McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project Schedule Discussed
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - July 23, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Special Session on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. The Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 was cancelled. The Tuesday, July 15 Regular Meeting was also cancelled for lack of a quorum. Meetings can be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The July 23, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 143 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, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton. Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne was absent.
County Representatives: Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Office; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging; Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community and Economic Development; Board of Elections Deputy Director Nora McGinnis and Office Administrator Scott Daisher; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Human Resources Director Kathleen Hostutler
Others in Attendance: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP; Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community and Economic Development; Mary Ruth Shumway, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Director, County residents Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and press, and this Observer.
2:35 Min. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited
Minutes were submitted for approval for June 3, 2025 and June 10, 2025 and were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through July 23, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 1, 2025.
4:06 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan presented the financials from July 9, 2025, July 15, 2025 and July 22, 2025 as well as the following actions from July 14, 2025 and July 19, 2025.
For July 9, Ms. Bevan approved the following:
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Formal contract purchase order from the Commissioners’ Office to Cash Moving Corporation for moving expenses related to the Board of Elections relocation to the County Office Building.
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Appropriation transfer from the Commissioners’ General Fund miscellaneous capital transfers out account to the Sheriff for additional appropriations needed for the purchase of six new patrol vehicles.
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Supplemental in the Commissioners’ capital reserve fund phase 2 utilities and permit fees expense account to cover upcoming expenses related to the sewer service connection for the new youth center.
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Cash transfer from the Commissioners’ General Fund miscellaneous capital transfers out account to the new dog shelter building and improvement fund that was approved in session on December 27th, 2024.
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Transfer from the General Fund to Family First Council for the July through September 2025 commitment.
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Encumbrance increase from the Commissioners to Lake County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division for the fees to house juveniles in the custody of the court.
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Travel for the Common Pleas Court and the Engineer’s Office.
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Purchase order from Water Resources to Junction Auto Sales Inc. for the purchase of a 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 quadcap 4x4 replacement pickup truck.
Vouchers
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$190,596.46 from ADP to CDW Government Inc. for the County's Crowdstrike Computer Endpoint User Protection Services renewal. Ms. Bevan noted that they paid $125,644 in 2024.
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$63,721.99 from the Commissioners’ Office to the Ohio State University for the County's third quarter 2025 program support payment.
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$557,166.86 from the Commissioners’ Office to Infinity Construction Company for pay request 21 of the courthouse expansion project.
On July 22, Ms. Bevan approved the following:
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Appropriation transfer from the Commissioners’ General Fund miscellaneous reimbursements account to ADP for CORSA (County Risk Sharing Authority) cyber grant reimbursements that were deposited into the General Fund.
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Supplemental from the Auditor in the General Fund vendor license reimbursement account to allow for a payment of vendor licenses to the state.
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Cash transfer from the General Fund to the Board of Developmental Disabilities for gas well proceeds from April to June 2025.
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Cash transfer from the General Fund to Community Development, Metzenbaum and Board of Elections for the second quarter 2025 interest transfer.
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Travel for the Auditor’s Office and Job and Family Services.
Vouchers
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$587,926 from Community Development to Country Roofing LLC for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding for the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center roof project.
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$89,775 from the Sheriff's Office to Motorola Solutions, Inc. for 800 megahertz trunk radio system upgrades.
Also Ms. Bevan approved the following:
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Hiring a part-time recreation and education assistant in the Department on Aging
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An unpaid personal leave of absence in the Department on Aging
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For Community and Economic Development, accepted the economic development revolving loan fund semiannual report and the housing revolving loan fund program income report for the period of January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025 and further authorized the electronic submission of these reports.
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Acknowledged a new hire for a social services worker replacement effective June 23, 2025 for Job and Family Services.
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For maintenance, approved increasing the current posting for the position of maintenance worker number 1904 from one to two positions. These positions will remain posted until filled.
On July 21, for the Department on Aging, Ms. Bevan amended the motion from July 14 to review the start date to read approving hiring for the position of part-time recreation and education assistant number 105-1 to be effective August 4.
On July 21, Ms Bevan approved for the Department of Water Resources the resignation of an employee in the maintenance worker number 2330 role to be effective July 25, 2025.
Financial Report - Observer Note: There was no Financial Report from Mr. Gorton due to the cancelled meetings and the necessity for Ms. Bevan to approve financials As stated in the Agenda: pursuant to Resolution #25-004, approved January 7, 2025 to authorize the County Administrator to execute, in the case of a lack of quorum of Commissioners and/or if session is cancelled on a regular financial day or on a day when financials need to be approved, the required approvals for county financials.
11:37 Min. The Board of Elections received approval for the following:
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Resolution #25-148 declaring County Property as not needed for public use, is obsolete or unfit for use and has no value, as authorized by O.R.C. 301.12(1), that includes ninety-five (95) electronic pollbooks, printers and associated accessories (voting equipment).
Mr. Spidalieri asked if the pollbooks (or poll pads) could be donated. Ms. McGinnis and Mr. Daisher explained that these old pollbooks (purchased in 2017) could not be updated. They also both said that the Prosecutor told them that, because these were deemed election materials, they could not be sold or donated.
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To execute Resolution #25-149 Requesting the County Auditor to establish a new fund called the “2025 Election Security Grant Fund” to account for revenue and expenses from the 2025 Security of Critical Infrastructure Funding. Ms. McGinnis said that they received $10,000 for cyber security from the State of Ohio and have been waiting to deposit the check until they could get approval from the Commissioners to create the proper account.
Mrs. Brakey asked if they were in compliance with the Secretary of State’s directive. Ms. McGinnis said that they were and that they would be adding two new computers because two of their computers can’t be updated to Windows 11.
