City Of Harrison Takes Steps To Curb COVID-19 Contamination

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 12:27 PM

By City of Harrison, news release

The City of Harrison continues to adjust service levels as necessary with public safety at the highest priority.

(Harrison, Oh.) - With the latest orders handed down from the Ohio Governor’s office related to the COVID-19 health concerns, the City of Harrison continues to adjust service levels as necessary with public safety at the highest priority. These are the following steps under which the City is operating as of 1:00 p.m., March 16, 2020 until further notice as directed by Mayor Bill Neyer:

SENIOR CENTER CLOSED 
As of 1:00 p.m. Monday, the Harrison Senior Center at 300 George St. is closed, and all senior activities and community meetings are cancelled until further notice. The Center will be posted for no public entry, except for cases described below.

MAYOR’S COURT CANCELLED FOR MARCH 17 
All Mayor’s Court cases scheduled for March 17, 2020 are continued to the next court date, which is April 7, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. For questions, please contact 513-202-8456.

PRIMARY ELECTION
The Ohio Primary Election March 17, 2020 has been postponed by public health order. Polling locations across the state are closed. We will provide more information as it becomes available. 

COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA CURTAILED
Mayor Bill Neyer has shortened the City Council meeting agenda for March 18, removing the Chamber of Commerce update, and the Southwest Local Schools’ Student Workforce Development updates. Also, Council members will not provide reports about the department committees they chair, resulting in a very abbreviated session. Although the Council meeting is open to the public, Mayor Neyer requests attendance be limited to residents and staff associated with remaining agenda items.

AT THIS TIME UTILITIES WILL NOT BE DISCONNECTED
As of March 16, utilities to residents’ homes and businesses will not be shut off for non-payment, and late charges will not accrue because of employment issues or business closure hardship. However, when normal business resumes, payment grace periods will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Service Director at 513-202-8495 to discuss.

POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES
The Harrison Police Department will continue to enforce all City and State of Ohio Laws. Police will also respond to EMS incidents but will remain outside residences or businesses unless it is requested by on-scene emergency personnel that Police enter the premises. The lobby to the Police Department will remain open, however, public access will be confined to the lobby and meetings with Police personnel must be made by appointment and will be conducted outside the lobby area. After transporting individuals in Police vehicles, and after every shift change, all vehicles will be thoroughly sanitized. The non-emergency Police number is 513-367-3715.

FIRE DEPARTMENT CANCELS ACTIVITIES
The Harrison Fire Department has canceled the following until further notice: CPR classes; station tours/station visitors; student riders; Explorer Program; car seat installs; annual and routine fire inspections; internal and external meetings while on duty; staff food pickups – employees must bring all food with them when reporting for duty. After transporting individuals and after every shift change, all Fire Department vehicles will be thoroughly sanitized. The Fire Department will continue to do necessary inspections with the Building Department only for projects that are required for business, home, and new school occupancy permits/operation continuance. The Fire Department non-emergency number is 513-367-4194.  

FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE OPERATING BUT CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
The Finance and Economic Development Departments at 300 George St. are operating but are closed to the public; only necessary, face-to-face meetings are being conducted at the Directors’ discretion. Most business will be conducted by telephone and email. No unannounced, drop-in meetings will occur. The Finance Director may be reached at 513-367-3732 and the Economic Development Director may be reached at 513-202-8492.

UTILITY, BUILDING & ZONING OFFICE REMAIN OPEN
The utility office and Building and Zoning office at 300 George St. remain open for payments and filing of permits. However, in each office, visitors are asked to stay behind prescribed barriers and not have direct contact with employees. No cash payments will be accepted. Only checks and money orders will be accepted in the Building and Zoning Department. Only checks, money orders and credit cards will be accepted in the Utility Department. Areas will be sanitized after every visit. However, the Public Service Director, Chief Building Official, and Zoning Assistant will conduct face-to-face meetings at their discretion. Most business will be conducted by telephone and email. No unannounced, drop-in meetings will occur. The Service Director may be reached at 513-202-8495, the Chief Building Official may be reached at 513-202-8496, and the Zoning Assistant at 513-202-8461.

BUILDING INSPECTIONS ARE BEING PRIORITIZED
The Chief Building Official is conducting inspections on a prioritized basis, with inspections made only for projects that are required for business, home, and new school occupancy permits/operation continuance. Only persons required for inspections are to be involved. Physical, on-site inspections for home improvements such as decks, fences, etc., are not being made at this time. However, permit applications should still be made following the conditions above related to the Building and Zoning office. Building permits and zoning applications are available online at www.harrisonohio.gov and may be emailed to kwilliams@harrisonohio.gov or mailed to Harrison Building & Zoning Dept., 300 George St, Harrison Ohio, 45030, or call 513-202-8494 for more information.

SCHOOL AND BUSINESS CLOSURES
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the mandatory closure of K-12 schools until further notice. Families are encouraged to follow Southwest Local Schools (or their district or private school) for updates. Ohio bars and restaurants are also subject to a mandatory, state-wide ban on public dining until further notice. Residents are encouraged to look online or contact local restaurants for delivery or take-out options.

CITY IS CONDUCTING COMPLETE SANITATION
Mayor Bill Neyer has instructed all City departments to complete a sanitation of their spaces several times each day. While this will greatly reduce possible spread of COVID-19, it cannot be guaranteed. The best way to ensure public safety is for residents to not visit public buildings unless absolutely necessary and to follow CDC https://www.cdc.gov/ recommendations for dealing with this health crisis.

UPDATES PROVIDED BY HARRISON AND HAMILTON COUNTY
As the COVID-19 situation develops, City updates on closures or cancellations will be shared through this website. Residents are encouraged to create an account and subscribe via Notify Me.  For regional updates, residents are encouraged to sign up for text, email or phone updates from Alert HC, which provides dozens of optional alerts about weather and other situations, including COVID-19.

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