Geauga County’s Investment Portfolio Valued at $97 Million
Board of County Commissioners - August 20, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 am on Tuesday, August 20, 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. Observer Note: Discussion about items not on the agenda is included at the end of this report.
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 Timothy Lennon and James Dvorak. Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri was not present. Also present were County Administrator Gerry Morgan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Caroline Mansfield, Deputy Director, Treasurer's Office; Representative from Engineer’s Office; Jessica Boalt, Office on Aging Director, Representatives from Sheriff’s Office; Matt Sieracki, Contract Coordinator, Maintenance; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance Department; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources, and Laura LaChapelle, Prosecutor’s Office.
Others in Attendance: Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Carolyn Brakey, County Commissioner Candidate and Geauga Public Health Board member; Joseph Oberle, Tulip Lane resident, Bainbridge; Tom Jones, Diane Jones, other members of the public, the press and this LWVG observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: No minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through August 20, 2024, for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through May 21, 2024.
Administrator’s Report: Mr. Morgan reported on the following actions he took in accordance with Ohio law:
The Commissioners approved a motion to move into a public hearing at 9:45 for the purpose of vacating the public right of way upon a portion of Tulip Lane in Bainbridge Township. Ms. LaChapelle from the Prosecutor's Office, a representative from the Engineer’s office and a resident of Tulip Lane, Mr. Oberle, were present. The Engineer’s Office presented the case for the vacation and deemed it justified. The vacation was approved.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Appropriations Transfer to Sheriff’s Office for miscellaneous deposits into the General Fund
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Supplemental in the General Fund Commissioners Misc Levy Reimbursement Account
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Travel Requests for Engineer’s Office, Probate Court and Treasurer's Office
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Vouchers:
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$16,503.30 from ADP to KnowBe4 for security training awareness
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$12,562.44 from Commissioners Office to NV5 for Phase II Construction Management Services
The Treasurer’s Office received approval to execute the Amendment to Agreement with Kindred Spirits Investment Management, LLC d.b.a. Red Tree Investment Group, recognizing the increase in the amount of County funds being invested and a revised fee structure (Addendum B), and further extended the term of the agreement through December 31, 2028.
The representative from the Treasurer's Office stated that, as of today, the portfolio is worth $97,000,000. Mr. Lennon asked if they will be keeping the fees the same. The representative stated that they will increase $3,000 a year. The fee for next year will go from $26,000 to $29,000 and will increase by the third year to $32,000. Ms. Mansfield stated that there is a small percentage charged, and then this flat rate is negotiated. She said it was overall a small amount considering the return on their investment.
The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
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To waive the 200-hour maximum accrual for an employee due to staff shortages.
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To execute the Purchase of Service Agreement, State Fiscal Year 2024 Alzheimer’s Respite Funds between the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and Geauga County Department on Aging in the amount of $52,179.00
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To advertise for Bids for the Elderly Nutrition Program Preparation and Delivery of Catered Meals, according to federal guidelines for Geauga County Residents Age 60 and over.
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To reject all bids submitted for the Home Care Services: Assistance with Daily Living for Geauga Residents Age 60 and over, due to not enough units bid and to advertise for re-bids.
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To advertise for Request for Proposals to Lease Space for the Middlefield Senior Center and Bainbridge Senior Center.
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Ms. Boalt stated that she has been advised that, when renewing leases year after year, it is adding up to an amount that exceeds the bid threshold. The request for bids will include all the necessary specifications for the building and they are looking for a 5 year lease.
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To rescind the motion for the hiring of a full time Recreation and Education Assistant, as she did not accept the position.
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To increase the current posting for the position of full time Recreation and Education Assistant from one position to two positions.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Gene Ptacek and Son Fire Equipment Company to provide maintenance and inspections to fire extinguishers at various county locations for a four-year period in an amount not to exceed $40,000.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Geauga Door Sales and Service, Incorporated to provide inspections and maintenance of garage doors at various County locations for a three-year period in an amount not to exceed $18,000.
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To accept the performance bond from Air Force One Inc for the HVAC Maintenance and on-call services for the County office building for the years 2024-2027 in the amount of $109,211.00 and further release the bid bond.
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For the following design firm rankings in compliance with O.R.C. 153.69 (A) and evaluation of Statements of Interest and Qualifications responses received for providing professional design and contract administration services for the Safety Center Parking Lot including 1) CT Consultants, 2) R.E. Warner and Associates, Incorporated, 3) MS Consultants, Incorporated, 4) Dynotec, Incorporated, and 5) All Ways Construction, LLC. and to select CT Consultants as the most qualified as well as to begin contract negotiations.
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To Re-Advertise for Statements of Interest and Qualifications for Professional Design Services related to the Design and Construction Administration to replace the Barn Roof located at 13211 Aquilla Road.
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To change the title and job description of Senior Trades Mechanic to Senior Maintenance Technician. Approval was also granted for a change in the organization chart and title changes for two employees.
The Department of Water Resources received approval to execute Contract Maintenance Form #1 increasing the service Contract with Emery Electric, Incorporated in the amount of $18,000.00 for additional work needed for storm damage for a new total contract not to exceed the amount of $48,000.00.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for partial payment #11 for Infinity Construction Company, Inc for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion project in the amount of $987,036.59.
Executive Session
The Commissioners and Ms. LaChapelle moved into executive session for the purpose of discussing imminent litigation. Mr. Flaiz was in attendance via phone. They returned with action. The deadline for the removal of Geauga County from the Portage Juvenile Center has been extended to September 5th.
Not on the Agenda - Mr. Morgan confirmed that there will be no entrance fee charged if you are attending the Board of Commissioners meeting at the fairgrounds on August 29th at 10:00 AM. Attendees are to inform them at the gate that you are attending the meeting.
Public Comment:
Diane Jones inquired about the extension for the Portage County Detention Center issue and if Portage County will comply with the extension. Mr. Lennon stated that the prosecutors from both Counties are still working on the details. She also inquired as to the reimbursement from the carryover. Mr. Lennon said that it has not been received yet and they are still working on that.
Meeting adjourned at 10:50
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The meeting following this meeting will beThursday, August 29, 2024 at 10 am at the Geauga County Fair in Burton OH at the Junior Fair Building
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 8/28/2024
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