City Council Recap: Honoring Heroism and Naming Harrison’s Next Police Chief
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Tuesday night's City Council meeting honored five members of Harrison’s public safety team for extraordinary courage and brought the official announcement of an important leadership transition for the Harrison Police Department.
Public Safety Team Honored for Rescue
The Harrison Police and Fire departments recognized the coordinated response to a May 26 structure fire at the Huntley Ridge Apartments.
Responders arrived to find smoke and flames coming from a multifamily building, with a resident still inside. Lieutenant Joe Ramsey and Officer Derek Bischoff initially entered the building but were forced back by the heavy smoke. Lieutenant Ramsey then put on a Fire Department self-contained breathing apparatus and reentered the building with Firefighter Will McAlister. Together, they located the resident in the third-floor stairwell. Captain Doug Nusekabel assisted them in bringing the resident safely outside, while Lieutenant Corey Offill coordinated crews, accountability, evacuation efforts and emergency medical care from the front of the building.
Lieutenant Ramsey received the Harrison Police Department Medal of Valor and the Harrison Fire Department’s non-agency Life-Saving Award. McAlister received the Police Department’s Life Saving Medal and the Fire Department’s William E. Wolf Medal of Valor.
Captain Nusekabel also received the William E. Wolf Medal of Valor. Bischoff received the Police Department’s Medal of Merit and the Fire Department’s non-agency Chief’s Award. Offill received the Fire Department’s Chief’s Award for his leadership and command of the scene. Police Chief Charles Lindsey said the response demonstrated the trust the two departments have built through years of working together.
“Success belongs to the team, not to any one individual,” Chief Lindsey said.
Lieutenant Ramsey Named Harrison’s Next Police Chief
Mayor Grubbs announced that Lieutenant Joe Ramsey has been selected to succeed Chief Lindsey when Lindsey retires next year.
The City conducted a formal selection process with assistance from the Hamilton County Police Chiefs Association. City Council members interviewed the candidates, with Mayor Grubbs and City Administrator Kim Downey also participating in the process.
Mayor Grubbs described Ramsey as an exemplary officer who has earned the respect of his colleagues and the community. Ramsey is a longtime Harrison resident and currently serves as the Police Department’s patrol operations commander.
“I couldn’t think of a better candidate,” Mayor Grubbs said.
The announcement was made well before Chief Lindsey’s departure to provide time for a deliberate transition. Lieutenant Ramsey will have the opportunity to prepare for the role with guidance from a chief who has served Harrison and the regional law enforcement community for more than 30 years.
Council members congratulated Lieutenant Ramsey and acknowledged the significance of Chief Lindsey’s coming retirement. Several noted that Lindsey will leave large shoes to fill, but expressed confidence in Ramsey’s ability to lead the department.
Council Approves Vehicle and Project Funding
Council approved amendments to the City’s appropriations, including funding to replace four end-of-life Police Department vehicles.
The City will transition from Dodge Durangos to Chevrolet Tahoes, with $280,000 appropriated for the four vehicles. More than $200,000 was also approved for a replacement ambulance chassis and a Fire Department inspector vehicle.
Additional funding includes $55,000 for engineering associated with the Dry Fork North project, $35,000 for cybersecurity services and $20,000 for records management and public records request software.
Council also approved $150,000 in funding for the Harrison Community Improvement Corporation to support grants and future improvement projects. A $3 million transfer from the wastewater operating fund to the wastewater reserve fund was included in the amendments.
Dry Fork Project Remains on Schedule
The removal of the Dry Fork bridge deck was expected to be completed by the end of the workday Tuesday.
Concrete work for the eastbound I-74 ramp is also moving ahead. Despite complications associated with the construction, the project remains on schedule, including the planned 45-day ramp closure.
The City is also working with the developer of the Harrison Avenue and Midland property on a requested lane closure. Officials have asked whether the work can be completed in sections rather than closing the full lane along the development for two consecutive weeks.
Elsewhere, paving near Harrison Fire Station 56 and Harrison Home Bakery has been completed. The City also awarded a contract to repaint the concrete portions of the West Road and New Haven Road overpasses.
Public Works employees recently responded to storm damage at 32 locations. The City’s monthly yard waste collection following the storms was among the heaviest employees could recall.
Development Projects Continue Moving
Construction is underway at Harrison Town Center, and the necessary permits have been approved. During the Economic Development Committee report, City Council heard updates involving Target, Aldi, Five Below, Esther Price and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
JTM is completing a major renovation that includes construction of a new culinary center. Work also continues inside Harrison Commons, the former Big Lots property, although the exterior portion of the project has been delayed while contractors wait for materials.
The City’s comprehensive plan and zoning review remain underway, with completion anticipated in late October or early November.
Residents may also notice increased activity downtown as a movie production films in the Harrison District from Aug. 10 through Aug. 25.
Around Harrison
The City’s new communications and media position is scheduled to be posted Aug. 21.
City Council will hold a work session at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 to review the Charter Review Commission’s recommendations and determine which proposed changes may move forward. The Planning Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11.
Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus visited the meeting to discuss county partnership programs and resources available to Harrison. She reported that the City has received approximately $321,000 through county recycling and economic development programs in recent years.
You can download Hamilton County’s 2026 Menu of Opportunity here for a quick guide to county resources, contacts and partnership programs available to Harrison residents and businesses.
Hamilton County Menu of Opportunity:
The American Legion Charities Committee presented its monthly $2,500 contribution to the Harrison Mayor’s Fund. The organization also recently donated $1,500 to help the Harrison Moms Club provide meals for the high school football team.
The Whitewater Shaker Village history presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27, with registration recommended. Kinderbridge Story Time returns at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 14 for children ages four to six and their caregivers. The branch’s farm-themed Customer Appreciation Day is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 19, with face painting from noon to 2 p.m.
Barbecue, Brews and Bluegrass is scheduled for Sept. 12 from 4 to 10 p.m. in downtown Harrison.
To watch the full Aug. 4 City Council meeting, visit ICRC-TV below for the complete recording.