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Geauga County Commissioners

LWV Geauga Observer Corps


Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) – March 21, 2023 


Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners met in person at 9:30 AM on March 21, 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, Timothy Lennon, and Ralph Spidalieri were all present.   Also present were Commissioner’s Clerk Christine Blair and Finance Director Adrian Gorton. County Administrator Gerard Morgan was absent.


County Representatives: Shane Hajir, Engineer’s Department, Steven Oluic, Water Resources, Jessica Boalt, Office on Aging, Craig Swenson, Job and Family Services, Glenn Vernick, Maintenance, representatives from the Clerk of Courts and Common Pleas Drug Court, Linda Burhenne, Temporary Archives Director, and Clair Wilson, Archivist, Archives and Records Center, Elaine Malkamaki, Dept. of Community and Economic and Matt Granito, Dog Warden.  In the public, Gina Hofstetter, Dept. of Community and Economic, Adam Litke, Administrator, Health District and Carolyn Brakey, Board Member, Geauga Public Health Board.


Minutes
- BOCC approved meetings from January 31, 2023.   Reviewer Note:  As of March 23, 2023, approved minutes are available on the BOCC website through January 31, 2023.


Administrator report - no report from Mr. Morgan

Commissioner’s Clerk, Christine Blair, read a statement regarding a service contract approved by Mr. Morgan that was  between Water Resources and Generator Systems for inspections for two generators in Bainbridge to do maintenance and inspections for three years not to exceed $8,296.00.


Financials - Mr. Gorton reported on the following:

  • Appropriation to the Auditor for a weights and measures vehicle (replacement vehicle.) 

  • Supplemental from the Engineer’s office for fully appropriated Maintenance Road and Bridge Fund. 

  • Cash transfer from the General Fund to Geauga Soil and Water.

  • Travel for Court of Common Pleas.

  • Vouchers:  $43,865 from the Auditor and ADP to Classic Streetsboro, LLC, for a Honda truck.  It was stated that this vehicle will be an addition to the fleet and will be used by Mr. Frank Antenucci.

  • $200,315 to Riverside Moving for moving services connected to the new county office building.  It was stated that there is an additional $20,000 on that contract.

  • $50,000 from Maintenance to CMRS for Postage.

BOCC approved Change Order #17 increasing the Contract with Donley’s Independence, LLC, for the Geauga County Office Building, GMP Phase #1 and #2 for changes made for the Board of Elections that were not covered in the original contract, in the amount of $277,877.00.

Reviewer Note: In a follow up communication, Mr. Gorton clarified these changes were more general in nature and that the negotiated changes for the Board of Elections will be included in a future change order. 


BOCC approved Request for Partial Payment #27 for Donley’s Independence, LLC, for the
Geauga County

Office Building, GMP Phase #1 and #2
in the amount of $1,030,542.74. 


The Clerk of Courts
received approval to execute the First Addendum between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Jennifer Carson to extend the term of the contract up to and including April 15, 2023, to reconcile, balance and prepare required reports for the Clerk of Courts Legal Office Account for years 2021 and 2022.


The Common Pleas Court
received approval to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas to document the roles and responsibilities set forth by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Assistance with Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program for the 48 month grant period, effective October 1, 2023 in the awarded amount of $500,000.00 to the Court of Common Pleas, that includes a twenty-five percent (25%) in-kind match that utilizes the services of existing employees in the Geauga County Drug Court Treatment Team.  Both Mr. Lennon and Mr. Dvorak praised the work of this specialty court and Mr. Dvorak mentioned that the Court had received a national award.

County Engineer received approval for the following:

  • To award a bid to Karvo Companies Inc. for the Asphalt resurfacing of Old State Road (CH-0018, Sections A-C) in Parkman Township in the amount of $971,225.00 as they represented the lowest and best bid.  The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.

  • To award the Bid to Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Morgan Road (CH-0026, Section A) and Leggett Road (CH-0033, Sections D-E) in Montville Township in the amount of $1,109,840.00 as they represented the lowest and best bid.  The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.

  • To reject all bids submitted for the Asphalt Resurfacing of Washington Street (CH-0606, Sections A-B and Sections C-E) in Bainbridge Township, due to bid irregularities.

  • To execute Resolution #23-042 to Order the Asphalt Resurfacing of Washington Street (CH-0606, Sections A-B and C-E) in Bainbridge Township and to execute the Title Sheet of Specifications for the same. Further, this resolution sets a Bid Opening (Re-Bid) on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m and 2:05 pm.  Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on March 23, 2023, March 30, 2023 and on the county website.

The Sheriff’s Office received approval to execute the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) Subgrant Award Agreement for Grant #2022-JG-A03-6468E for In Car Camera Replacement for the period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 in the amount of $47,066.88 ($35,300.16 from OCJS, $11,766.72 Local County Match).


