Board of County Commissioners - February 27, 2024
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. The 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.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Mr. Spidalieri, James Dvorak and Timothy Lennon. Also present were County Administrator Gerald Morgan, Finance Manager Adrian Gorton, and Commissioners' Clerk Christine Blair.
County Representatives: Richard Blamer, Manager, Geauga Airport Authority; Linda Burhenne, Assistant County Administrator; Glen Vernick, Maintenance Director; Shane Hajjar, Engineer’s Office; Michele Pemberton, Veteran Service Commission; and representatives from the Sheriff’s Office.
Others in Attendance: Reporters from the Chagrin Valley Times and Geauga County Maple Leaf, other members of the public, and this observer.
Minutes: There were no minutes presented for approval. Observer Comment: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for BOCC are available online through February 27, 2024 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Minutes are posted online here through December 28, 2023.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
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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Department of Emergency Services - Accepted retirement resignation of the Deputy Director
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Maintenance Department - Accepted resignation of a maintenance employee
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Maintenance Department - Approved an increase in pay for the current posting for a maintenance employee position
Financial Report: Mr. Gorton received approval for the following:
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Supplemental De-Appropriation from the Common Pleas Court in their old Pretrial, Supervision, Probation and Investigation Fund
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Cash Transfer from the General Fund to the Unemployment Compensation Rotary Fund
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Encumbrances increase from the Commissioners to the Portage Geauga Juvenile Detention Center to “true up” (accurately reflect) the PO for the amount billed in 2024.
Mr. Lennon asked if there had been any movement from the Juvenile Courts looking into other arrangements instead of using the Juvenile Center. They are not utilizing it as they once were, and they would like to look into other facilities that may cost less. Ms. Burhenne said that she had a conversation with Judge Grendell a few months ago about this. She explained that Judge Grendell has to write a letter to the Commissioners to start this process, but to date this letter has not been received. Mr. Lennon was under the impression that there are other avenues that they can take other than being an equity partner in the Juvenile Detention Center. Ms. Burhenne stated that the complicating factor is that the County owns a portion of the facilities, and it is uncertain what would become of that situation if Geauga County stopped using the Juvenile Detention Center. The facility is not being utilized as it once was due to other alternatives than incarceration. Mr. Lennon would like to fast track this situation.
The Airport Authority received approval for additional appropriation of funds towards the Hangar 1 Improvement Project in the amount of $52,991.00, as including all three (3) alternates plus the base bid in the award exceeds the previously allocated funds of $325,000.00.
Discussion followed with Commissioners. This was expected and was due to other issues that were not in the original appropriations. Mr. Dvorak stated that this is an important building as it is for the Medevac helicopter. According to Ms. Blair, the full award will be on the agenda next week.
The County Engineer’s Office received approval for the following:
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Resolution #24-025 to Improve Various Sections of County Roads by Applying Pavement Markings, Year 2024.
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Resolution #24-026 to Improve Chardon Windsor Road (CH-0013, Sections A-D) in Claridon and Hambden Townships.
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Resolution #24-027 to Improve Fairmount Road (CH-0016, Sections F-G) in Newbury Township.
The Probate/Juvenile Court requested:
The Board approve and authorize the President of the Board to execute the Ohio Department of Youth Services Subsidy Grant Amendment #1 for FY2024 for a Realignment of Funds due to changes in staff and additional programs.
The Commissioners opted to table this matter until there is more information available. There was discussion regarding this request. The comments in the discussion that were made by Ms. Blair were not audible. Mr. Spidalieri stated that he would like more information and asked that a representative from the Probate/Juvenile Court appear at a future meeting.
The Sheriff’s Office received approval for:
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Execution of the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) VAWA Grant (STOP Violence Against Women Act) Pre-award Conditions and Standard Assurances forms for an application modification to Grant #2023-WF-VA2-8214. This change is reflected as an award to Grant #2023-WF-VA2-8214 in the amount of $52,728.23 ($39,546.18 OCJS and $13,182.05 Local County Match) for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 and Grant #2020-WF-VA2-8214A in the amount of $3,671.81 ($2,753.86 OCJS and $917.95 Local County Match) for the period January 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024.
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To authorize the President of the Board to execute the Annual Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification of FY ending December 31, 2023.
The Veteran Service Commission received approval:
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To execute the Revocable License for Use of Property Granted to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by Readjustment Counseling Service, Cleveland Vet Center between the Geauga County Veteran Service Commission, the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for use of a portion of space located at 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 205, Chardon, Ohio for the period February 2, 2024 through February 1, 2029 with no cost or fees.
The Building Department received approval:
The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
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To execute the Agreement with Gable Elevator, Incorporated to replace existing controller and signal fixtures in the Opera House Elevator to be effective February 27, 2024 for a period of 270 days in an amount not to exceed $72,400.00.
Mr. Spidalieri asked if Mr. Vernick was confident that this would bring it to code. Mr. Vernick is hoping that this will be all it needs. Discussion followed with the Commissioners on the status of the Opera House. Mr. Dvoark pointed out the issues with the stairs not being up to code. Mr. Lennon understands the predicament that they are in but expressed his opinion that the County being in the Opera House is not ideal and that this is throwing “good money after bad.”
Discussion followed with Mr. Vernick regarding the rusted doors at the Sheriff's Department. There is an issue with custom ordering of the replacement doors. It was suggested that they look into solutions that will eliminate or slow down the rusting process. They also discussed ordering extra doors due to the custom order situation.
Public Comment was solicited, but none was offered
More Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 9:30 am.
Observer: Mary Heintzelman
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: 3/4/24
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