Geauga Public Health Seeking More Affordable Live Streaming for Board Meetings
Geauga Public Health (GPH) - December 18, 2024
Meeting Details: The GPH Board met in Regular Session at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite B167-168, Chardon, OH, on December 18, 2024 at 5 pm. This meeting was live-streamed by Geauga County ADP. The Agenda is posted on the GPH Facebook page a few days prior to the meeting and then typically is posted on the GPH website. Observer Note: The meeting agenda was not available on the GPH website prior to this meeting and is still not available as of the publication of this report on January 22, 2025. Numerals in this document refer to the agenda items. The video is available here and minutes listed in this document refer to the time in the video when the item was discussed. At the time of this report the video had been viewed 64 times.
Public Comment Policy: There is no separate written policy, but in practice “Citizens’ Remarks” are listed on the agenda and are permitted as detailed there.
Board Attendance: (as seated, from L to R)
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Dr. Mark Hendrickson, President
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Dr. Mark Rood, President Pro Tem
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Carolyn Brakey, Esq.
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Melissa DeBoth (arrived about 5:05)
Absent: Dr. Ashley Jones
Staff Attendance:
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Adam Litke, Administrator (end of table left)
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Dan Lark, Director of Environmental Health (end of table right)
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Ron Graham, Lake and Geauga Health Commissioner was not present.
Others Present: Five members of the public and this observer (virtually)
16:20 minutes
1.0 Call to Order
Called to order at 5:00 pm.
2.0 Opening of Meeting
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was declared. See below for Certification 2.03.
3.0 Board of Health:
3.01 The Board approved Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on November 20, 2024. The minutes are available here.
2.03 Certification on Delivery of Official Notices of Meeting.
Mr. Litke certified the delivery of official notices of the meeting.
18:30 minutes
4.0 Health District Staff Reports
Observer Note: These reports are typically available with the Agenda on the Geauga Public Health (GPH) website but are still not available as of the publication of this report on January 23, 2025.
4.01 Population Health Report
No additional updates other than what is contained in the report previously submitted with that Board Packet.
4.02 Environmental Health Report
Mr. Lark reported that by next month they will have a report on the initial year of the Operations and Management Program.
20:10 minutes
4.03 Administrator’s Report
Mr. Litke expressed that they are wrapping up the audit for last year and completing the Budget for 2026.
With Mrs. Brakey leaving to assume her role as Geauga County Commissioner and Dr. Rood’s term expiring on June 30, 2025, there will be two openings on the Board in 2025. Mr. Litke stated that applications for both positions will be made available in March. Interested persons will apply to the Health District Advisory Council (HDAC); Geauga Public Health is not the entity which selects Geauga Public Health (GPH) Board members. Reviewer Note: The HDAC is made up of trustees of each of Geauga County’s 15 townships, a representative from each of the county’s five villages and cities and one Geauga County commissioner. It holds appointment power for the Geauga Public Health Board. Mr. Litke further explained that a medical background is not required. Included in the Board for 2025 - 2026, there will be a physician and a pharmacist. A diverse cross section of the community is sought which would include a variety of backgrounds, geographic areas, experience, etc. The process was explained. Posting will be shared via the GPH website and Facebook page as well as by other methods. Reviewer Note: League of Women Voters Geauga (LWVG) will also notify the public about the GPH Board openings via social media once the application is available.
4.04 Health Commissioner’s Report - See Agenda for Complete List
No updates beyond what is in the written report.
23:10 minutes
5.0 Old Business
5.01 Geauga County Administration Building Rent and Space Discussion
Mr. Litke reported that this is the last time this item will be on the agenda. The County Commissioners will not be charging rent. GPH may be asked to share in some costs such as electricity, but the $48,000 (estimate) potential rent is off the table. Reviewer Note: Numerous meetings have discussed how much GPH should pay to the County for GPH’s space in the new County Office Building and how much of the GPH space should be allocated to Automatic Data Processing (ADP). The County Commissioners ultimately voted not to charge GPH rent at the November 26, 2024 County Commissioners Meeting.
6.0 New Business
6.01.01 Financial Reports, Resolution 24–12-06-01-01 - Mr. Litke explained that because of the earlier meeting time this month and year-end billing considerations, the financial statements are briefer this month. Also, Mr. Litke explained in response to a question from Mrs. Brakey that GPH finances are in good shape. He then explained how the cooperative agreement with Lake County has positively impacted both the GPH budget and service delivery. He said that other counties are interested in replicating the cooperative agreement that Lake and Geauga have developed in order to form their own cooperative agreements with adjacent counties in their part of the state. He noted that the cooperative agreement is not a merger, but there are cost savings. Passed by Voice Vote: unanimous
6.01.02 Resolution 2024-13: Then and Now Purchase Order to Klarich Farms, Not to exceed $17,594.00 - This was necessary to correct a bill paid incorrectly. This rectifies the error.
Passed by Roll Call: unanimous
6.01.03 Resolution 2024-13: Then and Now Purchase Order to Wet Ink Excavating, Not to exceed $13.800.00 - There was a mix up as the name of the person signing the contract differed from the name on the invoice. This motion is needed to correct the error so the contractor can be paid.
Passed by Roll Call: unanimous
6.02 Resolution Establishing the Day, Time and Place of Monthly Board of Health Meetings for 2025 -
January 15, 2025
February 26, 2025
March 26, 2025
April 16, 2025
May 28, 2025
June 25, 2025
July 23, 2025
August 27, 2025
September 24, 2025
October 22, 2025
November 19, 2025
December 17, 2025
All meetings will be held at 5:00 pm at the County Administration Building.
