Board of County Commissioners - September 26, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on September 26, 2023 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room 8303, 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. Observer Comment: At the July 11, 2023 meeting, it was noted that the public had difficulty hearing the discussions between Mr. Morgan, Ms. Blair, and the Commissioners. At the time it was stated that microphones would be installed. This issue remains unresolved with no working microphones for the Commissioners, Ms. Blair and Mr. Morgan.
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. Public comment was invited today.
Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Commissioner James Dvorak.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Ralph Spidalieri, James Dvorak, and Timothy Lennon. Also present were Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Gerald Morgan, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Nick Gorris, Interim Director, Water Resources; Kelly Bidlack, Human Resource Specialist, Shane Hajjar, Deputy Design/Planning Engineer, Engineer’s Department; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance; Linda Crombie, Director, Planning Commission; Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator
Others in Attendance: Reporter from the Geauga Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times; Carolyn Brakey, Board President, Geauga Public Health Department; Adam Litke, Geauga Public Health Administrator; Tom and Diane Jones, several other members of the public, and this observer.
County Administrator Report: Mr. Morgan reported on the following actions taken by him pursuant to authority granted to him by the Commissioners:
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Appropriation transfers from the Commissioners from the Miscellaneous Operating Expenses Account to the Special Counsel Juvenile Probate Court Legal Expense Account.
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Transfer of $20,000 from Transit Account to LakeTran for funds in escrow. The amount needed is more than previously reported due to an unexpected tax issue, which is not yet resolved.
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Engagement letter for legal representation for Geauga County Judge Timothy J. Grendell. This is for the 2023-1154 case of Walder v. Grendell pending before The Ohio Supreme Court.
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Approval given to the Department of Aging for hiring two full time Recreation and Education Assistants.
Minutes: Minutes were approved for August 22 and August 31, 2023. At publication, minutes were posted on the BOCC website through August 31, 2023. Reviewer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through September 26, 2023 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved BOCC minutes.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton presented the financial report, which was approved and included the following:
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Appropriation transfer to the Sheriff’s office for miscellaneous refunds, reimbursements and checks deposited into the general fund.
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Supplemental for the Sheriff in the general fund to cover the 5% raises that were granted this year, which were in the Sheriff’s labor agreement, as well as additional materials and supplies for the jail due to an increase in food cost.
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Travel - Common Pleas Court, JFS, Probate Court.
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Encumbrances for Emergency Services:
Vouchers:
Mr. Dvorak questioned whether BOCC had captured the funds due from Geauga Transit for the
previously approved $200,000 loan from BOCC to Geauga Transit. Mr. Gorton responded that it has yet
to transpire but there are sufficient funds in the Transit account to repay the loan.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for a revision to the Budget Hearing schedule that would swap the time slots for the Department of Aging and Maintenance on September 28, 2023.
The Auditor’s Office received approval to execute Resolution #23-160 that will accept the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorize the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor.
Ms. Blair stated that they may need to amend the resolution after the results are in from the November election due to the number of levies on the ballot.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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Replacement of the Robinson Rd. bridge in Chardon Township. Bids will open on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 2PM. Notice of this bid opening will be advertised on October 5 and October 12, 2023.
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Change order #1, and final, which will decrease the contract with Ronyak Paving, INC for the asphalt resurfacing of Clay St, sections C-D, in Huntsburg Township in the amount of $12,104.50
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Change order #1, and final, which will decrease the contract with Ronyak Paving, INC for the Asphalt resurfacing of Clay St, sections K-L, in Huntsburg Township in the amount of $28,877.50.
The Planning Commission received approval to execute the Final Plat for Nottingham Woods subdivision replat No. 2 of sublot 18, creating sublot 18-R in Munson Township.
Job and Family Services received approval:
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To execute the ODJFS contract between Geauga County Child Support Enforcement Agency and the Geauga County Common Pleas Court Magistrates Services for legal services for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 in the amount of $93.68 per hour.
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To execute the ODJFS contract between Geauga County Child Support Enforcement Agency and the Geauga County Prosecutor's Office for legal services for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 in the amount of $70.45 per hour.
Maintenance Department received approval:
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To award the bid by Air Force One Inc for the Geauga Safety Center HVAC Maintenance and On-call services. This includes Post 2 and all tower sites for a period of 3 years for a total of $108,340.00. This represented the only bid.
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To award the bid to US Lawns - Cleveland East, for the snowplowing, salt/cindering of the Chardon Area for the 2023-2025 seasons in the amount of $74,754.75 for the two year period. This represented the only bid.
The Department of Water Resources received approval to:
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Execute the service contract agreement with Advanced Dewatering LLC to perform repair of the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant 1.7 Meter Ashbrook belt filter press for a one year period, effective September 26, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $41,500.
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Execute Resolution #23-162 approving use of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) for Berkshire Heights sewer connection reimbursements to the Department for expenditures for services at certain properties.
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Execute the contract with Quasar Energy Group for sludge, biosolids and filter bed sand disposal for a three year period in the amount of $ 409,318.00.
Mr Dvorak inquired as to the completion of the Berkshire Heights sewer connection. It was stated that
there are 3 properties remaining. Two of them will be completed soon.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval:
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To accept the 2024 Geauga County CEBCO/Anthem Healthcare county and employee contribution rates effective January 1, 2024.
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To accept the Geauga County Employee Healthcare Waiver rates to be effective January 1, 2024.
Executive Session: At 9:50, the Commissioners went into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the discipline of a public employee at the Department of Aging. They were joined by Hearing Officers Craig Swenson and Kathleen Hostutler.
Returned from Executive Session: At 10:36 am, BOCC announced that they accepted the disciplinary recommendation of Mr. Swenson that the employee had violated Section 3 of the conduct of the Geauga County Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual. This included unsatisfactory job performance, noncompletion of assigned duties and neglect of duty. The employee received a 3 day suspension.
Executive Session: At 10:40, the Commissioners went into Executive Session for the purpose of considering the purchase of property for public purposes and the sale of property at competitive bidding, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(2). They were joined by Mr. Morgan and Ms. Burhenne.
Returned from Executive Session at 11:15 am. BOCC then approved a motion to grant Mr. Morgan the authority to sign contracts for appraisal.
Items not on the Agenda
Item One: Mr. Morgan brought to the attention of the Commissioners that an email had been received from the Prosecutor that in the future, any requests for opinions or other actions by any employee of BOCC should first be approved by a motion and vote by the BOCC. Morgan presented an alternative resolution that would authorize himself as County Administrator to request such work as if it were approved by the BOCC. This was approved.
Mr. Dvorak asked that Mr. Morgan send copies of all contracts and other matters that Mr. Morgan approves or requests be sent to him as well. Mr. Morgan said he would do that.
Item Two: Mr. Morgan said he was working on a job description for an in-house counsel in light of the request by the Prosecutor.
Public Comment
Diane Jones asked for the references from Mr. Morgan’s introduced resolution.
Another member of the public asked if there was any follow up from the prior week’s meeting regarding the former Geauga Lake development. It was stated that there had been no further communication.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here
Next Meeting: October 3, 2023 at 9:30 am.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 9/26/ 2023
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