural Resources ha told him the cleanup is on schedule.

Hord also asked about development of the former Staffilino auto dealership and the status of the city’s street sweeper.

“It’s dead,” Davies responded. “The back motor’s shot.”

Davies said he doesn’t believe replacing the sweeper is a good investment. He added that he and Staffilino site owner Mike Ferns recently walked through the building with a contractor to consider possibilities.

Finally, Third Street resident Deanna Montgonery asked council why her neighbors were being permitted to feed pigeons and rodents. Davies responded that the city has an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife and that anyone caught doing so could be fined. However, he noted that police need proof of the violation. Montgomery was advised to check her camera footage and provide any relevant images to Police Chief Jerry Murphy.