Council Minutes Archives City of Harrison COUNCIL MINUTES January 16, 2007 Council met in regular session with Mayor 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 Mrs. Kercheval to approve the regular Council meeting minutes for January 2, 2007. The minutes were approved as presented. Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to approve the purchase orders. Roll Call: All - yea. Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Robertson to table the December 2006 Finance Report. Roll Call: All - yea. Mr. Mark Stenger of Ameritek Homes addressed Council to ask for approval of their concept plan as a matter of courtesy per the zoning code for the Parks of Whitewater development in Crosby Township. He noted that the Harrison Planning Commission approved the concept plan on December 12, 2006. He explained that this development is a master planned upscale community of fine homes. The Parks consists of 246 single family home sites and 19 carriage style condominium buildings. The development consists of 36 acres of open space which represents 27% of the total project. Mr. Stenger noted that the development has $1 million in amenities which includes a community center with a pool, walking paths, street trees, pocket parks, entrance monuments, and shelter houses. Mr. Stenger explained that they have been working closely with the city and because of their suggestions have added estate lots and a 5 acre village commerce center along at the corner of Edgewood and New Haven Roads. He also pointed out that numerous changes have been made to the condominium portion of the project. Mr. Stenger concluded that because of the upscale nature of this project, the property values of the existing neighborhood will be protected. (Mr. Stenger showed a video of a similar existing development). Mr. McGuire asked for details on the proposed retail area within the development. Mr. Stenger explained that at this time they don’t know what it will be. Mr. Ralph Meyer John, developer and associate of Mr. Stenger, explained that the area would be some type of village retail, probably 5 to 7 years away. Mrs. Kercheval announced that she is against any type of retail in that location. Mr. John described the village retail as a small series of shops to be used by residents of the development and accessed by walking paths within the development. Mrs. Acra asked for further details and information on the retail area, screening, landscaping, and streets and sidewalks. Mr. Burkart and Mr. Shank asked Mr. John several questions with regards to the homeowner’s association. Mrs. Acra and Mrs. Kercheval questioned the conceptual approval process. Mr. Deters explained that there is a provision in the city’s zoning code for a Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.) which permits or suggests that a developer may come and present preliminary conceptual drawings to Council. Mr. Deters explained that when a developer goes from the conceptual stage to the next design detail stage there is a significant cost factor involved. Mr. Deters suggested to Council that a vote is not required, but that council members put their concerns in writing. Mr. Mike Brakers of 10557 Edgewood Road addressed Council with concerns why presently there are no copies of the new Land Use Plan available at the Community Center. He also suggested that a copy be available at the Library and on the city’s website. Mr. Brakers asked Council why the R0 zoning classification does not appear on the zone map. Mr. Neyer explained that a R0 zone is applied only on property that is annexed from Harrison Township because of the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). Mr. Denny Baker of 10599 Edgewood Road addressed Council to ask the developer of the Parks of Whitewater why the planned condominiums could not be moved to the east side of the development. Mr. John of Ameriteck Homes explained that upon the recommendations of the soil engineers, the condominiums cannot be built on the west side of the development. Mr. Rick Dole of 10123 Lees Creek Road addressed Council to express his concerns about allowing a development near the park property. He explained that mosquitoes from the nearby wetlands and park visitors using the bike trail could be regarded as a nuisance. Mr. Steve Pandoff of 10635 New Haven Road addressed Council to make note that the developers have not made many significant changes to their development plans and have not listened to the residents who have expressed concerns. He explained that the only change they have made is to reduce the number of condominiums in order to add retail space. Mr. Chris Dole, Crosby Township Trustee, addressed Council and explained that in 2002 the township started a Land Use Study with a series of meetings with members of the community. The committee designated the town of New Haven ,which is one mile from the proposed Parks development, as their zoned retail area. Mr. John Cannon of 9902 Baughman Road addressed Council to ask several questions with regards to the size of the ponds on the development in respect to the drainage system. He also questioned the quality of the roads in similar developments by the same developer of the Parks of Whitewater. Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Acra to approve an ordinance rescinding Ordinance #47-2006 and approving annual appropriations for the year 2007. Council members entered into a lengthy discussion with respect to adding an economic development director position into the 2007 budget. Council disagreed on the level of experience required for the position, goals of the proposed new department and pay or lack of pay increases for existing directors. Roll Call: McGuire - nay; Acra - yea; Kercheval - nay; Robertson - yea; Burkart - yea; Shank - nay; Neyer - nay (Vote: 4 nay, 3 yea). Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to add an item to the agenda with regards to the approval of a budget ordinance. Roll Call: All - yea. Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuire to approve an ordinance rescinding Ordinance #47-2007 and approving annual appropriations for Year 2007 with a 3% across the board cut with the exception of capital and reserve funds, basically the 101 and 208 accounts but also other funds, to fund an economic development director with a $200,000 budget inclusive of salary, benefits as well as other costs of the department. Roll Call: Kercheval - yea; Robertson - nay; Burkart - nay; Shank - yea; Neyer - yea; McGuire - yea; Acra - nay. (Vote: 4 yea, 3 nay Ordinance #1 - 2007). Mayor Report Mayor Gieringer reminded residents that there are plenty of winter coats still available at the Community Center Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mayor Gieringer also announced that the Harrison Mayor’s Fund Run will be held on Saturday, February 24 at 9:30 a.m. Registration is $25.00 which includes a T-shirt or $15.00 without the shirt. Student registrations are $10.00. The Mayor reported on the following receipts from the December 2006 Mayor’s Court: City of Harrison - $11,034 ; Treasurer of State - $1785 ; Drug Cases - $700 ; Computer Fund - $345; OVI Cases - $500. Mayor’s Court receipts are up $9,619 in comparison to December 2005. Mayor Gieringer recognized several Boys Scouts in council chambers: Ben Hoffragge, Matthew Weber, and Patrick Dole. Law Director Report Mr. Deters reported that he attended the Hamilton County Board of Elections proceeding on the Wal-mart referendum on December 19. The hearing is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Board of Elections at 800 Broadway. Council - Committee Report Mr. Neyer announced that at the January meeting of the Harrison Planning Commission Any Reardon was elected President. Mr. Neyer announced that the Utilities Committee will hold their next meeting on February 12 at 4:00 p.m. Mr. McGuire announced that the Civil Defense will meet on January 17 at 5:00 p.m. The committee will begin working on this year’s table top drill. He also announced that the Safety Committee have scheduled their next meeting for January 30 at 5:00 p.m. and on February 12 the Street Committee will meet after the Utilities Committee meeting. Mr. McGuire announced that Randy Shank is the alternative to the OKI Committee. Mrs. Acra reported that the Western Joint Ambulance District (WESTJAD) met on January 3 and elected Deborah Acra as President and Warren Strunk as Vice President. She also reported that the committee is beginning work on phasing in an additional medic. WESTJAD will now have 3 medics on a 24/7 schedule. Their next meeting will be held on February 5 at 5:30 p.m. and at that time the trustees will discuss vehicle and monitor purchases. Mrs. Acra announced that the Police Committee will meet on January 17 at 6:00 p.m. and the Buildings & Lands Committee will hold their first meeting of the year on January 30 at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Kercheval announced the Economic Development /Resource Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 22 at 4:00 p.m. Mrs. Kercheval announced the resignation of Theresa Lubic, Executive Director of Mainstreet Harrison. Ms Lubic has accepted a position with the development office of a local hospital. Mrs. Kercheval explained that the search for a new director will begin soon. Finally, Mrs. Kercheval reminded residents that the deadline for Valentine Cards for the Troops project is January 20. Mr. Robertson asked council to submit dates/times to Gayle Grubbs for the post audit review. Mr. Robertson announced he would be attending the ICRC Annual Meeting on January 25. He also announced that the Finance Committee would meet on January 23 at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Robertson reported that he will be attending a Solid Waste & Environmental seminar on January 17 in regards to recycling. Mr. Burkart announced the Harrison Recreation Commission meeting will be held on January 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Mr. Burk reported on the following items from January 10 meeting of the Fire Committee: The new memorial will be dedicated on Saturday, April 28. The committee discussed the specifications for the new Quint. The committee also discussed the possibility of presenting a car safety slide show to high school students prior to the prom. Mr. Shank had no report, but announced the Personnel Committee meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on January 31. There being no further business, Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuire to adjourn the meeting. Roll Call: All - yea. ATTEST: Daniel J. Gieringer, Mayor             Carol A. Wiwi, Clerk Back to top • Home
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