Former County Airport Manager Criticizes Perceived Lack of Investment by Commissioners
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - March 25, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Meetings can also be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The March 25, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 134 times. 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 Ralph Spidalieri and James Dvorak. Commissioner Carolyn Brakey was absent. Also present were Commissioners Clerk Christine Blair, Acting County Administrator Linda Burhenne and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Traci A. Salkiewicz, Engineer’s Department; Craig Swenson, Director, Job and Family Services (JFS); Gina Schultz, Social Services Director at Geauga JFS, and Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources.
Others in Attendance: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP (Automatic Data Processing); Adam Litke, Administrator, Geauga Public Health; Patty Phillip, prior manager of the Geauga Airport; Dick Bundan, Ohio Land and Liberty; County residents Tom and Diane Jones, members of the public and press, and this LWVG Observer.
7:04 Min - The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: No Minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through March 25, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through March 11, 2025.
County Administrator’s report - Ms. Burhenne reported the following:
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Approved a formal Contract Purchase Order for purchase of the properties approved at last week’s Comissioner’s meeting, namely permanent parcel numbers 10-143900 and 10-085350 located at 214 East Park Street, Chardon and adjacent vacant lot.
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Approved payment of $5,000 to Title Professionals Group Ltd. for earnest money for above property purchase
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Accepted the resignation of Kevin Cunningham, Maintenance Coordinator, and approved posting for position for Full Time Maintenance Coordinator
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Approved an unpaid Leave of Absence for an employee in the position of Recreation and Education Assistant in the Department of Aging
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Accepted resignation of Matthew Sieracki, Maintenance Contract Coordinator, and approved advertising the position
10:18 Min - Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following: Observer Note: Monetary figures are given when available.
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Then & Now to Hinton Law Inc. for 2023 charges not previously encumbered. Observer Note: Neither the nature of the charges or the amount was presented.
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Purchase Order from Commissioners to County Agricultural Fund for construction of a new Poultry Barn.
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Encumbrance - Travel encumbrances from Common Pleas Court Technology and Emergency Services.
11:41 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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Approved the release of the Maintenance ($50,000.00) and Paving ($45,000.00) Guarantees being held for the Hunting Valley Preserve Subdivision in Chester Township as the owner of record, NCR Ventures (owner Rick Doody), has performed all pavement and maintenance guarantee work as required. (Hunting Valley Preserve Subdivision was accepted for snow and ice control by Chester Township on December 19, 2017.)
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Approved the release of the Hunting Valley Preserve Subdivision Paving Bond and Maintenance Bond to the Owner of Record, County Line Estates, LLC.
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Awarded the Bid to Grade Line, Incorporated for the Replacement of Culverts on Various Roads in Munson Township in the amount of $195,521.15 as they represented the lowest and best bid. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
14:00 Min. The Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) received approval to execute Resolution #25-053 Recognizing April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mr. Swenson, Director of JFS, and Gina Schultz, Social Services Director at JFS, spoke about the display of pinwheels that will be installed at the corner of Mayfield Road and Route 44 (courtesty of Junction Auto) to represent the number of investigations into child abuse or neglect. He said there would be 329 pinwheels. He said that they work with Ohio RISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) and the Family First Council of Geauga. Mr. Swenson also said that they received a very favorable rating of their response from the State review and were asked to participate in a Federal Government audit. He said that Geauga’s rate of removing children from families is lower than the state average. They work to keep children with families, which he said was the least restrictive alternative. Ms Schultz said that there will be a reception on April 7 at their office in the County Administration Building. Observer Note: It was not stated whether this was open to the public and nothing is listed on their website. Ms. Schultz said that on April 9 all are encouraged to wear blue. A photo was taken with the Commissioners.
21:50 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To execute the Contract Agreement with Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Renovation Project in the amount of $30,824,400.00. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
Mr. Gorris, Director of Water Resources said they expect to “hit the ground running next week” with this project.
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To execute the Certified List of Governing Body and Contact Persons Regarding the Facility and Financial Information regarding the USDA Annual Reporting Requirements.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Rice Oil and Environmental, LLC to perform Oil/Water Separator cleaning services, as needed at various locations within the department, for a one-year period, effective March 25, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $3,500.00.
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To execute the Agreement between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and HDR Engineering, Incorporated for Engineering Services to Geauga County to perform Engineering and Construction Services for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Renovations project in the amount of $1,195,680.00.
Mr. Gorris said that, although Water Resources employees will be working as usual, this firm will help to coordinate smooth continuing running of the plant during the reconstruction.
