Board of County Commissioners - March 5, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, March 5, 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.
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, James Dvorak and Timothy Lennon. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport Authority; Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator; Representative from Maintenance Department; Shane Hajjar, Engineer’s Office; Roger Peterson, Director, Emergency Services and Nicholas Gorris, Director, Water Resources.
Others in Attendance: Adam Litke, Geauga Public Health Administrator; Representatives from the Metzenbaum Center; Dave Lair, former Commissioner; Reporters from the Chagrin Valley Times and Geauga County Maple Leaf, Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public, and this observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Morgan reported on actions he had taken in the prior week that had been authorized by ORC and the Commissioners:
Mr. Dvorak had questions for Mr. Morgan:
-
He received the results of the evaluations and questioned why it did not include one for the Director of Maintenance. Mr. Morgan was not aware that it was not included.
-
Mr. Dvorak also said that he had a copy of a letter that had been sent out to The Next Step Program. He stated that he did not agree with the letter and that he wished he had seen a copy before it had been sent out, as it stated that the Commissioners wish to end the lease altogether. Mr. Dvorak said that when they had spoken back in October, it was decided that the lease would be on a month to month basis starting in January due to the condition of the house. He has received phone calls and text messages from people who are upset by the letter. Mr. Morgan said that a followup letter had rescinded the previous letter. Mr. Dvorak said that he did not receive a copy of the followup letter. Mr. Spidalieri joined in the discussion about the condition of the building. He said that it did not make sense to allocate money for improvements since they will move into the new center as soon as the construction is finished.
Minutes: Meeting minutes from January 4 and January 8, 2024 were submitted for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through March 5, 2024 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Minutes are posted online here through January 8, 2024.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
-
Appropriations Transfers to the Sheriff's account for various refunds, reimbursements and checks deposited into the General Fund.
-
Supplemental in the Veterans General Fund to their payroll accounts to true up balances that were approved in the budget hearing.
-
Supplemental in the Building Department Equipment Account for the purchase of two replacement vehicles.
-
Supplemental in the Airport Construction Funds Building and Improvement Account to cover upcoming encumbrances.
-
Travel
-
Vouchers:
-
$146,324.88 from Commissioners’ Office to Portage Geauga Juvenile Detention Center for first quarter 2024 operating expenses
-
$32,153.63 from the Engineer’s Office to Middlefield Farm and Garden for a work site utility vehicle with cab.
-
$33,585.00 from the Maintenance Department to Preston Ford for a 2024 Ford Escape replacement vehicle.
Discussion followed. Mr. Lennon would like to see a running total of all expenses for trips to Columbus for the Grendell trial, as well as other expenses incurred by the County for legal matters related to other trials. The approved travel expenses for the Auditor’s Office include hotel, food and travel allowance. Mr. Lennon said that he would like to see those expenses, in addition to outside legal costs going back to 2016. Mr. Gorton said that they have totalled this in the past, so compiling this should not be an issue. Mr. Spidalieri inquired as to the use of pool cars. Mr. Gorton said that they reimburse travel stipends when pool cars are not available. The total for this particular travel encumbrance is $2,300.00, which covers a five-week period. The Commissioners agreed that they are not comfortable approving this without seeing the actual expenses. Mr. Gorton explained that this is just a total for the encumbrance, which is setting aside money to cover the expenses at a later date. The actual expenses will go before the Commissioners for approval before being paid. Mr. Gorton also noted that this request is for three employees from the Auditor's Office. With this information, the Commissioners agreed to approve the encumbrance.
The Board of Developmental Disabilities received approval to execute Resolution #24-040 Recognizing March 2024 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The Commissioners also presented a declaration to the Business Director of Geauga Developmental Disabilities and several individuals from Metzenbaum Center.
The Airport Authority received approval to accept the bid of Hoar Construction Company for the Hangar 1 Improvements Project in the amount of $272,073.83 for the Base Bid, and award Alternate #1 in the amount of $46,326.80, Alternate #2 in the amount of $35,400.00, and Alternate #3 in the amount of $24,190.00, for a total award amount of $377,990.63. It was noted that this was the lowest and best bid.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
-
To execute Resolution #24-041 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Wilson Mills Road (CH-0008, Sections D-F) in Chester Township.
-
To execute the Title Sheet of the Specifications for the same.
-
To set a Bid Opening on March 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Engineer’s Office using Bid Express. This Bid Opening will be advertised on March 7, 2024, and on the County website.
-
To execute the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Technical Services 2023 County Highway System Mileage Certification for 234.757 miles of public roads.
The Probate/Juvenile Court requested:
The Board approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute the Ohio Department of Youth Services Subsidy Grant Amendment #1 for FY2024 for a Realignment of Funds due to changes in staff and additional programs.
This agenda item was tabled for a second time. The Commissioners had requested at the BOCC Meeting on February 27, 2024 that the issue be tabled as they would like to have a representative appear from the Probate/Juvenile Court to explain the item. No representative was present.
The Department of Emergency Services received approval for:
-
A re-grade and revised job description for the position of Deputy Director (#1711) to be effective March 5, 2024.
-
A revised Organizational Chart to add an additional Deputy Director (#1711) position to be effective March 5, 2024.
-
Permission to advertise for the position of Deputy Director (#1711) internally for a period of five (5) days with applications accepted from March 11, 2024, through 4:30 p.m. March 15, 2024. If no qualified candidate is found, then external advertisement will occur until the position is filled.
-
To acknowledge the re-grade of Thomas Vencl, Deputy Director (#1711), to a 14E at the rate of $29.39 per hour, to be effective March 5, 2024.
The additional position of Deputy Director will be temporarily added to account for the training of a new Deputy Director by the existing Deputy Director.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
To execute a service Contract Agreement with Garland DBS, Inc., to perform roof repairs at various County buildings per the Maintenance Director for a one-year period, effective March 5, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
To execute Resolution #24-042 Approving return of Approved Funds from American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, no longer required for Berkshire Heights Sewer Connections, in the amount of $80,516.00.
The Water Resources Department is still holding $9,400.00 for a final connection, and then the project will be done.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
-
To execute Resolution #24-043 Approving for Purposes of Section 147(F) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Issuance by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority of its Adjustable-Rate Educational Facilities Refunding Bonds, Series 2024 (Laurel School) in one or more Series in an Aggregate Principal Amount not to exceed $16,000,000.00.
-
To execute the Request for Partial Payment #4 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion, preconstruction expenses in the amount of $11,080.54.
-
To execute the Request for Partial Payment #5 for Infinity Construction Company for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion, GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price)#1 expenses in the amount of $50,145.64.
Executive Session
The Commissioners moved into executive session at approximately 10:02 am., for the purpose of considering the sale of property at competitive bidding, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22. They returned with no action.
Public Comment was solicited. A citizen questioned the status of the Department on Aging moving into the new building (Dollar General). Mr. Morgan said that the purchase is not yet finalized.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: Reviewer Note: At the time of the March 5, 2024 BOCC Meeting, the next BOCC meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 9:30 am. However, the March 12 meeting occurred prior to publication of this report. The next meeting following March 12 will be March 19, 2024 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 3/11/24
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.