Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners met in person at 9:30 AM on March 7, 2023 at the 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 and Timothy Lennon and Ralph Spidalieri were all present. Also present were Commissioner’s Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Gerard Morgan and Finance Director Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Andrew Haupt, PE, PS, Engineer’s Department, Linda Burhenne, Temporary Archives Director, Joanne Santilli, Transit Director, Steve Oluic, Water Resources, and in the public Adam Litke, Health District Administrator.
County Administrator Report - There were new hires in Maintenance and Job and Family Services (JFS). The BOCC also approved a service contract for Water Resources with Yarnell Tree Company for one year to a maximum of $1500.
Minutes - Minutes for January 24, 2023 were approved. Reviewer Note: As of March 12, 2023, approved minutes are available on the BOCC website through December 29, 2022.
Financials - Mr. Gordon reported on the following:
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Supplemental Appropriation from the Commissioners Capital Reserve Fund 2019 to cover change orders this year.
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Cash Transfer from Water Resources from Bainbridge Water Thompson Wastewater treatment plant Bond Fund; seed money will go back to sources or to debt retirement.
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General Fund transfer to Community Development - first quarter operational and fourth quarter payroll reimbursement.
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Then and Now for a 2020-21 Ibold and O’Brien and Raymond Joseph Coatoam for appointed counsel fees.
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Travel for JFS, Probate, Public Defender’s office, and the Treasurer's office.
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Vouchers: $158,959 from the Engineers Office to Gradeline Inc. for the replacement of Rolling Brook Drive Bridge, and $31,999 from JFS to Junction Auto for a replacement vehicle.
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Revenue Certification - Common Pleas Court technology fund for additional revenue to be received.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval to execute the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Technical Services 2022 County Highway System Mileage Certification for 234.757 miles of public roads.
The Planning Commission received approval to Suspend Enforcement of the Lot Evaluation Requirement for Large Lots, more than five (5) acres and up to twenty (20) acres, as regulated in Section 305(D) of the Subdivision Regulations for Household Sewage Disposal Systems. This measure was approved by the Commissioners at a prior meeting to be included in revised subdivision regulations. Ms. Crombie said that because these subdivision regulations will not be final for another 6 months, they are asking for a suspension of the requirement for a site visit and plan for lot splits of 5-10 acres. This measure has also been approved by the Geauga Health District. Crombie pointed out that if the property were just 5 acres and not 5.001 acres, the owner would be required to get the site visit and plan completed.
The Archives and Records Center (Commissioner’s Office) received approval for the following:
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For the creation, title and job description for the position of Senior Archives and Records Clerk (#2613) to be effective March 7, 2023.
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A revised job description for the position of Archives and Records Clerk (#2607) to be effective March 7, 2023.
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A revised Organizational Chart to include the position of Senior Archives and Records Clerk.
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Approval was also given to Advertise for Archives and Records Clerk (#2613) internally for a period of five days, with application of Senior Archives and Records Clerk (#2613) to be effective March 7, 2023, with applications accepted from March 13, 2023 through 4:30 p.m. on March 17, 2023.
The Temporary Director, Linda Burhene, talked about succession planning. She stated that “we have enough room” and that two members of the ADP had assisted with getting boxes onto the shelves. She said they also have enough shelves. They have several “shreds” planned and are finalizing the contract with the vendor and the prosecutor’s office.
Mr. Lennon said that she had done a super job! All commissioners thanked her for her work.
Mr. Spidalieri had a question about scanning and she answered that she wants to hire for that position. Dvorak said that it had been over a year since they were able to take boxes.
The Maintenance Department received approval to acknowledge and accept the Continuation Certificate of Performance Bond for McCaskey Landscape and Design, LLC, for the 2022-2024 Snowplowing and Salt/Cindering of County Owned Site Group #2 for the period March 31, 2023 through March 31, 2024.
There was a question about whether it would be better to have the contract start and end in June, but it was stated that this contract had been approved and this was just the performance bond.
The Transit Department received approval to enter into an Interagency Transit Service Agreement between Laketran and the Geauga County Board of Commissioners for Laketran to administer and provide the operations of shared ride paratransit services and public transportation for Geauga County residents, under the identity of Geauga County Transit, to be fully effective July 1, 2023.
Mr. Lennon said that this will give Geauga Transit more flexibility and that they will be able to get more vans and more drivers.
Mr. Dvorak stated that they would be able to capture more grant money, save funds, and service more residents.
There was some discussion about what this will mean for Geauga residents and Director Joanne Santilli said that residents should find it easier to schedule as they will be moving to online scheduling. There was a representative from Lake County there but he was not identified. He affirmed that Lake County commissioners approved the agreement on February 27th.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To advertise for the position of Full-time Assistant Water Supervisor (#2352). This position will remain posted until filled.
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To advertise for the position of Full-time Design Engineer (#2305). This position will remain posted until filled.
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To execute the USDA Annual Reporting Requirements, Certified List of Governing Body and Contact Persons Regarding the Facility and Financial Information for Geauga County.
Public Comment - Current BOCC President Spidalieri announced at the start of his term as President in January that there would be no public comment. He has occasionally permitted public comment, but not at this meeting.
Not on the Agenda - Discussion about Board appointments
Mr. Lennon said that there is an opening on the Library Board, which is for an unexpired term. It was confirmed that the Library has posted this on their website. It was also stated that there are openings coming up on the Mental Health and Recovery Board. Commissioner’s Clerk Christine Blair stated that the openings are on their website.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available on BOCC website
Next Meeting: Tuesday March 14, 2023 at 9:30 am
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
Submitted 3/8/2023
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