Board of County Commissioners - May 23, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)met at 9:30 AM on May 16, 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: Observer Comment: Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri announced at the end of the April 4, 2023 meeting that public comment would be permitted and that a more formal policy would be forthcoming. There was no formal policy introduced today.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak
Attendance: Commissioners James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri; Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and County Administrator Gerard Morgan. Commissioner Tim Lennon was absent.
County Representatives (having issues on the agenda):
-
Linda Crombie - Director, Planning Commission
-
Scott Hildenbrand - Geauga County Sheriff
-
Linda Burhenne - Temporary Director, Archives & Record Center
-
Craig Swenson - Director, Job and Family Services
-
Jo Anne Santilli - Director, Geauga Transit Authority
-
Gina Hoffsteter - Director, Dept. of Community & Economic Development (CED)
-
Elaine Malkamaki - Program Coordinator, Dept. of Community & Economic Development (CED)
Others in Attendance: Chief Deputy Tom Rowan, Geauga Sheriff’s Office; Christine Lakomiak - Director, Mental Health & Recovery Services; Adam Litke, Geauga Public Health Administrator; Caroline Brakey, President, Geauga Public Health Board; Chris Alusheff, President, Health District Advisory Council and Claridon Township Zoning Inspector; Members of the press from Geauga Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times; Members of the public, Diane and Tom Jones (with camera), several unidentified individuals.
Minutes - March 31 and April 4th minutes submitted for approval. Approved BOCC Minutes are available online or by request to Commissioners Clerk Christine Blair. Reviewer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available for information purposes but are not substitutes for BOCC Minutes.
County Administrator report - Mr. Morgan, County Administrator, reported on the following actions that he took pursuant to the authority granted to him by the County Commissioners:
Financials - Mr. Groton, Finance Director, reported:
Supplemental/Appropriations Transfers:
Encumbrances
-
Contract PO from the Commissioners’ office to McTigue & Columbo LLC for legal fees incurred by the Board of Elections
-
Contract PO from Community Development to ICP Geauga Lake LLC for the demolition and site revitalization of the old Geauga Lake Property
-
Travel request from JFS to attend the 2023 National Adult Protective Services Association conference
-
Travel request from JFS to accompany and independent living youth on a visit to the University of Cincinnati
-
Then & Now from Water Resources to the Geauga County ADP Board for work that ADP is charging the department for their response to Water Resources Server breach
-
Purchase order from Water Resources to Junction Auto Sales Inc to purchase 2023 RAM 1500 Quad cab pickup truck
Vouchers
-
$74,082.00 from Auditor to Integrity Appraisal services for 2023 revals and new construction valuations
-
$394,775.00 from Board of Developmental Disabilities to Meyer Design Inc for the construction of a new playground
-
$73,178.63 from the Commissioners’ office to the Geauga County Sheriff for the reimbursement of funds received from an asset forfeiture, the proceeds of which were deposited in the General Fund
-
$141,666.00 from the Sheriff’s office to Motorola Solutions Inc for trunk 800 MHz radio service and support (last year $140,049.00 - a little over a 1% increase).
Commissioners’ Office - Received approval to:
-
execute the Agreement with D.B. Kozie and Associates, LLC to perform a property boundary and location survey with preparation of final plat of survey (map) and legal description for Parcel No. 10-709526 with work completed within thirty days of May 23, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $5,671.25
-
authorize the President of the Board to execute the Settlement Agreement with the Board of Elections as they relate to resolve Case No. 22M000299 and other aspects related to the design of the Board of Elections office space in the Office Building and the Board of Commissioners agreed payment of legal counsel fees in the amount of $59,612.23.
-
execute Resolution #23-098 itemizing the financials for the meeting of May 23, 2023.
Planning Commission - Received approval to:
-
execute the Tall Timbers Re-Plat of Sublots 8 to 11, creating Sublots 9R, 10R and 11R in Bainbridge Township
-
execute the Punderson’s Lake Development Re-Plat of Sublot Nos. 151 through 154, creating Sublot 151-R in Newbury Township
Sheriff’s Office - Received permission to advertise for bids for the Microwave Network Upgrade project to be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Notice of this Bid Opening will be advertised on June 1, 2023, June 8, 2023 and on the county website. This will fund radio towers which are the way various law and safety entities communicate with one another.
Archives and Records Center - Received approval to hire Jeffrey Vaji to the position of Archives and Records Clerk (#2607) to be effective May 30, 2023 at the rate of $14.96 per hour with a one-year probationary period. This offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of the required pre-employment conditions.
Job and Family Services - Received approval for Resolution #23-099 Recognizing June 2023 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Director Craig Swenson commented that it is important to know there are a lot of things that happen in Geauga County in spite of the many positives we enjoy. Abuse and neglect happens here. There are 15-20 investigations per month. Awareness is important.
Geauga Transit Authority - Received approval to:
-
execute the service Contract Agreement with McPhillips Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to install new sidewalk boiler (Burham 95% Efficient, 120,000 BTU Hot Water Boiler) and disconnect and remove existing one with the work to be completed between May 23, 2023 through on or before October 30, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $7,350.00. Work will be done in the next couple weeks.
