Board of County Commissioners - April 9, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 am on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. The meetings are in-person only, and there are no recordings for the public. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners’ Clerk and at the meeting.
Public Comment Policy: Observer Comment: Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri announced at the end of the April 4, 2023 meeting that public comment would be permitted and that a more formal policy would be forthcoming. There was no formal policy introduced today, but public comment was permitted.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Spidalieri and James Dvorak. Commissioner Timothy Lennon was absent. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Jessica Boalt, Director, Office on Aging; Matthew Sieracki, Coordinator, Maintenance Department; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer; Kathleen Hostutler, Human Resources Administrator; Sheila Bevington, Clerk of Courts; Gregg Potts, Probation Department, and Elaine Malkameki, Program Director, Community and Economic Development.
Others in Attendance: Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Carolyn Brakey, County Commissioner Candidate and Geauga Public Health District Board Member; reporter from the Geauga County Maple Leaf; other members of the public, and this observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: No meeting minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through April 9, 2024 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through January 8, 2024.
Observer Note: There was no Financial Report or Report of the County Administrator at this meeting. At the BOCC meeting on April 2, 2024, Mr. Gorton said he would probably not be ready to report at this meeting due to the fact that the offices would be closed on April 8th for the eclipse.
The Clerk of Courts received approval for the following:
-
To execute the Agreement with CourtView Justice Solutions, Inc., d.b.a. Equivalent, to provide professional services as to project management, software configuration, and user acceptance testing with regards to Online Payment Services to be effective April 9, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $2,902.50.
-
To execute the Agreement with Bridge Payment LLC to provide payment processing services in accordance with the merchant application and agreement for a three year period, effective April 9, 2024 through January 1, 2027, and further approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute the Merchant Application and Agreement.
The Common Pleas Court – New Leaf Program received approval for the following:
Mr. Spidalieri asked if there were any “strings” attached, such as minimum or maximum sentences or other things. Mr. Potts said that there were not.
Mr. Dvorak asked if there would be any match, and Mr. Potts said there was no local match.
-
To apply for a discretionary federal grant through BJA (Bureau of Justice Assistance) to expand and enhance operations in Adult Treatment Drug Courts. This grant is up to a maximum of $2,500,000.00 over a period of forty-eight (48) months.
Mr. Spidaliei asked about the match for this one, and Mr. Potts said it would be 25%. Mr. Spidalieri also asked what would happen if they didn’t use it all, and Mr. Potts said it would go back to the source. Mr. Spidalieri expressed his concern that, if they got the funds and expanded their program, and then they didn’t receive additional funds after the 48 months were over, what would happen? Mr. Potts said that he did not anticipate that they would get the whole amount based on the size of the population in Geauga County. He said that the grant funders also look at a variety of factors, such as how much money is available and being spent now in the county for this type of service (Adult Drug Courts).
-
To apply for the 2024 Regional Grant through One Ohio Recovery Foundation. The grant is to support prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those areas affected by the opioid epidemic. Region 13 includes Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Portage Counties and is approved for $2,478,169.15 per year for 12, 24, or 36 months. It was noted by Mr. Potts that it was unknown how much the County would receive.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
-
To execute the Highway Easement between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and The Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States (Parcel #21-702300) for roadway improvements to Butternut Road (CH-21) in Munson Township in the amount of $5,430.00.
-
To execute Resolution #24-055 to Order the Embankment Stabilization of the Gem Road Bridge (Structure #0264-00.290) in Chester Township and the Embankment Stabilization of the Bundysburg Road Bridge (Structure #0038-03.080) in Parkman Township and to execute the Cover Sheet of the Plans for the same. Further, this Resolution sets a Bid Opening on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:05 a.m. at the Engineer’s Office using Bid Express.This Bid Opening will be advertised on April 11, 2024, and will be placed on the County website.
-
To execute Resolution #24-056 to Order the Application of Pavement Markings to Various Roads, Geauga County, Year 2024. This Resolution also requests that the Board approve and execute the Bid Specification Cover Page for the same. Further, this Resolution sets a Bid Opening on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:05 a.m. at the Engineer’s Office using Bid Express. This Bid Opening will be advertised on April 11, 2024, and will be placed on the County website.
Mr. Dvorak asked if Townships would be involved, and Mr. Hajjar said that, as in the past, the Townships would be notified and would receive preferential pricing from the contractor.
Mr. Spidalieri asked if Bid Express was working, and Mr. Hajjar said that it was, though there are still a few kinks to work out. He reported that the bidders like it because they don’t have to come to the County building.
The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
-
To execute the Modification of SFY 2023-2024 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) Medicare Savings Programs, Low-income Subsidy and Prescription Drug Assistance through the Aging Network, State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and Aging and Disability Resource Centers Grant Agreement for Geauga Seniors Age 60 and over, for the period September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024, increasing the total grant award to $54.54 per eligible individual for a new total award of $5,771.77.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
-
To execute the service Contract Agreement with Brakefire Inc., d.b.a. Silco Fire and Security, Inc., to install a new Gate Operator at the Geauga County Department of Emergency Services for a period of ninety (90) days, effective April 9, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $12,000.00.
Mr. Sieracki said that the entire gate and controller will be replaced.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the 2025 Tax Budget Hearing Schedule, with hearings scheduled on May 7, 2024, May 14, 2024, and on May 21, 2024. Ms. Blair stated that the hearings will be from noon - 4:00 pm on each date, with the exception of the Treasurer’s Office, which will occur at 8:30 am (date currently unknown) and will also include the financial outlook report by the Treasurer. Mr. Dvorak said that more specifics will be available and will be posted outside the Commissioners’ Office at a later date.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Resolution #24-057 Proclaiming May 5, 2024 through
May 11, 2024 as Public Service Recognition Week for 2024.
Items not on agenda:
-
Electronic Signatures: Mr. Morgan and Ms. Burhenne discussed the issue of electronic signatures for contracts. Mr. Burhenne said they are looking into it and will need input from the Prosecutor’s Office and ADP. Mr. Spidalieri said that Ohio has approved this for 20 years. A motion was approved to ask the Prosecutor’s Office for input.
-
Airport Contract - Mr. Spidalieri asked about the progress of the contract for the airport work that was approved and will be paid by the Commissioner's Office. Mr. Morgan said that they are working out contract details with the attorney. Mr. Morgan also stated that a bond will need to be approved as well. It was stated that this should be ready for the next meeting.
Public Comment was solicited, but none was offered.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next meeting will be on April 16, 2024 at 9:30 am at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 4/14/24
The League of Women Voters Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.