25:05 Min. The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #25-054 Fifth Amended Resolution Approving the use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2025 for the Veterans Service Commission – Visa and increasing the limit to quarterly on the Department on Aging Marc’s / Marc Glassman account, Pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.
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To execute the Application for the use of County Credit Cards Form for the Veterans Service Commission, for the Year 2025, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27.
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To execute the Certification Request to County Auditor, Request to Board of Commissioners Quarterly Use of County Credit Cards, pursuant to O.R.C. 301.27 for the Year 2025 (Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4) for the Department on Aging, Marc’s / Marc Glassman account.
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To execute the Request for Partial Payment #18 for Infinity Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion GMP #1 and #2 expenses in the amount of $805,884.64.
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To designate Commissioner James W. Dvorak as voting representative (Alternate, Megan Erickson) at the CEBCO (County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio) Annual Membership Meeting, on Friday, April 4, 2025.
17:38 Min. Board Discussion – Consideration of Infinity change order request #016
Ms. Burhenne introduced this discussion by stating that this was a continuation of the prior discussion. She said that at the ADP Board meeting prior to this meeting she learned that these changes/purchases could be approved subject to ADP approval. Ms. Burhnne said that these charges will include changes for the secure access area which will necessitate a keypad and other upgrades. They will need approval for the intercom system connected to the secure gate. She said they need to do some “data drops” because a printer is going to be put in additional locations. She said many of these projects have actually begun. She said that the total for this change is $50,791. She also said that there would be an additional change order of $2,700 which will be for money to be “given back” (will not be spent) for some speakers. Ms. Burhnne said that the total of charge orders to date is $791,000.
33.11 Min. Public Comment
An individual from Middlefield, who identified herself as Patty Phillip, former Geauga Airport Manager, spoke about her objection to comments made by Commissioner Brakey at a prior meeting and those reported in the newspaper. Observer Note: See LWVG report from March 4, 2025 for more information. The exact spelling of Ms. Phillip’s name was not stated and could not be verified. She said that the value of the airport is misunderstood and that she agreed with the assessment of Commissioner Spidalieri that the County has “failed the airport.” She was advocating for building the T-Hangars. She said that the comments of Commissioner Brakey were “inappropriate.”
Mr. Spidalieri agreed and pointed to the Lost Nation Airport in Willoughby as one that has been upgraded and now contributes positively to the economic benefit of the community. Reviewer Note: Lost Nation Airport is the former name of the Lake County Executive Airport.
Ms. Phillip said that by law Geauga Commissioners are obligated to support the Airport and that the average contribution has been $15,000 a year. She further stated that the Airport has to spend the grant money only on what was approved. Observer Note: The request to the Commissioners under consideration is for $1.3 Million, with about $560,000 also expected from the Grant. See LWVGeauga report above concerning the discussion.
An individual from Russell Township asked when the Airport contract would be resolved and Mr. Dvorak said next week. This individual also said that Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day is this weekend and that the 60,000 who lost their lives should be remembered. Observer Note: This is a nationally recognized event on March 29th. See more information here.
An individual from Ohio Land and Liberty, Dick Bundan, said that they are on an 88 county tour of Ohio to promote renewable energy.
Chagrin Valley Times reporter, Anastasia Nicholas, asked Ms. Phillip what she meant when she said that the Airport has not gotten substantial funding from the Commissioners. Ms. Phillip said that she can only speak to her experience (15 years, but not in the last 5 years). Ms. Phillip stated that by agreement, the Commissioners are required to cover grant matches up to $25,000. She said that average grants have been about $112,000 - $115,000. She said the average contribution per resident in the County was $0.25.
Observer Note: In a March 27 article in the Chagrin Valley Times available here, Mr. Gorton, County Finance Manager, said that the County provided the airport with $1.328 Million in the past four years, $750,000 of which is a 2% interest rate loan that the airport will repay to the county over 20 years. The total not covered by a loan is $578,890. The full accounting (as stated by Gorton in the article) of the $1.328 Million consists of $602,792 in 2020 for a $750,000 T-hangar loan and grant match; $152,598 in 2021 for the balance of the T-hangar loan and grant match; $325,000 in 2022 for University Hospitals AirMed hangar improvements; $68,500 in 2023 for the balance of AirMed hangar improvements and $200,000 last year for an $180,000 local match for a taxiway project and $20,000 for financial support.
Meeting adjourned at 11:06 am.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next BOCC meeting is on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Rossey
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: 3/30/2025
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