Board Schedules Meeting at Geauga County Fair on August 28th at 10 am
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - July 29, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. Meetings can be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The July 29, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 139 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the 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 and revised on April 15, 2025. Observer Note: The above link to the Policy does not have the revision, which was simply to change the time allowed for public comment from two minutes to three minutes.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton. Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne was absent.
County Representatives: Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community and Economic Development; Joanne Santilli, Director, Geauga Transit; Roger Peterson, outgoing Director of Emergency Services; Austin Rice, Interim Director of Emergency Services; Craig Swenson, Executive Director, Job and Family Services; Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance; Shane Hajjar, Deputy Engineer, Engineer’s Office; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Human Resources Director Kathleen Hostutler
Others in Attendance: Sandra Williams, Charter Communications Director State Government Affairs for Northeast Ohio; Jim Mausser, Finance Manager, Geauga County Mental Health and Recovery Services; Ben Capelle, CEO, Laketran; Kathy Shimer, Director, Destination Geauga; County residents Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and press, and this Observer.
4:40 Min. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited
Minutes No minutes were submitted for approval. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through July 29, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 1, 2025.
5:13 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan Reported that on July 24, 2025 she approved an unpaid Leave of Absence in the Building Department
5:34 Min. Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Appropriations transfer from the Sheriff to their miscellaneous fund for refunds, reimbursements, and web checks that were deposited into the general fund.
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Cash transfer from the general fund to Community Development for their second quarter 2025 payroll funding reimbursement and third quarter operational commitment for 2025.
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Travel Request for Job and Family Services to relocate a child in custody and to attend the 2025 Ohio Public Children Services annual conference.
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Revenue Certification from Water Resources in their water resources fund for additional penalties, refunds, and reimbursements not budgeted for 2025
Vouchers
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$1.5 million from the Auditor's Office to Shook Construction Company for ARPA's (American Rescue Plan Act) share of the progress on the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements project.
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$14,000 from the Commissioners to Lake County for a grant payment that was erroneously sent to Geauga County and was deposited into the general fund.
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$98,859.65 from Community Development to Lindsay Construction and Design Incorporated for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding for the Maple Leaf Residences roof and window replacement project.
7:21 Min. Spectrum - Ms. Sandra Williams, Charter Communications Director State Government Affairs for Northeast Ohio, provided information to the Board regarding Spectrum receiving the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant (ORBEG) 2 Project in Geauga County. Ms. Williams said the total grant was for $94.5 Million, and was designed to fund broadband infrastructure projects in areas currently lacking access to reliable high-speed internet. It would be used for broadband access in Burton Township, Huntsburg Township, Middlefield Township, Parkman Township, Newbury Township, and Troy Township. She said they would run cable to 170,000 locations and that the project would need to be completed by December 2026 according to the grant guidelines. The grant for Geauga County was $3.6 Million, and Spectrum will also contribute to this effort. Mrs. Brakey asked if they filtered out Amish households, and Ms. Williams said that they will speak with every household and if they don’t want it connected to their residence, it would stop at the street. She explained that in this way, if the property changed hands to someone who wanted broadband access, the new owners would only need to pay to extend access from the street to their residence. Ms. Williams also said that this will be all new fiber and would not use any existing cable.
The Airport Authority received approval for the following:
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To release the Bid/Performance Bond for Hoar Construction Company for the Hangar 1 Improvement project, as all specifications have been satisfied.
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Reimbursement Request #2 for the Taxiway Extension Construction Project, specifically to Construct Parallel Taxiway A including Taxiway Connector A1 and A2 – Construction, Final Phase and Install Taxiway Edge Lights – Construction, Grant #3-39-0054-028-2024 in the amount of $488,831.91 (FAA share: $439,948.72; ODOT share: $24,441.60; local County match share: $24,441.59).
Mr. Spidalieri asked for information about the grant for the Hangar project funding. There was discussion about this request since it appeared that the grant paperwork was only received late in the prior week and the hard copy the previous day. Ms. Bevan said that the Prosecutor’s Office was still reviewing the paperwork. Mrs. Brakey said that there had not been sufficient time to review the 50-page document so it was not included for action at this meeting.
Mr. Dvorak said that he heard from Congressman Joyce’s office that they would receive the $585,000 grant. He discussed the timing and said that the Commissioners would do everything they could to ensure that this project keeps going.
