Council Minutes Archives City of Harrison COUNCIL MINUTES May 1, 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 Mr. Burkart to approve the Council meeting minutes for April 17, 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. Fire Chief Rob Hursong addressed Council to present the Knights of Columbus Blue Code Award to Lt. Doug Nusekabel of the division of EMS for his outstanding service to the community. Lt. Nusekabel is a nationally certified paramedic. Mayor Gieringer acknowledged the work of Bart Koehler, Rheda Losekamp, and Julie Brockhaus of the Hubert Company for their assistance in designing the city’s marketing packet. The Mayor presented copies of the completed marketing brochure to each , as well as individual awards acknowledging their time and talent. Short Road resident Norma Salzman addressed Council to thank them for allowing citizens to speak at the public hearing regarding the Parks of Whitewater. She suggested to Council that a freeze should be placed on all building permits until the Zoning Code and Land Use Plan are in agreement. Michael Breakers of Edgewood Road addressed Council with several questions to Council members Acra, McGuire, Burkart, and Neyer with regards to the Land Use Plan and the current zoning code. He expressed concerns with the actual density of the Parks of Whitewater development. According to his figures, Council approved a density of 3.35 units per acre when they approved the Parks of Whitewater, which exceeds the 3.22 density described in the zoning code. Mr. Breakers also suggested that all incoming developments be given a R-0 designation and that according to Mr. Brooks this process could be finalized in 3 to 4 months. Mr. Neyer suggested a more realistic time line of 9 to 12 months to complete this process. Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to approve a resolution opposing SB 117 which provides for state control of telecommunication franchising. Roll Call: All - yea. (Resolution #3 - 2007). Mr. Burkart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve an ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund.(Communications equipment for the Fire Department). Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #11 - 2007). Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Neyer to approve an ordinance authorizing the transfer fof funds from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund(Community Center restrooms). Roll Call: All - yea. (Ordinance #12 - 2007). Mayor Report Mayor Gieringer thanked the Harrison Recreation Commission for again sponsoring the Kite Flying Contest on April 28 as well as all the participants in this year’s competition. The Mayor also thanked LOVE, Inc. for their donation of socks and bakery goods to the Mayor’s Fund and the Senior Center. Mayor Gieringer expressed his gratitude to the congregation of St. John’s United Church of Christ for their generous donation of an Easter offering to the Mayor’s Fund. Finally, Mayor Gieringer thanked all those who donated to the Fire Memorial Fund and to the members of the Fire Department for their efforts in putting the entire ceremony and program together. Law Director Report Mr. Deters had no report, but asked for an executive session for the purpose of discussing matters relating to a personnel, pending litigation, and collective bargaining. Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to enter into an executive session for the purpose of discussing matters relating to personnel, pending litigation, and collective bargaining. Roll Call: All - yea. Council - Committee Report Mr. Neyer had no committee reports, but announced the Utilities Committee would meet on May 10 at 3:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Mr. McGuire had no committee reports, but announced the Street Committee would hold their next meeting on May 10 at 4:00 p.m. Mrs. Acra shared correspondence she received regarding the new bicycle memorial at 8282 New Haven Road in honor of Amy Gehring and Terry Walker, two cyclists fatally hit last summer. Mrs. Acra reported on the following items discussed at the April 24 meeting of the Building & Lands Committee: Bill McCormick and Jennifer Vatter of JMA were in attendance to discuss a project to create a bike path throughout the city and attach it to the current bike path at the Miami Whitewater Park. Committee members viewed preliminary maps and developed an initial plan of action. A committee will be established comprised of representatives from the Building & Lands Committee, Engineers, and the Park District and possibly members from the Recreation Commission. The committee continued their discussion about the Community Center. Presently, the City and Township share 75% of the Community Center. They hope to have a draft of their plans for the Center by the end of May. The committee also viewed drawings of the renovation of the North Conference Room. Plans are underway to take a portion of the room and turn it into city offices for the Finance and Utility Departments. Mrs. Acra announced the Community Center will be closed on May 2 due to the hook-up of the new generator. Mrs. Acra reported on the following items with respect to the Police Department: National Police Week will be held May 13-19 and Peace Officer Memorial Day is May 15 where all flags are to be flown at half mast. Officer Scott Jenkins will be presented with the American Legion Post 199 Police Officer of the Year Award on May 14 at the local Legion Hall and on May 17 Officer Jenkins will be presented with the 2006 Hamilton County Act of Bravery Award at the Annual Hamilton County Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner. Finally, Mrs. Acra reported that at the April 18 meeting of the Police Committee it was announced that one 2007 Dodge Charger has been ordered. The next Police Committee meeting will be held on May 23 at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Kercheval reported that the Northern Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau held their quarterly meeting on May 1 and announced that the hotel occupancy rate in the area is up 3.8% in comparison to last year. Mrs. Kercheval reported the Economic Development/Resource Committee met on April 23 and worked on the ad for the Economic Development Director. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 7 at 4:00 p.m. Mrs. Kercheval thanked Hubert Company for their work on the marketing packet and special thanks to Burt Koehler, Rheda Losekamp, and Julie Brockhaus. Mrs. Kercheval expressed her gratitude to the Fire Department for the beautiful Fire Memorial Service on April 28. Finally, Mrs. Kercheval reminded residents that Relay for Life will be held at Harrison High School on June 8 and 9. Mr. Robertson announced the cable broadcast replay schedule of the Fire Memorial Service which will begin on May 4 at 10:30 p.m. on Channel 17. Mr. Robertson announced that beginning Monday, May 7, Rumpke will no longer have trash pick-up on Monday. Residents who normally have Monday pick-up, will now have their trash collected on Wednesday. Mayor Gieringer asked the Law Director to check on the contract with Rumpke to make sure a 4 day a week pick-up schedule is in line with the contract. Mr. Robertson reported the Finance Committee met on April 24 and discussed Financial Reports and the city donation to Community Services West. Mr. Robertson announced that tax withholdings are increasing from the Ohio Business Gateway and tax collections for the month of April are up 7%. Finally, Mr. Robertson announced the Finance Committee would convene on May 8 at 4:00 p.m. specifically to meet with the city’s insurance broker and the regular Finance Committee meeting will be held on May 29 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Burkart reported on the success of the Recreation Commission’s Kite Flying Contest on April 28. Mr. Burkart thanked Terry Fritz for his work in lining up food concessionaires for the July 4th celebration. Mr. Burkart announced the Fire Committee would meet on May 9 at 5:00 p.m. Finally, Mr. Burkart offered his congratulations to Lt. Doug Nusekabel on receiving his Blue Ribbon Award. Mr. Shank reported the Personnel Committee discussed service award pins. Mr. Shank offered his congratulations to Doug Nusekabel and the entire Fire Department for receiving recent awards and accolades. 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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