Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners met at 9:30 AM on April 11, 2023 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. BOCC meetings are in-person only and there are no recordings for the public. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners Clerk.
Public Comment Policy: BOCC does not have a formal policy. In practice, comment may be permitted at the end of the meeting at the prerogative of the current BOCC President, Ralph Spidalieri.
Observer Comment: Mr. Spidalieri announced at the end of this meeting that public comment would be permitted and that a more formal policy would be forthcoming. For the present, he stated that short comments would be permitted as long as they did not contain any personal attacks or “bashing.”
Attendance: Commissioners James Dvorak, Timothy Lennon, and Mr. Spidalieri were all present. Also present were Commissioner’s Clerk Christine Blair, Finance Director Adrian Gorton, and County Administrator Gerard Morgan.
County Representatives: Kathleen Miller (Water Resources), Glenn Vernick (Maintenance). In the public, Adam Litke, Administrator, and Carolyn Brakey, Board President, Geauga Public Health District; Two members of the Planning Commission, Walter “Skip” Claypool and James McCasky. Also in the public was Beth Bigham, Northeastern Ohio District Representative for Senator J.D. Vance. Reporters from the Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times were also in attendance..
Administrator report - Mr. Morgan informed the BOCC that since their last meeting, he took the following actions:
Approval of Water Resources service contract agreement for Santee Lock and Key for lock and key services at various locations, not to exceed $1500 for a period of one year..
Concurred with Bainbridge in not requesting a hearing on a liquor license for 7252 Woodland Avenue, Chagrin Falls - Observer Note: this property is currently listed as Cents on the Avenue.
Minutes - BOCC approved meetings from February 23 and 28, and March 7, 2023. Reviewer Note: As of April 15, 2023, approved minutes are available on the BOCC website through January 31, 2023.
Financials - Mr. Gorton reported on the following:
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Transfer from the General Fund for the April/June mandated share for Community Development, Metzenbaum, and Board of Elections for interest charges.
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Family First for April - June, 2023 commitment.
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Reversal of cash transfer, reissuing transfer (Water Resources for Chardon Township seed money).
Vouchers, including:
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$116,797.35 from the Commissioners to the Portage/Geauga/Juvenile Detention Facility, second quarter commitment.
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$51,909.92 from the Commissioners to Ohio State University (OSU) for 1st quarter program support payment.
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$169,419.68 from the Commissioners to Then Design for Phase 1 & 2 of the County Office building and the Courthouse project.
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$146,849.22 from the Engineers to Bainbridge Township, Chester Township, and Russell Township for snow and ice removal services. Total was $139,864 last year.
The Maintenance Department received approval to execute a service Contract Agreement with Western Reserve Lightning Rod Company to install a Lightning Protection system for the Geauga County Office Building for a one-year period, effective April 11, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00.
Both Mr. Lennon and Mr. Dvorak expressed dismay that this was not done by the original contractors. Mr. Morgan stated that “it was missed.” Mr. Dvorak said that, speaking as a bricklayer, this is something that is always done at the beginning.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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To execute Contract Maintenance Form #1 extending the length of the contract with Buckeye Scale, LLC, for scale calibration for an additional four months through December 31, 2023. There was a discussion as to how many water treatment plants use this, and it was stated that it was only McFarland. There was a question as to why the Auditor didn’t do this and it was stated that this contract was to get the plant ready for the Auditor’s weights and measures visit.
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To approve the Revision of the 208 Facilities Planning Area for Burton Township amending the change from February 28, 2023, correcting the map to include prior approved areas in the Berkshire Industrial Park Service Area. Observer Note: A 208 plan is “...A facilities plan, or commonly referred to as a Section 208 plan by the Ohio EPA, identifies how wastewater treatment needs will be met while protecting existing and future water quality.” See Clean Water Plan.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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The creation, title and job description for a new Summer/Seasonal Help position (#0102) for the Maintenance and Water Resources Departments, that includes a new rate of $13.00 per hour, to be effective April 11, 2023, as well as permission to advertise for Summer/Seasonal Help (#0102). These positions will remain posted until filled.
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To authorize Prosecuting Attorney James Flaiz to execute the Participation Agreement on behalf of Geauga County regarding the Teva, Allergan, Walgreens, Walmart and CVS National Opioid Settlements as the Board of Commissioners approves of the settlement with those entities.
There was no information about the amount of the settlement and there was no discussion as to how the Commissioner’s would distribute the funds received.
Not on the Agenda - Amended Prior Resolution: Ms. Christine Blair, Commissioner’s Clerk, noted a resolution for a motion to correct the description of expenses paid to Donley’s Independence for payment #17. At a prior meeting, it was stated that these expenses were for the changes to the building related to the Board of Elections. The resolution passed to correct that information at this meeting stated that the expenses were miscellaneous expenses not covered by the original contract. The amount of $277,877 did not change.
Work Session with Airport Authority: The Commissioners held a Work Session with the Airport Authority to discuss projects at the Airport. Those attending from the Airport Authority were Mr. Chip Hess (President), Chris Schless, and Richard Blamer (Airport Manager).
Observer Note: Several times during the Work Session the members of the Airport Authority were told that no action could be taken during the Work Session, but that any action would need to be taken during the public session.