Mr. Blamer provided an update and went over the Second Quarter Report. He said that they are on time to complete the Taxiway Phase I by September 19, 2025. He said that it will require a 10-day closure but there is a grass runway that can be utilized. In order to complete Phase II, they need to purchase land for the extension of an additional taxiway. Mr. Blamer said that the FAA would fund this 100% but they have not heard back yet from the agency.
Mr. Blamer discussed a pancake breakfast and a Young Eagles event at the Airport on June 21. There were 41 flights and 96 youth received flights. He said there were 70 volunteers.
He also reported that they have adjusted calculations and reported revenue of $102,382, expenses of $92,768, and a balance of $9,614.
Mr. Blamer talked about the Youth Aviation Camp that had just concluded. He said that they had 18 participants and about 36-38 volunteers. During the morning there was a ground school where they tore apart engines, put them back together and did science experiments. In the afternoon, they did flight simulators, listened to career talks and had additional hands-on building projects to teach them how airplanes go together. There was a career speaker at the end of the day.
23:03 Min. The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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Allocation of Municipal Road Funds in the amount of $300,000.00 for the State Route Resurfacing in Chardon: State Routes 44 and 6 project, sponsored by the City of Chardon. This project is scheduled for construction in 2025. Mr. Hajjar stated that these funds come from fuel taxes for use within municipalities. He said they are waiting for pending applications from Middlefield and Hunting Valley (the portion within Geauga County).
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To certify to the County Auditor the use of $300,000.00 from the Municipal Road Fund for the State Route Resurfacing: State Routes 44 and 6 in the City of Chardon, pursuant to O.R.C. 4504.04.
25:29 Min. Laketran and Geauga Transit received approval for the following:
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To execute a Letter of Support for a Joint Application to the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program. Ms. Santilli said the grant will allow them to provide a better interface between Lake and Geauga and help individuals to get to work. Residents from either county will only have to make one call instead of two. The funds will be used to update software and to provide funds for extra drivers to transport across counties. Mr. Capelle, CEO Laktran, said that the grant is for $1.2 Million ($400,000 over three years).
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Maintenance Improvement to the driveway that includes replacing the existing asphalt in the back lot and resurfacing the existing asphalt in the access drives and parking lot. This was stated to be in accordance with the Lease Agreement. Ms. Santilli said that this project is State funded.
Mrs Brakey noted that the transit system was crucial for senior citizens.
30:15 Min. The Department of Community and Economic Development received approval for the following:
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To approve additional projects under CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) #B-F-23-1AZ-1 for the Maple Leaf Community Residences and Chagrin Falls Park Community Center to utilize remaining project funds as they are allowable under the application for Building Rehabilitation. This includes the installation of replacement flooring in one home at Maple Leaf Community Residences for better ADA accessibility, and for Chagrin Falls Park Community Center to put new siding on the community center and a new roof on the pavilion. Any additional costs remaining from CDBG funds will be covered by the applicant.
Ms. Hofstetter said that there were funds left over from the 2023 original project for Maple Leaf that can be used for these projects. She said that this would be in accordance with State guidelines.
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To execute the Three-party Contract between the Board of Commissioners, Maple Leaf Community Residences and Burton Carpet Shoppe, Incorporated to remove and dispose of carpeting and prepare floor and install vinyl flooring in the family, dining and living rooms and two (2) bedrooms at the Maple Leaf Community Residences home on Wilson Mills Road, Chardon with work to be completed by August 31, 2025 in the amount of $9,705.03.
34 Min. The Department of Emergency Services received approval for changing the name of the Department from Emergency Services back to the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Mr. Rice explained that Geauga County was the only county in the State utilizing the prior terminology and that referring to the department as Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will eliminate confusion.
39:55 Min. The Department of Job and Family Services received approval to execute Resolution #25-152 Certificate of Need, as Authorized by O.R.C. 5705.03, .07, .19, .191, .24, .25, and .26 for renewal of the 0.7 Mill levy. Mr. Swenson said that this levy was a replacement in 2010 and that it is still a qualified levy. Observer Note: See ORC 319.302 for a discussion of qualified levies here.
