Board of County Commissioners - February 22, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. This meeting was held on Thursday due to the President’s Day holiday on Monday. BOCC meetings are typically on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM. They 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.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Mr. Spidalieri and James Dvorak. Commissioner Timothy Lennon was absent. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Linda Crombie, Director of the Planning Board; Craig Swenson, Director of JFS (Job and Family Services); Dan Spada, Chief Building Official; Dale Steppenbacker, Assistant Building Official; Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator; Glen Vernick, Maintenance Director; Kathleen Miller, Water Resources; and Shane Hajjar, Engineer’s Office.
Others in Attendance: Nancy McArthur (Candidate for Geauga County Commissioner), Walter (Skip) Claypool (Candidate for Geauga County Commissioner), Reporters from the Chagrin Valley Times and Geauga County Maple Leaf, Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public, and this observer.
Minutes: Following the Administrator’s Report, Minutes were approved without discussion for the December 28, 2023 meeting. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through February 22, 2024 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Minutes are posted online here through December 28, 2023.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak. Mr. Dvorak stated that his prayer was one that he said prayed two years ago and was offered on behalf of the people of Ukraine.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Morgan reported on actions he had taken in the prior week that had been authorized by ORC and the Commissioners:
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Approved Water Resources hiring of a Chief Operator for McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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Concurred with Montville Township on not requesting a hearing on a liquor license for RRLA LLC at 9706 Madison Road, Montville.
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Approved one hiring in the Office on Aging, plus one promotion for an individual to Food Service Coordinator.
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Approved posting for Office on Aging for a Recreation Assistant.
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Executed the contract previously approved by the Board of County Commissioners at their meeting on December 19, 2023 for the Western Reserve Area on Aging Provider Agreement with the Geauga County Department on Aging for Alzheimer’s respite care in the amount of $14,977.
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Approved Voucher of $3,332.31 from the Commissioners to Geauga County Treasurer for payment of taxes on a parcel that will not be appealed to the State Tax Commission (Parcel # not cited.)
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Appropriations transfer from Miscellaneous to the Probate/Public Defender for unemployment claims not previously paid.
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Transfer from two Transportation Funds to the General Fund to close out the balance for the cash advance that had been paid to Transit and had been approved December 10, 2019 by the BOCC.
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Approved purchase order to Integrated Precision Systems Inc. for security cameras in the safety center.
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Vouchers:
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$22,080 to Expert IT for software licenses for various departments.
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$47,663.25 from the Engineer to Cuyahoga Fence LLC for the Bainbridge Road project.
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$18,845.92 from the Sheriff's Office to Lexipol LLC for a training package.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Geauga County Auditor’s Current Agriculture Use Valuation Renewal Application Form DTE 109(A) for five parcels (PPN#13-015313, 13-015512, 13-015513, 13-015514, and 13-015515). Observer Note: See the Public Comment section below for more information.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #24-025 to Improve Various Sections of County Roads by Applying Pavement Markings, Year 2024.
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To approve and execute Resolution #24-026 to Improve Chardon Windsor Road (CH-0013, Sections A-D) in Claridon and Hambden Townships.
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To approve and execute Resolution #24-027 to Improve Fairmount Road (CH-0016, Sections F-G) in Newbury Township.
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To approve and execute Change Order No. 1 and Final, decreasing the Contract with Karvo Companies, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Washington Street (CH-0606, Sections A-B) in Bainbridge Township. The decrease was in the amount of $61,662.61.
The Planning Commission received approval for the following:
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To execute the Punderson’s Lake Development, Re-Plat of Sublots #117-119 and Sublots #140-141 that creates Sublot #117R in Newbury Township. Ms. Crombie stated this was being done for the purpose of building and zoning requirements.
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To execute the Hickory Dale Allotment Re-Plat of Sublots #65-67 and Part of Sublot #64 that creates Sublot #65R in Newbury Township.
The Department on Aging received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging SFY 2023-2024 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 in the amount of $5,717.23.
The Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) received approval for the following:
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To accept the Statement of Qualifications submitted for Professional Design Services from the one firm that submitted a response, ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and further grant authorization to begin contract negotiations with this firm for design of the Youth Center.
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To execute Resolution #24 028 Directing the County Budget and Finance Manager to Reimburse the Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services from the General Fund for Levy Funds Suspended by Prior Action of the Board of Commissioners that Provided Tax Relief to Geauga County Property Owners.