The Department on Aging
received approval to rescind a hiring offer for a part-time Recreation and Education Assistant and to accept the retirement of Amber Weinhart, Recreation and Education Coordinator (#1004) to be effective June 5, 2023.  They also received approval to advertise for the position of Full-time Recreation and Education Coordinator (#1004) internally for a period of five days, with applications accepted March 27, 2023 through 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2023.  If no qualified candidate is found, then advertise externally until the position is filled.


The Archives and Records Center
received approval to execute the Contract Agreement with Shred-Rite, LLC, to perform shredding services at a rate of $23.00 per 96 gallon tote (approximately ten boxes per tote) for a one-year period, effective March 21, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00. It was stated by Temporary Archives Director Burhenne that there would be two shred events - one at the new county building and one at the Square.


The Department of Development (Community & Economic) received approval for the following:

  • To advertise to hold Public Hearing #1 for the 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities Programs to be held Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.  Notice of this Public Hearing will be advertised on March 23, 2023 and on the county website.

  • To acknowledge receipt of Statements of Qualifications for Architects and Engineering Firms to be considered for projects by the Departments under the Commissioners Hiring Authority and remain on file for one year, through March 21, 2024 including, Architects: CT Consultants, Envelope Consulting Services, Fogle/Stenzel Architects, Incorporated, GPD Group, LDA Architects, TDA – ThenDesign Architecture and Engineers: CT Consultants, Envelope Consulting Services, GPD Group, TEC  Incorporated Engineering and Design and Smolen Engineering. 

The Dog Warden received approval for the following:

  • To approve the revised job description for the position of Dog Warden (#1601) to be effective March 21, 2023.

  • To approve the creation, title and job description for the position of Chief Deputy Dog Warden (#1605), Grade 11, to be effective March 21, 2023 and to include the new position of Chief Deputy Dog Warden (#1605) to be effective March 21, 2023.

  • To advertise for the position of Chief Deputy Dog Warden (#1605), internally for a period of five days, with applications accepted March 27, 2023 through 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2023.

  • To authorize Matt Granito, Dog Warden, to accept and execute documents related to a bequest from Mary L. Blalock to help the dogs at the Dog Shelter and deposit all funds received into the Dog and Kennel Fund.

The Department of Job and Family Services received approval for Resolution #23-044 Recognizing April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Director Swenson said that they are grateful to Junction Auto for continuing to support Child Abuse Prevention Month through the pinwheels and signs on their property (Route 44 and Mayfield Rd).  He said that cases fluctuate from 400 - 600 on a yearly basis and that this year the number of cases investigated was in the “upper 400’s.”


The Maintenance Department
received approval to execute the service Contract Agreement with Orkin, LLC, to perform Pest Control Services on County Buildings and Safety Center per the Maintenance Director for a three-year period, effective March 21, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 ($25,000.00 for County Buildings and $15,000.00 for the Safety Center).


The Department of Water Resources
received approval to advertise for Bids for 2023 Lawn Maintenance of the North and South Areas, Geauga County Department of Water Resources to be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on March 23 2023, March 30, 2023 and on the county website.


Geauga County 4-H members
presented information to the Board about Geauga 4-H and National 4-H week that took place the week of March 8th.  Presenters ranged in age from elementary through high school and described a variety of projects such as raising livestock (pigs, cows, turkeys, ducks, chickens, rabbits)and other projects such as service projects, serving on Junior Fair Board, archery and robotics.  Some said their families had been involved in farming for six generations, while for others it was a new experience.  All credited the 4-H experience with helping them to develop leadership skills, public speaking skills and to learn about how to run a business.  One described a new Job Force Project that led to a new breed of chicken with a dual purpose (meat and eggs) which the 4-H participant will try to get accepted as a viable option for farmers.  Both Mr. Lennon and Mr. Dvorak praised the 4-H and recognized that involvement led to leadership and business knowledge.


BOCC approved Resolution #23-045 Recognizing
4-H week in Geauga County, March 8 – March 14, 2023.


Geauga County Farm Bureau
members presented information to the Board about National Agriculture Week, March 21 – March 27, 2023 and BOCC recognized the 50th Anniversary of National Ag Day, March 21, 2023.

The Commissioners’ approved the appointment of Reba Dykes to the Geauga County Board of Mental

Health and Recovery Services
to fill the unexpired term of Jennifer Malainey through June 30, 2023.


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. 


More Information and Posted Minutes
: Available on BOCC website


Next Meeting: Tuesday  April 4, 2023 at 9:30 am  (Note this meeting will include a public hearing at 10 am. - purpose of the public hearing was not disclosed)


Observer:  Gail Roussey

Reviewer: Anne Ondrey

Reviewer: Shelly Lewis

Date Submitted:  3/22/2023


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