-
execute the service Contract Agreement with Liftnow Automotive Equipment Corp to remove the old four post lift with jacks and leave onsite for disposal and install the Challenger Lift 44018E 4-post lift with 44AK18 dual rolling jack operation, 44018 series only for the period ending June 16, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $34,911.71.
Commissioners’ Office re: County Building - Received approval to:
-
Authorize the President of the Board to execute the Request for Partial Payment #28 for Donley’s Independence, LLC for the Geauga County Office Building, GMP Phase #1 and Phase #2 in the amount of $571,047.55.
-
Execute the Settlement Agreement and Release between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Donley’s Independence, LLC for “Nonconforming Windows” and results in the replacement of the windows and a decrease to the contract in the amount of $140,000.00.
Public Comments: as agenda items were addressed by 9:45 AM and the Block Grant Hearing was scheduled for 10:00 AM, Mr. Spidalieri opened the floor to public comments.
Howard Newell shared Information about the Liberty Camp to be offered again this year (7th year). Opportunity to learn about the US Constitution and the nation’s founding.
A member of the public encouraged the Commissioners to become more active opposing NOACA. There was a recent forum and she was disappointed that none of the Geauga County Commissioners attended. Mr. Spidalieri stated he would prefer to see an MPO established with Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula but believes Lake County is not supportive of breaking away from NOACA.
Shelly Lewis of the League of Women Voters of Geauga referred to the long-standing conflict between BOCC and ADP regarding authority over IT operations. She inquired what the pathways are for resolving the issue. Mr. Dvorak commented that there were communication issues.
Mrs. Jones asked questions about the non-conforming windows. Mr. Morgan responded that some of the glass is wavy. An adjustment in the cost was made. Questions about the final cost of the building were asked by Mrs. Jones. Mr. Morgan responded that the final costs are not in yet.
Mental Health and Recovery Services Director Christine Lakomiak gave the Commissioners information about the Stepping Up program and invited their participation in a Zoom program being held Thursday, May 25 from 11-2.
Hearing for Community Development Block Grant
This was the second of the two required public hearings. As explained previously by Ms. Gina Hofstetter (Economic Development Director) and Ms. Elaine Malkamaki (Program Director), this funding from the state can be used to target low to moderate income persons or for the elimination of blight. Uses can include: demolition of blighted properties, building rehabilitation, historic preservation and public service. Total award to Geauga was $284,000. After deducting for administration and fair housing Geauga is left with $227,000 with a match. Geauga may fund two projects.
Proposed projects:
-
Chagrin Falls Park Community Center: New roof, parking lot repair and repave. Recommend roof only at this time
-
Cardinal Local Schools: Walkway and other improvements to increase ADA compliance
-
Chardon Twp: $98,000 for asphalt at a park which would make ballfields and ponds ADA compliant.
-
Womensafe: Up to $159,800 for vehicle, ADA accessible restrooms, kitchen, sound masking and building upgrades.
-
Maple Leaf community residences: $158,100 for roofing on 3 homes and replacement of 17 windows. Just opened their 25th home.
-
Camp Ho Mita Koda: Bath house upgrades and other improvements to increase ADA accessibility.
Discussion:
Mr. Spidalieri questioned the costs for roofing for Maple Leaf homes. He stated he could never support that as the numbers are way too high. He questioned why we don't have good solid numbers?
Ms. Hofstetter and Ms. Malkamaki explained that these figures are based on quotes gathered for budgeting purposes. Before any contracts are awarded, bids will be solicited in a competitive process.
Mr. Spidalieri commented that either it’sdone right or it’s not done at all. If bids come low, what happens to the money?
Gerry Morgan said that per ORC, if you give an estimate (if asked to give a quote), you then cannot be one of the bidders. So you cannot get many to submit this initial estimate.
Mr. Dvorak commented that an average house re roofing would be $20,000 to $25,000.
Ms. Hofstetter clarified, if bids come in less, you can increase the outcomes, such as more roofs, more windows.
Mr. Spidalieri commented that they are not going to decide today - will decide next week. Process is moving forward.
Mr. Spidalieri asked more questions about the Maple Leaf project and also inquired if the Fair Board submitted this year. They did not.
Asked again, if bids come back under the quotes for these projects, is it allowable to expand the outcomes? For example, you could do more roofs, more windows for the Maple Leaf project, or more paving for the Chardon Township project? Yes. You can expand the project as long as you stay within the same area (i.e. roofing or asphalt).
Chris Alusha of Aquila Village, spoke in support of the statement by Gerry Morgan. People come out and give quotes and nothing ever comes of it, so it is hard to get folks to come out and give quotes. Sometimes they are giving quotes on work that is not in the realm of services they provide. Contractors are asked to jump through hoops to give quotes on work that they know will never materialize.
The hearing ended at 10:30.
The Commissioners Meeting adjourned at 10:30.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here
Next Meeting: Thursday June 1, 2023 at 9:30 am
Observer: Kathy Franz
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Shelly Lewis
The League of Women Voters Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.