Dog Warden Suspended for 3 Days while BOCC, Prosecutor and Sheriff
Work on Standard Operating Procedures
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - February 20, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Thursday,
February 20, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. This meeting was held on a Thursday due to the Monday President’s Day holiday. Meetings can also be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The February 20, 2025 meeting recording can be found here and a second video which follows the Executive Session is found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 71 and 95 times respectively. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the first video for a particular section. 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: Permitted as outlined in the BOCC’s Public Comment Policy that was adopted on January 28, 2025.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey, James Dvorak, and Ralph Spidalieri. Also present were Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair, Acting County Administrator Linda Burhenne and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Matt Sieracki, Contract Coordinator, and Carl Tkatch, Program Manager, Maintenance Department; Tom Rowan, Chief Deputy, Sheriff's Department; Jacob Scotese, Engineer’s Department; Kathy Hostutler, Administrator, and Megan Erickson, Benefits Specialist, Human Resources Department, and Kathleen Miller, Fiscal Specialist, Water Resources.
Others in Attendance: Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance Department; Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP; members of the public and press, and this LWVG Observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: Minutes were approved for February 4, 2025. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through February 20, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through January 28, 2025.
County Administrator’s report - Ms. Burhenne received approval for the following:
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Department on Aging - Acceptance of a resignation of a part-time education and recreation assistant and approval to hire a part-time adult day service assistant
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Job and Family Services (JFS) - Approval to hire a child advocacy program manager, replacement
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Approved two liquor license matters - Concurred with Bainbridge Township trustees in not requesting a hearing for liquor license request from Daffodil Mart, Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls and with Newbury trustees in not requesting a hearing for KZ01 Corporation on Kinsman Rd. Newbury
10:27 Min Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following: Observer Note: Monetary figures are given when available.
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Supplemental from Clerk of Courts in their Certificate of Title Administration Fund Transfers Out Expense Account to pay the General Fund for money used by the Certificate of Title Administration fund to repay for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) use of funds for payroll that wasn’t paid out of the General Fund as envisioned by the Commissioners. Observer Note: See LWVGeauga report for October 10, 2024 for background on these matters and those that follow in this section.
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Cash Transfer from the Clerk of Courts Certificate of Title Administration Fund to the General Fund to pay money that was used from the ARPA Fund.
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Cash Transfer from General Fund to the Engineer’s Office for the Storm Water Management Fund
Encumbrances
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Formal Contract purchase order from Community Development to Chester Township and to ICP (Industrial Commercial Properties) Geauga Lake LLC to reestablish encumbrances in the Demo and Site Revitalization fund
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Travel request from Engineers Department
Then and Now Encumbrance from Water Resources to Stockton Gardens for account services from 2023 that were not previously encumbered
Vouchers
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$575,998.08 from Commissioners’ office to Infinity Construction Company for pay request #16 for courthouse expansion project
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$166,600.00 from Job and Family Services to Then Design Architecture Ltd for design services related to the new Youth Center Project
Revenue Certificate
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From Commissioners’ office in the Capital Reserve Fund Phase 2 to Intergovernmental Revenue account
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From Police Court in their Court Technology fund transfer for additional revenue to be received in 2025
Mr. Gorton informed the Board that it is time to start the 2026 budget process and he would like to get the unused appropriations numbers down. The unused appropriations have ranged from 10% to 12% in the years 2021-2023. The percentage was 29% in 2024 but this was due to the payroll that was paid from the ARPA fund. Observer Note: See note above regarding this. The Commissioners used the ARPA account for payroll in order to free up funds in the General Fund for the Courthouse expansion project. They were not allowed to reallocate those appropriations. Mr. Gorton offered suggestions and welcomed suggestions from the board. He has sent spreadsheets to all departments with their historic usage. Both Mr. Dvorak and Ms. Brakey stated that they would like to think about it and they will discuss it at the next meeting.
The Commissioners received approval to execute the Certification Request to County Auditor, Request to Board of Commissioners for Quarterly Use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2025 (Quarters 1, 2 3 and 4) for the Common Pleas Court, Common Pleas Court - Adult Probation and Common Pleas Court - Drug Court.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval to execute Resolution #25-025 to Order the Replacement of Culverts on Various Roads, in Munson Township, to execute the Title Sheet for the plans and to advertise for bids.
The Sheriff’s Office received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification, Annual Certification Report for FY Ending December 31, 2024.
The Dog Warden received approval for the submission of an Application to the Geauga Credit Union for a Credit Card.
26:15 Min The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To execute the First Addendum to the service Contract Agreement with Gable Elevator, Inc., originally executed June 4, 2024, to include the Geauga County Courthouse Elevator at an additional rate of $148.00 a month, billed quarterly. All of the remaining terms and conditions of the original service Contract Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
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To award the Bid to North Bay Construction, Inc., for the Department of Emergency Services Generator Upgrade Project in the amount of $246,645.00, as they represented the lowest and best bid.
Mr. Sieracki stated that the lead time on this is 270 days. Ms. Brakey inquired about the project. Mr. Sieracki said that the Department of Emergency Services has two generators. One controls the tower and one controls the building. The plan is to have the two new generators power both in case of failure and to provide complete coverage.
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To execute the Agreement for Professional Design Services with Technical Assurance, Inc., to provide professional design and contract administration services related to repairing the masonry bulge and rolled, leaning parapet on the north elevation exterior façade of the 219 Main Street building and performing masonry repairs and maintenance on the remaining portion of the north elevation exterior façade of the 219 Main Street Building and the upper and lower west elevations of the 219 and 215 Main Street buildings located in Chardon, Ohio, for the period February 20, 2025 through February 28, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $17,500.00.
