Board of County Commissioners - November 21, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on November 21, 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 Mr. Spidalieri, Mr. 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: Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport Authority Board President; Board of Elections Office Administrator Scott Daisher and Joan Windnagel, Board of Elections, and Karen Stone, Department of Aging.
Others in Attendance: Carolyn Brakey, Board President, Department of Health; Adam Litke, Geauga Public Health Administrator; Tom and Diane Jones; several other members of the public, reporters from the Geauga Maple Leaf and Chagrin Valley Times, and this observer.
Report of County Administrator Mr. Morgan - Mr. Morgan reported on the following action taken by him:
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Supplemental from Juvenile Court to Custody Fund to increase the salaries and hospitalization accounts in order to finish processing payroll.
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Concurred with Auburn Township Trustees to not request a hearing for a liquor license for J&E&3 LLC dba The Pond Ice Rink.
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Accepted the resignation of a part-time employee in the Department of Aging.
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Approved an unpaid leave of absence for a full-time employee in the Department of Aging.
Minutes: Minutes were submitted and approved for the meeting of October 24, 2023. At publication, minutes posted on the BOCC website through September 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.
Financial Report - Mr. Adrian Gorton received approval for the Financial Report, containing the following:
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Appropriations transfer in the American Rescue Plan Fund to match distributions of the Commissioner’s revised resolution from 10/24.
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Supplemental from Auditor’s Office in the Real Estate Assessment Fund.
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Cash Transfer from General Fund to Community Development for ¾ payroll funding and 4th quarter operational needs..
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Travel request from Engineer’s Office.
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Vouchers:
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$51,909.92 from Commissioner’s office to Ohio State University for county’s 4th Quarter 2023 program support payment.
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$44,144.00 from the Engineer's office to Tim Lally Chevrolet for a 2023 Tahoe and $47,388.00 to Junction Buick for a 2023 GMC pickup Truck.
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$24,468.00 from Sheriff’s Office to Upstate Wholesale Supply Inc., for 18 body cameras.
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$33,590.00 to Junction Auto sales for 2024 GMC Terrain replacement vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department.
Revenue Certification:
The Airport Authority received approval for the following:
To execute the Grant Contract under the FY2024 Ohio Airport Improvement Program Matching Grants for General Aviation Airports between the Geauga County Airport Authority, Geauga County Commissioners and the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation for the Parallel taxiway A phase. The amount approved was $9,075.00 or one half of the total.
Mr. Lennon inquired as to the status of the project. This is 5% of the project cost. Design is finished. Hopefully construction will finish in 2024. There will be a grant submitted by the end of year to help with the cost of the project. All impediments cleared with the FAA. There has been a noticeable uptick in business traffic. Mr. Lennon expressed that this is minimal investment for a big impact.
The Board of Elections received approval for:
Execution of the Electronic Pollbook Memorandum of Understanding between the Ohio Secretary of State, the Geauga County Board of Elections and the Geauga County Commissioners. This is regarding an Addendum to Contract between KnowlInk and the BOE for purchase of 35 additional polbooks though the DAS Cooperative Purchase program State Term Contract in the amount of $29,925.00.
Mr. Lennon asked about reimbursement from the state and it was reported that there will be money from the state. Geauga County had record turnouts in both August and November elections. All went smoothly according to poll workers.
The Department of Aging received approval:
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To waive the 200-hour maximum vacation accrual for an employee due to staffing shortages.
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To lease a paratransit vehicle from the Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities for occasional use and to execute a lease agreement with the Board of Developmental Disabilities for the time period of September 1 2023 - December 31, 2024 in the amount of $1.25 per mile in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00. Observer Note: There was no discussion regarding the fact that the contract is stated as beginning over two months prior to the date of this approval.
Mr. Morgan received approval for the following:
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Execution of The Agreement Form, State of Ohio Standard Requirements for Public Facility Construction with Infinity Construction Company as the construction manager at risk for Geauga County Courthouse Expansion project. This is for preconstruction in the amount of $91,000.00
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Acceptance of Performance and Payment bond from Infinity Construction Company, INC for the Geauga County Courthouse expansion project.
Request to prosecutors office to review the following:
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Contracts for Professional Building Inspection Services.
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Resolution for American Rescue Plan Act Funds
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Agreement with MVC LTD dba Ulti Vista for photography on the Courthouse Expansion
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Brownfield Subrecipient Agreement for Ohio Department of Development
Commissioners received approval for the following scheduling changes for the first two meetings of 2024:
Thursday January 4, 2024
Monday, January 8, 2024. This will include the annual organization meeting.
Items not on Agenda:
Approval for Assistant County administrator to discuss with the prosecutor's office:
Public Comment:
A member of the public inquired as to the Commissioner’s responsibility in regards to the retail sales of marijuana in the county. He provided a handout from SAM - Smart Approaches to Marijuana (learnaboutsam.org). He inquired of the Commissioners what were their feelings and positions in regards to the retail shops coming into Geauga County. Mr. Spidalieri replied that he is not in favor but said that information is limited as to their responsibility at this time. Mr. Dvorak and Mr. Lennon also are not in favor. He wanted to confirm that the BOCC is on top of this subject going forward.
A member of the public asked for an explanation regarding the rent that is now being charged to the Geauga County Board of Health by the County. She cited items from the Ohio Revised Codes, providing the necessary codes, and opinions from the Attorney General regarding this subject. Mr. Morgan addressed the situation stating that the previous Administration had an agreement for no rent. He also spoke of the Health District being a combined District due to the City of Chardon being part of the Health District. Because of that, the County could charge rent. Mr. Lennon expressed that we need agreements with all of the different entities regarding rent.
Motion to Adjourn occurred at approximately 10:15.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: November 28, 2023 at 9:30 am.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: November 27, 2023
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