MHRB Considers Purchase of a Generator
Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (GC-MHRS) - November 13, 2024
Meeting Details: GC-MHRS Board held its regular monthly meeting on November 13, 2024, at 6:00 pm at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024. The meeting was a change from the usual schedule of the third Wednesday. This meeting was in person only with no recording available. No agenda was available in advance on the website or on social media, but the agenda is available through a request to Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater by email at tslater@geauga.org.
Public Comment Policy: No formal policy but in practice, public comment is permitted at the end of the meeting.
Board Members Attending: Chair Steven Oluic, Treasurer Michael Petruziello, Secretary Jimmy Lee Holden and Board Members Carolee Lesyk, Reba Dykes, Kathy Johnson, Patricia Varanese, Douglas Lundblad, and Mary Ruth Shumway.
Board Members Absent: Vice Chair Alberta Chokshi was absent.
Staff Members Attending: Executive Director Christine Lakomiak, Clinical/Compliance Manager Michelle Maneage, Finance Director Jim Mausser and Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater.
Service Providers: Vicki Clark, President and CEO, Ravenwood, and Kristy Mowry, Red Tulip Project. There may have been more service providers present, but unlike in previous meetings, there was no sign-in sheet.
Guests: Unidentified members of the public and this LWVG Observer.
Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance occurred as listed on the agenda. The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm.
Minutes from the October 16, 2024 meeting were approved. Minutes are posted on the Board’s webpage here.
Chairman’s Report: Dr. Oluic reported on the following:
Dr. Oluic said that the work on the Transitional Living Center (TLC) has begun. He said the fact that this project came to fruition is a great reflection on the staff, the Board and the Community. He also thanked the Geauga County voters for their generous support.
Executive Director’s Report:
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OHMHAS (Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services) provided an update on SOS 4.0. This is a funding program previously open to county boards only but this year it was opened to applications by individual agencies. All the Agencies who applied received funds, but the final amounts are not yet known. Observer Note: See more information on this program here. Ms. Lakomiak said that all the agencies who submitted requests in Geauga County were funded, but so far they don’t know how much, or which programs were funded. Because many agencies begin their fiscal year in October, some have been providing funds up front with the hopes of getting funds from OHMHAS from the SOS 4.0 grants. The agencies that applied for and received funding are: Red Tulip, Rape Crisis Center, Ravenwood and Family Pride. The only thing known right now is that amount that was funded was less than in prior years. In prior years the funds came directly to GMHRS and it appears that this year the total amount is less than what was received in prior years. In the past, GMHRS made the awards, so the amounts for each agency could be different than what was allocated in the past by GMHRS. The actual programs for these agencies was also not known as each agency can submit for multiple programs. The Director said there would be more discussion on this once they know more.
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First Responder Wellness Initiative - The staff partnered with Munson last week for a program on wellness. Steve Click, Program Director of Ohio's Office of First Responder Wellness came from Columbus. Ms. Lakomiak said that members of the road crew also attended because they often come in after an accident, and the Director noted that these crews often see difficult things and have to clean up the area.
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Suicide Numbers in Geauga - There have been fourteen suicides now in Geauga in 2024, with March being the month with the highest rate. The Director said that they are partnering with a group called mantherapy.org to present a program on January 9th with the Suicide Prevention Coalition, and they will also be present for the Resource Fair in March to be put on by MHRS. Observer Note: When information is available about these events it will be included in future Observer reports.
Mapping looked at using the *211 program, collecting data from shelters and information from JFS (Job and Family Services) and United Way on entry programs. Ms. Dykes said this was a better way to get data than the prior HUD survey in January, since it had been difficult to locate unhoused individuals in January.
It was noted that the city of Chardon had designated Mel Harder Park as an area where the unsheltered could erect tents. This seemed to be an acceptable solution except it was noted that it is adjacent to the fields which are used for ball games in the summer.
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Transportation: They are gathering data on rates, scheduling and access.
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Mental Health Stabilization: The Director said that it is hoped that the TLC (Transitional Living Center) will aid in this effort. She also noted that Geauga/University Hospital now has a mental health unit. Ms. Shumway did note, though, that there is not any inpatient facility for alcohol detox in Geauga County. Ms. Lakomiak said that medication-assisted drug treatment is available at Ravenwood and Lake/Geauga Recovery.
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Service Access - See information above.
Committee Reports - Observer Note: Due to the restructuring of the Board to a smaller size, there are now just two Committees. They are: 1) Programs & Policies: Kathy Johnson - Chair, and Committee Members Alberta Chokshi, Mary Ruth Shumway, Patricia Varanese and Michelle Maneage, and 2) Fiscal & Capital: Reba Dykes - Chair, and Committee Members James Lee Holden, Kathy Johnson, Michael Petruziello, Jim Mauser and Teresa Slater.
