Council Minutes Archives City of Harrison COUNCIL MINUTES August 7, 2007 Council met in regular session with Mayor Daniel J. Gieringer. Members present included: Mrs. Deborah Acra, Mr. Tony Burkart, Mrs. Judy Kercheval, Mr. Joel McGuire, and Mr. Jim Robertson. Mr. Bill Neyer and Mr. Randy Shank were not in attendance. Mr. Bill Deters, the Law Director, was in attendance. The meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. Mr. McGuire made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to approve the Council meeting minutes for July 17, 2007. The minutes were approved as presented. Mrs. Kercheval made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Acra to approve the purchase orders. Roll Call: All - yea. Mayor Gieringer read a proclamation honoring life long Harrison resident Charlie Waller. Mr. Waller was commended by former police chief Frank Mondary for risking his own life in pulling a burning chair from his home years ago. Mayor Gieringer proclaimed August 7, 2007 as Charlie Waller Day in Harrison, Ohio. Mr. Mike May, developer of the Miami Trace Condominiums, addressed Council to explain a proposed project as part of an expansion on 9.5 acres to the east of the existing site. This project would include 42 units of which most would be single family detached homes along with attached single story four unit buildings. The proposed project allows for 71% of green space out of the total acreage. The entire development is condominiums with a Homeowners Association. Mr. Harry Schottelkotte addressed Council with concerns regarding auto accidents at the corner of Campbell and Kilby roads. Mayor Gieringer explained that this specific location is not under the jurisdiction of the City of Harrison. The Mayor offered to contact the Harrison Township Trustees and have Chief Lindsey contact the Hamilton County Sheriffs Department with regards to this area. Mr. McGuire made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Acra to approve a resolution scheduling a public hearing on an amendment to Part II of the City of Harrison’s Codified Ordinances and the Zoning Code Map. The hearing will be held on September 4, 2007 at 7:15 p.m. in Council Chambers prior to the Council meeting. Roll Call: All - yea. (Resolution #8 - 2007). Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Kercheval to approve an ordinance approving a cost sharing agreement with Harrison Township for the Harrison Community Center. Council members suggested that this agreement with Harrison Township be reviewed on a timely basis. It was suggested that members of the Buildings & Lands Committee be responsible for looking over the document on a yearly basis. Mr. McGuire suggested that the agreement be reviewed every two years while the maintenance contract is being reviewed. Mrs. Acra suggested that the agreement be reviewed by the city’s Finance Director and the Township’s Fiscal Officer on a yearly basis. Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #21 - 2007). Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Acra to table the approval of an ordinance to appropriate money to the Recreation Capital Improvements for the Dave Bahner Memorial Fund. Roll Call: All - yea. Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Robertson to table the approval of a collective bargaining agreement between the United Steelworkers and the City of Harrison for non-uniformed city employees. Roll Call: All - yea. Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Robertson to enter into an executive session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining negotiations and personnel issues. Roll Call: All - yea. Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve an ordinance to approve a contract for D.R. Brooks for architectural and MEP revisions for the Community Center in the amount of $5500. Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #22 - 2007). Mayor Report Mayor Gieringer announced the Community Center is open as cooling center during the regular business hours and in the evenings as needed. He also reminded residents to check on their elderly neighbors and pets during the excessive heat. Mayor Gieringer thanked the Weber family for donating corn to the Harrison Senior Center and the Mayor’s Fund again this year. He also thanked all those who have donated school supplies and announced donations will be accepted until school begins on August 21. The Mayor thanked everyone who has donated canned goods during the Friday night movies. All the donations go to the Mayor‘s Fund to help needy families throughout the year. Mayor Gieringer asked council to review the Interactive Hotel Solutions web site. The Mayor read a note from the Fire Chief with regards to telephone solicitation. Mayor Gieringer reported that he has formed an Ad hoc committee comprised of the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Finance Director to study and provide recommendations for total communications networking within the city. The Mayor further explained that after the initial Ad hoc committee recommendations, he would form a council Ad hoc committee to also study new communications systems and make a recommendation. The Mayor reported that he has asked the Law Director to work with all department directors to update their personnel policies. They