Commissioners Choose Location for New Youth Center
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) - September 17, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 am on Tuesday, September 17, 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. Items discussed at the meeting but not on the agenda are addressed 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 Ralph Spidalieri, James Dvorak, and Timothy Lennon. Also present were County Administrator Gerry Morgan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Richard Blamer, Airport Manager; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer; Matt Sieracki, Contract Coordinator, Maintenance; Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand and Chief Deputy Thomas Rowan; Kelly Bidlack, BOCC Human Resources Specialist; Glenn Vernick, Director, Maintenance Department, and Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health.
Others in Attendance: Christine Lakomiak, Director, GCMHRS (Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services); Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community and Economic Development; Carolyn Brakey, Geauga Public Health Board member and County Commissioner candidate; Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP, and Bonnie Cavanaugh, County Commissioner candidate. Also present were several members of the public, the press and this observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: Minutes from July 12, 2024 were approved. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through September 17, 2024, for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through July 23, 2024.
Administrator’s Report: Mr. Morgan reported on the following actions he took in accordance with Ohio law:
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Approved an unpaid medical leave of absence in the Office on Aging.
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Approved hiring of a Full Time Engineering Technician in Water Resources.
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Approved not requesting a hearing for a liquor license for the Tanglewood Get Go in Bainbridge.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
Observer Note: Monetary figures are stated when they were given in Mr. Goton’s report. In most cases, except for Vouchers, they are not stated.
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Supplemental for Mental Health and Recovery Services in their Capital Account to prepare for payments of the Transitional Living Center renovation due to higher bids
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Cash for the Sheriff’s Department Unemployment rotary fund
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Purchase Order from Department on Aging to Junction Buick for purchase of new GMC Terrain
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Purchase Order From Maintenance Department to Middlefield Tractor and Supply for a Kubota tractor
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Vouchers:
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$81,684.71 from the Commissioners to Kenny Hoar Construction for Payment # 3 and final for the Hanger # 1 Project
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$412,216.06 from the Engineer’s Office to Colburn Contractors LLC for paving of Ravenwood and Merritt Roads
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$435,693 to AVIA for the 800 mhz network upgrades to the County’s microwave tower network
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute the Grant Agreement between the Office of Budget and Management and the Geauga County Commissioners for the One Time Strategic Community Investment Grant for the Geauga County Safety Center Parking Lot Project in the amount of $250,000.00.
The Airport Authority received approval for the following:
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To acknowledge the recent change to the title of the FAA project from Construct Parallel Taxiway A Pavement and LED Lighting between Taxiway A2 and Runway 29, Phase 2/2 Construction to the revised title of Construct Parallel Taxiway A including Taxiway Connector A1 and A2 (3,040’ x 25’) – Construction, Final Phase and Install Taxiway Edge Lights (MITL LED 3,040’) – Construction, Final Phase for Grant #3-39-0054-028-2024).
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To execute Electronically and Submit the Acceptance of the Federal Aviation Administration Grant Offer for the Taxiway Extension Construction Project, specifically to Construct Parallel Taxiway A including Taxiway Connector A1 and A2 (3,040’ x 25’) – Construction, Final Phase and Install Taxiway Edge Lights (MITL LED 3,040’) – Construction, Final Phase (Grant No. 3-39-0054-028-2024), in the amount of $3,527,305.00, FAA Portion $3,174,575.00, ODOT Portion $176,365.00 and Local County Match $176,365.00.
Mr. Blamer stated that this will be a “major change” for the airport.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To approve and execute Change Order #1 and Final, decreasing the Contract with CMG Contracting LLC for the Embankment Stabilization of Gem Road Bridge (Structure #0264-00.290) in Chester Township and the Embankment Stabilization of the Bundysburg Road Bridge (Structure #0038-03.080) in Parkman Township in the amount of $4,094.00.
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To approve the specifications for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Auburn Road (CH-0004, Sections R-U) project in Chardon Township, and further approve and execute the Cover Sheet of the Specifications for the same.
Mr. Hajjar was asked by Mr. Dvorak about the Merritt and Ravenwood Roads paving project and said that they will be completed next week. After a slight delay he expected the contractor to return the next day.
The Sheriff’s Office received approval to execute Resolution #24-167 Requesting to Establish a New Fund titled the Ohio Traffic Safety Grant Fund to account for all monies received from the State of Ohio / Department of Public Safety for the Ohio Traffic Safety Grant for the reimbursement of salaries, supplies (fuel) and training for high visibility patrol / enforcement to reduce vehicle crashes and education in OVI and drug detection with a $75,000.00 initial county contribution using existing Sheriff budgeted appropriations. Sheriff Hildenbrand stated that they have received these funds in the past, but this year they were asked by the State to establish a separate fund.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To reject all bids submitted for the West Geauga Senior Center Condenser Unit Upgrade as “none of the bids were qualified.” according to Matt Sieracki, Contract Coordinator for Maintenance.