Observer Note: The levy funds remain suspended for this year, but, as promised to the Department of Job and Family Services at the Commissioners’ meeting on October 31, 2023, JFS will receive from the Commissioners an equivalent amount of money. See Observer Report for October 31, 2023 for more information.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To create the title and job description for the position of Project Manager (#1927) to be effective February 22, 2024. Further, they received approval for a revised Organizational Chart to include the position of Project Manager (#1927) and to reduce the number of positions for Contract Coordinator (#1924) from two positions to one, to be effective February 22, 2024.
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To advertise for the position of Project Manager (#1927). This position will remain posted until filled.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To Re-Advertise for Bids for the Aquilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project. Bid opening to be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on February 29, 2024 and March 7, 2024, and also it will be posted on the County website. Ms. Miller stated that no bids were received when it was posted previously. Mr. Dvorak asked about the overall bid number, and Ms. Miller stated it was under $2 million.
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To approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute the Update to the Application for Authorization to Permit Use of County Credit Cards per O.R.C. 301.27 for the Year 2024 for the Home Depot Commercial Account Replacement Card for Nicholas Gorris, Director of Water Resources, due to a faulty card that could not be activated.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the placement of Assistant Director, Office on Aging, on paid administrative leave effective February 14, 2024, pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Resolution #24-029 Honoring Lee Imhof as the 2024 Leadership Geauga Emerald Leader Award Winner.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to honor several Girls Scout Troops and individual Girl Scouts as follows:
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Junior Girl Scout Troop #70298 for achieving the Bronze Award, the Highest Award for Junior Girl Scout.
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Girl Scout Troop #71117 for achieving the Silver Award, the Highest Award for a Cadette Girl Scout.
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Girl Scout Troop #71484 for achieving the Silver Award, the Highest Award for a Cadette Girl Scout.
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Samantha Sunderhaft for achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award, the Highest Honor in Girl Scouting.
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Sophie Voudris for achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award, the Highest Honor in Girl Scouting.
The Commissioners’ Office also received approval to honor Lilyan Warner and her brother, Ayden Warner. Both siblings have achieved Eagle Scout, the Highest Award of Advancement bestowed upon a Scout. Ms. Blair said this was the first time that a brother and sister had achieved Eagle Scout at the same time. Mr. Dvorak asked if they had a joint project, and Ms. Blair said no, they had separate projects.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Resolution #24-037 to establish the Geauga County 9-1-1 Program Review Committee, pursuant to O.R.C. 128.06 (C)(1). It was stated this is a new committee. Mr. Spidalieri was declared to be the Chair and would be joined by members Sheriff Hildenbrand and Bainbridge Township Trustee Jeff Markley.
Executive Session - The Building Department had requested a move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of public employees. The Board was joined in the Executive Session by Mr. Morgan, Ms. Burhenne and two members from the Building Department: Mr. Spada, Chief Building Official, and Mr. Steppenbacker, Assistant Building Official.
Return from Executive Session - No action taken.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to request that the Prosecutor’s Office review the Resolution regarding the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding transportation of employees during the Maple Festival and a MOU regarding the removal of dead deer. Observer Note: See the Public Comment section below for more information.
Public Comment - Mrs. Jones asked about the five properties covered in the Current Agriculture Use Valuation Renewal Application Form DTE 109(A) discussed at the beginning of the meeting. Her question had to do with the zoning of the parcels, as she found on the property descriptions that several were zoned commercial; she further asked whether they were being used for agriculture. Ms. Blair answered that they were leased for farming. There then seemed to be some confusion about how the parcels are being used, but Mr. Morgan stated that one was being used for agriculture, while the others had not been for several years. He said they keep filing for the renewal until they are “told they would use it.” Commissioner Dvorak asked if one of the properties was being leased to Next Step for $2,000 a month. Reviewer Note: Next Step is a program to help youth who have experienced hardships gain independence. He said that it is a wonderful program, but he wanted to know if, given the situation with the Metzenbaum property, they should only be billed for expenses. Mr. Morgan said, “We are looking into that.” Mr. Dvorak said again that he recommended a “deep dive” to find out the status of this. Observer Note: The Metzenbaum reference has to do with a different property owned by the County and used by Metzenbaum (The Department of Developmental Disabilities or DD). The question in the Metzenbaum case was whether the County was entitled to non-exempt status for the property in spite of the fact that there had been a leaseholder who paid a monthly amount that purportedly resulted in a profit to the County. See Observer Report for the BOCC meeting on January 30, 2024 for more information.
This Observer asked about the CIC and inquired what it was. Ms. Burhenne stated that it was a Community Improvement Corporation, which she said was a way to encourage economic growth. Observer Note: See ORC 1724 for details. Ms. Burhenne said that Geauga County previously had a CIC, but it had lapsed, causing the need for various forms to be reviewed and filed.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 9:30 am.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 2/24/24
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