Board of Commissioners Approves $800,000 in Airport Funding by a Vote of 2 to 1
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - April 8, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Meetings can also be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The April 8, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 286 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the first video for a particular section. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners’ Clerk and at the meeting. Items discussed at the meeting but not on the agenda, if any, are addressed at the end of this report.
Public Comment Policy: Permitted as outlined in the BOCC’s Public Comment Policy that was adopted on January 28, 2025.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Ralph Spidalieri, James Dvorak and Carolyn Brakey. Also present were Commissioners Clerk Christine Blair, Acting County Administrator Linda Burhenne and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP (Automatic Data Processing); Shane Hajjar, Engineer’s Department; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging; Elaine Malkamemaki, Program Manager, Community Development; Mathew Sieracki, Maintenance; Charles Tkatch, Program Manager, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Kathy Hustutler, Human Resource Manager; Tracey Salkiewicz, Deputy Engineer, Engineers Office; Laura Lachapelle, Prosecutor’s Office and George Hess, Airport Authority Board Member.
Others in Attendance: Additional members of the Airport Authority, County residents Tom and Diane Jones, Munson Township (Sand Hill Trail, see Public Hearing section below) resident Mathia Lee, other members of the public and press, and this LWVG Observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: The minutes from the meeting and work session on March 25, 2025 were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through April 8, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through March 18, 2025.
Administrator Report - Ms. Burhenne approved the following:
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Community and Economic Development - Promotion of an employee to the position of Project Manager
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Appropriation transfer from Board of Elections in their special election fund to move money into their Medicare Fund
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A $35.00 voucher from the Commissioners to the Geauga County Township Association for travel expense
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Certification in the Commissioners Airport Construction Fund for money that will be transferred to construct a new T Hangar
14:37 Min - Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following: Observer Note: Monetary figures are given when available.
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Transfer to Public Assistance for the April-June 2025 mandated share
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Then and Now expenses from 2024 not previously encumbered:
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Department on Aging to Marc Glassman for purchases
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Sheriff to regional hospitals for inmate medical bills
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Water Resources for the McFarland wastewater treatment plant improvements debt administrative expenses
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Travel for Common Pleas Court, Engineer’s Office, Job and Family Services, Probate Court and Water Resources
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Vouchers:
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$104,105.00 from Commissioners’ Office to Ravenwood Mental Health Center for 2nd quarter operations commitment
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$88,826.00 from Engineer’s Office to Tim Lally Chevrolet for two 2025 inspector trucks. These are not replacement vehicles.
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$31,240.00 from Maintenance to Vicon Company to install motorized door openers at the Geauga County office building
Auditor’s Office received approval to execute and file the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Auditor for the months of October – December 2024 and January and February 2025.
Treasurer’s Office received approval to execute and file the monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Treasurer for the months of October – December 2024 and January and February 2025.
ADP Board received approval to execute Resolution #25-059 to Grant Approval to the Geauga County Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Board to Enter into an Agreement with the Legislative Authority of the Township of Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio to provide microfilming, automatic data processing or other imaging processing or electronic data processing or record keeping services.
County Engineer’s Office received approval to execute Resolution #25-060 to Order the Realignment of Bainbridge Road at Washington Street and Traffic Signalization in Auburn Township. The cover sheet of the plans was previously executed by the Board on February 11, 2025. Further, this Resolution sets a Bid Opening using Bid Express at the County Engineer’s Office on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Community and Economic Development Department received approval for the following:
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To award the Bid to Country Roofing, LLC for the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) project - Chagrin Falls Park Community Center – Roof Replacement in the amount of $64,430.56, as they represented the lowest and best bid.
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To award the Bid to Lindsey Construction and Design, Incorporated for the CDBG project – Maple Leaf Community Residences – Roof and Window Replacement in the amount of $98,859.65, as they represented the lowest and best bid.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To execute the Agreement for Professional Surveying Services with Gutoskey and Associates, Incorporated to perform professional surveying services at various County locations per the Director, for a two-year period, effective April 8, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
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To execute the Contract Agreement with Cable Communications, Incorporated to install cameras at the Geauga County Office Building per specifications, to be effective April 8, 2025, with all work to be completed within 180 days, in an amount not to exceed $20,951.68.
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To execute the Agreement for Professional Design Services with Verdantas Architecture, Incorporated to provide professional design and contract administration services related to upgrading the existing roof on the Courthouse Annex, 231 and 237 Main Street buildings located in Chardon, in an amount not to exceed $24,740.00.
The Department of Water Resources requested the President of the Board to execute the First Amendment to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program Grant Agreement between the State of Ohio, Department of Development and Geauga County for the Aquilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project design and engineering grant, revising the expiration date. This is the final step in the grant, as all funds have been received and the final report submitted.