Mr. Hess was the primary speaker for the Airport Authority. He led off the discussion by saying that the Airport Authority had a Master Plan and that part of that Plan entailed an expansion of the airport and the taxiway. He said there was a $100,000 match required for funds available from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a new taxiway. The entire project will cost $1,800,000. The initial application requires a $9,000 pre-application fee from the BOCC, with another $90,000 next year. He asked for a resolution from the Commissioners (which could not be done in the Work Session). He said that the Airport Authority has already passed their own resolution.
The next topic was the need for roof repairs on Hangars 4 and 5, which are low rent hangars (unlike the new T-Hangar). The Commissioners had already agreed (according to Hess) to repair Hangar 1, so they thought since someone was going to be out there, maybe they should do 4 and 5 at the same time. The cost of repairs would be approximately $150,000.
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There was a lot of discussion as to whether there would be any payment back to the Commissioners from their share of this repair work and Mr. Hess indicated that there would not be.
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Mr. Spidalieri also asked whether the Airport Authority will get a Community and Development grant? Mr. Lennon asked if there might be other grants, but Mr. Blamer indicated that they have looked everywhere without result.
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Mr. Lennon inquired as to whether it was a good plan to put a new roof on an old hangar and Mr. Hess and Mr. Blamer said that these hangars would be good for another 30-40 years.
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Mr. Hess also said that they have people interested in a new T-Hangar, but they wanted to get 4 and 5 repaired first.
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Mr. Lennon also asked about the original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding maintenance and whether that would dictate that the airport would repair the roofs. Mr. Hess said that patching a roof might be maintenance but a new roof would be a capital expense. He said several times that the Airport Authority had spent $100,000 on maintenance items.
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Mr. Hess also said that they might build a new building for maintenance work on airplanes. There is a person (unnamed) who would like to do maintenance work in the hangars and there was a discussion about whether there could be a designated building for maintenance. It did not appear that this individual could afford to finance a hangar for this work.
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There was also a discussion about whether it would be feasible to start selling jet fuel. Mr. Hess said that the quantity they would sell right now would not make it a worthwhile proposition.
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There was a question about extending the runway, but that would be a bigger project, requiring the purchase of additional property.
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Mr. Hess said he would make sure the roof repair should be about $150,000. They will update the bid specs.
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Mr. Lennon confirmed that the roof repair would have to go out for bid.
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Mr. Morgan said he would check on whether the contractors had to meet with both commissioners and the Airport Authority.
The next topic was related to the sale and purchase agreement for the property that had to be acquired by the Airport Authority in order to build the new T-Hanger. The Commissioners were under the assumption that the money that they contributed would be reimbursed but only $4,000 (roughly) came back as a donation to the Airport Authority according to Mr. Blamer. Mr. Hess said he was asking for an additional $13,300 to close out this aspect of the sale and purchase agreement. The Commissioners had understood that there would be a donation from the landowner to equal the match, which was $13,300. The match was 5% of the purchase price for the property.
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Mr. Lennon asked if they had cash carryover and couldn’t they use that? Mr. Hess responded that they did have cash carryover (amount not stated) but that they didn’t want to use it.
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Mr. Spidalieri suggested that the $4,000 received by the Airport Authority should be deducted from the $13,300 and that “We want to be a partner.” Mr. Lennon said, “We are completely supportive of the airport.”
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Mr. Lennon also said that “We need to continue good communication.”
Mr. Gorton asked if the Hangar rent had been consistent or if there was a rate increase and Mr. Hess said there was a 4% increase last year. Mr. Blamer said that there is a great demand because people like to be in Geauga. Mr. Gorton suggested that the Airport Authority should do research to determine if their rents (for Hanger space) were competitive. Both Mr. Hess and Mr. Blamer said that they are competitive.
Mr. Spidalieri asked if there were plans for a restaurant. Mr. Hess said that there are food trucks that are interested in coming 1-2 days a week. They were cautioned by the commissioners to make sure that the food trucks had insurance and were legally able to operate at the Airport.
It was suggested after the work session concluded that there be a taxiway resolution for a not to exceed $100,000 and that there be an additional two resolutions next week.
Clerk Blair discussed the bid requirements and asked to be contacted to coordinate. She also asked if there would be a requirement for a pre-bid meeting, which Mr. Hess didn’t seem to know at the time.
Work Session ended at 10:45 am and BOCC reconvened the regular meeting.
A resolution was passed to begin the pre-application phase for the taxiway with a final total match for the project not to exceed $100,000.
Once the Airport Authority can determine the exact local match for the property purchase and the amount contributed already by the property owner, a resolution would be introduced for that amount.
Statement on Public Comment Policy: Mr. Spidalieri announced that public comment would be allowed for short comments. He said there would be a more formal policy in the future, and that there would be a time limit due to the fact that there are usually Directors of Departments attending and they need to get back to their Departments. He emphasized that there should be no personal attacks, no “bashing” people.
Public Comment - These were the comments from the public:
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Mrs. Diane Jones of www.Auburntownship.org asked for the names of the three County Airport officials who had been part of the discussion with the Airport Authority (information listed above).
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This observer asked a clarifying question about the discussion regarding the payment to the Airport authority (the answer is contained in the material above.)
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Ms. Beth Bigham from Senator J.D. Vance’s office introduced herself and offered any help that the Commissioners might need. Mr. Lennon thanked her for coming and asked how things were going. She said that the Northeast Ohio office is in Cleveland, but she covers 20 counties so she is on the road a lot.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here
Next Meeting: Tuesday April 18, 2023 at 9:30 am
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
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