Board of County Commissioners - January 4, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on January 4, 2024 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, but public comment was permitted.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Ralph Spidalieri and Timothy Lennon. Commissioner James Dvorak was absent. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator; Kathleen Miller, Fiscal Specialist, Water Resources; Rick Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport Authority; Chris Scholoss, Airport Authority; Kathleen Hostutler, HR Manager; Representatives from the Department on Aging, Glen Vernick, Director Maintenance; Gina Hofstetter, Director Community Development.
Others in Attendance: Carolyn Brakey, Board President, Geauga Public Health, Jack Cunningham, Superintendent, Cardinal Schools; Keith Marsh, Representative of A+ Educational Services LLC, Linda Smallwood, Cardinal Board of Education, Reporters from Chagrin Valley Times and Geauga Courier, Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and this observer.
Report of County Administrator - Mr. Morgan reported on the following action taken by him:
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the encumbrances to be considered by the Board of Commissioners to be effective January 1, 2024.(list not provided or read at the meeting). Three encumbrances from the Department of Emergency Services (DES) had to be pulled from the list previously submitted as they were unable to resolve an issue. They will be resubmitted.
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Appropriation transfers from Common Pleas Court to prepare for cash transfers to the new Community Corrections Fund.
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Supplemental Appropriations in the Building Improvement Fund, Commissioners’ Capital Reserve 2019, and Commissioners’ Capital Reserve Phase II 2021.
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Supplemental de-appropriation from the Common Pleas Court in the automated outbound text message fund as it was over-appropriated.
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Encumbrances which include all of the contracts, blanket purchase orders (standing purchase orders), and purchase orders from various departments in the new year including travel requests from the Clerk of Courts and the Board of Commissioners.
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Revenue Certification from the Commissioners in the Capital Reserve Fund Phase II 2021 for additional government revenue expected to be received this year from the City of Chardon for the Courthouse expansion project. They are responsible for 10% of the cost of construction, up to $2,000,000.00.
Minutes: There were no meeting minutes submitted for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through January 4, 2024 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved BOCC minutes. BOCC minutes are posted through September 26, 2023.
The Commissioners Office received approval to change the gas mileage reimbursement to the IRS current rate of $.67 per mile effective January 1, 2024.
The Airport Authority received approval for the following:
To advertise for bids for the Geauga County Airport Hangar 1 Improvements. These will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. This hangar will be for the MediVac Life Flight.
The Department on Aging received approval for the following locations to provide senior programs and services for the period January 1, 2024 thru December 31, 2024.
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Middlefield Village Community Center in the amount of $13,000.00
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Bainbridge Community United Church of Christ in the amount of $12,120.00.
Approval was granted to execute the Legal Services Agreement with Patricia J. Schraff, Esq., of Schraff Thomas LLC for legal services in the amount of $160.00 per hour. The Department on Aging will pay $101.03 and the Western Reserve Area Agency will pay $58.97 up to 798 hours per year. This is a two- year agreement and provides elder care legal services such as living wills and Power of Attorney.
The Department of Development received approval for:
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Unpaid personal leave, up to 32 hours, for an employee (name withheld in this report).
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Permission to advertise for Statement of Qualifications for Master Plan Examiner Services.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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Permission to grant a waiver of the policy prohibiting the payment of late fees and finance charges and allow payment to Dominion East Ohio Gas, Vistra/Dynegy Electric Supplier and The Illuminating Company. Invoices were received after the final financial session in 2023 and are due prior to the first financials in January 2024. The amount is not to exceed $1,000.00.
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Acceptance of a resignation from an employee (name withheld in this report).
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Execution of service contract agreement with Geauga Mechanical Company to install two hanging heaters in the Geauga County maintenance barn in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00.
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Execution of service contract agreement with Geauga Mechanical Company to install a mini-split air conditioning system in the server room at the Courthouse Annex Building in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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There were two separate resolutions passed for the following: To acknowledge receipt of and execution of the Petition for Annexation with Consent of all Parties filed by Jamie R Micor, Esq., Attorney for petitioner for the annexation of territory owned by Sherpa Development Company LLC to the village of Middlefield.
