Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners met in person at 9:30 am on February 7, 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: Kathleen Miller, Water Resources, Richard Blamer, Airport Manager, Geauga County Airport, and in the public, Geauga Public Health Administrator Adam Litke and Auditor Charles Walder.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer led by Mr. Dvorak.
Minutes: none were presented for approval. Reviewer Comment: As of February 12, 2023, minutes are posted on the BOCC website through December 20, 2022.
Report from County Administrator - Mr. Morgan reported on several personnel matters including in the Department of Aging a change in a hiring date and a promotion and in Water Resources, hiring of a wastewater operator, Level One.
Finance Report: Mr. Adrian Gorton reported the following:
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Transfer from BOCC to the Maintenance Department for Brightly Asset Management system.
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Supplemental to Archives to cover the cost of the new Temporary Director.
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Supplemental to the Sheriff’s Department for radios
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Cash transfer from the General Fund to the Engineer’s Department for Storm watch management fund and for office expenses.
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Travel encumbrance for Juvenile Court.
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Vouchers: $30,000 Community Development block grant to Geauga Highway Company for the paving at the Women’s Safe Shelter, $152,482.71 from Water Resources to HDR Engineering for the McFarlandWastewater Treatment plant and $412,963.04 from BOCC to Donely’s Independence for payment #26 for the new County building
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Revenue Certification for additional funds received from grants for Transit and Sheriff’s Department.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Washington Street (CH-0606, Sections A-B) in Bainbridge Township and there was a separate resolution approved for sections C-E in Auburn and Bainbridge. BOCC also approved the Bid Specifications Cover Page and set a Bid Opening on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 2:10 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on February 9, 2023, February 16, 2023 and on the County website.
The Veteran’s Service Commission received approval for the use of credit cards for 9 employees. Credit limits were $500.00 for 5 employees and $3,000 for 4 employees.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the final disbursement and remainder of loan in the amount of $127,749.90 to HDR Engineering for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovation and Upgrade Project
Not on the Agenda - Helipad Project: Commissioner Lennon brought up an item related to the Geauga County airport. Mr. Dvorak agreed that this was time-sensitive and Mr. Spidalieri said that they should move forward with the project. Mr. Blamer, Airport Manager, explained that this was for the helipad for medical use.
Mr. Spidalieri thought that ARPA funds could be used, but Mr. Morgan stated that this might not be a permitted use. Mr. Walder said that it was not permissible to move monies to another fund and pay out of that fund, but that another fund could be created within ARPA and the work could be paid out of that fund. Any other way of doing this would have to be approved by the State Treasurer, which could take weeks or months. Mr. Spidalieri then offered the suggestion that it be paid for out of the general fund, and could be paid back.
Mr. Gorton stated that most of the funds needed for the project were already approved by the Commissioners at the end of year and transferred to the Airport. He continued to explain that the issue now is that more funds are needed since costs have increased. Mr. Blamer stated that an additional $40,000 to $50,000 would be required. Mr. Gorton further stated that this amount is part of a supplemental appropriation that he has discussed with one of the commissioners and would discuss this with the other two.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to authorize the Airport Authority to move forward with the Helipad project.
Public Comment: None solicited and none offered
Meeting adjourned.
Meeting with State Auditor - Immediately following adjournment of the BOCC meeting, Mrs. Blair announced a scheduled meeting with the State Auditor. She indicated this meeting was not open to the public. All of the Commissioners, Auditor Walder, Deputy Auditor Ron Leyde, ADP Chief Deputy Administrator Frank Antenucci and a number of individuals from the State Auditor's office participated. Reviewer Comment: It was later confirmed that this was an Audit Conference between the Geauga County Auditor and Ohio Auditor. Such meetings are closed to the public under ORC 121.22(D)(2).
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available on BOCC website
Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 9:30 am
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 2/7/2023
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