Board Review and Action Items
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Acknowledgement of Geauga County Single Audit for Calendar Year 2022 - There was some discussion about how this Audit, which was a State audit, was late in coming. It was noted that they are presently working on the 2023 audit.
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Financial Reports - Mr. Mausser gave this report:
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In the Board SFY2025 office budget through October (Fiscal Year starts July 1), they have currently expended 28.6% of the budget.
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In the County Calendar year (1/1/24-12/31/24) budget, they have expended just over $6.47 Million through October.
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The Auditor’s Fund Balance - October unencumbered balance is just under $2.7 Million
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Voucher recap for October - $821,477.84
Old Business: None
New Business: Two items
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Generator Contract - The Director spoke of using the MHRS offices as a hub after emergencies like the recent tornado. She has spoken with provider agencies, and they have agreed it would be a good idea. However, Ms. Lakomiak said that they don’t have a generator in the office, so they would have limited resources to share. She talked about how they didn’t have power for many days after the last tornado, and the other agencies did not have power either. She referenced the two quotes that Board members were given for a generator purchase. Observer Note: These quotes were not shared with the public; neither specific figures nor potential companies who could install the generator were mentioned. Ms. Lakomiak said that it would be a 48 Kilowatt (KW) Generator, which would not run the entire building but would take care of essentials. She said that if they agreed to the contract at this meeting and paid a downpayment, they could get the generator by January. Vicki Clark, President and CEO of Ravenwood, confirmed that Ravenwood was putting in a generator. Mr. Mauser mentioned that they might need a gas line upgrade, and Mr. Lundblad agreed that would probably have to occur. It was stated that the generator would need to go on a concrete slab in the rear of the building.
Mr. Holder felt that there should be more quotes. During the discussion, two types of generators were mentioned - Kohler and Generac.
Ms. Shumway asked about an extended warranty, and it did not appear from the discussion that this was covered in the quote they were reviewing.
Mr. Lundblat asked if there is a backup plan and location for the County for disaster relief. Ms. Lakomiak said that there is a group that would meet, but there is no designated place.
Ms. Lakomiak met with the MHRS IT provider and they recommended a generator be purchased. Ms. Lakomiak acknowledged that they have a server on site and do not use cloud-based services. Mr. Holden wondered why they were not looking at the cloud. Mr. Lundblat also thought that cloud based would be best, and he thought they should also look at the cloud for phone service.
It was stated that the size of the generator recommended was based on the fact that they have 400 amp service and four furnaces. Many Board members thought this was a lot for a building their size, and it was speculated that perhaps when the building was put up they had anticipated that it would be expanded.
It was suggested that they get two more quotes, and Portman Electric and Shepp Electric Company were mentioned as companies who could install the generator. Observer Note: From the discussion, it appeared that the companies who submitted bids also included installation costs, including putting in a concrete pad.
Mr. Mauser said that the money for the generator would come from the General Fund. He said there is currently $2.7 million in the General Fund, and they want to keep a minimum of $1.5 Million in the General Fund.
It was discussed that they could have a brief meeting to discuss the additional information that would be received and then potentially get the generator in a few months. Because there is no December MHRS meeting, if there isn’t a special meeting, the information could not be presented until the January meeting, which would delay installation until spring. Observer Note: No special meeting was actually scheduled, but one could be later on.
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Replace Copier - Ms. Lakomiak said they recently learned that their copier will be discontinued and that getting service and parts for it will become difficult. It is currently 7- 8 years old. A quote was presented to the Board that was stated to be “government rate,” though the exact dollar amount was not specified. Mr. Mauser said it was on the National Association of State Procurements List. It was stated that the new copier will do what they want and that it will fax as well. There was a discussion as to whether to lease or buy the copier. Dr. Oluic said that they tend to keep copiers for a long time so purchase seems to be the better option. Mr. Mauser said that the Maintenance agreement would be $80/month, whether they lease or purchase.
The Board voted to approve a purchase of the new copier.
Public Comments:
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Dr. Oluic said that he had a comment, and he praised the Director for ensuring that patients from Geauga County who are at Northcoast Behavioral Health receive counseling. Ms. Lakomiak said that Ravenwood helps with the counseling. She said she felt it was important to establish ties with patients so that when they get discharged they will already have a relationship with a provider. Observer Note: This facility is available for those with severe mental health issues. See more information here.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 pm.
Board Minutes: Available at https://www.geauga.org/board-minutes/
Next meeting: The next meeting will be in January, as the Board does not meet in December. However, as noted above, there could be a Special Meeting to consider the generator contract. Meetings are held at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024.
More Information: https://www.geauga.org/
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 11/18/2024
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