Board of County Commissioners - October 12, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on October 12, 2023 (changed from Tuesday to Thursday due to the Columbus Day holiday) 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 not invited at this meeting.
The 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, Assistant County Administrator Linda Burhenne, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Gina Hofstetter, Director, Department of Community and Economic Development; Craig Swenson, Director, Job and Family Services; Scott Christopher, Investigator, Job and Family Services; Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance; Kathleen Miller, Department of Water Resources; Jessica Boalt, Director, Department of Aging, and Nicholas Gorris, Interim Director, Department of Water Resources (who was promoted to Director at this meeting - see below)
Others in Attendance: Reporters from the Geauga Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times; Representatives from First Energy, Energy Harbor and Vistra (not identified by name), Tom and Diane Jones, several other members of the public, and this observer.
Minutes: Minutes were presented and approved for September 12 and September 19, 2023. Reviewer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through October 12, 2023 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved BOCC minutes.
Report of County Administrator Mr. Morgan - Mr. Morgan reported on the following actions taken by him pursuant to authority granted to him by the Commissioners:
Supplemental for the Treasurer’s Delinquent Tax Fee Fund Salary account so that the Auditor can finish processing payroll.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton presented the financial report, which was approved and included the following:
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Supplemental to the building department for a replacement vehicle. The older vehicle will go to the airport authority.
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Supplemental to the Commissioner's Capital Reserve Fund, Phase 2, in the Land Purchase expense line.
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Supplemental into the Commissioner's travel account.
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Supplemental to the Sheriff’s Equipment expense line for additional items approved during the Sheriff’s Budget Hearing.
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Cash transfer from General Fund to Public Assistance for October - December 2023.
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Travel for the Auditor and Recorder’s offices.
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Vouchers
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$35,436.00 From ADP to Pharos Systems International for cloud print management software
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$31,165.89 from Maintenance to Integrated Precision Systems - 1st Payment
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$56,565.12 from Sheriff’s Office to Upstate Wholesale Supply Inc
Representatives from First Energy, Energy Harbor and Vistra provided an update on the Vistra integration as well as the license renewal for Perry Nuclear Power Plant, which will expire 2026.
The Department of Development requested that the Board acknowledge a Notice of Intent submitted by County Administrator Gerry Morgan to the Ohio Department of Development designating Community and Economic Development as the lead entity for the Demolition and Site Revitalization and Brownfield Remediation programs and further approve moving forward with the the application process for grant funding, as specific guidelines have not been disclosed at this time.
They have started the process by learning and engaging the State and consultants to find out about the different grant opportunities. There is no obligation by sending in the Letter of Intent. The program guidelines just came out so they will start the process of training.
Ms. Hofstetter stated that the guaranteed set aside was a half-million dollars. She said she was not sure if the public sector can apply. There is a lot unknown at this point.
Job and Family Services received approval to execute Resolution #23-170 of Agreement for Sale/Purchase of Geauga County Job and Family Services for retiring K-9 Kota Bear, for the purchase amount of $1.00 by Scott Christopher. Kota Bear has worked with Mr. Christopher for 5 years but is having behavioral issues with other dogs. Mr. Christopher is an Investigator, and he helps JFS and the Prosecutor with some of the difficult cases with abuse and neglect.
The Maintenance Department received approval for the hiring of a senior trades mechanic effective November 6, 2023.
The Department of Water Resources received approval to execute the service contract agreement with Geauga Coatings to perform concrete leveling and coating services, as needed, at various locations within the department. This is effective October 12, 2023 through the remainder of 2023 and the year 2024. The amount is not to exceed $40,000.
The Commissioner’s Office received approval to appoint Nicholas Gorris to the position of Director of the Department of Water Resources to be effective October 15, 2023. He will also continue to be the Sanitary Engineer.
The Commissioner’s Office received approval to authorize partial payment #31 for Donley’s Independence LLC for the Geauga County Office Building. This was in the amount of $99,397.00
The Commissioner’s Office received approval to execute Resolution #23-171 authorizing the submission of a Healthy Aging Grant to the Ohio Department of Aging to benefit Geauga County senior residents. The grant will be available to each county in the State, and the amount for Geauga County will be $201,575.86. They will receive guidelines and will work with community partners.
Executive Session: The Commissioners, Mr. Morgan, and Ms. Burhenne all went into the Executive Session to discuss the purchase or sale of property at approximately 10:00 am.
10:48 am: Following Executive Session, there was no action taken, and the discussion about purchase of property will continue next week.
Not on the Agenda:
After the presentation last week to the Commissioners (see the October 3 BOCC Observer Report), Legal Council for Eliza Jennings, Gene Killeen, asked the Commissioners to consider approval of tax exempt financing for the purchase of the Weils.
Mr. Spidalieri was not present the previous week, so he asked for a summary. He stated that this was a purchase of an existing business and that tax exempt financing was not warranted.
It was decided that they would not approve tax exempt financing for Eliza Jennings.
Public Comment - There was no request for public comment, and Mr. Spidalieri moved to adjourn.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here
Next Meeting: October 17, 2023 at 9:30 am.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 10/15/23
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