Geauga County Board of Elections (BOE) - Special Meeting 01/29/2024
Meeting Info: A Board of Elections Special Meeting on January 29, 2024 was called to order between 1:07 pm and 1:23 pm in BOE Conference Room at 470 Center St, Bldg 6A, Chardon, OH, 44024. Meeting attendance was both in-person and virtual via Microsoft Teams. An agenda and itemized listing of expenses was provided to attendees. This Observer attended virtually but experienced numerous technical issues.
Public Comment Policy: No written policy and not listed on agenda. In practice, the Board accepts public comment and addresses questions throughout the meeting.
Board Attendance: Present were Dennis Pavella (Chair), Janet Carson and Joan Windnagel. Note that one Republican seat is vacant.
Observer Comment: Richard Piraino has been nominated to replace Nancy McArthur, who stepped down from the Board following certification of her petition to run for County Commissioner. It was noted that necessary paperwork is pending and Mr. Piraino could not be sworn in.
Staff Attendance: Geauga BOE Director Michelle Lane, Deputy Director Nora McGinnis and Office Administrator Scott Daisher as needed.
Public Attendance: Frank Antennuci, ADP Chief DeputyAdministrator, Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator and Richard Piraino, Board of Elections nominee. Virtual: Sharon Gingerich and Sharon Madger.
Minutes: Did not observe due to technical difficulties. No minutes listed on agenda.
Payment of Bills: Did not observe due to technical difficulties.
ADP Update - Joined discussion in progress at 1:23 p.m. concerning a problem at the new County Admin building where fumes from idling vehicles in the loading dock are entering the BOE workspace. Maintenance is exploring a solution.
This is the space that will be used to provide curbside voting to those who are unable to enter the building. Mrs. Carson noted this location had never been the desired solution, but every other proposed option for curbside voting was struck down by the Commissioners. She’s worried that there are many outstanding items to address.
Mr. Antennuci noted that a recent visit to the new BOE work space showed no water damage following heavy rains. He also referred to an issue with the key card system that seemingly was part of an earlier, missed conversation.
Mrs. Windnagel noted that the doors to the loading dock are not fireproof, as required.
Mrs. Burhenne reminded everyone that all parties agreed to establish the curbside voting area near the loading dock. She also advised that they be cognizant of idling vehicles that sometimes use the space, such as the shredding truck that was recently parked there for several hours. Observer Comment: See Consent Decree filed May 26, 2023 for settlement terms of the legal action taken by BOE against BOCC to ensure the new space in the County Office Building meets requirements for executing elections as set forth by the Ohio Secretary of State.
Ballot Quotes - Quotes were presented from Youngstown Letter Shop, Integrated Voting Systems, and Midwest. The board selected Youngstown Letter, which was the second lowest quote but significantly more than the low bid. No additional comments were offered.
Voting Equipment Allocation for March 19, 2024 Primary Election - Schedule was approved with discussion.
Board Signatures - On file and current.
Executive Session #1 - The Board entered into executive session at 1:38 p.m. under ORC 121.22(G)(6) for the purpose of discussing security arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body or a public office. The three board members invited the Director, Deputy Directory, Office Administrator, and Linda Burhenne to participate.
Executive Session #2 - Did not observe due to technical difficulties. Observer Comment: Mrs. Lane later confirmed this session also was entered into under ORC 121.22(G)(6) and that no board actions were taken following the two executive sessions.
No Value - Did not observe due to technical difficulties.
Public Test Date -Did not observe due to technical difficulties.
League of Women Voters Invitation -Did not observe due to technical difficulties.
Boy Scouts - Election night - Did not observe due to technical difficulties.
Voting Booths - Did not observe due to technical difficulties.
Director’s Report - Did not observe due to technical difficulties. Mrs. Lane later shared her report via email, which included:
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Proofing ballots for the March Primary
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Discussion about polling locations and parking concerns for Heritage House, given the courthouse construction project.
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Proofing the Poll Worker Manual
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Walk through with movers in preparation for eventual move to the new County Administration building.
REJOINED MEETING AT 4:06 PM VIA PHONE
Deputy Director Report - Ms. McGinnis reported:
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She has been working on the Precinct Election Officials’ Manual and believes it can be uploaded to the website for reference.
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She will be proofing ballots.
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About 200 boxes of documents from their storage area were recently shredded.
Mr. Pavella and Mrs. Lane summarized several agenda items, as follows:
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Mrs. Lane and Mrs. McGinnis are approved to present at the membership meeting of the League of Women Voters of Geauga on Feb 15.
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Equipment test date is scheduled for Feb 15 at 10:00 am with Feb 20 at 2:00 pm as an alternate date.
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Bids are going out for voting booths with plans to have them in place for the November 2024 General Election.
Public Comment: Solicited by Mr. Pavella but none offered.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:14 pm
Next Meeting - Special Meeting for equipment testing on Feb 15 at 10:00 am.
Approved Minutes - posted on the BOE website.
Observer: Shelly Lewis
Editor: Anne Ondrey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 1/30/24
The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.