City Council Wrap Up 10/15/24

Officer Jennifer Coyle’s Retirement
Chief Charles Lindsey addressed the council to honor the retirement of Officer Jennifer Coyle, who served the Harrison Police Department for 28 years. Coyle began her career in 1996 with the department and quickly became a cornerstone of the community, particularly through her role as a school resource officer. Chief Lindsey presented Coyle with the Exemplary Service Award and a flag flown over the police department in her honor. Coyle expressed her gratitude, stating, “It was a privilege and an honor," and added that she absolutely loved her job for 28 years. The council and attendees celebrated her dedicated service with applause.

American Legion Donations
The American Legion made three generous donations during the meeting:

• $500 to the Robotics Club at Crosby Elementary.
• $1,500 to the Crosby Elementary PTO, which helps fund events and activities for students and teachers.
• $3,500 to the Harrison Mayor’s Fund, which supports residents in need of rent and utility assistance, especially as colder months approach.

Additionally, it was noted that on November 11, 2024, the American Legion will recognize 21 young men from Harrison who traveled to North Carolina to assist in hurricane relief efforts. Each of these volunteers will receive the Red, White, and Blue Award and a $50 gift card for their service.

Presentation from ConexTalk
Tori Smiley of ConexTalk spoke about the company's work upcycling shipping containers and its growing contributions to the local community. Smiley explained how ConexTalk has partnered with local schools and businesses while donating to numerous nonprofit organizations. The council and Mayor Ryan Grubbs praised ConexTalk’s innovative contributions and involvement in Harrison.

Harrison Library Update
A representative from the Harrison Library mentioned that the library serves as a valuable resource for nonpartisan voting information as the upcoming election approaches. The library collaborates with the League of Women Voters and other organizations to provide access to accurate voter information and will also be offering various community programs in November.

Approval of Special Assessments
The council approved special assessments for properties at 411 Park Avenue, 96 Flintstone, and 305 North Hill Street. These assessments cover the total cost of nuisance abatement, removal, and repair of unsafe conditions at these properties.

Approval of Tax Levies
The council approved a resolution confirming tax levies as determined by the budget commission. These levies help generate revenue for essential city services, including emergency response, public safety, and infrastructure.

Whitewater Trail Subdivision Plat Approval
The council also approved a resolution to accept and dedicate the street plats for the Whitewater Trail subdivision. This approval formalizes the subdivision's streets, ensuring they are recognized for public use and can be maintained by the city moving forward.

Fire Committee Report
Council Member Jerry Wilson provided updates on the fire committee's efforts to make existing fire stations suitable for both male and female personnel. The committee is also exploring the possibility of building new stations and is considering locations to best serve the growing community. Wilson emphasized that the city is actively discussing how to staff these new stations in the future to meet increased demand.

Mayor’s Comments on Future Planning
Mayor Grubbs reinforced the importance of forward-thinking as Harrison grows, especially in terms of public safety services like fire and police. He praised the council for continuing to move forward with proactive discussions to ensure the city can meet the needs of its expanding population.

Grant for EV Chargers
Council Member Abrams announced that Harrison has received a grant of around $187,000 from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI). This grant will fully fund the installation of a fast EV charging station in the city parking lot, with no costs incurred by the city.

2025 Budget Review
Council Member Samuels reported that the 2025 city budget is currently under review, with final adjustments expected in the coming weeks. The budget will be brought before the council at the end of November or beginning of December. Mayor Grubbs took the opportunity to invite the community to attend the upcoming Finance Committee meeting, encouraging residents to "enjoy the experience" of reviewing the city's budget details. The meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, 10/22/24, at 4:30 p.m..

Christmas Parade Announcement
Council Member VanCleve shared details about the Harrison Christmas Parade, which will take place on December 7th at 4:30 p.m., with the theme "A Candy Christmas." The parade will feature local entertainment, and Greg Bybee has been selected as the Grand Marshal. The event will conclude with the annual tree lighting ceremony at 7:00 p.m.

VanCleve also provided details about the Wildcat Dunk, a special fundraiser supporting Harrison Special Olympics, which will take place on February 8, 2025 at the firehouse in The District in downtown Harrison.

Halloween Safety Reminder
Council Member Wilson announced the official Halloween trick-or-treat hours for Harrison, which are October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. She reminded residents to slow down, be mindful of children, and exercise caution when driving through neighborhoods during those hours.

Police and Law Officer Recognition
Corporal Terrell Smith was named the Yeager Law Officer of the Year and will be honored at the next American Legion meeting on November 11, 2024. The Harrison Police Department also reported on recent traffic accident statistics and ongoing efforts to improve safety, including speed patrols in residential areas.

With these important updates, the council continues its work to support Harrison through planning, infrastructure improvements, and community events.