Board of County Commissioners - April 16, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 am on Tuesday, April 16, 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 and at the meeting.
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 Spidalieri, James Dvorak and Timothy Lennon. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Jessica Boalt, Director, Office on Aging; Matthew Sieracki, Coordinator, Maintenance Department; Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport Authority; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Michelle Lane, Director, Board of Elections; Representatives from Solid Waste Management; Representative from Engineer’s Office.
Others in Attendance: Carolyn Brakey, County Commissioner Candidate and Geauga Public Health District Board Member; Dennis Pavella, Chair, Board of Elections; reporters from the Geauga County Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times; other members of the public, and this observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: Minutes from the February 13, 2024 meeting were approved. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through April 16, 2024 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through January 8, 2024.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Morgan presented the financials that were delayed from the meeting on April 9, 2024. All were approved
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 the following for the Department on Aging:
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New hire of a full time transportation driver
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Medical leave of absence for a full time Recreation and Education Assistant
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Resignation of a full time Recreation and Education Assistant
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Unpaid personal leave of absence for a full time Information and Referral Assistant
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Service Contract Agreement with Santee Lock and More, LLC to perform lock and key related service and repairs, as needed at various locations within the department for a period of one-year, effective April 9, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $3,000.00.
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Concurred with the Parkman Township Trustees in not requesting a hearing on the Liquor License being requested by Parkman Market Express LLC located at 16250 Main Market Road, Parkman, Ohio
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Concurred with the Claridon Township Trustees in not requesting a hearing on the Liquor License being requested by Amber LLC d.b.a. Claridon Mini Mart located at 14745 Mayfield Road, East Claridon, Ohio
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Concurred with the Bainbridge Township Trustees in not requesting a hearing on the Liquor License being requested by Daffodil Mart LLC located at 17644 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Financial Report
Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Supplemental Appropriation to various General Fund Hospitalization accounts to cover the increase of the County portion of health insurance from last year.
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Increase needed in Commissioner Payroll Accounts to cover the addition of the Assistant County Administrator.
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Cash Transfer from General Fund to Family First Council for the April-June Commitment.
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Encumbrance
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Formal Contract to Kenny Hoar Construction for the Airport Hanger 1 Improvement Project
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Contract PO from Community Development to Educational Services Center of Western Reserve for the Ace Community Education Grant.
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Travel requests from Probate Court and Department of Water Resources
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Vouchers:
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$67,901.00 from Department on Aging to Valley Ford Truck for a new Super Cab Truck
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$80,357.00 from Maintenance to Valley Ford Truck for a replacement salt truck
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$38,682.89 from Sheriff’s Office to Diversitech LLC for battery back up systems for various tower sites
The Airport Authority received approval for the following:
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Execute the Contract Agreement between Geauga County, the Airport Authority and Kenny Hoar Construction Company, Incorporated d.b.a. Kenny Hoar Construction Company for the Geauga County Airport Hangar 1 Improvements project in the amount of $377,990.63.
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Accept the Maintenance and Performance or Contract Bond from Kenny Hoar Construction Company, Incorporated d.b.a. Kenny Hoar Construction Company for the Geauga County Airport Hangar 1 Improvements project, and further release the Bid Bond.
Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste Management District presented the following:
Mr. Spidalieri explained how the County pays a fee for the dumping of the waste, and a portion of those fees come back to the County. This is the money that has been used for the new collection facility. The facility is supported solely from these fees.
The Board of Elections (BOE) received approval for the following:
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The installation of cameras in the elevators in the County Office Building in order to ensure the chain of custody of transportation of ballots as mandated by the Department of Homeland Security.
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Authorization of ADP to follow the necessary process of obtaining quotes for a contract to install cameras in the elevators in the County Office building.
Ms. Lane stated that they are required to monitor the ballots at all times as they are being transported, by a bipartisan team, from the outside ballot box to the BOE. They will need to have cameras in the elevators to monitor. Mr. Spidalieri stated that the BOCC understands that certain things need to be done and they all need to work together to accomplish. Mr. Pavella stated that there are other things in process but they are here today just for the cameras in the elevators. Mr. Spidalieri stated that there should be just video, no sound and that there should be notices posted that individuals are under video surveillance while in the elevator. He inquired as to the cause of the delay for the cameras. Ms. Lane was under the impression that ADP had already received approval and that it was moving forward.
Mr. Lennon inquired as to the cost. The representatives stated that ADP will be responsible for obtaining estimates.
Mr. Spidalieri asked if this was different from the Gillmore situation. The Board of Elections stated that this is a separate issue and that they are working with Gillmore on a separate security system which they are required to have.
