Commissioners Approve Safety and Office Renovations for Prosecutor’s Department
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Meeting - December 3, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, December 3rd at 9:30 am for a meeting 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, if any, 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 has been no formal policy introduced, although public comment was permitted today.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Timothy Lennon, Ralph Spidalieri and James Dvorak. Also present were Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Gerry Morgan, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Matt Sieracki, Maintenance Contract Coordinator; James Flaiz, Geauga County Prosecutor; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources, and a representative from Engineer’s Office
Others in Attendance: Carolyn Brakey, Geauga Board of Health member and newly elected County Commissioner; Charles Walder, Geauga County Auditor; Scott Hildenbrand, Sheriff; Josh Burton, Department on Aging; County residents Diane and Tom Jones, members of the public and press, and this 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 November 26, 2024, for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through November 14, 2024.
Administrator’s Report: Mr. Morgan approved hiring of a full time Maintenance Tech and the resignation of a Grounds Maintenance Supervisor. Both positions are from the Maintenance Department.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following: Observer Note: Monetary figures are given when available.
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Travel for Commissioners Office
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Voucher of $55,125.00 from Job and Family Services to Then Design Architecture for design services related to the new youth center project
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Revenue Certification from Mental Health in their Asset fund for additional revenue received in 2024
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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Acknowledgment of recommendation and post load limits on Stafford Road in Troy Township for various weight limits of a single unit.
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The County Engineer’s Office is requesting the Board approve and to execute Change Order #2, Final, decreasing the Contract with Ohio Bridge Corporation (U.S. Bridge Division) for the replacement of the Robinson Road bridge in Chardon Township in the amount of $35,056.84
The Prosecutor’s Office received approval for the following:
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To re-appoint Auditor, Charles Walder, to the Volunteer Peace Officers’ Dependents Fund Board for the term ending December 31, 2025
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To re-appoint Sheriff, Scott Hildenbrand, to the Volunteer Peace Officers’ Dependents Fund Board for the term ending December 31, 2025
The Prosecutors Office requested that the Board discuss the Prosecutor’s request for Security Enhancements and Renovations at the Prosecutor’s Office.
Mr. Flaiz presented the Commissioners with renderings from Then Design Architecture. The Prosecutor's office is located in the Courthouse Annex building. The security in the reception/lobby area is inadequate and needs to be updated. The changes would include minimizing the windows and replacing the remaining windows with bullet proof glass. There would also be Kevlar paneling installed on one wall. Additionally, due to municipal prosecutions, more office space is needed. The renderings were for 3 new offices using the existing square footage. Total estimated cost would be $204,000.00
Discussion followed regarding the funding. Mr. Flaiz suggested that the funds go directly from the General Fund to his Contract Services Fund and bills will be paid from there. Mr. Lennon thought it best if the funds come through the Building Improvements Fund within the General Fund. Mr. Dvoark made a motion to authorize the project and for the funds to come out of the Building Improvement Fund. Motion unanimously approved.
Department on Aging received approval to execute Resolution #24-202 to Approve an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act)/SLFRF (State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds) Interagency Agreement between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and the Geauga County Department on Aging for the Provision of Critical Home Repair/Weatherization Services by the Department on Aging for Low and Moderate Income Seniors, obligating $199,486.00 of ARPA funds. This will go through the Chore and Home Safety Program beginning December 2024 thru December 31, 2026.
The Maintenance Department received approval to execute the service Contract Agreement with The Cleveland Vicon Company, Inc., to install handicap door operators at the Geauga County Office Building with work to be completed within ninety (90) days of December 3, 2024 in an amount not to exceed $31,500.00.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To authorize Mr. Dvorak, board member and Chief Executive Officer, to execute the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Disbursement Request Form and Certification #3 in order to release funds from the state portion of our OPWC grant for the Aquilla Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the amount of $91,769.16. Mr. said there would be one m ore coming through on this.
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To authorize Mr.Spidalieri, President of the Board, to execute the updated Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, Office of Financial Assistance (OFA) Application in regard to the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovation and Upgrade Project in the estimated loan amount of $27,500,000.00, as this was initially authorized under Resolution #23-056 on May 2, 2023.
Mr. Lennon said, “That is a huge project. How does this typically go with the loan process?” Mr. Gorris responded that EPA has a process for loans. They have a large bank to fund the process. He said that “We were originally nominated in 2022.” Mr. Gorris noted that Geauga is under a consent agreement with the US EPA to complete this project and that the Ohio EPA will help pay for it. Mr. Gorris said that bids will open the next day. Reviewer Note: There was no discussion on exactly how much will be required from local (Geauga County) funds. See the Geauga County Water Resources for more information here. Some funding has been received through the Federal Budget office and can be found on the website for Congressman Dave Joyce. More information will be published when it is available.
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To waive the 200-hour maximum accrual (vacation) for Director, Nicholas Gorris, beginning November 24, 2024 (Payroll #25) through January 18, 2025 (Payroll #2).
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #24-203 Requesting to Establish a New Fund called the County Agricultural Society Fund, pursuant to O.R.C. 1711.15 and 1711.16.
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To execute Resolution #24-204 Authorizing the Geauga County Agricultural Society to Construct a New Poultry Barn on the Geauga County Fairgrounds and to Approve an Appropriation of $750,000.00 from the General Fund to the County Agricultural Society Fund for the purpose of Contributing Funding towards the Construction of a Poultry Barn.
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To execute Resolution #24-205 Approving the (Permanent) Annual Appropriation for 2025 in Accordance with O.R.C. 5705.38 and 5705.40.
The following figures were presented by Mr. Gorton:
Carryover Balance $9,876,924
Revenue $47,223,674
Appropriations $47,128,230
There are pending requests in the amount of $3,362,334 and may be considered at a later date. The pending requests are not in the 2025 budget and if approved, will go into the budget. They will be covered by the carry forward balance or unused funds in respective departments.
Auditor/ADP $475,633
Commissioners $1,275,520
Board of Elections $89,100
Maintenance $809,015
Planning Commission $3,800
Sheriff $709,266.00
Executive Session: The BOCC moved into executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of a public employee in the Building Department. They returned with no action.
Item not on Agenda: No Items were presented
Public Comment: Solicited but none offered
Meeting adjourned at 11:06 am.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next BOCC meeting after this one is Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 9:30 am.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: 12/4/2024
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