Council Minutes Archives COUNCIL MINUTES City of Harrison November 20, 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 6, 2007.  The minutes were approved as presented.  Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve the executives session meeting minutes for November 6, 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. Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve the October Finance Report.   Roll Call:  All - yea. Fire Chief Rob Hursong addressed Council to present Harrison Fire Department’s new captain, Doug Nusekabel.  Mayor Gieringer presided over the swearing-in ceremony for Captain Nusekabel. Chief Hursong introduced Mike Wilson of the Cheviot Savings Foundation and thanked his organization for their donation of $20,544 which was used to update the department’s communication system.  Chief Hursong presented Mr. Wilson with a plaque. Bill McCormick and Jennifer Vatter of JMA addressed Council with an update of the Bikeway concept plan.  They also reviewed the JMA proposal for street improvements and drainage on the George Street project.  The project includes a $25,000 engineering fee with funding for the project available in March/April 2008. JMA also reviewed the proposal for design of the Etta Avenue, Lellan, and Joyce project.  McCormick and Vatter explained that even though the city did not receive a grant for this project, the city is eligible for a 0% loan covering 20-30 years.  The total cost of the project is $420,600 including a $75,000 engineering fee.  JMA recommended the city take the 0% loan for funds that will be available in July 2008. Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve an ordinance approving JMA proposal for design of improvements to George Street and a drainage study in the area around George Street. Roll Call:  All - yea.   (Ordinance #38 - 2007). Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve an ordinance approving a proposal for the design of the Etta, Lellan and Joyce Project.  Roll Call:  All - yea.  (Ordinance #39 - 2007). Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve a resolution authorizing the Mayor to advertise for bids for repair of the roof of the administration building at the Wastewater Plant.  Roll Call:  All - yea.  (Resolution #14 - 2007). Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve an ordinance approving a contract with HFS Properties, LLC for replacement and repairs in the Turner Ridge Subdivision.  Roll Call: McGuire - yea;  Acra - yea;  Kercheval - abstain;  Robertson - yea;  Burkart - yea;  Shank - yea;  Neyer - yea.  (Ordinance # 40 - 2007). Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve an ordinance providing for the issuance of not to exceed $5,500,000 of notes by the City of Harrison, Ohio in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, for the purpose of constructing improvements to the Municipality’s Wastewater System. Roll Call:  All - yea. (Ordinance #41 - 2007). Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to add an item to the agenda regarding the amending of the Harrison Code or Ordinances with respect to sewer regulations and rates.  Roll Call:  All - yea. Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve an ordinance to amend Sections 935 of the Harrison Code of Ordinances. Roll Call:  All - yea. (Ordinance #42 - 2007). Mayor Report Mayor Gieringer reported the following totals from the October 2007 Mayor’s Court:  City of Harrison - $8825;  Treasurer of State - $2764;  Drug Cases =- $640;  Computer Fund - $555;  OVI Cases - $975;  Interest in September - $22.24.  Mayor’s Court receipts for October 2007 are down $6472 in comparison to October 2006. Mayor Gieringer thanked the following individuals and organizations for their generous donations of canned goods and money to the Mayor’s Fund:  Teacher Kathy Wirsch and the St. John the Baptist Student Council ;  St. John United Church of Christ Women’s Fellowship; and Hub Martini and the St. John the Baptist Youth  Ministry.  Every item collected will go to directly to a family in our area that needs help during the holidays. The Mayor thanked Rumpke for the extra recycling containers that are used to hold all the canned goods.  He also reminded residents that the Coat Drive is still collecting new and gently used clean coats at the Harrison Community Center, Whitewater Township Senior Center, Crosby Township Senior Center, and O’Charley’s restaurant.  Mayor Gieringer announced the Mayor’s Fund is now taking names for the Christmas List.  If you know of a Southwest Local School District family in need, please call the Harrison Community Center at 367-2111. The Mayor also thanked the following businesses for their contributions and assistance during a fire detail on November 7.  The fire consumed approximately 150 acres and personnel were on the scene for 12-13 hours: Harrison Cracker Barrel, Harrison McDonald’s, and Harrison Biggs.  These businesses provided food and beverages to 126 personnel with 28 different departments in Ohio and Indiana.  The members of the Harrison Fire Department greatly appreciate your support during this endeavor. Finally, Mayor Gieringer announced that Harrison Fire Department firefighters Aaron Hopkins, Steve Hammond, Matt Nichols, and class Valedictorian Bruce Metzler have completed their paramedic training at Cincinnati State after 14 months of training.  