Discussion followed as to the location and installation of the actual outside ballot box. Mr. Lennon expressed that they all need to come together for a common sense approach to the mandates.
Reviewer Comment: As detailed in the Consent Decree filed May 26, 2023, numerous facility and security updates are required before the Board of Elections is permitted to move from its current location at 470 Center Street to the new County Administration Building. Additionally, they are not permitted to move 75 days before an election or during post election work following an election. For more information see our Observer Report for the BOE’s April 19, 2024 Special Meeting.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To award the Bid to Cole Burton Contractors, LLC for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Fairmount Rd (CH-0016, Sections F-G) in Newbury Twp in the amount of $733,733.00 as they represented the lowest and best bid. Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
The Maintenance Department presented the following:
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Service Contract Agreement with Armor Window Films, Incorporated to install protective window films on the first floor of the county building where Job and Family Services (JFS) is located. This is to be effective April 16, 2024, for a period of ninety days in an amount not to exceed $65,772.00. This resolution was TABLED.
The purpose of this is for additional security in the visitation area. The Commissioners stated that they are not aware of the need for this and requested more information. They would also like to involve JFS Executive Director Craig Swenson in future conversations. They will wait until after the budget hearings to resume consideration of this matter.
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Request that the Board approve and execute Resolution #24-061 authorizing intent to sell unneeded, obsolete, or unfit county personal property via internet auction through GovDeals, Incorporated. This Resolution further requests the Board advertise the intent to sell through internet auction on April 18, 2024 and on May 2, 2024. The resolution was approved.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To execute the Agreement between Geauga County Board of Commissioners and ADS Environmental Services for Flow Monitoring Services to Geauga County to perform a Temporary Flow Monitoring Study and I/I analysis for a ninety-day period, effective April 16, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $41,840.00.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute the Workers’ Compensation Service Agency Agreement between Geauga County and Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Incorporated for Workers’ Compensation services for the period May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 in the amount of $9,300.00.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Unemployment Compensation Service Agency Agreement between Geauga County and Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Incorporated for Unemployment Services for the period May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 in an amount of $1,205.00.
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To execute the Agreement with Ubuntu Wellness, LLC to provide Two Chair Massage Stations on May 9, 2024 during the Employee Health and Wellness Expo at a cost of $120.00 per hour, per massage chair therapist for the total sum to not exceed $1,200.00. This will be covered by the CEBCO Wellness Grant.
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To execute the Agreement with Smooth Rider, LLC to provide a minimum of two hundred (200) 20 oz. smoothies at a cost of $9.00 per smoothie via the Smooth Rider Smoothie Food Truck on May 9, 2024 during the Employee Health and Wellness Expo, for a total number of smoothies not to exceed four hundred (400) and a not to exceed amount of $3,600.00, and further authorize the President of the Board to execute the Smooth Rider Smoothie Cafe and Food Truck Catering Contract. This will be covered by the CEBCO Wellness Grant.
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To execute Resolution #24-062 Authorizing the Commissioners to execute and deliver a Cooperative Agreement with the Portage County Port Authority in connection with the request by Sherpa Development Company, LLC to assist with Financing the Construction of a Facility in the Village of Middlefield, Pursuant to O.R.C. 4582.43 and 4582.431. Reviewer Note: More information about this Cooperative Agreement to finance the construction of the Hartville Hardware building in the Village of Middlefield through the Portage County Port Authority is available in the March 12 BOCC Observer Report.
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To execute the Cooperative Agreement between the Portage County Port Authority and the County of Geauga, Ohio to provide for the provision and financing of the costs for Sherpa Development Company, LLC to proceed with acquisition, construction, renovation, improvement and payment or causing the payment of the costs of a Hartville Hardware Store and Lumberyard located in the Village of Middlefield.
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To request the Prosecutor’s Office to review the Lease Agreement with NextSteps.
The Commissioners’ Office will conduct interviews with three architectural firms to explore the firms’ experience and ideas regarding the design and building process for the new Senior Center at the Dollar General Store location in Chardon. This includes pricing, scope and nature of proposed services and technical approaches. The interviews will occur after this meeting as described below:
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10:30 a.m. – Strollo Architects
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11:15 a.m. –ThenDesign Architecture
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12:00 p.m. – Sizmo Architecture
Observer Note: This observer was unable to attend these interviews due to time constraints.
Public Comment: Solicited, but none offered.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: Reviewer Note: At the time of this April 16 Meeting, the next
meeting was scheduled for April 23, 2024 at 9:30 am at the Geauga County Administration Building,
12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. There will be a separate report on that meeting. The next meeting following April 23 will be April 30, 2024 at 9:30 am at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor/Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 4/26/24
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