Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners met in person at 9:30 am on January 19, 2023. The meeting was held at the Geauga County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. This meeting was in person only and there was no link to a recording.
Attendance: Commissioners James Dvorak, Timothy Lennon and Ralph Spidalieri were present, as were Commissioner’s Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Gerard Morgan and Finance Director Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Steve Oluic, Water Resources Director; Joanne Santilli, Transit Director; Gina Hofstetter, Department of Community and Economic; Shane Hajir, Engineer’s Office; Linda Crombie, Director Planning Commission; a representative from Human Resources for the Commissioner’s office, and an Assistant Prosecutor.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Mr. Dvorak.
Report from County Administrator - Mr. Morgan gave a report of actions he took and financials he approved according to the authority granted to him by the Commissioners, as follows:
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January 12th - Approved a supplemental for the Sheriff’s office, cash from the general fund to the Court Technology fund: approved vouchers from the Engineer's office and the Maintenance Dept.
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January 9th: Approved notice to proceed for Department of Aging (see action items approved below); resignation from the Engineers’ office and one retirement; approved unpaid leave for Transit dept., and approved liquor license review for Huntsburg - request from Outdoor Recreation LLC at Highland Acres resort.
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On January 17 - Approved a resignation in Department of Aging; approved a release of mortgage for Community and Economic Development; approved the advertisement for three positions for Maintenance, and approved a service agreement with Absolute Pumping for three years not to exceed $10,000; accepted for Transit the Motor Fuel Tax Refund of $3,683.
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Approved contracts from Water Resources for Swift First Aid for 1 year up to $3,000; Go Green doing business as Auburn Heating and Plumbing and annual HVAC services; one year for $390 and one year up to $5,000.
Mr. Lennon noted that there were a lot of resignations plus a retirement in the Maintenance Department. He asked if that meant they were down 5 workers and that was confirmed. He further asked if pay scale or something else was responsible. Mr. Morgan said the resignations were for a variety of reasons and that it was hard to say if pay was a factor.
Financial Report: Mr. Adrian Gorton reported the following and all were approved:
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Supplemental to the Sheriff’s office for 911 services
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Cash transfers to Community Development Economic, Board of Elections, Family First and Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD)
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A Then and now from Community Development to Transit, a travel expense for Engineer’s office
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Vouchers included
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$104,105 from the Commissioners to Ravenwood.
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$250,326 from Commissioners to Donley’s Independence for Payments #24-25
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$81,269 from Water Resources to HDR for the McFarland Wastewater project.
Commissioner Comments on ADP Funding - Mr. Lennon commented extensively at this point on Automatic Data Processing (ADP) funding. He remarked that he is now serving on the ADP Board and has been working with Auditor Chuck Walder and ADP Frank Antenucci (Chief Deputy Administrator). He said he has had very productive discussions about bringing the county up to speed on cyber security. He referenced the request in September 2022 for three new employees for cyber, network and support of $242,000. Mr. Lennon states that he now recommends that this be approved. Another component to be approved at a future meeting in 2023 would be to add additional funds for equipment. He referenced a supplemental request of $920,000, some of which would be capital (non-recurring) and some recurring. Mr. Lennon stated that in his opinion there was sufficient money in the carryover to fund both of these requests. Mr. Gorton affirmed that there were sufficient funds. Mr. Lennon stated that this is not a normal request but that no one is in disagreement about the need. He moved to approve the 2023 funding request of $242,104 (salaries, medical and benefits). He asked for more information on the $920,000 as to which elements would be non-recurring so that this supplemental can be approved at the next meeting. Mr. Dvorak stated that this will bring us up to date. For more information refer to the Observer Report for ADP’s January 9, 2023 Special Meeting.
Minutes: Minutes were approved for November 22 and November 29, 2022, and for December 6, 2022. Reviewer Comment: As of January 24, 2023, minutes are posted on the BOCC website through November 15, 2022.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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An encumbrance and expenditure to the Geauga County Agricultural Society, pursuant to O.R.C. 1711.15 and 1711.16 for the Year 2022 in the amount of $1,813.28 which is the total oil/gas well revenue received by the County through December 31, 2022 from a well located on the Geauga County Fairgrounds property.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the 2023 CEBCO Wellness Grant Agreement to promote employee health and wellness lifestyles in the amount of $15,930.00 Program Funds and $4,000.00 Administrative Funds.
