Council Minutes Archives City of Harrison COUNCIL MINUTES June 5, 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, 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. Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to approve the Council meeting minutes for May 15, 2007. The minutes were approved as presented. Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to approve the Executive Session meeting minutes for May 15, 2007. Those minutes were also approved as presented. Mrs. Kercheval made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Acra to approve the purchase orders. Roll Call: All - yea. Jennifer Vatter of JMA addressed Council to review the improvements made to State Street and future road construction projects involving State Street between Broadway and the south corporation line. Ms Vatter reported that the area from Broadway to the city’s red barn has been paved. The next phase involves complete reconstruction and drainage improvements from Broadway to Campbell. Ms Vatter informed Council that JMA has submitted an application for STP funds through OKI and the results of a level of service study showed that traffic signals are warranted at the intersections of Broadway and State and Campbell and State. The reconstruction project is estimated at $1.1 million. Council has already approved $30,000 for engineering fees with an additional $80,000 in fees to be approved for a total design fee of $110,000. Ms Vatter also reported they applied for LTIP funds last fall for New Haven Road from the bridge to Harrison Avenue and it looks like the project will be funded at or near 100%. Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mr. Neyer to approve an ordinance approving additional costs for the JMA Consultants, Inc. Design Fee for improvements to State Street between Broadway and the South Corporation Line. Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #13 - 2007). Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to approve an ordinance to increase the pay rate for part-time firefighter employees and the Medical Director’s salary in the City of Harrison.  Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #14 - 2007). Mayor Gieringer read a statement asking residents to keep their properties mowed and clean in order to benefit the entire community and explaining the importance of adopting the International Property Maintenance Code. Mrs. Kercheval made a motion, seconded by Mr. Neyer to approve an ordinance adopting the International Property Maintenance Code. Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #15 - 2007). Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve an ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Street Salt/Material Fund and the General Fund to the Debt Service Fund. Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #16 - 2007). Mayor Report Mayor Gieringer read a proclamation establishing June 8 thru June 9, 2007 as days in recognition of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The Southwest Local Relay will be held on June 8-9 at Harrison High School. Law Director Report Mr. Deters had no report. Council - Committee Report Mr. Neyer announced the Utilities Committee meeting for June has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held on July 12 at 3:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Mr. McGuire thanked Jennifer Vatter of JMA for her presentation to Council this evening. He also thanked Don Patterson and Rich Torbeck for writing letters of support. He announced the June meeting of the Streets Committee has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for July 12, following the Utilities Committee meeting. Mr. McGuire announced the Civil Defense Committee would meet on June 20 at 5:30 p.m. Mr. McGuire reported on a new county safety program, discovered by Gayle Grubbs, that would help the city save on insurance by conducting safety workshops/classes in place of holding safety committee meetings. Mrs. Acra reported on the following items from the May 23 Police Committee meeting: The department is waiting for the new 2007 Dodge Charger to be delivered and fitted for service. Officer Willig conducted a 3rd grade safety belt program for approximately 199 students. The department was awarded a check in the amount of $398 by the State of Ohio for the presenting the Safety Belt program. Civil service interviews and being conducted for the position of entry level police officer on May 23. Six candidates were interviewed for the vacant position. The ceiling tiles in the public lobby of the Police Station have been replaced. The new tiles are insulated to help reduce condensation on the lobby windows. Mrs. Acra reported Chief Lindsey ran the Half Marathon on May 6 as part of The Flying Pig Team in Training benefiting the Leukemia Society. Chief Lindsey finished in 2:33:00 and raised $650 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Mr. Acra announced the next Police Committee meeting is scheduled for June 20 at 6:00 p.m. and the Board of Trustees for the Western Joint Ambulance District(WESTJAD) will meet on July 2 at 5:30 p.m. and conduct a budget hearing. Mrs. Acra reported the Building & Lands Committee met on May 29 and discussed the following items: The discussed the storm damage to several trees at the Community Center and reviewed the insurance policy and discussed whether to make a claim. Gayle Grubbs will review the pros and cons of making a claim. The committee also discussed a possible new agreement between the City of Harrison and Harrison Township concerning the Community Center. Gayle Grubbs and Greg Bybee are meeting to work on the new agreement. The refurbished restrooms at the Community Center will be open as soon as the security system is installed. A sketch has been made of new landscaping for the area in front of the Community Center. The committee is waiting on the possibility of donations of materials and labor for the project. The committee announced they have approval from the township trustees to move forward with remodeling plans in a portion of the North Conference Room at the Community Center. Finally, Mrs. Kercheval announced a meeting will be held on June 27 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss a potential bike trail. The meeting will be attended by representatives from JMA, the Hamilton County Park District, the Recreation Commission and the Harrison Planning Commission as well as Building & Lands Committee members. Mrs. Kercheval announced the Economic Development/Resource Committee would meet on June 18 at 4:00 p.m. They will continue to work on drafts for legislation pertaining to the economic development position. Mrs. Kercheval congratulated Market Street Grille in downtown Harrison for receiving the award for Best of Taste of Cincinnati for their jambalaya as well as their spicy chicken wraps. Mrs. Kercheval also welcomed Monk’s Kitchen to our community and congratulated them for rehabbing the skating rink. Mrs. Kercheval announced Cincy Business Magazine voted Harrison to be one of the best of the suburbs in the Tri-State area. Harrison was ranked in the top 47 communities and also ranked as one of the safest towns to live in . Mrs. Kercheval announced a new business, Innovative Custom Woodworking Co. will be relocating to Enterprise Drive later this summer. Finally, Mrs. Kercheval reminded residents of the June 8-9 Southwest Local Relay for Life at Harrison High School. Mr. Robertson reported the city will be sponsoring a Health Fair for employees on June 20 at 7:00 p.m. in order to help employees remain healthy and keep insurance costs down. Mr. Robertson announced the Finance Committee would meet on June 20 at 2:30 p.m. Mr. Robertson reported that Senate Bill 117 has been approved and is now in the State House waiting for approval. This bill deals with future cable franchising fees. Mr. Burkart announced the Fire Committee would meet on June 19 at 4:30 p.m. Mr. Burkart reported on the following items from the May 23 meeting of the Harrison Recreation Commission: Sandy Buesing was sworn in as the newest member of the Commission. The commission is preparing for the 4th of July activities which begin at 6:00 p.m. with food and games. This year LaRosa’s, Skyline and the Moose Lodge will be serving food. The 30 minute fireworks show will begin after dusk. The Commission will sponsor a dunking booth and is looking for volunteers. The Commission will show the movie Ice Age on June 15 and Ransom of Red Chief on June 29. All movies begin at dusk. One piece of equipment has been removed from the skate park due to vandalism. The equipment will be repaired. Residents are asked to keep the park clean and in repair. Ceramics classes have concluded for the summer and will reopen in September. Finally, Mr. Burkart announced the Chicken Festival will be held in conjunction with the City Wide Yard Sale on September 8. Mr. Shank reported the Personnel Committee met and discussed service award pins. There being no further business, Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank 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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