Passed by Voice Vote: Aye: 3 and Abstention: 1 (Brakey)
37:52 Minutes
6.03 Permission to Allocate $20,000 for O&M Mailing Costs. As this program continues, follow-up with those out of compliance requires notification by certified mail, including potentially more than one follow-up letter. Certified mail can cost $6- $8 per mailing. The number of septic systems out of compliance is not yet known. This allocation ensures that there will be adequate funds set aside for mailing for the O&M program. Any unused funds will remain in the General Fund.
Passed by Voice Vote: unanimous
6.04 Permission to Refer Owners of Semi-Public Sewage Treatment Systems for Legal Action. This action is to pursue 13 operators of semi-public sewage treatment systems for non-payment of fees.
Passed by Voice vote: unanimous
6.05 Discussion Regarding Live Streaming of Geauga Public Health Board of Health Meetings. Mr. Litke was informed that Geauga County will no longer provide streaming services for GPH Board meetings via Automatic Data Processing (ADP). There was a discussion of options to provide needed transparency in an economically feasible way. Streaming service by ADP will cease as of 1-1-25. The GPH Board decided to keep streaming services on a month to month basis with ADP if they are willing. Cost is estimated at $20,000/year/ if ADP is the provider. The Board expressed hope that advances in technology might offer a less expensive solution. Mr. Litke will follow up with ADP for streaming on a month to month basis, while simultaneously exploring long term solutions.
55:15 minutes
6.06 Discussion Regarding Safe Communities - The Safe Communities Grant is a $42,000 grant related to traffic safety. Initially, Lake County held the grant for both Lake and Geauga, but years ago Geauga’s grant was transferred back to Geauga. Now, with the cross-jurisdictional agreement between Lake and Geauga Counties, there is an issue getting invoices paid by the grant administrator in a timely manner. Mr. Litke is working with the parties involved to find a better, more timely process for getting bills paid.
59:03 Minutes
7.0 Citizen’s Remarks -
First Commenter:
Second Commenter:
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Reemphasised the importance of live streaming and recording GPH meetings.
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Noted that GPH has to submit budgets in advance and questioned how long the potential rent issue will be “hanging over your heads.” Reviewer Note: Mr. Litke stated earlier in the meeting that the rent issue is off the table. No one responded to this comment at this time.
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Asked for clarification about the midwife issue. Reviewer Note: Please see the October 30, 2024 GPH LWVG Observer Report for more information regarding the regulations regarding midwives, who often assist Geauga’s Amish women in childbirth.
After Dr. Hendrickson stated that the issue could not be addressed, Dr. Rood asked if GPH should respond to questions raised. Lively discussion ensued about GPH with regard to midwifery. Mr. Litke and Mr. Ron Graham, Lake County Health Commissioner, followed up with many public entities to see if there is a Board at the state level that has oversight of midwives and determined that there is not. Although GPH lacks regulatory authority over midwives, Mr. Litke and Mr. Graham did reach out to learn more about Middlefield Birthing Center and how they provide services. They were invited to tour the facility, met some staff, and learned of plans in place should a childbirth situation require a higher level of care. They have physicians on staff and a director of nursing in addition to the midwives. Mr. Litke and Mr. Graham felt that there are processes in place and systems to elevate the level of care if needed especially in regard to the Middlefield Birthing Center
Mr. Litke also said that he and Mr. Graham had determined that there is no oversight from any Medical or Pharmacy Boards. Observer Note: At last month’s meeting, Mr. Graham had said that he would have a report at this meeting and that the Board of Pharmacy was going to be contacted. See LWVGeauga Observer Report for November 20, 2024 for details.
Dr. Rood clarified that GPH has no desire to disparage midwives, whether they are Direct Entry Midwives (DEM) which don’t require specific training or licensing or Certified Midwives, which have specific training. He said that GPH does have an interest in better understanding if there is an appropriate plan in place to access a higher level of care if things go badly during childbirth. Dr. Rood said that under Ohio Revised Code (ORC), Ohio birthing centers are required to have a means to access a higher level of support, but the rules governing midwifery and birthing centers are intentionally flexible, acknowledging the unique place they hold in the community. He felt that there could be a place for the Administrator of Geauga Public Health to determine if there is an adequate back-up plan that is being followed.
Mr. Litke said that the Middlefield Birthing Center does appear to have a plan. He said that he thought they should reach out to Middlefield Midwifery LLC Center, which they haven’t yet done. However, he was concerned that he is not a doctor and was wondering if this is something in which he should be involved.
Dr. Rood and Dr. Hendrickson stressed the need for a back-up plan. Reviewer Note: It appears from listening to the video that no decisions were made on whether to continue to review the work of these two midwife groups or how to proceed to investigate their work.
Recognition of Ms. Brakey’s service as a Board Member on the GPH Board
Recently elected as a Geauga County Commissioner, Ms. Brakey will begin that term on 1-1-25. This is her last meeting as a member of the GPH Board. Her contributions were acknowledged, and she was presented with several gifts of appreciation.
8.0 Executive Session - No session requested
Motion to Adjourn at 1:19:17 minutes
Next Regular Meeting: January 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm. All meetings are held at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite B167-168, Chardon, OH.
More Information: Geauga Public Health
Observer: Kathy Franz
Editor: Carol Benton
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone and Gail Roussey
Submission Date: 01/07/2025
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