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Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Changes Policies in Special Meeting

Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (GC-MHRS) - Special Meeting - January 13, 2025 

Meeting Details: GC-MHRS Board held a Special Meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 5 pm at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024.  This meeting was in person only with no recording available. The agenda was available through a request to Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater by email at tslater@geauga.org.  

Public Comment Policy: No formal policy but in practice, public comment is permitted at the end of the meeting.

Board Members Attending: Chair Steven Oluic, Secretary Jimmy Lee Holden, and Board Members Reba Dykes, Kathy Johnson, Patricia Varanese, and Douglas Lundblad.

Board Members Absent:  Vice Chair Alberta Chokshi, Treasurer Michael Petruziello and Board members Mary Ruth Shumway and Carolee Lesyk were absent.

Staff Members Attending: Executive Director Christine Lakomiak and Office/Administrative Manager Teresa Slater.  Both Clinical/Compliance Manager Michelle Maneage and Finance Director Jim Mausser were absent.

Guests: There were no members of the public present except this LWVG Observer.

Call to Order, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance occurred as listed on the agenda. The meeting was called to order at 5:01 pm. 

Minutes No minutes were presented for approval. Minutes are posted on the Board’s webpage here. 

Chairman’s Report: Dr. Oluic reported that the only Agenda items for this Special Meeting would be a review of Personnel policies.

Executive Director’s Report: There was no report; however, Ms. Lakomiak stated that there were a lot of policies that hadn’t been updated, some since 1991.  She said that the Policies and Procedures Committee had been scheduled for this time, but that she felt if the Board could both review and adopt these Procedures it would be more efficient.

The following Policies were Presented:

• Fees - Motion Approved to Update to 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Ms. Lakomiak stated that Title XX is no longer in effect and that all Agencies utilize the Federal Guidelines for service of 150% of Federal Poverty.  This change was mandated on May 14, 2024, and Mr. Mauser had communicated this to all Agencies, who are in compliance.  This policy is just an acknowledgement of that change.

• Fiscal and Capital Committee - Motion Approved to update the charge of this Committee.  Observer Note: Due to the restructuring of the Board to a smaller size, there are now just two Committees.  They are: 1) Programs & Policies: Kathy Johnson - Chair, and Committee Members Alberta Chokshi, Mary Ruth Shumway, Patricia Varanese and Michelle Maneage, and 2) Fiscal & Capital: Reba Dykes - Chair, and Committee Members James Lee Holden, Kathy Johnson, Michael Petruziello, Jim Mauser and Teresa Slater. 
  

• Leave for Employees - Approved

  • Ms. Lakomiak stated that in reviewing this policy they looked at Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 124.38 as guidance for sick and personal leave. Now there are twelve (12) paid holidays.  Under the new policy, newly hired employees will receive two weeks of vacation.  The policy states that this will only apply to anyone hired after 1/1/2025.

  • Unpaid vacation and holiday pay in the new policy would only be paid upon termination if the employee has more than one year of service.  Ms. Lakomiak said that this is in accordance with ORC 325.19.

  • Military Service is leave without pay.

  • Disability Leave is in accordance with ORC 124.385

• Hours of Work - This was approved, which included the following:

The hours of work are stated as 8:30am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday, but employees will have the ability to “flex” time if they come in earlier than 8:30 am or stay later than 4:30 pm.  Ms. Lakomiak confirmed that there is no comp time, e.g., staff do not receive extra pay for working outside normal hours, but could take equivalent time off on a different day.  

Dr. Oluic asked if employees received time paid for lunch.  He said that the County did not pay for lunch-time.  Ms. Lakomiak stated she would review the county policy on this and get back to the Board with an answer.

• Resignation/Termination - This was discussed but nothing was finalized/approved.  Discussion included the following:

  • Employee Grievance procedure would be to go to direct supervisor, then the Executive Director.  The prior Policy said that the last step would be to go to the Planning and Policy Committee, but the Board agreed that it would be best to have the Executive Director as the last step in Grievance.

  • Ms. Lakomiak said that ORC 340 states that the Executive Director has authority for hiring and firing employees. There was a discussion about whether there should be progressive discipline for any problems.  All agreed this would be good to include.

  • It was stated that Mr. Mauser is going to be the supervisor of the new employee who has been hired and will be starting shortly.  The new employee’s title is Grants and Accounts Specialist.  Dr. Oluic remarked that it should be clear that Mr. Mauser has supervisory duties in his job description.  Ms. Lakomiak said she would look into that.

• Employee Benefits - Approved

There was a change in this policy to make it the same as the County policy, which is to pay for medical benefits after 60 days. The prior policy listed that medical would be available after 90 days.

• Employment Review - Approved

There was one change to this section, so that the Appraisal of the Executive Director would be done by the Executive Committee rather than the Planning and Policy Committee.

• Anniversary Date - Approved

Ms. Lakomiak suggested that evaluation, salary increases, etc. be based on the calendar year rather than the date of hire. 

• Communication With Someone with Limited English - This policy was from 1992.  Ms. Lakomiak said that she wanted to take this out since all Agencies are now required to provide a translator. She said that it is not up to the board to find or pay for a translator. Motion to Remove Approved

• Ms. Lakomiak also reviewed the fact that she has authority to make minor changes without Board approval.

Committee Reports - None 

Board Review and Action Items - None

Financial Reports - None

Old Business - None 

New Business - None

Public Comments: 

• This Observer asked one clarifying question which is reflected in the report.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:52 pm. 

Board Minutes: Available at https://www.geauga.org/board-minutes/

Next meeting:  The next meeting will be the regular January meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.  Meetings are held at the Board offices located at 13244 Ravenna Rd., Chardon, OH 44024. 

More Information: https://www.geauga.org/

Observer: Gail Roussey

Editor & Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Date Submitted: 01/15/2024

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