Board of County Commissioners - June 4, 2024
County Commissioners to seek members for the Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Board (See discussion at the end of this report.)
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 am on Tuesday, June 4, 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 and Timothy Lennon. James Dvorak was absent. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Jacob Scotese, PE, Deputy Engineer; Cindi Haycox-Wellman, Director, Victim/Witness Program; Matt Sieracki, Maintenance Contract coordinator; Craig Swenson, Executive Director, Job and Family Services; Elaine Melkamaki, Program Director, Community Development; Representative from Engineer’s Office, Representative from the Prosecutor’s Office.
Others in Attendance: Jim Mausser, Finance Manager GC-MHRB; Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Carolyn Brakey, County Commissioner Candidate and Geauga Public Health Board member; Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community Development; Tom Jones, Diane Jones, and other members of the public, and this observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Minutes: Minutes were submitted and approved from the meetings of April 16 and April 23, 2024. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through June 4, 2024, for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 9, 2024.
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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Supplemental Appropriation Transfers
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From Commissioners Misc. Account to Public Defender to pay an unemployment claim
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From Commissioners to Engineer’s Office General Fund payroll account for increase in Tax Map staff due to services requested during the 2025 budgets
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Cash Transfer from Sheriff's Office to Unemployment Rotary Fund
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Encumbrances
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Purchase order from Commissioners to Geauga County Airport Authority for a County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA) insurance claim check that was deposited into the General Fund. This was for damage to hangar doors.
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Travel for Common Pleas Court
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Then and Now from Coroner’s Office to Cuyahoga County Coroner's office for autopsies performed in 2022. This was not previously encumbered.
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Vouchers:
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$61,200.00 from Community Development Block Grant to AJ Goulder Electric Inc., for the DDC Clinic for Special Needs Clinic - generator replacement project
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$331,362.24 from Engineers Office to Ronyak Paving for the asphalt resurfacing of Claridon Troy Rd., Section D
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$29,635.00 from Maintenance to Clerac LLC, dba Enterprise Car Sales, for a 2022 Ford Transit replacement van
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Revenue Certification from Commissioner's Office to Department on Aging in the Healthy Aging fund for additional money received from the state.
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Accepted the resignation of a senior trade mechanic in the Maintenance Department.
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Approved hiring of a full-time employee for the position of Safety Project Coordinator in the Department on Aging.
Financial Report
Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Appropriation Transfer to Sheriff for miscellaneous refunds and reimbursements that were deposited into the General Fund
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Supplemental from Commissioners to Public Defender’s General Fund payroll account to achieve parity with the Prosecutor's Office as well as promoting someone from part time to full time including benefits
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Cash Transfer from General Fund to Sheriff for a local match on the Violence against Women Act grant
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Formal Contract purchase order from Commissioners’ Office to the Title Professional Group for purchase of future property
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Purchase Order from Water Resources to Junction Auto Sales for the purchase of a replacement pickup truck
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Vouchers:
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$50,000 from Department on Aging to Aldi Inc., for the purchase of 250 $200.00 gift cards for low income Geauga County seniors. This will be covered by the Ohio Healthy Aging Grant.
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$50,000 from Maintenance to USPS for additional postage on the mailing machine
County Engineer’s Office received approval to execute the Unit Price Contract with TRAX Construction Company for the Replacement of the Thwing Road Bridge (Structure # BR-0027-B-02.660-2024) in Chardon and Munson Townships in the amount of $305,549.00.
The Prosecutor’s Office / Victim Witness received approval to authorize the President of the Board of Commissioners to execute the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) and State Victim Advocacy Act (SVAA) 2024-2025 Grant Application (#135757814) in the amount of $49,454.10. As part of this grant, $28,441.10 is being requested from federal VOCA funds with a local match from the County General Fund of $16,552.00 and $4,461.00 from SVAA with no local match. This grant is for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
The amount requested is $1,500 more than the budgeted amount. Mr. Lennon stated that they would cover that amount and inquired as to how to handle the extra amount. Mr. Morgan responded that a supplemental would be presented at a future meeting.
The Department of Community & Economic Development received approval to execute the Agreement with Byron D. Myers, Architect LLC, to complete the Bid Specifications and Drawings along with Cost Estimates with Federal Prevailing Wage Rates for the Maple Leaf Community Residences and Chagrin Falls Park Community Center PY 2023 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Projects effective June 4, 2024 through July 31, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $16,000.00.
