Safety Concerns at the Upcoming Geauga County Fair Addressed by The Fair Board
and Sheriff’s Department
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - August 12, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Tuesday, August 12, 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 August 12, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of the date of publication this video has been viewed 220 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.
County Representatives: Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga County Airport Authority; Celeste Mullins, Recorder Geauga County; Austin Rice, Director (appointed at this meeting further in the Agenda), Emergency Management Services; Celesta Mullins, Recorder; Kathleen Miller, Fiscal Specialist, Water Resources; Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community Development; Gina Hofstetter, Director, Community Development; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department on Aging; Charles Tkatch, Program Manager, Maintenance; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance; Meg Noah, Secretary Geauga Fair Board and Jim McCaskey, Munson Twp Trustee and Chair of Safety and Security Committee for the Fair; Linda Burhenne, retiring Assistant County Administrator; Sheriff's Department Deputies not identified
Others in Attendance: Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy, ADP; Kathy Hostutler, Directory, Human Resources; Jen Murray from Architectural Firm TDA, RepresentatiAmanda Rura from the furniture company APG; Skip Claypool, member Metropolitan Housing Authority and Planning Board; County residents Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and press, and this Observer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes - Minutes from the meeting of June 24, 2025 were approved. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through August 12, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through April 1, 2025.
8:28 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan Reported:
-
Approved an unpaid leave of absence for an employee from Department on Aging
-
Rescinded a motion for the hiring of an employee for the Department on Aging as the offer was declined
-
Acknowledged a new hire for an employee in the Department of Job and Family Services.
-
Approved a service contract with SA Communal inc for the Department of Water Resources. This will be for one year and not to exceed $1,500.00
10:27 Min. Financial Report - Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
-
Supplemental appropriations to various General Fund Hospitalization accounts to cover the increase granted to the county's portion of health insurance.
-
Cash transfer from the General Fund to the Sheriff’s Office for the local match on the Violence Against Women Act Grant
-
Travel for Common Pleas Court, Engineering and Job and Family Services
Vouchers:
$950,590.72 from Commissioners to Infinity Construction for pay request #22 for the courthouse expansion project
$65,445.00 from Maintenance to Geauga Mechanical for a chiller replacement at the courthouse annex
$38,250.00 from Sheriff’s Office to Flock Group Inc for 12 new flock license plate recorder cameras
12:30 Min The Airport Authority received approval reimbursement request #3 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 $592,676.95 (FAA share $533,409.26. ODOT share $29,633.85 and local County match share $29,633.84).
13:47 Min. The Probate/Juvenile Court received approval to execute the Ohio Department of Youth Services, Juvenile Court Grant Agreement and Funding Application to amend the FY2026 DYS RECLAIM grant application for a clerical error, decreasing the total budgeted expenditures by $1,500.00.
Mrs. Brakey said she had questions, but there was no one in attendance from the Probate/Juvenile Court.
14:41 Min. The Recorder’s Office received permission to advertise for Competitive Sealed Proposals - Land Records Management System to be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Competitive Sealed Proposal Request will be advertised on August 14, 2025, August 21, 2025 and on the county website.
15:40 Min. The Department of Emergency Services received approval to execute Resolution #25-162 to Declare a Name Change for the Geauga County Department of Emergency Services to the Geauga County Emergency Management Agency to be effective August 12, 2025.
16:50 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval to execute Contract Maintenance Form #1, increasing the Service Contract with PerkinElmer U.S. LLC for additional software in the amount of $8,121.69 for a new amount not to exceed $20,121.69. Ms Miller said that this was needed to test for minerals.
In advance of the Hearing, which had to begin at 9:45 AM, Mr. Dvorak spoke about the Geauga Fair coming up August 28 - September 1.
20:50 Min. The Commissioners’ Office held a public hearing #3 at 9:45 a.m. for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Revolving Loan Fund Program. In attendance were Ms. Hofstetter, Ms. Malkamaki and Ms. Boalt. The purpose of the hearing was to provide information on the use of funds. Ms. Malkamaki presented background and fund guidelines which would make it possible to use the funds to purchase property. Funds are replenished as the loans are paid. They currently have $2.7 million in the fund and would like to use $2.6 million to purchase the Geauga Library Administration building on Ravenwood which will be used for the Geauga Senior Center. Ms. Boalt stated that the Department on Aging will contribute $600,000 to the purchase of the property and that they have a fund for renovations once purchased. There was discussion about whether the Fund should be used completely since there is a stated need. After discussion,there was verbal agreement with Mr. Dvorak and Mrs. Brakey (but no vote) to proceed with the $2.6 Million. Mr. Spidalieri had no questions or comments.. The hearing closed at 9:52 Min.
30:50 Min The Maintenance Department received approval for the proposed Concept Design for upgrading the Safety Center Roof for an engineering estimate of construction costs of approximately $3,500,000.00.
Discussion followed. Mr. Vernick presented the most recent discovery and field work from the engineering firm. The findings and recommendations are different from what was discovered and reported in 2022. He compared the two findings for the Board and explained the differences. They offered two separate options for the construction, one for $3.0 million and one for $3.5 million. The Board approved the option for $3.5 million. Mrs. Brakey confirmed that there would be no need to evacuate the building during the construction. Mr. Tkatch said that with proper maintenance the roof should last 30-40 years. Follow up questions Mr. Tkatch said the higher price roof had a better chance of lasting that time period. Mr. Dvorak said he felt comfortable with the more expensive option. Mr. Spidalieri had no comments or questions. All three Commissioners voted in favor of the more expensive option.
