Board of County Commissioners - December 28, 2023
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on December 28, 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, but public comment was permitted.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Ralph Spidalieri and Timothy Lennon. Commissioner James Dvorak was absent. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator; Nick Gorris, Director, and Kathleen Miller, Fiscal Specialist, Water Resources, and Representative from Sheriff’s office.
Others in Attendance: Carolyn Brakey, Board President, Geauga Public Health; Reporter from Chagrin Valley Times, Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and this observer.
Report of County Administrator - Mr. Morgan reported on the following actions taken by him:
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Various appropriation transfers and a supplemental de-appropriation to adjust various accounts and funds to balance for final invoices for the year’s end.
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Cash Transfer from the General Fund to Victims Witness Assistance Fund to provide additional funding as requested by the Prosecutor’s Office due to a reduction in state funding.
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Encumbrances include a contract purchase order from Maintenance to MNJ Technologies for network switches and a camera system.
Financial Report: Transfers into various funds to cover shortages before the final payroll.
Minutes: There were no meeting minutes submitted for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through December 28, 2023 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved BOCC minutes. BOCC minutes are posted through September 26, 2023.
The Sheriff’s Office received approval for the following:
Award the bid to Aviat Networks for the Microwave Network Upgrade which includes training and extended warranty options. This represented the lowest and best bid in the amount of $664,805.00.
The Archives and Records Center received approval for the following:
Execution of contract agreement with U.S. Imaging, Inc., for digital conversion services for a two-year period in an amount not to exceed $4,000.00
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
Award bid to John F Gallagher Plumbing Co for the Geauga County Annex Building chiller unit upgrade in the amount of $131,875.00. This is for a new unit.
The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
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Revision of the County’s 208 Plan for Bainbridge Township to modify parcel #02-262000 from “no sewers” to “existing sewers.”
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Execution of the mortgage deed for Canyon Lakes Colony subdivision. This is for permanent parcel #02-421478 to be held as the ten percent maintenance guarantee for the sewer and water improvements associated with Phase 15 in Bainbridge Twp.
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Execution of service contracts for one year period:
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Sunrise Springs Water Company to provide iron filter and water softener installations at various locations in the department in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00
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Hannon Electric Company to perform electrical work within the department in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00
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Geauga Door Sales and Service, Inc., to perform door repair services as needed in the water section and wastewater section, in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 for each section.
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National Pump and Process, Inc., to perform pump maintenance in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00
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Emery Electric, Inc., to perform repairs as needed in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00
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C.U.E. Excavating Contractors, LLC, to perform excavating services as needed at various water and wastewater locations in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00 at each location.
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Hanno Electric Co. to perform 25 days of onsite PLC/HMI/SCADA programming services in an amount not to exceed $32,000.00
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Swift First Aid to perform refilling first aid kits at various locations in an amount not to exceed $3,000.00
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Auburn Fence Co to perform maintenance, replacement, and installation at various locations in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00.
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Gutoskey and Associates, Inc., for services as needed at various water locations in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00
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Gutoskey and Associates, Inc., for services as needed at various wastewater locations in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
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Authorization to execute the USDA Annual Reporting Requirements, Certified list of Governing Body and Contact persons regarding the facility and financial information for Geauga County.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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Execution of the Multivista Construction Documentation Proposal and Agreement with MVS Limited for photographic documentation of the Geauga County Courthouse Expansion Project for a period of sixteen months in the amount of $16,725.00.
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Execution of the Ohio Department of Taxation, Application for Real Property Tax Exemption and Remission for permanent parcel #11-714406, located at 8200 Cedar Rd. Chesterland (Metzenbaum Center).
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Meeting schedule for 2024 including holiday adjustments.
Items not on Agenda:
#1. Ms. Berhenne presented a scenario and options regarding the dissolving of and control of the Archives and Record Center. Since 2008, it has been under the authority of the Commissioners, Records Commission and Microfilming Board. The Records Commission and Microfilming Board voted to dissolve that agreement and three options were presented:
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Get rid of the Archives entirely
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Place under the authority of the recorder.
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Dissolve the Commission and Microfilming Board and place both under the authority of the ADP Board.
A resolution was presented to the Commissioners to accept option #3. It was approved.
Mr. Spidalieri and Mr. Lennon voiced concern about changes that may be made within the department. Ms. Burhenne said it was her understanding that everything will remain the same as well as the employees and their classifications. Mr. Lennon said that he would be in favor of this as long as it is done correctly and legally and does not affect any employees. They also questioned the catalyst for these changes. Ms. Burhenne was unsure but it was something that Mr. Dvorak had expressed an interest in accomplishing. Reviewer Comment: This Resolution was presented at the ADP Board on January 3. See the Observer Report from that meeting for more information.
#2. A letter from NOACA was presented to the Commissioners regarding a request they have to amend their Article Four of their code of regulations. This would restore the designation of the Board position for the City of Cleveland to Mayor of the City of Cleveland. This was previously changed to accommodate Mayor Frank Jackson. They need all five counties to ratify this change. The Commissioners approved.
Public Comment: Ms. Elayne Cross introduced herself as a candidate running for the seat in the US House of Representatives.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:17 am.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: Thursday January 4, 2024 at 9:30 am (Change from Tuesday due to the Christmas holiday). Organizational Meeting will be Monday January 8, 2024.
Observers: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 01/07/24
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