Ms. Brakey asked about the cost of the actual Job. Mr. Tkatch stated that they will not know until they find the cause.
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To execute the Agreement for Professional Design Services with Technical Assurance, Inc., to provide professional design and contract administration services related to performing masonry repairs and maintenance on the exterior walls of the Opera House building and clean and repaint the façade surfaces located at 211 Main Street (Opera House) Chardon, Ohio for the period February 20, 2025 through February 28, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $24,500.00.
Mr. Tkatch stated that the cost of the project will be between $150,000 and $200,000. Mr. Spidalieri expressed his thoughts on how they continue “...to throw money on something that we'll continue to throw money on.”
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Comfort Systems to perform preventative maintenance and service on HVAC systems for the Department for a one-year period, effective February 20, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Cummins Inc., d.b.a. Cummins Sales and Service, to perform Planned Maintenance and Repairs as needed for Wastewater and Water locations with Cummins generators for the department for a one-year period, effective February 20, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 ($21,000.00 Wastewater and $4,000.00 Water).
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute the 2025 County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio (CEBCO) Wellness Grant Agreement to promote employee health and wellness lifestyles in the amount of $4,000.00 of Administrative Funds and $15,510.00 of Program Funds.
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To grant permission to ADP Administrator, Frank Antenucci, to execute the Gila LLC, d.b.a. Municipal Services Bureau (MSB,) Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, Self-Assessment Questionnaire A and Attestation of Compliance, and Self-Assessment Questionnaire B-IP and Attestation of Compliance, as a requirement for them to provide Financial Transaction Devices (online payment acceptance solutions, including credit / debit card and E-check).
Mr. Antenucci stated that, due to the county taking credit cards for payments, they have to meet certain security standards.
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To execute Resolution #25-027 Honoring Leadership Geauga 2025 Emerald Leader Award Winner Alice Sems.
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To execute Resolution #25-028 Honoring Leadership Geauga 2025 Emerald Leader Award Winner Dr. Bob Faehnle.
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To execute Resolution #25-029 Honoring Leadership Geauga 2025 Emerald Leader Award Winner Melanie Scanlon.
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To execute Resolution #25-030 Honoring Junior Girl Scout Troop #71432 for Achieving the Bronze Award, the Highest Honor for a Junior Girl Scout.
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To execute Resolution #25-031 Honoring Girl Scout Cadette Troop #71409 for Achieving the Silver Award, the Highest Honor for a Cadette Girl Scout.
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To hire an employee for the position of Administrative / Fiscal Assistant effective March 10, 2025.
Executive Session #1 - The BOCC moved into executive session at 10:11 to discuss the discipline of a public employee. They were joined by Ms. Burhenne.
3:23 Min. Return from Executive Session at 10:18 am - see second video at this point.
Commissioners returned at 10:18 with action. Due to violations relating to employee contact within the Geauga County personnel policy, the decision was made to suspend the Dog Warden, Matthew Granito, for 24 hours (three days) without pay.
Mr. Spidalieri abstained from the vote to approve this action. He stated that he had not had time to review all of the information.
4:15 Min (part 2) Executive Session #2 - The BOCC moved into executive session at 10:20 to discuss the employment of a public employee. Ms. Hostutler joined the Commissioners and Ms. Burhenne.
20:30 Min. Return from Executive Session. They returned at 10:36 with no action.
21:24 Min (part 2) Board Discussion:
Change Orders for Courthouse -
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Ms. Burhenne inquired as to the change orders that had been submitted for the showers in the basement of the Courthouse. Discussion followed with the Commissioners regarding the need for showers. A motion was made by Ms. Brakey to deny the change orders for the showers. It was approved by all board members.
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Ms. Burhenne discussed adding Redundancy to the Court IT loop. The cost would be $9,100 and the contractors communicated that it is not necessary to have an effective IT presence in the building. A motion was made to deny it at this time. Mr. Dvoark stated that they can come back and present more information if needed.
25:25 Min. Dog Warden - Ms. Burnenne stated that they had a meeting with the Dog Warden. Also present were representatives from the office of the Prosecutor, Sheriff and Rescue Village. The purpose of the meeting was to clarify roles and responsibilities of animal control in the county. Law enforcement will meet with the Dog Warden to further determine procedures. Ms. Brakey said it appeared the Dog Warden is understaffed to meet their statutory duties. Mr. Dvorak said that in a short period of time they will have a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for situations that arise.
Dormant Fund - Mr. Gorton presented a plan for the dormant vacation and sick time fund. The fund was originally established for large payouts due to retirements. He stated that it doesn't seem to be necessary anymore and would like to eliminate the fund. The balance is $400,000 and it will be rolled into the General Fund. This was approved by all of the Commissioners.
Public Comment:
A South Russell resident inquired as to the reason for the three-day suspension of the Dog Warden. Ms. Brakey stated that she did not think they should go into any detail. The resident asked if he could find out any information. Ms. Burhenne said that he could request that information after the suspension was executed and after they check with an attorney. The resident also inquired as to the airport contract. Mr. Dvorak stated that they were working on new contract language with the Prosecutor's Office.
A reporter asked Mr. Spidalieri why he did not have enough info to vote on the suspension of the Dog Warden. He answered that he did not see any of the evidence or information.
Meeting adjourned at 10:56 am.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next BOCC meeting is on Thursday February 27, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. The date was changed from the regular Tuesday meeting at a prior meeting.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 2/24/2025
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