Mr. Swenson said that the State of Ohio does not fund to the level of need for children’s services. He said that there are 400-700 investigation cases a year, with 35 staff members. Mrs. Brakey said they have $8.6 million in their account now. Mr. Swenson said that after the expenses of the Youth Center they will have about $2.5 million. He said that their expenses can swing each month by a million dollars. He said that during Covid the fund grew and that is when they decided to build the Youth Center. He said that this would actually be a cost savings for the County in the long run because they won’t have to send the kids outside the county. He said they expect to go to bid for the new Youth Center in the fall.
46:11 Min. Executive Session - At 10:11 am The Department of Job and Family Services received approval for the Board to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the compensation of public employees. Mr. Swenson joined the Commissioners and Ms. Bevan in the Executive Session.
100:35 Min. Return From Executive Session - At 10:25 am, the Commissioners returned and no action was taken.
Resignation from Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services (GC-MHRS) The Commissioners’ Office accepted the resignation of Alberta Chokshi from the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, effective June 30, 2025. Observer Note: Ms. Chokshi was one of three members appointed by the State Mental Health Board. There is currently no further information about the replacement for Ms. Chokshi. When information is available, it will be posted on the LWVGeauga website. State appointed members do have to have clinical experience.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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To Schedule and Hold a Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Geauga County Fairgrounds Poultry and Sale Barns on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 5:00 pm.
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To cancel the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
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To establish the Location and Time of the August 28, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners (in lieu of the August 26 meeting) to be held at 10:00 am at the Great Geauga County Fair, at the Junior Fair 4-H stage.
102:21 Min. The Commissioners’ Office requested the following two items, which were tabled:
There were questions from Mrs. Brakey about the change orders, and she asked for assurances that the Owner’s Rep, NV5, had confirmed that these were correct. She also asked if there would be additional change orders. Ms. Bevan said she would confirm the status for the next session.
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To approve the final design for the Courthouse dedication plaque. There was discussion about three options. Mrs. Brakey favored the one that stated the names of the current commissioners. Mr. Dvorak favored the one that also included the names of the architect and builder. Mr. Spidalier said he would not approve unless the name of former Commissioner Tim Lennon was included. He said, in his opinion, that the Courthouse renovation would not have gone forward if it wasn’t for the efforts of Mr. Lennon. Mrs. Brakey said she thought that another creative way could be devised to honor the efforts of Mr. Lennon without listing him as Commissioner. She pointed out that the plaque for the new county office building only listed the names of commissioners who were in office at the time of the dedication even though other commissioners in the past had aided the effort. Mr. Spidallieri asked how much the plaque would cost, and Ms. Bevan said she would get that information for the next session. Mr. Spidalieri said that, if only three commissioners would be listed, he would like to take his name off the plaque.
As there was no consensus, this item was tabled for the next session.
110:05 Min. Withdrawal of Request for Hearing - The Commissioners’ Office received approval to concur with the Burton Township Trustees in withdrawing the request for a hearing on the Liquor License requested by 15015 Enterprises, LLC located at 15015 Kinsman Road, Middlefield, Ohio.
111:02 Min.Executive Session - At 10:36 am The Commissioners’ Office received approval to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of public employees, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(1). Mr. Vernick joined the Commissioners and Ms. Bevan.
1:45 Min. Return from Executive Session - At 11:08 am the Commissioners returned from Executive Session and reported that no action would be taken.
Board Discussion – Geauga County Fair - There was discussion about which departments and/or elected officials would remain in the Bell Tower Building and which would be moving to the Merchant Hall 2. Mr. Dvorak explained that they have expanded their presence at the Fair in anticipation of the larger celebration next year for the 250th Celebration. Destination Geauga Director Ms. Shimer agreed that they could move to Merchant Hall 2. It was decided to send a letter to elected officials to ask them whether they wanted to be in the Bell Tower Building or Merchant Hall 2.
Ms. Blair said they would need to re-do the agreement with the Geauga Fair to list which offices will be having a space at Merchant Hall 2 as they will each have to sign an agreement. Mrs Brakey said that Family First asked to be in Merchant Hall 2. It was agreed that those working on this, including Ms. Hofstetter and Ms. Shimer, would work on what was needed to inform the Geauga Fair.
1:54 Min. Public Comment
A citizen of South Russell Village discussed Liberty Camp, which had its closing ceremony the prior Friday and asked everyone to attend the final celebration on Friday next year.
1:56 Min. Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:40 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next two Regular Meetings of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 and Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: August 4, 2025
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