The Court of Common Pleas Adult Probation received approval to execute the Application for Authorization to permit the use of Credit Cards for the Year 2023 in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00 per person, per month for Nicole Walker, Danielle Bokar and Matthew Zupancic.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute the Contract Agreement with Centerra Co-Op for the delivery of Gasoline – Ethanol 87 Gasoline (aka 87e10), Premium Diesel Clear, and Premium Diesel Dyed and pursuant to O.R.C. 125.04 (C), that the County will purchase the supplies and services set forth in the state contract for District 12 upon equivalent terms, conditions and specifications but at a lower price than the State contract, up to and including December 31, 2023, unless otherwise extended in writing, in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00.
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To approve and execute Resolution #23-007 to Improve Morgan Road (CH-0026, Section A) in Montville Township.
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To execute Resolution #23-008 to Order the Replacement of the Washington Street Bridge (Structure #BR-0606-F-05.310-2023) in Auburn Township. and to executive the Cover Sheet of the Plans for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on January 26, 2023 and on the county website.
There was a discussion about the fact that the Engineer’s Office is switching to Bid Express, which is a digital bidding process so that contractors will not have to come into the office (although that option will still be available).
Commissioner comments on transportation funding: At this point, Mr. Lennon discussed funding from NOACA and ODOT for transportation items. He referenced a new project in Geauga County for the Geauga Park District. He said that they applied on their own (which he acknowledged is their right) but said that he wished that the Commissioners had known about this and that the County Engineer should have been notified before and not after the fact about this funding project. He noted also that South Russell Village had also applied on their own for a project at the intersection of 306 and Bell Rd. He said that this project ranked high in the rankings and would probably be awarded. He stated that there is a finite amount of money and that there should be coordination with the County engineer.
The Planning Commission requested the Board accept, approve and adopt the recommended corrections and updates by the Planning Commission Board to the Geauga County General Plan Update, October 18, 2021 to be effective January 19, 2023. Ms. Linda Crombie, Director of the Planning Commission presented the changes to the Land Use Plan that were approved by the Planning Commission. The following were the changes:
Pg 30 - Changes to the map for urbanized areas and urban clusters. An urban cluster is 2500 people or more and an urbanized area is 50,000 or more. The revised map will make this clearer.
Observer Note: this is an important distinction as it impacts our participation in a regional planning agency, such as NOACA. See discussion about NOACA later in this report.
pg. 50 - Changes to the description of the amount of land that is used for conservation easements.
Pg. 96 - Repeat of the urbanized area map
Pg. 130 - Planning Commission initiatives - Proposed change to add cooperation with the county on developing a CEDS (Community Economic Development).
Observer Note: As documented in the December 12, 2022 Observer Report, the Planning Commission sent a memo to the Commissioners after their December meeting to ask that the Commissioners consider removing Geauga County from the NOACA CEDS Committee. This has not been acted on yet by the Commissioners.
Pg. 137 - Will change a definition in the Amish section by adding scooters and removing bicycles.
Mr. Dvorak stated that he was not comfortable with the change on the CEDS section as he believes that the County already has a CEDS plan with the Community and Economic Development Department. Mr. Lennon stated that he thought that Planning and Community and Economic Development were intertwined and would be working together. Ms. Crombie stated that the Planning Commission would be offering technical assistance only. They are not interested in forming a CEDS. The collaboration would be similar to the Planning Commission’s work with the Department on Aging.
Mr. Dvorak offered a motion to make sure that Community and Economic Development would take the lead in any CEDS. There was no second, so the motion died for lack of a second.
A motion to approve all changes was offered and was passed, with Mr. Dvorak voting no.
Mr. Lennon took the opportunity to thank Ms. Crombie for her excellent work. “You have done a fantastic job” He stated that prior to Ms. Crombie’s appointment there was a plan that was unchanged for 27 years.
The Department on Aging received approval for the following:
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To execute the Contract Agreement with Addus HealthCare (South Carolina) for the Assistance with Daily Living Program for Geauga Residents Age 60 and over for the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024 for 1,832 units of service at a reimbursement rate of $30.00 per unit for a total contract amount of $54,960.00; and to accept the Performance Bond for Addus HealthCare (South Carolina), Incorporated, d.b.a. Arcadia Home Care and Staffing, for the Assistance with Daily Living Program for Geauga Residents and further release the Bid Bond.