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To re-advertise for Bids for the West Geauga Senior Center Condenser Unit Upgrade to be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on September 26, 2024, October 3, 2024 and on the County Website.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval to execute Resolution #24-168 Adopting the Geauga County Board of Commissioners’ Electronic Signature Policy and Incorporating therein the Security Procedures set forth in the Geauga County Automatic Data Processing Board Electronic Signature
Policy, and further, upon execution, to be effective September 17, 2024.
Mr. Morgan stated that he worked with ADP to ensure that the security procedures were as required.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To accept and approve the 2025 Geauga County CEBCO (County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio) /Anthem Healthcare County Employee Contribution Rates to be effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Bidlak stated that the rates were unchanged.
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To accept and approve the 2025 Geauga County Employee Healthcare Waiver Rates to be effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Bidlak said these rates were also unchanged.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the Agreement with Richland County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division and the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division for the reservation of two (2) bed spaces each day of the agreement to secure detainment of alleged or adjudicated delinquent youth by the Geauga County Juvenile Court at the fixed per diem rate of $100.00 per day for each youth committed. Agreement is effective September 17, 2024 and automatically renews from year to year.
Mr. Lennon confirmed that this would happen on very rare occasions. Mr. Dvorak asked Sheriff Hildenbrand if there were any juveniles being held at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center at present, and the Sheriff said there were not. The Sheriff said, “We’re saving money already.” Observer Note: See LWVGeauga report for May 21, 2024 for more detail.
Not on the Agenda
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Options for the Youth Center. Mr. Morgan initiated a discussion about two options that are available for locating the proposed new Youth Center. He said that the architect had provided cost estimates for the two locations. One location would be behind the original Youth Center, and the other option would be further distant with a buffer between the old and new buildings. Mr. Morgan referred to a previous discussion that the non-profit Next Step (currently utilizing property in the former county home property) could move to the old Youth Center once the new Center is complete. The reason for the separation, as discussed previously, was that the two populations have different needs and would be better kept entirely separate. He said it would cost $250,000 more for the more separate locations due to site work that would have to be done. Total cost for the project would be $5 million and with the extra cost would be $5,250,000. Mr. Dvorak was in favor of the separation. Mr. Lennon was also in favor, but was initially concerned about the increased cost. Mr. Spidalieri thought that the extra money over the years would justify itself. The Commissioners unanimously agreed to go with the property location that was more separated. Observer Note: See LWVGeauga Report from January 18, 2024 for more information.
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Mr. Morgan discussed the plans to renovate a conference room adjacent to the Health Department. He said there were three options with costs from high to low. There was a long discussion about where doors would be situated, access to bathrooms and an emergency exit. The Commissioners called up Mr. Litke from the Health Department and Mr. Vernick from Maintenance to answer questions about the plans.
Observer Note: Although it was not stated, this is the area that has been discussed in several public meetings for use by ADP. See more information in LWVGeauga Observer Report for April 30, 2024 and LWVGeauga Report for September 10, 2024. Mr. Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator for ADP, was in the room but was not asked to comment, and he did not do so.
Public Comment:
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Diane Jones asked about where the proposed space discussed above regarding the Health Board was located, and Mr. Morgan stated that it was in the new County Office Building.
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This observer asked for the estimated cost of the Juvenile Center, as it was difficult to understand this part of Mr. Morgan’s delivery. That figure is listed above.
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Ms. Bonnie Cavanaugh, candidate for County Commissioner opposing Mr. Spidalieri, had several comments. Among them were the following:
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Ms. Cavanaugh said that she had to read the LWVGeauga Observer reports for information about County Commissioners meetings since the posted minutes were not posted for many months.
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She questioned Mr. Spidalieri about what projects they were working on, as she said that Mr. Spidalieri said he was running again because of projects he was committed to doing. Mr. Spidalieri mentioned the Courthouse Project and the Youth Center.
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Ms. Cavanaugh then described an accident in which a “drug dealer” coming from Portage County crossed the center line and struck her vehicle, leaving her in a wheelchair. She asked what was being done to combat drug dealers coming into the County. There followed a lengthy discussion about actions taken by the Sheriff’s Department to combat this issue. Mr. Spidalieri said that Ms. Cavanaugh was very fortunate to be living in Geauga County where the Sheriff’s Department is one of the best in the State. Mr. Spidalieri referenced the pervasive nature of the drug problem.
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Ms. Cavanaugh further asked about cameras that might take pictures since she said that the car that struck her had an expired license plate. Mr. Spidalieri stated that the Commissioners had recently (within 4 months) approved a budget item for purchase of cameras for the Sheriff’s Department to capture license plates for use in law enforcement.
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Mr. Dvork mentioned that he was on the Region 13 Board in the One Ohio Recovery Foundation. One Recovery was created to receive funds from lawsuits associated with the opioid epidemic. He said by the end of the year the region will get $2.4 Million for Lake, Geauga, Portage and Ashtabula. Mr. Dvoark said that they are reviewing the projects that they would recommend to receive funding, and these would go to the State level for review.
Meeting adjourned at 10:17 am.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next BOCC meeting will be on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 9:30 am. The latter is a change from their normal Tuesday schedule due to the Perry Nuclear Power Plant drill scheduled for Tuesday, September 24.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor & Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 9/21/2024
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