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Harrison council approves minutes, accepts donation and votes to enter executive session on property purchase
Summary
At its Feb. 3 meeting, the Harrison City Council approved prior minutes, accepted a $2,500 donation to the mayor’s fund, heard updates on snow response and a sister-city firefighter exchange, and voted to enter an executive session to consider purchasing property for public purposes.
HARRISON — The Harrison City Council met Feb. 3 and handled a mix of ceremonial items, administrative updates and a formal motion to move into executive session to discuss a potential property acquisition.
Mayor Ryan Grubbs opened the meeting and read a proclamation declaring Feb. 7–14, 2026, as congenital heart defect awareness week. A charities committee representative presented a $2,500 check to the Harrison mayor’s fund; Mayor Grubbs said the fund helped about 960 individuals and roughly 400 families last year, mainly with rent and utility assistance. "We wholeheartedly thank you for your support of the mayor's fund," Grubbs said.
The council approved the minutes from the Jan. 20 meeting after a motion and second and a roll-call vote of members present. Council then heard extended reports. Mayor Grubbs praised public works and first responders for clearing 12–16 inches of snow and said the community center will operate as a warming shelter when temperatures "drop below 20 degrees," directing residents to call his office or nonemergency lines for assistance.
Council members received an update on an international firefighter exchange. Guests from Mechassheim, Germany, and local fire leaders described a multi-day program of lectures, props-building and timed exercises designed to meet German badge criteria. "We are very happy to be here, back in Harrison," said Alex Reese, a visiting firefighter. The mayor presented the visitors with Harrison challenge coins and invited a group photo.
In administrative business, the city reported that negotiations with the police union (FOP) concluded and that both contracts were unanimously approved by department membership; draft contract language with tracked edits and a resolution for council approval will be circulated before the next meeting.
The council approved a motion by Councilmember Dole, seconded by Mayor Grubbs, to enter executive session under Ohio Revised Code §121.22 to consider the purchase of property for public purposes. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with affirmative responses from the members present, after which the council retired to executive session.
Committee reports included a stormwater/streets/utilities update noting 230 tons of salt used during the storm, a Dry Fork Road preconstruction meeting scheduled for Feb. 5, a grant application to the state agency for a chloride-reduction brine program, and State Street siphon bids coming in below the engineer’s estimate. The finance committee reported the water fund ended 2025 in positive territory, approved replacing a salt plow, and flagged an informational estimate that elimination of property taxes could reduce city revenue by about $5,000,000.
Economic development announced that Joette Griewy was promoted to director of development after 13 years with the city; the comprehensive plan steering committee will meet Feb. 19 and the plan (excluding zoning) will be presented publicly in March. A job fair is scheduled for March 5, 3–6 p.m., and a record-and-soda (vinyl and soda) shop is expected at 231 Harrison Avenue.
The council retired to executive session to continue discussion of the property matter; no public action was taken on that item before adjournment.
