Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners met in person at 9:30 am on October 25, 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.
Attendance: Commissioners Dvorak, Lennon and Spidalieri were all present. Also in attendance were 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, Water Resources, Richard Blamer, Airport Authority, Gina Hofstetter, Department of Economic Development, Cindi Haycox-Wellman, Victim Witness Program, Glen Vernick, Maintenance, and in the public, Adam Litke from the Health Board.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes – The Commissioners approved minutes from August 16 and 23. Reviewer Comment: As of October 29, 2022, minutes are posted on the BOCC website through July 21, 2022.
Administrator Report - Mr. Morgan discussed the following actions that he took in the preceding week:
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Approved Community and Economic Development notice to proceed to AJ Boulder for the DPC clinic generator replacement project under a grant.
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Amended release of mortgage on a revolving loan for D’Angelo Ltd. For Sapphire Creek Winery and Gardens
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Job and Family Services (JFS) – Approved new hires for Accountant, Social Service Worker II (2 positions), clerical specialist
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Accepted Transit motor fuel tax refund of $4,253.39
Financial Report – Mr. Adrian Gorton reported on the following:
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Approved appropriation transfer to the Maintenance utility account for the gas account and also to the coroner’s dept. to their equipment account for the purchase of a new vehicle
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Board of Election transfer for legal services up to the approved amount.
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General Fund for 911 expenses
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Approved travel for the Commissioners Office, Common Pleas Court, Engineers, Public Defender’s office, Treasury Dept. and Water resources
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Then and Now to Water Resources for expenses related to Troy Oaks Wastewater project. GPD Group
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Vouchers: $33,400 from the Auditor for Berkshire Heights connection fees from ARPA Funds, $274,268 from the Engineer’s Dept. to Ronyak Paving for Munn Road, $111,603.90 from Water Resources to RW Sibley and $87,950 to Safety T for equipment.
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$35,159.50 from Water Resources to Junction Auto for purchase of a Pick up truck (replacing an old one that will be sold).
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Revenue Certification approved for the Juvenile Court in their Supreme Court Technology Fund.
The Airport Authority received approval to execute the Grant Contract under the Fiscal Year 2023 Ohio Airport Matching Grant Program between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners, the Geauga County Airport Authority and the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation for ODOT Grant #M23-06 for the match portion of FAA AIP Project #3-39-0054-026-2022 for Property Acquisition – Hodgins Property, Runway 11, Runway protection zone in the amount of $13,220.00. This will finish the project as the home (on the property) has been purchased and will be torn down.
The Common Pleas Court – Adult Probation Department received approval to execute the Application for Authorization permitting the use of County Credit Cards (replacements) for the Year 2022 in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00 per person, per month for Nicole Walker, Matthew Zupancic and Danielle Baker.
The Common Pleas Court – Drug Court Department received approval to execute the Application for Authorization permitting the use of County Credit Cards for the Year 2022 in an amount not to exceed $2,250.00 per person, per month for Maureen Maruna and Gregory Potts.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #22-174 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Messenger Road (CH-0031, Section A) in Auburn Township. (This is in Auburn, but not the entire road) Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on October 27, 2022 and on the County website.
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To execute Resolution #22-175 appointing Board Member, James W. Dvorak, as the Chief Executive Officer and Certifying Representative for the proposed Asphalt Resurfacing of Brakeman Road (CH-0022, Section A) in Hambden Township and further approve and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute the State of Ohio Public Works Commission application for financial assistance. (Note: This is the entire length of this road.)
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To execute Resolution #22-176 appointing Board Member, James W. Dvorak, as the Chief Executive Officer and Certifying Representative for the proposed Asphalt Resurfacing of Claridon-Troy Road (CH-0003, Sections D-E) in Claridon Township and further approve and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute the State of Ohio Public Works Commission application for financial assistance.
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To execute Resolution #22-177 appointing Board Member, James W. Dvorak, as the Chief Executive Officer and Certifying Representative for the proposed Asphalt Resurfacing of Mumford Road (CH-0024, Sections A-D) in Troy Township and further approve and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute the State of Ohio Public Works Commission application for financial assistance.
The Prosecutor’s Office – Victim Witness received approval for the following:
to execute the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) and State Victim Advocacy Act (SVAA) Grant Award and Acceptance Forms in the amount of $50,951.00 from Grant #2023-VOCA-135107150 ($29,938.00 from Federal VOCA funds and $16,552.0 local match from the County General Fund) and $4,461.00 from Grant #2023-SVAA-135107154 with no local match. This grant is for the period October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.
To transfer funds from the General Fund into the Victim/Witness Assistance Fund for additional funding for the Victim Witness Program for the grant period October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 in the amount of $34,360.00. (Note: This was explained to be necessary because there were cuts in the program as the State shifted some funds from this grant to others such as Drug Courts.
The Department on Aging received approval to place an employee on paid administrative leave effective October 24, 2022 until further notice.
The Department of Development (Community & Economic) received approval to Re-Advertise for Bids for the Camp Ho Mita Koda Cabin Winterization Project (under Grant #B-F-21-1AZ-1) to be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on October 27, 2022 and on the County website.
The Department of Water Resources received approval to execute Resolution #22-178 Approving American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Berkshire Heights Sewer Connection Increase for Certain Properties, located on Helmet Drive. Noted that this was required for three properties due to the property configurations. Out of 113 connections, 19 have been installed, and 41 have had permits issued.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Request for Partial Payment #23 for Donley’s Independence, LLC for the Geauga County Office Building, GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 in the amount of $254,166.83. This payment is for various punch list items for the new County Building.
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To increase in the amount of $10,000.00 for the Retention Agreement re: Representation of Geauga County Commissioners in Mediation and Potential Litigation Filed by Charles Walder, Geauga County Auditor, and / or the Geauga County ADP Board with Roetzel and Andress in a new not to exceed amount of $30,000.00, unless prior approval by the Board.
Items not on the Agenda: Commissioners’ Clerk, Christine Blair brought up several items for the Commissioners to consider as follows:
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Re-appoint Mr. Murphy to the NEOCAP Board (Note: He had been appointed to fill out a term and indicated he would like to be re-appointed. NEOCAP is a Community Based Corrections Facility (CBCF) administered by a Facility Governing Board and is supported by a Judicial Advisory Board composed of seven Common Pleas Court judges. NEOCAP serves Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Portage, and Trumbull Counties. Commissioners voted to re-appoint Mr. Murphy. See https://www.neocap.org/
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Indicated that the Juvenile Detention Center Superintendent had requested a meeting with the Commissioners. No action taken.
Public Comment – This observer asked for the name of the Board for which the vacancy was being filled as it was not audible to the public.
Commissioner Dvorak stated that there was a DARE program fundraiser this weekend which raised $20,000 and was presented to the Sheriff’s office.
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
Minutes are posted through July 21, 2022
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 9:30 am
Observer Note: Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, November 8th (Election Day).
Name of Observer: Gail Roussey
Name of Editor: Betsy Kubbins
Name of Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 10/20/2022
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