48:05 Min The Maintenance Department requested a discussion with the Board regarding an alternate location for the Geauga County Office Building parking lot expansion. Included was the impact to professional services scope and authorization to proceed with either original scope and location, a new location, or revised scope to evaluate multiple locations for the project.
Mr. Vernick stated that he had been approached by the Auditor with a suggestion to have the proposed county office building parking lot expansion be located across the street instead of the expansion originally proposed for the west side of the county building. Mr. Dvorak stated that he would like to proceed with the original expansion as planned on the West side of the building. Ms. Brakey questioned the reasoning and agreed with Mr. Dvorak.
Mr. Tkatch said that they are constricted on how far they can proceed with the parking on the West side due to the location of two wells. Some of the possible concerns about parking across the street were also discussed, such as the need for sidewalks. There was no vote, but verbally Mrs. Brakey and Mr. Dvorak agreed that they should proceed with plans for parking on the West side of the county office building. Mr. Spidalieri had no questions or comments.
52:16 Min The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
-
To execute Resolution #25-163 Honoring Linda Burhenne for her dedicated service to Geauga County and its residents. The Commissioners acknowledged all of her hard work and expressed their gratitude.
-
To execute Resolution #25-164 Honoring Joseph Gandee, for his hard work in Recovery and being a True Success Story of the Geauga County Common Pleas Court, New Leaf Program. Ms. Bevan talked about the New Leaf program and Mr. Gandee’s success with the program which has led to his employment with Infinity Construction.
-
To execute Contract Maintenance Form #1 increasing the Contract with Brilliant Electric Sign Company for two additional small ground signs in the amount of $12,342.00 and extending the date of completion through November 19, 2025.
-
To award the Bid to APG Office Furnishings for the Furniture Contractor Geauga County Courthouse Expansion project in the amount of $560,240.54 as they represented the lowest and best bid. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
Ms. Murray from TDA and Ms. Rura from APG presented themselves to the Commissioners for any comments or questions.
1:05:38 Min Executive Session: The Board moved into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment and compensation of a public employee. The Commissioners were joined by Human Resource Director Kathy Hostutler and Ms. Bevan.
1:33 Min.Return from Executive Session at 10:57 with the action of an appointment of Austin Rice to the position of Director of the Emergency Management Agency. Mr. Rice had been the Acting Director.
1:34:48:00 Min Board Discussion:
Ms. Bevan presented the six options for the plaque that will be installed on the Courthouse Expansion project.
The Commissioners favored the following:
-
Mr. Dvorak - in favor of listing the names of sitting commissioners and project contractors and owner’s representatives.
-
Mrs. Brakey - Wanted to look into a smaller plaque. The existing plaques would be approximately $6,000. Mrs. Brakey also noted that there seemed to be other costs that could have been cut earlier in the process.
-
Mr. Spidalieri - In favor of no plaque. He also reiterated his position that if there are three commissioners listed, he was in favor of Mr. Lennon’s name instead of his name.
It was decided that Ms. Bevan will look into the pricing of a smaller plaque and the discussion of the issue will resume at the next meeting.
Representatives from the Geauga County Fair Board and the Sheriff’s Department were present to address any safety concerns regarding the upcoming fair. Ms. Bevan said that these concerns are in response to recent issues at other county fairs. Ms. Noah and Mr. McCaskey from the Fair Board stated that they are confident in keeping the residents of Geauga County and all fair guests safe at the fair. Reviewer Note: This article summarizes recent incidents of violence at Northeast Ohio county fairs. A recent opinion by Dave Yost, the Ohio Attorney General, loosened gun regulations at county fairs in Ohio.
1:48 Min. Public Comment:
A South Russell resident expressed his concern about the safety while walking to the fair on the roads. He would like it addressed as he feels it is dangerous.
Mr. Skip Claypool spoke of the Climate Action Plan from NOACA (North East Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency) that will come before the Board in September. He urged the Commissioners to become informed and to vote No on the plan. Mr. Claypool said that this plan includes a plan to sequester carbon and pipe it into a well in Geauga County.
Reviewer Note: The Climate Action Plan can be found here - see page 114 for information on sequestration. The actual plan, and location in Geauga County are not in the Plan itself, but the Plan references the Technical Appendix for more information Here is the link to the Technical Appendix. This Reviewer was unable to locate the Geauga option. It is anticipated that more information will be available at the September Commissioner's meeting and will be reported at that time. The Climate Action report says (at page 114): “The remainder of captured emissions will have to be geologically sequestered. For such large volumes of CO2, pipelines are expected to be the most economical and efficient mode of transport.”
A Waterfall Lane resident recommended that the Commissioners remove Geauga County from NOACA and that they vote no on the Climate Action Plan.
A Munson Township resident asked if there would be undercover officers at the Fair which Mrs. Brakey said they could not discuss. She also said that she was in favor of Geauga County leaving NOACA.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:18 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 19, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH and Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 10:00 am at the Great Geauga County Fair. There will be no meeting on Tuesday, August 26th.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Carol Benton
Date Submitted: August 19, 2025
The League of Women Voters Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.