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To execute the Contract Agreement with Symba and Snap Gourmet Foods, Incorporated, for the Elderly Nutrition Program, Preparation and Delivery of Catered Meals, according to Federal Guidelines for the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024 in the amount of $987,420.00 ($4.44 per congregate meal, $4.73 per home delivered meal, $4.34 per frozen/holiday meal and $5.50 for therapeutic meals) and to accept the Performance Bond for Symba and Snap Gourmet Foods, Incorporated, for the Elderly Nutrition Program, Preparation and Delivery of Catered Meals and further release the Bid Bond. It was stated that there are 250 meals five days a week including home delivered meals as well as congregate settings.
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To execute the Lease with Bainbridge Community United Church of Christ to provide senior programs and services for the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 in the amount of $11,022.00 (payable in monthly installments of $918.50).
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To advertise for the position of Full-time Maintenance Coordinator (#1013). This position will remain posted until filled.
The Department of Development (Community & Economic) received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Subrecipient Agreement between the Geauga County Commissioners and the Chester Township Board of Trustees under the Ohio Department of Development, Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program Grant, for property located at 8580 Mayfield Road, Chesterland, Ohio, during the period January 1, 2023 through May 1, 2023 in the amount of $20,700.00.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with The Bergren Associates, Incorporated, to perform Maintenance service and installation of all telemetry and control systems, including meter calibration, at various Water District facilities within the department for a period of one-year effective January 19, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Hannon Electric Company to perform Electrical work including motor and blower service and repairs at various locations within the department for a period of one-year effective January 19, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00.
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To execute the service Contract Agreement with Hannon Electric Company to perform 25 days of onsite PLC/HMI/SCADA programming services for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant for the period of one-year effective January 19, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $32,000.00.
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To execute Resolution #23-009 Approving American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Funds for the Services Center Water System Upgrade Project, for construction services in the amount of $560,000.00.
The Department of Water Resources also requested that the BOCC approve the updated Geauga County Department of Water Resources (GCWDR) Fees and Service Rates to be effective February 1, 2023. Mr. Oluic explained that their costs have gone up and that these fees were mostly for lab work and inspections. Mr. Lennon asked to see how much they were being raised but that information was not included in the request and was not available. Mr. Lennon stated that he knew that costs were going up but that he hesitated to impose cost increases on taxpayers who are themselves struggling with rising costs. Mr. Lennon expressed his frustration with the manner in which Mr. Oluic, Director of Water Resources, was reacting to Mr. Lennon’s questions. This request was tabled for more information.
The Transit Department received approval for the following:
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To execute the Subaward Contract Amendment under the State Fiscal Year 2022 Ohio Transportation Partnership Program between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Transit (Grant OTPP-0101-GRP-222 and OTPP-0101-GRP-223) to extend the performance end date through December 31, 2023, and further authorize the Director to submit the amendment electronically. The Director, Ms. Santilli, stated that this will provide more time to get a vehicle that might be cheaper than the state bid and would also be available, potentially from Junction Auto.
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To execute the Ohio Department of Transportation Elderly and Disabled Fare Assistance Program, SFY2023 Grant Program Year, Grant Agreement (EHTA-4101-GRF-231) in the amount of $47,568.00 and further authorize the Director to submit the agreement electronically.
Executive Session: The Transit Department and then the Commissioners requested the Board move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment or dismissal of a public employee. This session lasted until 11:53. At the conclusion of the Executive Session several motions were made and passed for a voluntary separation of a Transit Driver.
Meeting adjourned.
Public Comment – technically, none.
Although the meeting was technically over, Mr. Spidalier and Mr. Lennon stayed to hear the comments of a group of individuals who identified that they were present to voice their concerns about the recent NOACA Climate Change Initiative.
Mr. Spidalieri stated that he felt the individuals should be approaching Congressman. Dave Joyce to look into the matter. He said that in order for Geauga to leave NOACA, legislation and the Governor’s approval would be required. Mr. Lennon stated his frustration that “our road levies are paying for our roads. We are not getting anything.” Mr. Lennon further stated that it was possible for Geauga County to exit NOACA, but in order to do so in a way that Geauga County would continue to benefit from gas tax funds coming from the county, they would need to look to another urbanized, contiguous area. He said that Akron had an MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization).
Observer Note: Funding for transportation is a complicated topic. Here are a few websites that discuss funding and spending:
Metropolitan Planning Organizations - Ohio Department of Transportation
Transportation Funding in Ohio
Ohio Road Funding.com
The individuals at the meeting expressed a lot of anger about the NOACA Climate Change Initiative and their feeling that they don’t have enough input into decisions made by NOACA. They stated that they would be going to the NOACA meeting on January 20th at 9 am at NOACA headquarters in Cleveland.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available on BOCC website
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 24th at 9:30 am
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 1/20/2023
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