Also, firefighters Matt Steele and Andy Robben have also completed their training and have received national registry certification as paramedics. Law Director Report Mr. Deters had no report but requested an executive session for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of potential real estate easements. Mrs. Acra made a motion, seconded by Mr. Neyer to enter into an executive session for the purpose of discussing the acquisition potential real estate easements. Roll Call:  All - yea. Council - Committee Report Mr. Neyer announced the Utility Committee will meet on December 13 at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Neyer reported on the following items from the Planning Commission: The commission conducted a comprehensive review of the Best Western Hotel project.  Since there are several issues still outstanding in this review, the representatives from Best Western have been asked to return. ;  The developer for Miami Trace development was also in attendance with their PUD request. Mr. Neyer made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval to set a public hearing date of December 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. for Mike May Construction to discuss a new PUD request for development on Dry Fork Road.  Roll Call:  All - yea. ;  Mr. Neyer also reported that Dearborn Real Estate requested a lot split.  After a lengthy discussion, commission members reluctantly told the developer he could split his lot. ;  The commission discussed large lot zoning.;  Bear Creek, developers of the new Kroger project, requested several lot splits which were all approved. ;  The developers of the Deters/Teeters property in Crosby Township also requested a lot split that was necessitated due to the development of utilities and that request was also approved.  Mr. McGuire announced there would be a brief Safety Committee/Civil Defense Committee meeting on November 21 at 5:00 p.m.  The date for next year’s live civil defense drill will be scheduled at this time, along with an update of the monthly training schedule. Mr. McGuire announced the next Street Committee meeting would be held on December 13, following the 3:00 p.m. Utility Committee meeting. Mrs. Acra announced the following committee meeting schedules:  The Police Committee will meet on November 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center.;  The Bikeway Committee will hold a public information session on November 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the North Conference Room of the Community Center.; The Western Joint Ambulance District will hold their first meeting of 2008 on January 3 at 5:30 p.m.  At this time the district will discuss the meeting. Mrs. Kercheval reported on the following items from the Economic Development/Resource Committee: The Business Blitz has been completed and rated successful and worthwhile for the city. A report will be available soon  along with information on several companies which will be discussed at the next committee meeting on November 26 at 4:00 p.m. ;  The committee is finishing details on the Economic Development Director position and will have all the details ready by December 1. Mrs. Kercheval announced the Northern Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau will hold their next quarterly meeting on November 27 at 2:00 p.m. Mrs. Kercheval noted that the first council meeting of 2008 falls on New Years Day. Mrs. Kercheval made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to establish January 2, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. for the first council meeting of the year.  Roll Call:  All - yea. Mr. Robertson reported the 2008 budget is nearly completed and after a few minor changes the budget will be presented to Council.  Mr. Robertson announced the annual tree lighting ceremony will take place on December 7 at 7:00 p.m. and the Christmas parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 8 at 11:00 a.m.  This year’s parade is sponsored and coordinated by US Bank and several horse drawn units will be participating in the parade.  Mr. Burkart reported on the following items from the November 13 meeting of the Fire Committee: Two members of the Fire Department, Chief Rob Hursong and Lt. Ward have been accepted by the Hamilton County Urban Search & Rescue team. ;  The city has hired seven part time firefighters to fill the needs of the part time ranks. ; The new Quint 57 engine will arrive February 11. Mr. Burkart offered his thanks to the Harrison Township trustees for purchasing a new tanker truck for the department. Mr. Burkart thanked all the firefighters from 28 separate jurisdictions for their participation in handling the brush fire.  Finally, Mr. Burkart offered his congratulations to Captain Nusekabel on his promotion. Mr. Shank announced the 6th annual employee "turkey drop" is scheduled for December 20 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
Home  •  Elected Officials  •  Calendar  •  Directions  •  City News  •  Council Minutes  •  Tax Forms  •  Municipal Forms    EMail the City  •  EMail Webmaster  •