Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners met in person at 9:30 am on December 13, 2022. The meeting was held at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Claridon. This meeting was in person only and there was no link to a recording.
Attendance: Commissioners Dvorak, Lennon and Spidalieri were present as were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Gerard Morgan and Finance Director Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: County Engineer Shane Hajir, Water Resources Director Steve Oluic, and in the public, Adam Litke (Health Board)
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: Minutes were approved for November 8, 2022.
Administrator Report - Mr. Morgan reported these actions:
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Concurred with Bainbridge Trustees in not contesting liquor license for Spice King, doing business as Paradise Indian Cuisine and Lighthouse – doing business as Cucina Rustica and
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Concurred with Newbury Township in not contesting a liquor license for Hunan Express
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Approved Water Resources hiring of an intern at the rate of $15/hour for 480 hours per semester/term.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton reported these actions:
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Appropriations (not listed), transfers and supplemental appropriations to finish out the year
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Cash transfers:
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General Fund to the Airport construction for remodeling of medical hangar
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General Fund to Capital Reserve for Phase 2 – City of Chardon work
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General Fund to Sheriff for 911 and radios
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Then and Now from Municipal Court to attorneys for appointed counsel fees
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Vouchers:
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$20,250 from the Auditor to various contractors from ARPA (American Rescue Plan) for Berkshire Heights sewer connections
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$220,966 from the Engineers to Eclipse Co LLC – for the Farmington Road bridge replacement
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$496,386 from the Engineers to Ronyak paving North Yard paving
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$187,339 from the Engineers to Grayline for drainage work on Washington Street
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Revenue decertifications for the Economic and Community Development block grant fund and the Airport fund for revenue not received
Action Items: Commissioners reviewed requests from County Departments and took these actions:
Commissioners’ Office: Commissioners APPROVED:
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Addendum to Payment Processing Agreement with Gila LLC d.b.a. Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) to provide credit card payment processing for expenses owed and donations made to Departments under the Commissioners Hiring Authority by extending the contract an additional three months up to and including March 14, 2023, with all terms and provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect, except as specifically modified herein.
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Giving notice of a Request for Proposal for the Acceptance of Payments by Financial Transaction Devices. Notice of this request will be advertised on December 22, 2022 and December 29, 2022 and on the County website.
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Adding additional Elected Officials to the County’s Dishonesty and Faithful Performance Policy in accordance with Resolution #20-091, passed by the Board of County Commissioners August 11, 2020 for newly elected / re-elected terms, including Auditor Charles Walder, Commissioner James W. Dvorak and Judge Carolyn Paschke.
Engineer’s Office - Commissioners APPROVED execution of Change Order #4, decreasing the Contract with Marucci and Gaffney Excavating for the Bundyburg Road Bridge Replacement in the amount of $9,825.42. Mr. Shane Hajir stated that this project is almost complete and that it went very well. He urged Commissioners to drive down and see the improvement that it has made in safety in this area.
Department of Water Resources - Commissioners APPROVED execution Change Order #1 and Final, decreasing the Contract with Woodford Excavating, LLC for the Bainbridge Township Waterline Loop Closure Project in the amount of $49,933.25.
Ravenwood Health - Commissioners heard a presentation from Ms. Vicki Clark, LPCC-S, President and CEO, about Ravenwood Health and the Geauga Youth Center program. She was joined by Ian DeWalt, LPC. And Natalie Smith, LISW-S.
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Ms. Clark reviewed the history of Ravenwood which was established in 1966 and now has 195 staff, 5 counseling sites and 3 recovery houses with 40 distinct programs.
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They receive funding from a variety of sources including the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery, Medicaid/Medicare, Grants, United Way, Private insurance and private pay, and contracted services with Aetna.
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The contracted service with Aetna is for a new program, Ohio RISE which will handle care coordination
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They also provide service for the new hotline – 988 – for mental and behavioral health questions and they have a Club House for adults with severe and persistent mental health issues.
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The Challenges they face are stagnant rates for Medicaid, Medicare and insurance, and difficulties hiring workforce
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One of their solutions to staffing that has been successful is to use interns in master’s level programs
Commissioner Spidalieri asked about children under 17 and what issues they presented. Ms. Smith answered that the most issue reported is anxiety with the second being Adjustment (often based on family dynamics). Mr. Spidalieri asked if masks had created a lot of problems and Ms. Smith said that the anxiety, unhealthy social media such as the 24 hour news cycle and fear of safety at school are ongoing issues but that the pandemic exacerbated issues such as social isolation and overexposure to social media.
Mr. Spidalieri offered the opinion that children should be outside and that kids aren’t going into the military or trades.
The Director stated that she “will take that challenge” and will talk with staff about preventive care and will report back.
Mr. Dewalt joined in a discussion about the Geauga Youth Center which is a 16-bed class 1 facility (no restraints) for youth 13-17 of both genders.
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There is a school on site, and they partner with other agencies such as Juvenile Court, JFS (Job and Family Services) and schools.
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They have a respite program for short term (less than a month) placements for transitions.
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Full-time residents typically stay for 6-9 months. It is less common that the placement comes from the Court (now 30%) and more common that it has come as a result of suicide ideation or self-harming or trauma.
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The Youth Center needs better operating facilities (showers and toilets that work consistently) and more outside areas.
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It was reported that the Mental Health and Recovery Board included the Youth Center in their budget and Ravenwood expects to present a projected budget for the project in the next several weeks.
Public Comment: None
Mr. Dvorak mentioned that there is a 4-H sponsored Wreaths Across America event taking place on Saturday December 17th at Veterans Legacy Park and urged everyone to attend.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available on BOCC website
Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 9:30 am
Name of Observer: Gail Roussey
Name of Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 12/16/2022
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