The Department of Job and Family Services received approval from the Board to execute Resolution #24-123 Recognizing June 2024 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
Mr. Swenson presented some statistics and issues regarding Geauga County elder abuse. They had 140 investigations of elder abuse in 2023. Mr. Lennon inquired about financial elder abuse. A JFS staff member stated that Kristina Miller, Geauga County Adult Protective Service Supervisor, works closely with law enforcement regarding financial abuse investigations.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute Amendment #1 to Exhibit A. Natural Gas Purchasing Program and First Amendment for Exhibit B. Electricity Purchasing Program to the Participation Agreement Regarding Energy Purchasing Programs with County Commissioners Association of Ohio Service Corporation and County Commissioners of Ohio Service Corporation Energy Solutions.
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To authorize the County Administrator Gerard Morgan to execute the Electric Supplier Contract.
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To execute the Agreement with TEC, Inc., to provide design, drawing and project management for the purpose of the Geauga County Annex Building Generator Upgrade, per the specifications listed in the RFP (Request for Proposals) to be effective June 4, 2024, and shall be completed within forty-five (45) days in an amount not to exceed $28,000.00.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Meridian Construction Services, Inc., to perform construction services for various Geauga County locations per the Director for a one-year period, effective June 4, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00.
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To execute a service Contract Agreement with Gable Elevator, Inc., to perform elevator inspections and maintenance at various county locations for a two-year period, effective June 4, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Request for Partial Payment #8 for Infinity Construction Company, Inc., for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion for GMP #1 and GMP #2 expenses in the amount of $588,901.88.
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To accept the resignation of Greg O’Brien from the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services to be effective April 30, 2024.
Discussion followed. Mr. Lennon stated that they will need to start looking for a replacement. Mr. Morgan responded that the state requirements have changed and that they can reduce the size of the Board. The Commissioners discussed that they are in favor of reducing the size. Mr. Spidalieri said it was difficult to get a quorum. Mr. Mauser, the Treasurer of the Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB), was in the audience and said that they will need a representative from the Commissioners Board to come to one of their meetings. He said that the next meeting is June 26th. Mr. Lennon said they will need to do research on the make-up and requirements of the Board. Mr. Morgan said that under the new rules-two-thirds of the Board would be local (appointed by the Commissioners). Mr. Morgan also said that one of the current members of the Board was appointed by the State MHAS (Mental Health and Addiction Services), and perhaps they could appoint her. Mr. Lennon stated that he wanted to see if there were others interested in serving. Reviewer Note: At the last MHRB meeting, this topic was discussed and the Director, Ms. Lakomiak, stated her preference to have a 12 member board. She stated at that meeting that this would mean the Commissioners would appoint 8 members and the State MHAS would appoint 4 members. This is at odds with Mr. Morgan’s statement. See Observer Report for MHRB for May 29, 2024 for more information. Observer reports have not documented any instances that the MHRB did not meet due to lack of a quorum, although it is possible that this happened.
Items not on Agenda:
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Mr. Lennon has received emails from Michelle Lane, Board of Elections Director, requesting to use Building 8 at the County Center Street property for the upcoming November election. The Board agreed with the request, as it looks as a potentially large turnout for the election.
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Mr. Morgan received a letter from the State of Ohio. The letter was in regards to proposed changes in local zoning. Mr. Spidalieri and Mr. Lennon both agreed that they would like to keep the zoning local. Mr. Morgan will look into the legislation and will prepare a letter for the Commissioners that they will send to their state legislators that oppose the State’s proposed changes.
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Mr. Morgan stated that they are working on updating the Tax Incentive Board and the Community Reinvestment Area Board. It has come to his attention that the Commissioners can no longer be on these boards as this would represent a conflict of interest so they will need to present a list of names of candidates for these boards. Mr. Morgan said he will need the names as soon as possible.
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Ms. Blair informed the Commissioners that she had heard from Portage County regarding the scheduling of the Portage County tax budget hearings for the detention center. Mr. Morgan stated that he had spoken to the Portage County Administrator and had informed him that Portage County will need to change their budget due to Geauga County pulling out of the detention center agreement. Mr. Spidalieri asked if they had received the $200,000 due Geauga County from a previous carry forward. Observer Note: See the May 21, 2024 BOCC Observer Report for more details. Mr. Spidalieri will contact Mr. Gorton and will work with him on contacting Portage County to get the money. He also suggested that they get a copy of the video from the Portage County meeting that discussed this carry forward as back up if needed. Mr. Spidalieri stated that there is no reason for Geauga County to get involved in the Portage budget for 2025.
Public Comment: Diane Jones inquired about the $200,000 that was due from the detention center. Mr. Spidalieri clarified that it was a surplus from 2021.
Meeting adjourned.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two meetings following this meeting will be June 11, and June 18, 2024 both at 9:30 am at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 6/14/2024
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