Board of County Commissioners - November 14, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on November 14, 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.
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: Shane Hajjar, Deputy Design/Planning Engineer; Rick Weikart, Highway Superintendent, Nick Gorris, Director of Geauga County Department of Water Resources, and Glen Vernick, Director, Maintenance.
Others in Attendance: Carolyn Brakey, Board President, Department of Health; Kathleen Hostutler, Human Resources; Tom and Diane Jones; several other members of the public, reporters from the Geauga Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times, and this observer.
Minutes: No minutes were presented for approval. At publication, minutes posted on the BOCC website throughSeptember 26, 2023. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through November 14, 2023 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved BOCC minutes.
Report of County Administrator Mr. Morgan - Mr. Morgan reported on the following action taken by him:
Financial Report - Mr. Adrian Gorton received approval for the Financial Report, containing the following:
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Supplemental from the Board of Developmental Disabilities in the Residential Services fund Contract Services account.
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Travel request from Emergency Services and Juvenile Court.
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Vouchers:
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$24,850.00 from Automatic Data Processing Board to Cable Communications for an access camera server for the Geauga County office building system.
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$11,200.00 from Community Development to Geauga Highway Company for the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) WomenSafe Haven project.
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$47,600.00 from Sheriff's Office to Block Group Inc., for 10 new license plate recognition cameras.
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$104,884.00 from Water Resources to Ohio Machinery Company for a new excavator that replaced an old one from 1997 that was sold at auction.
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Revenue Certification from Board of Elections in their special election fund for additional unbudgeted revenue received in 2023.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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Bid awarded to Ohio Bridge Corporation for the replacement of Robinson Rd. bridge in the amount of $1,478.981.15. This represents the lowest and best bid. Start date will be April/May 2024.
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Bid awarded to Ronyak Paving Inc., for asphalt resurfacing of Munn Rd, Sections E-F, in the amount of $482,220.00. This represents the lowest and best bid.
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Change Order #1 and final order to decrease the contract with Karvo Company for Asphalt resurfacing of Old State Rd., Section A and Farmington Rd., Section A-C, in Parkman Township in the amount of $59,898.31.
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Change Order #1 and final order to decrease the contract, due to less miles, with The Aero-Mark Company for the application of polyester pavement markings to various roads in the amount of $1,700.12.
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To execute the Ohio Public Works Commission Disbursement Request Form and Certification #1 for the release of funds for the Brakemen Rd. resurfacing, Section A, in the amount of $288,080.05.
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To execute the Ohio Public Works Commission Disbursement Request Form and Certification #1 for the release of funds for the Mumford Rd resurfacing, Section A-D, in the amount of $200,000.
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To execute the highway Easement between BOCC and David J. and Ruth D. Miller for the culvert and drainage improvements along Mumford Rd. in Troy Twp. in the amount of $200.
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To execute the Highway Easement between the BOCC and TVH Land Holdings for the grading and drainage improvements along Clay St. in Montville Twp. in the amount of $1.00
The County Engineer’s Department - (Highway Maintenance) also received approval for the following snow and ice control agreements for county roads in the following townships:
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Chester Township in the amount of $66,748.91
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Bainbridge Twp. in the amount of $59,361.86
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Russell Twp. in the amount of $38,164.99
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Claridon Twp. in the amount of $32,670.00
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Montville Twp. in the amount of $35,695.00
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Troy Twp. in the amount of $35, 695.00
The Maintenance Department received approval for:
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Acceptance of Performance and Maintenance Bonds from Deandrade Landscape and Designs (DBA US Lawns) for snow plowing, salt/cindering for Chardon area and further release the Bid Bond.
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To advertise for bids for the Department of Emergency Services and Claridon Tower site for generator replacement to be held on Wed, December 20, 2023 and 2 pm.
Mr. Lennon asked about the site of the generators. This would be for 2 generators at the DES (Department of Emergency Services) building. They will link them together in case one goes down. The generators being replaced are very old.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
To execute the 208 Facilities Planning area for Burton Village for corrected boundary area due to the most recent annexations along with updated individual parcel descriptions.
Mr. Lennon inquired as to the Demco property. At this time there are no plans. At one point there was talk about senior housing.
Executive Session - At 9:50, The commissioners, Mr. Morgan, Kathleen Hostutler, and Jessica Boalt went into executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a public employee in the Department of Aging. They returned at 10:45 with action. The employee will be put on administrative leave pending the outcome of an MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) exam.
Executive Session - At 10:47, the Commissioners, Mr. Morgan and Ms. Hofstuttler went into executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a public employee in the Commissioners’ office. They returned at 11:25 with no action.
Executive Session - At 11:26, the Commissioners, Mr. Morgan and Linda Berhenne went into executive session for the purpose of considering the purchase of property for public purposes and the sale of property at competitive bidding. They returned at 11:58. Mr. Morgan will request the Prosecutor’s office to review sale agreements for the Chase Bank building and the Dollar General Store building.
A special meeting was approved to be held on Friday, November 17 at 10:00 AM for the purpose of reviewing and approval of plans, drawings representations, bills of material, specifications of work and estimates of the cost thereof in detail and in the aggregate for the proposed Geauga County Courthouse addition. Reviewer Note: This meeting is a statutory requirement when a courthouse/correctional facility is being built or renovated. An observer was present and a report for this meeting will be posted later in the week.
Items Not on the Agenda:
Mr. Morgan received approval for the following:
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Request to the Prosecutor's office to review the WB Mason contract for furniture for ADP Board.
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Sign engagement letter from Fishel, Downey, Albrecht and Riepenhoff LLP for the review of the changes to the personnel policy for the county.
Public Comment:
A citizen from Hambden Township thanked the commissioners for the letter that was sent to all property owners regarding the real estate reevaluation. She spoke highly of the response she has received from different entities and the helpfulness of the auditor’s website. After recognising the 25% decrease that was from the county, she inquired as to other entities such as townships and school boards. She was encouraged to contact her local township and school board, which she had already done. Mr. Spidalieri explained the difference between the authority of the county and the authority of the townships and school boards. The citizen asked if there was a list of the entities and their actions. They will consider compiling a list of all entities and any action/adjustments taken by them.
Motion to Adjourn occurred at approximately 11:50. More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: November 21, 2023 at 9:30 am.
Observers: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: November 20, 2023
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