Additional Courthouse Annex Building Repairs Approved
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - June 24, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 24, 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 June 24, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 130 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the 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 and revised on April 15, 2025. Observer Note: The above link to the Policy does not have the revision, which was simply to change the time allowed for public comment from two minutes to three minutes.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey and James Dvorak. Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri was absent. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Debbi Dudek, Probation, Court of Common Pleas; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Office; Cindi Haycox Wellman, Program Director, Victim Witness Program; Chuck Tkach, Program Manager, Maintenance; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Mara McClain, Account Executive, Sedgwick TPA; Kathleen Hostutler, Geauga County Benefits Specialist; and Representatives from Geauga Fair Board : Megan Anderson, President, Keith Chapman, Vice President, and Meg Noah, Secretary.
Others in Attendance: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP; County residents Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and press, and this Observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Commissioner Dvorak.
Minutes: Minutes from the meeting of May 13, 2025 were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through June 24, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 1, 2025.
8:06 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan received approval for the financials from June 18, 2025:
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To execute a satisfaction release of mortgage for Opportunities Gateway LLC, Exscape Designs LLC and Matthew and Megan Johnson as the mortgages have been satisfied
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New hire for Job and Family Services of a Social Services Worker I, replacement
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New Hire for Maintenance Department of a Maintenance Worker
11:38 Min Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Then and Now encumbrance from the Commissioners for the first contract payment due to Sedgewick Claims Management, as this was not previously encumbered. This is for May and June, 2025.
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Travel for the Engineer’s Office
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Vouchers:
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$61,161.00 from the Clerk of Courts and Common Pleas Court to Courtview Justice Solutions for the courtroom management software
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$135,121.88 from the Engineer’s Office to Ronyak Paving Inc for asphalt resurfacing of Auburn Rd.
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$50,000 from Maintenance to US Postal Service for postage for the mailing machine.
13:20 Min. The Common Pleas Court received approval to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners, the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas and the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office approving the submission of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s Bureau of Community Sanctions (BCS) Targeted Community Alternative to Prison (T-CAP) Grant, documenting the roles and responsibilities for compliance requirements of the grant for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 (FY2026 and FY2027).
This grant provides funds to communities to effectively provide treatment services and to hold accountable low-level non violent offenders in the community which helps to keep them out of prison.
15:30 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval to execute Change Order #1, increasing the Contract with Miller Builders LLC for the Construction of a Salt Storage Building to meet snow load requirements of the County Building Department in the amount of $14,800.64.
This change order is due to snow load requirements that were changed after the project was bid.
The Prosecutor’s Office received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Grant Application Request for the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) and State Victim Advocacy Act (SVAA) (#136129722) in the amount of $49,454.10. As part of this grant, $28,441.10 is being requested from federal VOCA funds with a local match from the County General Fund of $16,552.00, and $4,461.00 is being requested from SVAA with no local match. This grant is for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
OhioGuidestone is requesting the Board approve and execute a letter of support to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council in support of the grant application for “Pathways to Progress: Community Outreach and Family Engagement for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.” This grant will support the expansion of their Beyond Limits Program, with outreach efforts and engagement within the communities and counties it serves, including Geauga County.
Ms. Brakey voiced her concern about this new grant and what would happen to the new program or position if the grant is not renewed. There was not a representative present so this was tabled until the next session.
20:55 Min The Maintenance Department received approval for the proposed concept design for repairs at the Courthouse Annex buildings located at 215 and 219 Main Street that includes repairs of masonry walls, roofs, and rear additions, as the engineering estimate of construction costs is approximately $200,000.00.
Mr. Takatch presented engineering reports and an explanation of issues that should be addressed as the estimate is larger than originally planned. He presented two separate options. Option #1 is the full scope of work for $234,500 and Option #2 is $162,000 but does not address all issues. Ms. Brakey stated “we should think about the long term and probably make this investment now.” Mr. Dvorak agreed and both Commissioners approved option #1.
31:07 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To advertise for Bids for DWR (Department of Water Resources) Fuel and Fuel Tank Provider to be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 2:15 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on June 26, 2025, July 3, 2025, and on the County website.
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To accept the proposed updates to the Geauga County Facility Planning Area (FPA) boundaries as part of NOACA’s five-year update process. Mr. Gorris said that this is an exact description of location of every gravity sewer, not a forecast of future needs. He said they plan on doing the same thing for water.
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To release the Bid/Performance Bonds for the following projects, as all specifications have been satisfied: S.E.T. Incorporated for the Bainbridge Sewer Main Re-Alignment project, Viking Painting, LLC for the Water Towers Painting and Improvements project and Woodford Excavating, LLC for the Bainbridge Waterline Extension project.
39:34 Min Presentation by Mara McClain, Account Executive from Sedgwick TPA (Third Party Administrator) Ms. McClain presented the Commissioners with a report on Group Retrospective Rating Premium and Rebate History for Workers Compensation. The County is currently enrolled in the Group program. As the TPA for Geauga County, Sedgwick is the employer advocate and helps to mitigate claim costs. Ms. McClain remarked that the group experience rating for Geauga County is very good. Ms. Brakey asked about self insurance. Ms. McClain stated that she would be happy to run a study for the Commissioners on self insurance. The Commissioners were asked to approve the new plan agreement for the year starting January 1, 2026. This was tabled until Ms. McClain can provide self insurance information to the Commissioners.
The Geauga County Agricultural Society (Fair Board) provided an update regarding happenings at the Geauga County Fairgrounds. Ms. Noah remarked that the new poultry barns are almost finished and that there will be a ribbon cutting. She also provided some of the renovation highlights, such as the restrooms, change to LED lighting, remodeling of the Sheriff's Office, and repairs from storm damage.
Ms. Noah also presented some information about a new multi purpose building that they are considering. The estimated cost for the building is $5 million. They are just starting the process but do have two grants that they may use. Ms. Brakey asked if they had a specific amount that they would request from the Commissioners. Ms. Noah said she did not at this time.
1:18:00 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to advertise for Bids for Furniture Contractor Geauga County Courthouse Expansion Project to be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on June 27, 2025, July 4, 2025 and on the County website.
Ms. Burhenne remarked that they originally had a quote of approximately $600,000.
Public Comment
A resident from South Russell Village remarked about the fly-in event at the Geauga County Airport. He said it was wonderful and well attended.
A reporter from Chagrin Valley Times asked how the annex building was allowed to get into such a bad state and if this is a problem. Mr. Dvorak stated that addressing the issues was always put on the back burner but they are addressing it now.
Meeting adjourned at 10:48
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two Regular Meetings of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, July, 1, 2025 and Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B3WS03, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: July 2, 2025
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