26:23 Min - A Public Hearing was held at 9:45 am for the proposed Vacation of the Public Right of Way upon Sandhill Trail (TR-0753) in Munson Township. Representatives from the Engineer’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office were present, as well as Sandhill Trail resident Mathia Lee. All were sworn in. Ms. Salkiewicz from the Engineer's Office read a history of the parcels involved. The hearing was closed at 10:10. There will be action taken at the next meeting on April 15, 2025.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #25-061 Sixth Amended Resolution Approving the Use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2025 to include additional employees for the Common Pleas Court.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Application for Authorization to permit the use of County Credit Cards for the Common Pleas Court, to add three additional employees for use of the Geauga Credit Union Visa, for the Year 2025.
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To execute the Certification Request to County Auditor, Request to Board of Commissioners Quarterly Use of County Credit Cards, for the Year 2025 (Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4) for the Veterans Service Commission.
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To execute Change Order #6 increasing the contract with Infinity Construction Company on the Courthouse Expansion Project, GMP #2, for additional millwork, courtroom podiums, monitor brackets, intercom systems for interview rooms, TV drops and electrical revision, exterior secure parking gate conduit and wall revisions at security desk, in the amount of $50,791.00.
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To execute Addendum No. 2 to Lease between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and the Ohio Department of Public Safety for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Chardon Deputy Registrar for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 for the lease of 1,975 square feet of office space, in the amount of $32,548.00 per year.
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To execute Resolution #25-064 Proclaiming May 4, 2025 through May 10, 2025 as Public Service Recognition Week for 2025.
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A Merit Increase for Deborah Ashburn, Senior Fiscal Specialist to the rate of $29.13 per hour (Grade 12, Step 4) to be effective April 13, 2025.
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To amend the motion from March 18, 2025 to revise the start date to read: approve hiring and appointment of Amy Bevan to the position of County Administrator (#1301) to be effective May 5, 2025 at the rate of $60.46 per hour (Grade E19, Step 9).
1:00:23 Min - The Commissioners’ Office requested the Board approve and execute Resolution #25-063 Authorizing the Airport Authority to Construct a new T Hangar at the Geauga County Airport and to Approve an Appropriation of $800,000.00 from the General Fund to the Airport Construction Fund for the Purpose of Contributing towards the Construction and Improvements at the Airport. This resolution was discussed and an amended resolution was introduced to replace it. This resolution and the amended one replace the Commissioners’ approval of $1.33 million in funding for the Airport Authority at the December 17, 2024 BOCC meeting. Today’s discussion centered on the terms of the required Agreement between the Airport Authority and the Commissioners. Both the introduced resolution and amended resolution included a reduction in funding from the original $1.33 million to $800,000.
Following discussion regarding the new amended version of the resolution, the Commissioners voted on whether to amend the original resolution that was on the agenda (#25-063). The new amended resolution had been reviewed by the Prosecutor’s Office. This more complicated resolution was in response to the airport discussion at the BOCC meeting on April 1, 2025. The amended resolution included language for accountability in the required agreement. Ms. Brakey stated that the new language will protect the taxpayers. After much discussion, the Commissioners voted in favor of the amended resolution and agreement with one additional change: the approval of Airport Authority salaries by the Commissioners was deleted. It was approved by a vote of 2 to 1, with Mr. Spidalieri voting no. The amended resolution can be found here.
1:47:26 Board Discussion:
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Ms. Burhenne suggested a discussion of the new public comment policy. They will look at a digital option in place of the time clock. They discussed extending the 2 minute time allotted to 3 minutes. They will have a resolution next week.
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Mr. Spidalieri expressed concern about the cost of the streaming of the weekly meeting. He questions the amount of time and money due to the number of employees that are in the room. He also questioned the lack of views that the meeting receives. He stated that he thinks most of those views are by county employees.
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Mr. Spidalieri brought up the moving of the First Energy/Illuminating Company facility located in Middlefield. It is being consolidated into the Concord location. He expressed concern that their ability to respond during power outages will be diminished. Ms. Burhenne will draft a letter to CEI.
2:04:31 Min - Public Comment
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Local citizens expressed their support for the airport. They also thanked the Commissioners for authorization of the $800,000.
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This observer stated that the League of Women Voters has received positive feedback on the recording of the weekly meeting.
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A South Russell resident inquired whether the $250,000 that was approved for the Dog Warden had been spent yet. Ms. Burhenne stated that it has not, and that the Dog Warden is working on plans with the maintenance director.
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A reporter from Chagrin Valley Times posed the question to Mr. Spidalieri, “Why are you concerned about the cost of the streaming but you don't seem to be concerned about the equipment that does not work in the room?” The reporter stated that this has been brought up in multiple meetings. He responded that he has heard from multiple people about the amount of people that are in the room to monitor a camera to take a video. He said that the non-working equipment is a question for ADP. Mr. Antenucci stated that they have to configure what is there and make it work within their system.
Meeting adjourned 11:36 am.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next BOCC meeting is on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: 04/14/2025
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