Council Minutes Archives COUNCIL MINUTES City of Harrison September 18, 2007 Council met in regular session with Mayor Daniel J. Gieringer presiding. Members present included: Mr. Tony Burkart, Mrs. Judy Kercheval, Mr. Joel McGuire, Mr. Bill Neyer, Mr. Jim Robertson, and Mr. Randy Shank. Mrs. Deborah Acra was not in attendance. Mr. Bill Deters, the Law Director, was also not 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 Council meeting minutes for September 4, 2007. The minutes were approved as presented. Mr. Shank made a motion, seconded by Mr. Burkart to approve the Executive Session meeting minutes for September 4, 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. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to approve the August Finance Report. Roll Call: All - yea. Mr. Tom Losekamp, Harrison Township Trustee addressed Council with concerns regarding a proposed development on Cornerbrook Road. Mr. Losekamp shared with Council an ad from The Harrison Press which shows the development to contain several restaurants, office condominiums, and several parcels offered for commercial/retail office space. Mr. Losekamp along with several council members noted the majority of the proposed development lies within the township with a very small portion within the city. The Mayor explained that no representatives from the proposed development has approached the city nor have they come before the Planning Commission. Mr. Losekamp also noted that surveyors have been seen on the property. At the request of the Mayor, Mr. Neyer explained the sign ordinance which is on the council agenda. He reported that the Planning Commission has been working on revisions to the sign ordinance for close to a year. The final product contains a schedule table in the back and the ability for fines. The ordinance is designed to make the signs and sign usage in the city more uniform for the areas they are in. Mr. Neyer reported that as part of the new sign ordinance, small wire signs are now banned. The ordinance also contains specific language for political signs. Mrs. Kercheval asked whether it is necessary to set a public hearing for approval of the sign ordinance. Mr. Neyer explained that a public hearing is optional as the approval of the ordinance is like other ordinances. Mrs. Kercheval noted that at the present time there is no ordinance. Mr. Neyer explained that the Law Director has yet to complete the ordinance. Mayor Gieringer asked Council to look over the details in the sign documents and be prepared at the next Council meeting to approve the ordinance or set a public hearing. Mr. Burkart asked who would be responsible for "policing" unlawful signs in the city. Mr. Neyer explained those responsibilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Building and Zoning Department. The Mayor added that the Street Department would also assist in picking up unlawful signs. Mr. Neyer also explained that the new ordinance restricts any utility pole from being as a sign post with the exception of emergency or no parking signs, etc. Mr. Neyer also explained the details involving yard sale signs. The ordinance also restricts all signs from being placed in right-of-ways. Mr. Robertson expressed concerns several concerns regarding the proposed sign ordinance. Some of his concerns dealt with size limitations, "fly-by-night" sign setters, and additional responsibilities placed upon the Building/Zoning Department. He also expressed concern that the ordinance may have too many restrictions with not enough enforcement available. Mr. Shank also expressed some concerns with regards to new restrictions on political signs. Council discussed the approval of the new zoning map. Mr. McGuire pointed out that property formerly owned by the Crone Family and currently owned by Walmart is labeled B-4, but is currently not zoned B-4. Mr. Neyer questioned what the property is currently zoned because of the permanent injunction. The injunction only gives it B-4 status for the current owner. Mayor Gieringer suggested the legality of the zoning on the map for this particular piece of property be investigated. Mr. McGuire suggested that since Council approved a zoning designation of "Mixed Use" that it(mixed use) be added to the legend on the zoning map. Mrs. Kercheval made a motion, seconded by Mr. Shank to table the approval of the zoning map until the next Council meeting or until the revisions are made. Roll Call: All - yea. Mayor Report Mayor Gieringer had no report. Law Director Report No report. Council - Committee Report Mr. Neyer reported on the following items from the September 13 meeting of the Utilities Committee meeting: The committee reviewed the current and pending projects. The committee has received some complaints from residents with regards to brown water which occurs when the fire department performs their required flow test of the hydrants. The department tries to space out their testing in different areas to help alleviate this problem. Mr. McGuire announced the Safety Committee and Civil Defense Committees will meet on October 7 at 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively. Mr. McGuire announced that on October 16 & 17, OKI is sponsoring a workshop to help officials apply for three new federal transportation funding programs applicable for 2008. The October 17 training session will include information on the census. OKI has taken a vested interest to make sure the census is properly done and accurate. Finally, Mr. McGuire announced the Street Committee would meet on October 11 at 3:00 p.m. Mrs. Kercheval reported the Economic Development/Resource Committee is continuing work with Cincy Partnership on the Business Blitz scheduled for mid-October. The committee is also working on the Economic Development Director position. Mrs. Kercheval announced the next meeting of the Economic Development/Resource Committee has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on October 1. Mrs. Kercheval reminded residents of the upcoming Relay for Life "Dancing for the Stars" dance on Saturday, October 6 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Tickets for the dinner and dance can be purchased at the Harrison Building & Loan and The Merchants Bank. Mr. Robertson announced the Finance Committee would meet on September 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Mr. Robertson reported the Solid Waste & Environmental Committee is working with the Solid Waste District to provide each household with a flyer to encourage curbside recycling. Mr. Robertson reported that some residents are concerned their recyclables are ending up in the garbage truck. He explained that any truck with a RR decal is a recycling vehicle and a RW decal identifies a waste hauler. Mr. Robertson reported that ICRC will broadcast the Harrison-Northwest football game this week as their "Game of the Week. Finally, Mr. Robertson reported the new landscape project in front of the Community Center is moving along with help from the Street Department. Mr. Burkart announced the Fire Committee will hold their next meeting at 5:00 p.m. on September 19 and the Recreation Commission will meet on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Burkart also announced in Mrs. Acra’s absence that the Bike Path meeting is scheduled for September 26 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Shank had no report, but offered his condolences to Mrs. Acra’s family. There being no further business, Mr. Robertson made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kercheval 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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