16:52 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Change Order #1 and Final, decreasing the Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads including Clay Street (CH-0037, Sections E-F) and Leggett Road (CH-0033, Section A) in Huntsburg and Montville Townships in the amount of $32,161.50. Mr. Hajjar said that the material quality needed was less than the estimate.
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To execute Change Order #2 and Final, increasing the Contract with Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Auburn Road (CH-0004, Sections R-U) in Chardon Township in the amount of $9,581.00. Mr. Hajjar said that the quantity of materials was increased on this project.
18:40 Min. The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
Ms. Boalt explained that there has been a lot of turnover for this position, and one of the issues was that the employees in this position were required to work five days a week for only a total of 25-27 hours a week. By increasing the number of employees, they can cut down on the number of days per week that each employee would need to work.
20:23 Min. The Department of Community and Economic Development received approval to advertise and to hold Public Hearing #3 for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Revolving Loan Fund Program. This Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 9:45 am. Notice of this Public Hearing will be advertised on July 31, 2025, and on the County website. Ms. Malkamaki said that the $2.6 Million Senior Center funding is already available in several accounts. She said that as loans are repaid, the funds are deposited, making money available for future use.
22:28 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To execute Change Order #1, increasing the Contract with North Bay Construction for the Department of Emergency Services Generator Upgrade project due to a change in the scope of work regarding an automatic transfer switch, in the amount of $10,359.38.
Mr. Vernick said that the new total is still under the other bids received. He said that a new switch was in the bid specifications but none of the bidders had included the price for the switch.
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To grant permission to advertise for Bids for the West Geauga Senior Center/MSI Wastewater Treatment Plant Dedicated Standby Generator Installation to be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on July 25, 2025, August 1, 2025, and on the County website.
Mr. Vernick said that a large generator (200 amp) is needed to run the whole building and the Wastewater Treatment Plant that is used for that building. The cost estimate mentioned by Mrs. Brakey was $191,000. She also confirmed that the Senior Center can be used as a warming center.
28:07 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To award the Bid to Ullman Oil Company for the Fuel and Fuel Tank Provider as they represented the lowest and best bid. Mr. Gorris said that Ullman is their current provider as well.
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To authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Ohio Water Development Authority Fund Payment Request #4 for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project for technical services by HDR Engineering, Incorporated in the amount of $65,245.33.
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To authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Request for Partial Payment #1 for Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project in the amount of $3,110,816.00, and execute the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Contractor’s Estimate, and the OWDA Fund Payment Request #1 in the amount of $1,610,816.00.
Mrs. Brakey asked if there was an owner’s representative looking out for the interests of the County, and Mr. Gorris said that HDR Incorporated functions as the owner's representative. Mr. Gorris also said that $1.5 Million of recent work was paid out of the ARPA fund.
Mr. Dvorak asked about the completion date and Mr. Gorris said they are anticipating July 2027. He said they are hoping to be switched over to the new treatment plant in March-April. They will be running both plants at the same time as they transition.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Shepp Electric Company, Incorporated to perform generator maintenance and repair services, including emergency service calls, at various locations within the Department for a one-year period, effective July 22, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00.
32:27 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute the Geauga County/County Commissioners Association of Ohio Workers’ Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Plan Agreement with the CCAO (County Commissioners Association of Ohio) Service Corporation for the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $11,500.00 and further execute the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Employer Statement for Group-Retrospective-Rating Program enrollment form.
Mrs. Brakey had several questions for Ms. Hostutler concerning whether it would make more financial sense to self-insure. She had questions about premium amounts and refunds. See the Video for more information. Mrs Hostutler said that while they have fortunately not had any in claims in recent years, a major claim could make it difficult to rejoin an insurance pool. She noted that 59 counties are in the pool and that spreads the risk. Mrs. Brakey said that, “We are subsidizing other counties that aren’t doing well.” Mr. Dvorak mentioned that the consortium requires a ten-point plan, including a Safety Committee.
The Agreement was approved unanimously. Mr. Dvorak asked Ms. Hostutler to keep reviewing the process since he said they might do something different in the future.
47:02 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Change Order #10 increasing the Contract (GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2) with Infinity Construction Company on the Courthouse Expansion Project for additional audiovisual upgrades and the deletion of a network switch in the amount of $11,344.00. Mrs. Brakey confirmed that this was approved by ADP.
Observer Note: This Observer reviewed the remainder of the meeting on-line and through the posted video.
48:30 Min. Executive Session: The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the Board to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of public employees, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(1).
101:57 Min. Return from Executive Session at 10:30 am: There was action announced at the return from Executive Session as follows:
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the creation of the job title and job description for the position of intern number 1332 to be effective July 22, 2025, to also approve the revised organizational chart to include the position of intern number 1332 to be effective July 22, 2025 and to grant permission to advertise for the position of intern number 1332. This position will remain posted until filled. Ms Bevan said they are starting with an intern to judge the need for a communication position. The intern will assist with such things as press releases and social media management.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to appoint Michael Austin Rice as acting Department of Emergency Services Director to be effective August 2. This appointment was for 6 months or until the position of Director of the Department of Emergency Services is filled.
Board Discussion – First Energy Line Shop Update: Mrs. Brakey reported that she had a call with Dave Connelly at First Energy who said no one is reporting to the Middlefield location and he was unsure of future plans.
Public Comment
Diane Jones asked about the completion date for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Gorris said substantial completion will be March 2027 at which time switching over will start with total completion by July 2027.
A citizen of South Russell Village discussed Liberty Camp and asked everyone to attend the final celebration on Friday, July 25.
1:08 Min. Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:40 am. Observer Note: This observer was not present for the end of the meeting and the time is an approximation based on the video.
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, 29, 2025 and Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: July 27, 2025
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