Board of County Commissioners - January 23, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 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, and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak
Attendance: Present were Commissioners James Dvorak, Ralph Spidalieri and Timothy Lennon. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator; Craig Swenson, JFS (Job and Family Services) Director; Andrew Haupt, PE, PS. Chief Deputy Engineer
Others in Attendance: Carolyn Brakey, Board President, Geauga Public Health; Reporters from the Chagrin Valley Times and Geauga County Maple Leaf, Tom and Diane Jones, other members of the public and this observer.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Morgan reported on actions he had taken in the prior week that had been authorized by ORC and the Commissioners:
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Execute a service contract agreement between The Department of Water Resources and Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning dba Auburn Heating and Cooling to perform HVAC services within the department, not to exceed $400.00
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Execute a service contract agreement between The Department of Water Resources and Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning dba Auburn Heating and Cooling to perform HVAC services within the wastewater facilities, not to exceed $400.00
Minutes: There were no meeting minutes submitted for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through January 23, 2024 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved BOCC minutes. BOCC minutes are posted through September 26, 2023.
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Supplemental in the Commissioners’ Office in the Capital Reserve Fund Phase II to provide for upcoming encumbrances
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Cash Transfer from General Fund to Court Technology for a portion of their 2024 funding
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Travel requests from the Engineer’s Office and Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste.
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Purchase order from Water Resources to Valley Ford Truck for a 2024 vehicle. This is a replacement vehicle for a 2008 truck which will be put on the County auction site for sale.
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Vouchers:
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$72,284.00 from Auditor's office to Integrated Appraisal Services for partial payment for the 2023 re-evaluation and new construction valuation projects
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$54,103.41 from Maintenance to Integrated Precision Systems Inc for the upgrade and maintenance costs on the Safety Center security system
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Revenue Certification from the Commissioners Office in the Administration Fund for additional reimbursement money received from the State in 2023.
The Commissioners’ Office received approval for the following:
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Accept, execute and filing of monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the County Auditor for the months of March 2023 through December 2023, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35
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Accept, execute and filing of monthly Statement of County Finances filed by the Treasurer’s office for the months of March 2023 through December 2023, pursuant to O.R.C. 319.35
Mr. Lennon questioned the reason for the timing of the statements. Mr. Gorton remarked that there were reporting issues between the Treasurer’s Office and Auditor’s Office which had to be resolved. He also remarked that the statements from the Auditor’s Office were received later than the statements from the Treasurer's Office. Mr. Lennon stated there is always this “holding everyone to a high standard. I think that cuts both ways. I would like to see these on a timelier fashion."
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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To execute Resolution #24-014 to improve the embankment of the Bundysburg Road bridge in Parkman Township and the embankment of the Gem Road bridge in Chester Township.
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To execute the Mortgage Deed for sublot #364 in Canyon Lakes Colony, Phase #41B subdivisions, to be held as 10% maintenance guarantee (bond) for improvements to Canyon Lakes Colony Subdivisions, Phase 15 in Bainbridge Township.
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To advertise for Statements of Interest and Qualification for professional design services related to the design and construction administration of County buildings with responses due on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 4:00 PM.
Executive Session:
The Commissioners and Mr. Swenson (Director, Job and Family Services, JFS)moved into Executive Session at 9:50 to discuss the discipline of a public employee. They returned at 10:05 with action. The Board approved the recommendation of Mr. Swenson for a 16 hour suspension for a named employee. Reviewer Note: Name withheld in the interests of the employee’s privacy.
Additional items not on the Agenda:
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Mr. Morgan referenced an article in the newspaper regarding the Health District. The Commissioners had previously asked the Prosecutor to request an opinion from the Ohio Attorney General regarding whether the Health District was a Combined Health District or a General Health District. Mr. Morgan said that the article stated that the Prosecutor will be doing his own research and will render his opinion. Mr. Morgan asked if this was acceptable to the Commissioners, as this is not what was previously decided. They agreed that the Prosecutor will do his own research, and they will see what results from his research. Mr. Lennon expressed that he would like it done in a timely manner.
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Mr. Dvorak spoke of the expansion of the courthouse and his concern about construction delays due to the Law Library and the Probation Department still being in the basement. He suggested that they be moved to the Opera House temporarily so that the scheduling can continue in a timely manner. Due to the delay in the Chase Building lease/purchase, those departments cannot move into that building as planned. Mr. Spidalieri questioned the reason for the holdup of moving into the Chase building. Mr. Morgan confirmed that the Prosecutor’s Office has not signed off on the purchase agreement for the Chase Building. Mr. Lennon questioned the reasoning behind the delay in the signing off on the purchase agreement and stated that they should inform all of the judges at this time so they are aware of the situation. Ms. Burhenne joined in the discussion with updates on the lease delays. She stated that it has been very challenging and they will hopefully have something by the next Commissioners’ meeting. Commissioners have hired outside counsel, Meyers,Roman, Friedberg and Lewis, to help with the lease agreement. The Commissioners will try to get things moving today with phone calls.
Public Comment
Nancy McArthur, from Chardon, asked if the Commissioners could reveal the names of the Chase Bank building owners. They informed her it was public record. She also wanted to confirm that the Commissioners are looking to lease, then purchase the building; they confirmed this was accurate. Reviewer Note: Ms. McArthur is a candidate for Commissioner in the upcoming March primary.
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 9:30 am.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 1/29/24
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