were last updated in 1995. Finally, Mayor Gieringer reported that within the next few months the city will have completed their records retention schedule and once approved by the state, the city will begin clean-up of city records. The Mayor suggested that important city documents be scanned for possible public viewing. Law Director Report Mr. Deters reported that the Steelworkers Union approved the contract several days ago. Mr. Deters reported that he will have legislation for council to review with regards to the approval of a Tax Increment Financing District for the Bear Creek development property(Kroger). The tax revenue would be used for infrastructure improvements along the business corridor of Harrison Avenue and New Haven Road. Council - Committee Report Mr. McGuire announced the Utilities Committee would meet on August 9 at 3:00 p.m. followed by the Street Committee meeting at 4:00 p.m. Mr. McGuire reported the traffic study for Baughman Road was completed by JMA Consultants. Mr. McGuire announced the Civil Defense Committee will conduct a table top drill on August 15 using a flood scenario. The Safety Committee will meet on August 15 at 5:30 to discuss completed training. Mrs. Acra reported on the following items from the July 18 Police Committee meeting: An identity theft seminar was presented to the Seniors on July 24 by the Harrison Police Dept., U.S. Postal Inspectors, and the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office. A Public Safety Day was presented to the Summerfun participants on July 26. The program included information from the D.A.R.E. officer, Bike Patrol, S.W.A.T. van, underwater rescue team, park rangers, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s helicopter. The Police Department will hold an Open House on September 8 in conjunction with the downtown Arts on the Avenue. The command staff of the department will be attending the NIMS training on ICS 300 and 400 on August 8-10 and August 22-24. Chief Lindsey attended the Annual Ohio Association Chief of Police conference in Cincinnati. The next Police Committee meeting will be held on August 15 at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Acra reported on the following items from the Building & Lands Committee: The committee discussed several cleaning issues of the Community Center. The cameras with the motion sensors are up and running at the Community Center and will be used to watch the grounds and exterior of the building. The city’s insurance company has been doing routine checks on all our playground equipment and the surrounding area for safety concerns. The Recreation Commission will monitor these reports and report back to the Building & Lands Committee for assistance in future equipment purchases. Jim Robertson presented a landscape concept plan for the front of the building. The committee also discussed the installation of an irrigation system in this area. Mrs. Kercheval reported the Economic Development/Resource Committee met on August 6 and is working on a document that will be sent to Council in the near future. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for August 27 at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Robertson reported the June tax deposits are $310,901.01 and are up 7% for the year. Mr. Robertson announced the Finance Committee would meet on August 23 at 4:30 p.m. Kate Kleinfelder of Seasongood & Mayer will be present to update the committee. Mr. Robertson read excerpts from a letter from the insurance risk manager with regards to recommendations on playground equipment. Mr. Robertson reported on updates and the fall schedule from Time/Warner. Finally, Mr. Robertson reminded residents of the September 8 Chicken Festival and Citywide Yard Sale held at the Community Center. Anyone interested in registering for the chicken cook-off or setting up for the yard sale can contact the Community Center. Mr. Burkart reported on the Fire Department’s June Monthly report and announced the MedCount year-to-date total stands at $161,263. Mr. Burkart reported a tile leak in a bathroom at Station 56 causing damage to sub floor. The cost of the repairs totaled $6200. The city’s cost totaled $3400 with the remainder paid by insurance. Mr. Burkart announced that Donald Cox will retire from the Harrison Fire Department on September 4 after 43 years and 6 months of service. A party in his honor will be held at 6:00 p.m. on September 4 at the Community Center. Mr. Burkart reported on the following items from the July 25 meeting of the Harrison Recreation Commission: Gayle Grubbs the Finance Director met with the commission to review several budget items. The July 27 Friday Night Movie was cancelled due to rain. The movie The Polar Express will be shown on August 10. Mr. Burkart announced the Commission will sponsor a free Hot Wax concert on Saturday, August 18. The concert will be held at the Martin Marietta Theatre at the high school and will begin at 8:00 p.m. Finally, Mr. Burkart reported that the commission is continuing work on developing an activity for junior high age students. There being no further business, Council entered into executive session. ATTEST: Daniel J. Gieringer, Mayor            Carol A. Wiwi, Clerk Back to top • Home
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