Board of County Commissioners - May 9, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)met at 9:30 AM on May 9, 2023 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. BOCC 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.
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.
Attendance: Commissioners James Dvorak, Timothy Lennon, and Ralph Spidalieri were all present. Also present were Commissioner’s Clerk Christine Blair, Finance Director Adrian Gorton, and County Administrator Gerard Morgan.
County Representatives (having issues on the agenda): Shane Hajjar, Engineer’s Office; Nicholas Gorris and Steve Oluic, Water Resources; Gina Hofstetter, Director, and Elaine Malkamaki, Program Coordinator, Dept. of Community and Economic Development.
Others in Attendance: Adam Litke, Geauga Public Health Administrator; Chris Alusheff, President, Health District Advisory Council and Claridon Township Zoning Inspector; members of the press (Maple Leaf, Chagrin Valley Times, Plain Dealer).
Minutes - none submitted for approval. As of May 13, 2023 minutes are available online through March 7, 2023.
County Administrator report - Mr. Morgan, County Administrator, reported on the following actions that he took pursuant to the authority granted to him by the County Commissioners:
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Approval for Maintenance Dept for a service contract for one year with Geauga Mechanical to upgrade the chiller at the Courthouse Annex and other services requested by the Director of Maintenance, up to $8,000
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Approval for an unpaid medical leave and a resignation in the Transit Department.
Pay increase: BOCC approved a resolution from the Commissioners’ Office to clarify the wage increases granted last week as follows: approve a five percent (5%) increase for 2023, effective with Payroll #1, to adjust the wages scales and compensation of the non-bargaining unit employees (current and active) under the hiring authority of the Board of County Commissioners, including current job postings, along with a three percent (3%) increase for 2024 effective with the first payroll and a three percent (3%) increase for 2025 effective with the first payroll, adjusting the hourly rate by rounding to the nearest penny.
In order to provide funds for these rises, the BOCC also approved the following resolution:
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Supplemental increase within the payroll funds of each Office and Department within the General Fund to cover pay increases, with the exception of the Clerk of Courts, Prosecutor, Sheriff, and Juvenile/Probate Courts, as those departments have already granted, received and / or budgeted for their pay increases.
It was noted that those departments outside of the General Fund will be responsible for processing the necessary supplemental appropriations regarding the increase.
Financials - the following were presented by Finance Director Gorton and approved:
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Supplemental from the Commissioners to various departments for payroll due to the approval of raises (see above).
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Cash transfer from General Fund to Community and Economic Development for their second quarter operational funding.
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Cash reversal from Water Resources - a transfer on April 11, 2023 from Construction Fund to Debt Retirement Fund was deemed to be an ineligible transfer by the Geauga County Auditor. It was reversed but then they were informed that the second way was not correct and the first way was probably correct. The County has determined to instead pay debt payments out of the Construction Fund until the Construction Fund is depleted.
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Travel for ADP and Common Pleas
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A Purchase Order for the Sheriff’s Department to reimburse asset forfeiture funds that were deposited into the General Fund.
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Purchase Order for water services to Ohio Machinery Co, for a caterpillar mini excavator.
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Vouchers:
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Revenue certifications - ADP, Water Resources, and Transit for unanticipated revenues.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #23-059 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Brakeman Road (CH-0022, Section A) in Hambden Township. This resolution also requests the Board approve and execute the Title Sheet of the Specifications for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on May 11, 2023 and on the county website.
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To approve and execute Resolution #23-060 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Mumford Road (CH-0024, Sections A-D) in Troy Township. This resolution also requests the Board approve and execute the Title Sheet of the Specifications for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2:05 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on May 11, 2023 and on the county website.
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To approve and execute Resolution #23-061 to Order the Application of Pavement Markings to Various Roads in Geauga County, Year 2023. This resolution also requests the Board approve and execute the Cover Page for Specifications for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2:10 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on May 11, 2023 and on the county website.
Mr. Hajjar explained that Townships are invited to participate in the bulk pricing of this contract and do typically use this. He also said that about one-third of the county roads have their lines painted each year.
Office on Aging:
Received approval to utilize Company 119 for the Geauga County Department on Aging Website Strategy, Design, Development, and Training along with Content Migration and Implementation in the amount of $14,520.00. Mr. Lennon asked whether they had any choice in who to utilize and it was stated that ADP had told them to use Company 119.
The Department of Development (Community & Economic):
Received approval to advertise to hold Public Hearing #2 for the 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocation Program to be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Notice of this Public Hearing will be advertised on May 11, 2023 and on the county website.
Elaine Malkamaki, Program Coordinator, Dept. of Community and Economic Development, said that there were 6 applicants for block grant funding.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with S.A. Comunale Company, Inc., to Perform 5 Year Internal Pipe Inspection and Replace Gauges and Perform Hydrostatic Pressure Test of the Fire Department Connection (FDC), as required by NFPA25 (Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems) at the Merritt Road Garage in the department for a one-year period, effective May 9, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $5,610.
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To execute Resolution #23-062 Approving American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Berkshire Heights Sewer Connection Increase for Certain Properties, including nine (9) parcels with an increase ranging from $4,350.00 up to $7,000.00 for a total increase of $50,100.00 for all eight properties.
It was discussed that these properties had grade levels or lot configurations that required additional labor and/or equipment such as a grinder pump.