Discussion followed with the representative from Sherpa, Mr. Gary Sommers. Mr. Sommers was sworn in by Mr. Morgan as this portion of the meeting was a public hearing on the Annexation petition. Sherpa Development acquired a lumberyard and will be further developing a retail hardware and lumber yard in Middlefield on 25 acres. The purpose of the Annexation is so that the Sherpa will have access to utilities such as water and sewer. The Commissioners expressed concern about all parties involved and how it will affect the surrounding properties. Mr. Sommers stated it was an excellent process.
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Execution of an Engagement Letter with Squire Patton Boggs for outside counsel relating to continuing disclosure and economic development matters for the year 2024 in the amount of $8,500.00.
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Execution to provide a portion of the expense to the Airport Authority for the year 2024 in the amount of $20,000.00. Mr. Spidalieri expressed his opinion that the growth of the airport has been exciting to watch.
Discussion followed on how the airport has moved toward being self-sustaining and generating income. Mr. Lennon said that the Commissioners are happy to support the Airport, especially as “there is a good solid plan.” Both Commissioners cited some of the improvements that have been made. Mr.Spidalieri also said that he appreciated that the Airport Board consisted of all volunteers. Mr. Lennon stated that the Geauga Airport has been beneficial for business interests in the county and that there is still room to expand. This amount will be for this year, but the Commissioners could look at it again next year. Mr. Lennon stated that this money could be seen as “seed money” to look into further improvements.
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Approval to utilize $5 million in ARPA Funds (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) Expenditure – Water Resources McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades, in the amount of $5,000,000.00.
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Allocation of $100,000 in 2024 for Economic Development to support the establishment of a Community School sponsored by and sited within the Cardinal Local School District named Agriculture Career Education Academy (ACE). This school will train students in Agricultural Arts and Aviation Studies. Ms. Hofstetter, Director for Community Development, spoke in favor of this allocation as did Mrs. Linda Smallwood from Cardinal Board of Education. Reviewer Note: There was no discussion of whether this had been included in the BOCC 2024 Budget. It was also not clear if these funds or other funds will be part of a grant application by the Community and Economic Development Department. The first step was to transfer the funds from the BOCC General Fund to Community and Economic Development. There was no information about Mr. Marsh’s prior experience in education and/or whether there are any other schools that are part of A+ Educational Service LLC. This Reviewer could not find this school listed as an approved charter or community school on the Ohio Department of Education website. Mr. Lennon asked about where the funds would actually be deposited, and Mr. Marsh replied that the money would go to the A+ Education, which has its own fiscal operation and Board, and is not connected to Cardinal Schools other than the proposed physical location within Cardinal Schools. Ms.Hofstetter said that the Department of Community and Economic Development would get the funds as it would be permissible to pay A+ Educational Services out of their budget. A motion was made and approved to transfer the funds to Community and Economic Development.
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Execution of a Resolution to require the County ADP Board to coordinate the management of information resources of the County, the records and information management operations of all County offices, and the various records and information technologies acquired and operated by the County offices. The Prosecutor's Office prepared this resolution, and it will rescind the previous resolution passed on December 28, 2023. Reviewer Note: This is a re-do of the resolution from the prior week.
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Execution of a Resolution to ratify an amendment to the Code of Regulations of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.
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Request the Prosecutor's office to review a contract with Cable Communications and the Letter of Engagement for the law firm Meyers Roman Friedberg and Lewis.
Executive Session:
The Commissioners moved into Executive Session at 10:35 to discuss the employment and compensation of an employee. They returned with Action that the employee will be removed from paid administrative leave and placed on unpaid leave for hours not covered.
Items not on Agenda:
A request for a liquor license hearing was removed by Munson Township at the request of Basil Place. Commissioners concurred.
Public Comment: There was no public comment after the opportunity to do so was presented.
Meeting Adjourned
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: Monday, January 8, 2024 at 9:30 am, Organizational Meeting to follow.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 01/11/24
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