Council Minutes Archives COUNCIL MINUTES City of Harrison December 4, 2007 Council met in regular session with Mayor Daniel J. Gieringer presiding.   Members present included:  Mrs. Deborah Acra , Mr. Tony Burkart,  Mrs. Judy Kercheval, Mr. Joel McGuire, Mr. Bill Neyer, Mr. Jim Robertson, and Mr. Randy Shank. Mr. Bill Deters, the Law Director, was also in attendance. The meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mr. Neyer to approve the Council meeting minutes for November 20, 2007.  The minutes were approved as presented.  Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mr. Neyer to approve the executives session meeting minutes for November 20, 2007.  Those minutes were also approved as presented. Mrs. Kercheval made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve the purchase orders.  Roll Call:  All - yea. Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve an ordinance approving an agreement with Ralph Meierjohan and Ameritek Custom Homes regarding the Dry Dork Sewer Project. (Mr. Burkart expressed concern regarding the small cost to the developer ($70,000) out of the entire $5 million project.  Mayor Gieringer explained that he believed the sewer line project should end on Short Road and not run the line across private property.  He also explained the original cost of the project was $3 million , but by running the line to the new development raises the cost to $5 million and asking a mere $70,000 from each of the two developers was unfair to the city.   Mr. Neyer  explained the cost of the line to Short Road is $3 million with an additional $1 million for a redesign of the lift station to facilitate staged growth and additional growth beyond these 2 developments.  The balance of the other million dollars is the additional length of the line and increases in material costs from the time the city initially got the $3 million quote until present day.  Mrs. Kercheval noted the developers need to be held more accountable for the costs. )  After a lengthy discussion with additional comments from council the ordinance was not approved. Roll Call:  Acra - nay ; Kercheval - nay ; Robertson - nay ; Burkart - nay ; Shank - yea; Neyer - yea; McGuire - nay.  Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve an ordinance approving LJB Inc. proposal to provided engineering services necessary to complete roadway and traffic signal improvements and the build out of Harrison Avenue.(Mr. Deters explained  Bearcreek Properties owns the property for the proposed new Kroger along with property across the road.  The city’s plan is to place a Tax Increment Financing district on these properties.  The cost of the road improvements in this area is approximately $1.2 million.  The engineering firm of LJB Inc. that council is asked to approve is the same engineering firm used for the new Kroger store.Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve an ordinance approving LJB Inc. proposal to provided engineering services necessary to complete roadway and traffic signal improvements and the build out of Harrison Avenue.(Mr. Deters explained  Bearcreek Properties owns the property for the proposed new Kroger along with property across the road.  The city’s plan is to place a Tax Increment Financing district on these properties.  The cost of the road improvements in this area is approximately $1.2 million.  The engineering firm of LJB Inc. that council is asked to approve is the same engineering firm used for the new Kroger store.  The $99,000 engineering costs will eventually be paid for with the TIF proceeds from Kroger.  The estimated TIF proceeds from Kroger alone are more than enough to cover the cost of the improvements.)   Roll Call:  All - yea.  (Ordinance #43 - 2007). Mayor Report Mayor Gieringer thanked the Harrison Knights of Columbus, especially Rich Dole, Dan Metz, and Joel Beck, for sponsoring their annual euchre tournament and white elephant sale for the Harrison Mayor’s Fund. The Mayor also thanked all the individuals who have donated canned goods to the Mayor’s Fund.  He reminded residents that coats are still need for the coat drive.  They can be dropped off at the Harrison Community Center, Whitewater and Harrison Township Community Centers, O’Charleys, and St. John the Baptist Church. The Mayor also reminded residents that Harrison High School is again sponsoring their annual Empty Bowl fundraiser for the Mayor’s Fund on December 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and include a unique ceramic bowl made by the students.  Law Director Report Mr. Deters informed council that in the near future they would receive an amended sign ordinance as well as a lengthy memorandum Council - Committee Report Mr. Neyer announced the Utility Committee would meet on December 13 at 3:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Mr. McGuire announced the Street Committee will meet on December 13 at 4:00 p.m. following the Utility Committee meeting. Mr. McGuire reported that at last month’s Civil Defense committee meeting, the members set the date of April 30, 2008 for the live flood drill.  Mr. McGuire announced the December 19 Safety/Civil Defense committee meetings have been cancelled. Mrs. Acra reported on the following items from the November 21 Police Committee meeting:  The two new interview tables have been installed at the Police Department. ;  A permit has been issued to US Bank to conduct the Christmas Parade on December 8 at 11:00 a.m. ;  Detective Koopman was presented with the 2007 Tom Oberschmidt Award for excellence in investigations of sexual assaults.  The award was presented at the Annual Rape Crisis Awards Luncheon. ; A civil service test was conducted on December 1 to establish eligibility and replace our prior list.;  Chief Lindsey is working on a new Wellness Program for the Police Department that will incorporate the Ohio Police Officer Training Council Fitness standards, obstacle course and life management skills training. Mrs. Acra reported the Harrison Bikeways Committee held a public information night on November 28.  Approximately 25 were in attendance for the program facilitated by Jennifer Vatter of JMA.  She reported that those in attendance brought forth lots of good ideas. Mrs. Acra reported the Harrison Township representatives of the Building & Lands Committee has put out the advertisement for bids on landscaping for the Community Center for 2008.  The committee may meet again to review the bids. Mrs. Kercheval reported the Economic Development/Resource Committee is continuing work on the economic director position.  She also reported the Northern Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau met and worked on the budget. Mr. Robertson announced the following Tax Report  for November: Deposits include $158,343.76 including penalties of $882.71 and interest of $55.34 for a total of $158,343. 76.  Deposits are up approximately 5% from last year.  Mr. Robertson reported that Time Warner is dropping some channels beginning December 15 including Music on Demand and Country on Demand. Mr. Robertson announced ICRC will broadcast the Hamilton County Veterans Day Parade playback on December 6 at 9:30 p.m. , December 7 at 6:30 p.m., and December 9 at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Robertson reminded residents the tree lighting will take place on December 7 at 7:00 p.m. and the Parade will take place on December 8 at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Burkart announced the Fire Committee will meet on December 12 at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to enter into an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters and determining compensation for non bargained positions. Roll Call:  All - yea. Mr. Shank announced the next meeting of the Personnel Committee is scheduled for December 20 to help distribute turkeys from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m. There being no further business, Council entered into an executive session. ATTEST: Daniel J. Gieringer, Mayor            Carol A. Wiwi, Clerk Back to top • Home
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