Geauga Public Health (GPH) - Regular Meeting - December 20, 2023
Meeting Details: The GPH Board met in Regular Session at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite B303, Chardon, OH, on December 20, 2023 at 5 pm. Geauga County Automated Data Processing (ADP) live streamed this meeting and the recording is available here. At publication, the recording has been viewed 33 times. Due to the fact that a video is available, this report will only contain highlights of the meeting. Topics discussed will be noted by the time that they appear in the video for easy reference. Typically the Agenda is posted on their Facebook page a few days prior to the meeting.
Public Comment Policy: There is no separate written policy, but in practice, “Citizens’ Remarks” are included on the agenda and are permitted as detailed there.
Board Attendance: (as seated, from L to R).
Staff Attendance:
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Adam Litke - Administrator (end of table left)
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Daniel Lark - Environmental Health Director (end of table right)
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Ron Graham, Heath Commissioner for both Geauga and Lake County (seated at the end of the table right)
Legal Counsel: Not present
Others Present: Three members of the public and this observer.
Call to Order: Called to order at 5:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was declared and delivery of official notices of meeting was certified.
Minutes: The Board approved Minutes of the Regular Meeting on 11/15. Observer Note: Published minutes are up-to-date; the most recent minutes published are for the October 25, 2023 Special Meeting. Board of Health Minutes
The Agenda is listed below: Please refer to the video for additional information. Key discussions are included in this report at the time they were discussed. Note that the minutes on the recording do not correspond to the actual time as the recording started prior to 5 pm.
Health District Staff Reports (Observer Note: These reports are available with the agenda on the GPH Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GPHOHIO)
17:25 Min - Population Health Report - Ms. Roman asked for a brief summary of the PHEP item in the report (Public Health Emergency Preparedness). Mr. Litke said they had grant deliverables, including a report on the Anthrax full-scale exercise to show preparedness levels in case there would be an outbreak. Observer Note: Additional information about the Anthrax exercise and what had to be reported can be found in the Population Health Report on the GPH Facebook page. Ms. Roman asked about the current Covid guidelines. Mr. Litke said it is up to the schools. Ms. Roman asked how Covid cases are reported to GPH. Mr. Litke said they only get reports from labs when PCR tests are done, for example for pre-testing for surgery.
20:46 Public Comment - Mr. Litke suggested they allow public comment at this time so that a resident, Mr. Smith, could address the board with a permit issue. He paid for permits in 2019 to install a well and septic system, but the work was not completed within 12 months as required so the permits expired. He was asking for an extension of 10 more months. The board members discussed and decided to decline his request, in part because GPH would incur additional costs for state fees and a new site visit. The Board agreed to keep the costs low for Mr. Smith.
31:50 Min - Environmental Health Report - Mr. Lark said that only about one-fourth of all NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) septic systems inspected so far have met all of the inspection parameters. For those that do not meet all parameters, since their systems are approved by the state, GPH will make sure they have a service contract and will go back later for further sampling. GPH is currently testing about 12 NPDES systems per day (in Chesterland and Chardon). Mr. Lark estimated there are about 2,000 NPDES systems in the county. Mr. Lark also discussed the savings that are possible with newer small flow systems, compared to older systems. He gave an example of a horse farm that spent more than $130,000 on their system in the past. Also, Mr. Lark mentioned that a gas station at the corner of routes 44 and 87 has a septic system that isn’t working. Mr. Lark is working with owners to resolve this issue.
38:30 Min - Administrator’s Report - Mr. Litke discussed the recent HDAC meeting. He said there was a long conversation about getting the GPH electronic file system in better shape. With the new O&M inspection program it’s important to have the files accurate and up-to-date. A new sanitarian with experience is needed to sort through the existing files. Other new staff that are needed include a clerk and a lead person to be in charge of the program, plus a part time administrative person to support Mr. Lark and Mr. Litke. Fees collected from the O&M program will pay for these positions. Reviewer Note: There will be a proposal at the next meeting that should have more information. Mr. Litke did indicate that the money needed for these positions will not be immediately available from the O & M program, which is just getting started.
The 2021-2022 audit is coming to a close; nothing major was found. Records requests are being handled by Mr. Kostura regarding the cross-jurisdictional agreement with Lake County. There have been incidences of hoarding in the county, but the county has no zoning covering this.
Status of HB110 refunds: No checks have been sent yet. They should be completed by the first or second month of 2024. The 2024 budget will need to be revised to reflect this. Reviewer Comment: It had not been anticipated that these refunds would still need to be paid out in 2024.
46:40 Min - Health Commissioner’s Report - Mr. Graham said he submitted the annual report for year 2 of the 5 year accreditation cycle and is getting prepared for next year. He referred to ORC 3701.36 that talks about accreditation, and he will be sharing this information with the Board, as well as information about the Association of the Ohio Health Commissioners which GPH is a member of and can use as a resource. He said a newsletter will be coming out. Ms. Roman asked about the marijuana money, what will it be used for? Mr. Graham said that is still uncertain. Mr. Litke urged the Board members to attend the next HDAC meeting. Ms. Roman’s position on the Board is up for re-appointment and she will re-apply according to Mr. Litke. Litke urged Board members to attend the next HDAC meeting which is the same night as the Ohio primary - March 19, 2024
Committee Meetings - No Reports
Old Business
50:48 Min - Resolution to Increase Certain Fees, Food Service Program, Third and Final Reading. The resolution was passed by voice vote.
52:35 Min - New Business
The following motions were approved unanimously, with two abstentions noted below:
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7.01.01 Financial Reports, Resolution 23-12-07-01-01. Ms. Roman asked about the $650,000 for Lake County which is for 6 months. She also asked about the Sheriff expenses- and the Water Pollution Loan Control fund which pays out based on financial need; there was a $20,000 expense noted that was for one resident.
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7.02 Resolution establishing Day, Time and Place of Monthly Board of Health Meetings for 2024. The meetings will all be held on the 4th Wednesday of the month, with the following exceptions: January 17, November 20, and December 18.
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7.03 Permission to Allocate $20,000 for O&M Mailing Costs. Ms. Jones abstained.
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7.04 Permission to Refer Owners of Semi-Public Sewage Treatment Systems for Legal Action. Per the notes in the agenda, there are about 15 locations that had not renewed their yearly inspection certificates. They had been sent reminder letters and notices for Administrative Hearings. Ms. Jones abstained.
1:02:03 Min: Public Comments - no additional public comments
Executive Session - none
1:02:27 Min: Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 pm actual time.
Next Regular Meeting: January 17 at 5 pm. All meetings are held at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite B303, Chardon, OH.
More Information: Geauga Public Health
Observer: Nina Lalich
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Submission Date: 12/29/23
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