Council Appoints New Harrison City Manager

HARRISON – Harrison City Council began its April 4 meeting by adopting its meeting minutes of March 21 and the current bills as presented. There also was a brief tongue-in-cheek “Welcome Back” to those returning from Spring Break by Mayor Stacy Stocking, as he looked out the window at the day’s latest delivery of wet snow.

Council heard complaint from one Ithaca Street resident about a neighbor’s large vehicle, which he believes is unlicensed, is inappropriately encroaching on his property, and also about trash on the neighbor’s property. Code Enforcement Officer Mike Freeman assured that he was aware of that situation, and had been in contact with the neighbor. It is understood that the rubbish referred to is still frozen to the ground, and that removal is to be accomplished once warmer ground permits. Freeman said he is also aware of/following closely the vehicle license status.

Under Old Business, Council voted to approve appointment of Justin Cavanaugh to the position of Harrison City Manager. Cavanaugh will be filling the office when current Harrison City Manager Tracey Connelly retires later this spring. The appointment was brief, and was followed by some brief, good-natured comments from Council members, including”

Karen Hulliberger: “You’re stuck now, Justin.”

Tracey Connelly: “It’s all yours!”

Stacy Stocking: “Get your 5-minute speech ready.”

“I was a Communications major,” Cavanaugh replied.

That was followed by a heartfelt “Welcome” from Council Member Dave Rowe, to which Cavanaugh responded, “Thanks, I’m excited.”

Next Council moved to decline, at this time, the Trinity Christian Life Center’s request for the city to close Park Street and share in tree-cutting expense, for budgetary as well as attorney recommendations.

The third Old Business item was the second reading of Ordinance 2022-1, Zoning Map Amendment which rezones parcels 070-028-400-40, 070-028-400-400-42 and 070-028-400-43 located at 945 Old County Farm St., Harrison, to PUD, Planned Unit Development; and parcel 070-028-400-08 located at 1379 N. Clare Ave., Harrison that is rezoned to Light Industrial. That ordinance was approved by Council and will go into effect 30 days after the date of publication, as is required by law.

Under Reports of Committees and Department Heads, Connelly announced the city had been awarded the anticipated USDA grant for sewer system improvement in the amount of $4,496,000 and a $1,504,000 loan [which has a 1.250% poverty interest rate and repayment over 40 years]. She noted the work that will be accomplished in conjunction with the USDA $2,191,000 grant and $1,229,000 loan [same rate/time as above] for water system improvement which the city received in 2021.

Connelly explained that the grants will enable the HAEDCO property infrastructure upgrades to proceed, as well as multiple upgrades in the city’s existing water system: new water meters, enlarging mains, along with replacement of two aged sewer lift stations.

Also of note was the announcement by Connelly that the long-awaited ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Phelps Nature Trail adjacent to Harrison City Park has been set for 5 p.m. May 2. The trail, which includes 1.6 miles of paved trails through the woods, bike ramps, exercise equipment and a bike repair station, is being dedicated to former DPW Superintendent Steve Phelps for his 35 years of service to the City of Harrison.

Current DPW Superintendent Sam Russell spoke of efforts to clean up city streets for spring, efforts which have been morphing into snow removal rather than street sweeping. He also spoke of his crew’s work around town utilizing the DPW’s pipe bender to refurbishing the city’s trash can surrounds. Russell said the surrounds would cost $800 to replace, thus his department is putting the tool to good use while saving the city some money.

Fire Chief Chris Damvelt reported 77 fire runs year-to-date, as well as noting his department’s mutual aid work at last week’s Robinson Industries fire. Eight departments responded and Harrison assisted with water. Damvelt said it was fast and furious, and that it was estimated approximately 1 million gallons of water had been poured on that fire.

Council Member Mick Haley reported on the committee meeting prior to the Council meeting, in which it was decided that Harrison Little League was to pay the City $1,500 toward the cost of maintaining the ball fields. [Council Member Angela Kellogg, who is on the Little League Board, abstained]

Harrison City Council will meet for a joint session with the Harrison Planning Commission at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 at City Hall, 2105 Sullivan Drive.