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To rescind the motion from January 19, 2023 for Resolution #23-009 that Approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Expenditure – Services Center Water System Upgrade Program, for construction services in the amount of $560,000.00, as the project is being covered by other project funding grant awards. This project is now being funded by Congressional funds obtained through the efforts of Congressman Dave Joyce.
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To approve and authorize James W. Dvorak, Commissioner and designated representative, to execute the Ohio Water Development Authority Acknowledgement of Payment Commencement and Summary of Final Loan Amount for the Bainbridge Waterline Extension Project.
Bureau of Motor Vehicles Lease - BOCC approved an Addendum No. 1 to Lease with the State of Ohio Department of Public Safety for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Chardon Deputy Registrar for the period of Juy 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025 in the amount of $31,600.00 per year.
Administrative Leave - BOCC approved the placement of Mike Kurzinger, Network Administrator (#2315), on Paid Administrative Leave beginning Friday, May 5, 2023 at 12:00 noon until further notice.
Mr. Lennon stated that this is standard policy when there is an investigation and does not indicate anything further.
Commissioner Dvorak asked whether credentials had been pulled from those involved in the Water Resources investigation including Mr. Kurzinger and CSJ Technologies. He explained that he had spoken to other commissioners around the state and they advised that this is an important step to remove access. Mr. Morgan stated that he didn’t know the status but said that he would look into it. Mr. Dvorak again asked that the credentials for Mike Kurzinger, Joe Camino, and CSJ Technologies be revoked. The Clerk asked if they wanted to vote and Mr. Morgan stated that it wasn’t necessary since Mr. Kurzinger was on paid administrative leave.
Observer Note: This observer was able to ask Mr. Frank Antenucci, ADP Chief Deputy Administrator, whether the credentials had been revoked and he stated that CSJ is an outside vendor so ADP was able to stop their access but that they had no authority to revoke the credentials of an employee. In order to do that, ADP would need to receive a request to do so from his employer (BOCC).
Girl Scouts in NorthEast Ohio Gold Award - BOCC approved the following resolutions for thirty-two Girl Scouts in NorthEast Ohio who have achieved their Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts:
Six were from Geauga (indicated by an *).
Resolution #23-064, Eliza Botzman; Resolution #23-065, McKayla Buck; Resolution #23-066, Sascha Burgess; Resolution #23-067, Elizabeth Caruthers; Resolution #23-068, Ella Clapper; Resolution #23-069, Lilly Colbeck; Resolution #23-070, Isabella Cuff; Resolution #23-071, Megan Earp; Resolution #23-072, Selena Frant; Resolution #23-073, Sarah Friedlander; Resolution #23-074, Isabel Gracon*; Resolution #23-075, Ellamarie Green; Resolution #23-076, Grace Guy; Resolution #23-077, Sarah Hall; Resolution #23-078, Sarah Hermann; Resolution #23-079, Aubriana Hills*; Resolution #23-080, Charlotte Hosek; Resolution #23-081, Keely Jackson*; Resolution #23-082, Avery Junkins; Resolution #23-083, Erin Keener; Resolution #23-084, Lillian Kensicki; Resolution #23-085, Caroline Niederhausen; Resolution #23-086, Camille Paoletta*; Resolution #23-087, Chloe Porter; Resolution #23-088, Eleanor Ramos; Resolution #23-089, Makenna Ricketts*; Resolution #23-090, Madeline Silver; Resolution #23-091, Hannah Strack; Resolution #23-092, Megan Valloric; Resolution #23-093, Rachel Whary; Resolution #23-094, Caelum Wolak; Resolution #23-095, Nina Zargari*.
Monsanto Fund - BOCC approved the resolution to establish a New Fund: Monsanto Settlement Fund.This fund was created as a result of a lawsuit regarding Round Up. The County applied and will receive $17,414.03. There was no appropriate fund for this, so this Fund needs to be established so that the settlement funds can be deposited into it. The reason why the County qualified for funds was because of the administration of NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) by Geauga Soil and Water and Geauga Public Health.
Public Comment:
Diane Jones, who operates the website auburntownship.org, asked questions regarding the Monsanto settlement. Clerk Christine Blair offered to share the information after the meeting.
Adam Litke, Administrator of Geauga Public Health District reported on information that he said had been publicized in the paper about the results of an audit that had been requested by Geauga Public Health The audit of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) around the County showed that $757,000 had been billed to customers for inspections of their systems but that no inspections had taken place for those customers or there were no records of inspections. His recommendation would be to pay it back to the customers. He said that in some cases, they had been able to verify inspections. He referenced HB 110 which required such inspections. See EPA. He said that 97 of the 200 were completed last year. Mr. Lennon said that the lack of inspections occurred before Mr. Litke was Administrator and he expressed his appreciation for what Mr. Litke has done. Mr. Litke said that the audit will go live on their website today.
Commissioner Discussion - The Commissioners discussed their next meeting with the Portage-Geauga County Juvenile Detention Center which will be held in Geauga. Portage had asked for a Tuesday meeting at 9:30 am, but that is the time of the Commissioners’ regular meeting.
Mr. Dvorak asked if the Judges had confirmed their budget and was told that they had done so.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here
Next Meeting: Tuesday May 16, 2023 at 9:30 am
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
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