Board of County Commissioners – 9-20-2022
The Board of County Commissioners met in person at 9:30 am on September 20, 2022. The meeting was held at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12811 Ravenwood Drive, Claridon. This meeting was in person only and there was no link to a recording.
Commissioners Dvorak, Lennon and Spidalieri were all present.
Also in attendance were Ms. Christine Blair, Commissioner’s Clerk, County Administrator Gerard Morgan and Finance Director Adrian Gorton.
Other members of County Government in attendance were County Engineer Shane Hajir, Nick Gorris, Department of Water Resources, Linda Cromley, Planning Commission, Joanne Santilli, Transit, Frank Antonucci, ADP and also Prosecutor Flaiz and Sheriff Hildenbrand.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Mr. Dvorak.
Mr. Gerard Morgan reviewed the actions he had taken in the preceding weeks which included
A re-allocation for Job and Family Services (JFS) and a supplemental payment. Also approved were travel for JFS, Engineer’s office, Probate, and Travel.
Mr. Morgan also approved the hiring of Ms.Tina Breuning as the office coordinator for Economic Development Building and to advertise for an additional position there.
Minutes were approved for July 12, 2022, July 19, 1011, and the special meeting of July 21, 2022.
Reviewer Note: As of the Oct 15, 2022 publication of this report, all approved minutes are available for review on the BOCC website. BOCC meets weekly and is currently 10-11 weeks behind in presenting, approving and sharing meeting minutes online.
Financials: Mr. Adrian Gordon received approval for the financials which included:
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A supplemental to Community Development Block Grant fund for upcoming expenses
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An encumbrance to cover continuing payment of rent from JFS to University Hospital (end of contract).
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A transfer to Transit for Reel Auto Sales bus purchase (see detail below)
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A payment of $ 1,430,521.96 to Donley’s Independence for payments #21 and 22
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A Revenue Certification for Water Resources due to additional federal grants received.
The BOCC approved the execution of Change Order #15, increasing the Contract with Donley’s Independence, LLC for the Guaranteed Maximum Price, Phase #1 and Phase #2 for the addition of hydronic snowmelt for the sidewalks in the amount of $318,909.00.
BOCC approved the execution of Change Order #16, increasing the Contract with Donley’s Independence, LLC for the Guaranteed Maximum Price, Phase #1 and Phase #2 for the deployment of a hybrid DAS System (antenna)for improved cell service in and out of the building in the amount of $191,735.00. Reviewer’s note: this appears to be the system specified by ADP.
BOCC approved the following County Human Resources requests:
Agreement for the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025.
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The CEBCO Geauga County Healthcare Rate Renewal Acceptance for 2023
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The 2023 Geauga County CEBCO/Anthem Healthcare (Plans 1C and 4D), AnthemRX prescription and Delta Dental Renewal Plans and Rates to be effective January 1, 2023 and further approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute the Summary Benefits Forms.
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The Anthem Group Life / Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Rate Renewal for 2023.
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The CEBCO Member 2022-2023 Wellness Program with HealthWorks for Geauga County Employee Health and Wellness beginning October 1, 2022 for the period of August 13, 2022 through August 11, 2023.
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) – several actions taken – one approved, the second not approved as follows:
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BOCC approved the request of The ADP/Auditor’s Office for funds for Untethered Labs, Incorporated for the purchase of Halberd Tokens and USB Sensors (Gatekeeper) for County Multi-Factor Authentication in the amount of $33,450.00 as well as $33,600 for GateKeeper Enterprise Annual License (Ultimate)
Mr. Frank Antenucci (ADP) explained that they have been using 100 of these as a trial. Several people from different departments stated that they are working well. This system is to provide 2-factor authentication to provide an extra layer of internet security. Christine Blair stated that she was having a problem with her computer because of this and Mr. Antenucci said it seemed to be easily fixable and that he would take care of it. The motion to approve was passed with Mr. Spidalieri voting no.
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The ADP/Auditor’s Office requested that the Board approve a reimbursement for the Master Services Agreement between Geauga County (listed as 231 Main Street, Suite 1A) and Dragos, Incorporated for IR Basic Service at $445.00 per hour for 100 hours in the amount of $44,500.00 and Travel and Expenses in the amount of $4,999.00 for a total amount of $49,499.00 and to approve a transfer of funds for Dragos, Incorporated for a forensic investigation at the McFarland WWTP in the amount of $24,475.00.
Mr. Antenucci explained that Dragos needed these extra funds to complete their report. He also stated that at a meeting Mr. Morgan had indicated that Water Resources should pay for this report since the problem originated with the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant. There was a prolonged discussion about the shut down at the plant and the possible causes. ADP expressed that they believed they had been given verbal approval to hire Dragos, but as a result of this motion, the payment for this work and any subsequent work done by Dragos would have to come out of ADP budget. Mr. Lennon and Mr. Spidalieri voted not to pay for the work while Mr. Dvorak had voted yes.
The Common Pleas Court / Drug Court received approval to submit a credit card application to the Geauga Credit Union for a VISA that will be used for travel purposes.
The Planning Commission received approval for a proposed lot split on Parcel No. 25-079700 after a determination that the split would not materially affect the Right of Way Easement held by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners (for a radio tower).
The Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) received approval for the following:
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To execute the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services IV-D Contract between the Geauga County Child Support Enforcement Agency and the Geauga County Common Pleas Court for magistrate services for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in the amount of $89.29 per hour.
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To execute the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services IV-D Contract between the Geauga County Child Support Enforcement Agency and the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office for legal services for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in the amount of $65.99 per hour.
The Transit Department received approval for the following:
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To accept and approve the purchase of a E350 Super Duty Bus from Reel’s Auto Sales, LLC in the amount of $20,084.00 and further authorize a transfer of funds from the General Fund to cover the purchase price of the bus and minor repairs into the Transit Capital 4027 Fund in the amount of $25,000.00.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Great Lakes Gutters, LLC to remove and install gutters and downspouts for the facility located at 12555 Merritt Road, Chardon to be completed by November 15, 2022 in the amount not to exceed $21,598.00.
Department of Water Resources received approval for the following
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a Step Increase for Brian Loza, Water Supervisor from Grade W8, Step 2 to Grade W8, Step 3 ($33.05 per hour) to be effective September 18, 2022 (Payroll #20).
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To execute Contract Maintenance Form #1 for the Engineering Agreement with GPD Group for General Engineering Services for an additional fifty-five (55) days from September 3, 2022 through October 28, 2022.
Geauga Public Health Commission, Ashley Winters, MS, REHS (Sanitary Engineer)and Dan Lark (Environmental Health Director)presented an overview of the new Operation and Maintenance Program.
The previous way that septic systems were inspected was through a Point of Sale (POS) process. If a house was sold, an inspection was required. This system got very backlogged and proved to be unworkable. The State of Ohio does require now that each county have an Operation and Maintenance program for inspecting septic systems. Mr. Adam Litke, Administrative director, said this was an unfunded mandate, meaning that no state funds are provided for this program. The Health District has started by doing inspections of those systems that to their knowledge are what are called NPDES systems _ they are not going into any kind of a tank or process but out into the ground (mainly through septic fields, but sometimes into a ditch). See https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/sewage-treatment-systems/information-for-homeowners/npdes In Geauga County there are about 1800 NPDES systems and another 33,000 systems that use other additional treatment methods. By starting with the smaller group of NPDES systems they hope to learn how to best educate the public and ensure the work gets done.
The Point of Sale inspection can be done if requested as a service from the County Department of Health.
The plan to correct systems that are not operating correctly is to permit the homeowner to hire their own company from a list that has been vetted by the county.
Executive Session – The commissioners and Mr. Morgan went into Executive Session for the stated purpose of discussing litigation. No attorney went into the room with them but it is possible that an attorney was part of the conversation by phone. At the conclusion of the Executive Session they all returned briefly to say that no action would be taken.
Mr. Spidalieri then left the meeting.
This Observer was not present for the rest of the meeting but has viewed a recording and this is a summary of what happened.
Mr. Dvorak made a statement further explaining why he voted yes to pay for the Dragos contract. He stated that he thought it was very important to get to the bottom of why the plant shut down. Mr. Morgan corrected him to say that it didn’t actually shut down because they could operate it manually. Mr. Morgan further stated that there is an agreement with Chagrin Falls in the event of a failure for either plant to help the other. Mr. Dvorak emphasized the difficulties that could have occurred and stated he wanted to know what caused them.
Public Comment
Mr. Tom Jones of Auburn Township said that he noticed when he came in that the double pain windows were fogged and that it appeared they had leaks. Mr. Dvorak stated that he had seen that also and would look into it. Mr. Jones further asked if there was a warranty on the building and Mr. Morgan stated there was a one year warranty. The scope of this warranty and its exact time frame were not given.
Another gentlemen had two points to discuss:
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In his experience with a Dare program in California, it was shown that the students who went through the Dare program were less likely to get into trouble with drugs than those who didn’t go through the program.
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As a resident of Burton he has witnessed traffic congestion and safety issues at the beginning and end of the day at the new (and beautiful) Berkshire School Building (which is now K-12). He asked if the Commissioners would look into it and find out why the Fair Board will not allow any use of their driveway to help with this situation. He encouraged the community to come together before a child gets hurt. Mr. Dvorak seemed willing to try this. Mr. Lennon suggested that Berkshire should talk to Kent State which has property on the other side.
Another resident, Diane Jones of Auburn Township, asked about the hydronic Snow melt which was approved at this meeting. She wanted to know if there would be a warranty. Mr. Morgan stated that he didn’t know. Mr. Dvorak stated that this snow melt would only be at the entrance. Mr. Lennon said it would cut down on salt coming into the building. It was further clarified that the pipes for this system were installed before the concrete was poured and the decision was made in April. It is not clear what the purpose was for the further expense approved at this meeting. ($318,909)
Meeting adjourned.
More Information and Minutes of past meetings available here when posted:
https://bocc.geauga.oh.gov/meeting-minutes/#group=documentlist&doc-category=&doc-year=0&docspagination=0-15
Next Meeting: September 29 (Thursday), 2022 at 9:30 am
Budget hearings for all departments with the Commissioners will begin next Thursday, September 29th.
Name of Observer: Gail Roussey
Name of Editor Betsy Kubbins
Name of Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 9/24/2022
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