Christine Blair

The meeting addressed several financial and administrative matters. Approvals were granted for financial items, including supplements from Mental Health, a Cash transfer from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, and various payments, culminating in the approval of Resolution #20-098 itemizing these financials. A separate Resolution #20-099 was executed approving CARES Act Expenditures totaling $91,009.64 for reimbursement and proposed needs related to the pandemic. The Board approved the schedule for the 2021 Year Budget Hearings and accepted the monthly financial statements for January through July 2020 from both the Auditor and Treasurer. Administrative approvals included an Online Dog Licensing System Agreement with Fairfield Computer Services, LLC, and an Escrow Agreement related to the Agricultural Easement Purchase Program for the Anna farm. Permission was granted to advertise two Public Hearings concerning updates and amendments to the Water Management and Sediment Control Regulations. Additionally, the Board appointed Theresa Matteo to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and approved a three-year contract for fuel supply with Ullman Oil Company. The Board acknowledged the bankruptcy of Interactive Health and Wellness and approved the 2021 healthcare rate renewals through CEBCO/Anthem and Delta Dental. A public hearing was held regarding the proposed amendment to the Standard Specifications and Procedures for the Design and Construction of Subdivision Roads. Resolution #20-100 was approved, designating Geauga County's Public Depositories of Active Moneys for the next four-year period. Finally, the Commissioners rescinded a prior motion concerning legal services from Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan and executed a revised letter for those services. The Board also approved filing a Notice of Appeal against two Probate Court Judgement Entry decisions concerning the Chardon Township Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewer Project.

The meeting addressed several operational and financial matters. The Acting County Administrator reported on departmental actions, including approvals for leaves of absence for staff in the Department on Aging and Maintenance, and the concurrence with Auburn Township regarding a liquor license request. Financial items approved included supplemental appropriations for the Courthouse Expansion Project, a cash transfer from the General Fund to the Capital Reserve Fund, and various contract purchase orders for equipment and services. The Board adopted a resolution itemizing these financials. A contract agreement with Air Force One, Incorporated for 2025-2028 "Hill" HVAC Maintenance Services was approved, as was a contract with Major Waste Disposal Services, Incorporated for non-hazardous waste removal services. The Board also adopted a Policy on Public Comment, effective January 28, 2025, and discussed establishing official Facebook and LinkedIn social media pages. A Public Hearing was held regarding the Geauga County Water Management and Sediment Control Regulations, Amended 2025, followed by the formal adoption of these regulations. The session concluded with an Executive Session to discuss employment and compensation of a public employee, and a brief public comment period concerning pending litigation.

The meeting included a report from the County Administrator detailing personnel actions, transit fuel tax claims, and concurrence regarding local liquor license requests. Financial approvals covered travel requests, program support payments to Ohio State University, project payments for Camp Ho Mita Koda, vehicle procurement for the Engineer's Office, and design services for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade. Key actions included approving the local match for an FAA Airport Improvement Program grant for land acquisition, approving the first addendum to the contract for the EMA Mass Notification System with Inspiron Logistics, LLC, executing a two-year service contract with McMahon Masonry Restoration LTD for building repairs, and approving service agency agreements with Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Incorporated for Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Services. The Board also approved the County Risk Sharing Authority (CORSA) Insurance Program Renewal. Additionally, Crist Miller was appointed to the Geauga County Public Library Board. Public comment focused on concerns regarding NOACA, including its climate agenda and the county's participation, and clarification on CORSA cyber grant reimbursements.

The meeting covered the reporting and approval of items authorized by the County Administrator pursuant to prior resolutions, including the hiring of personnel for the Department on Aging and financial approvals such as appropriations transfers and supplemental appropriations. The Board approved financials for the current session, including a payment to Ronyak Paving, Incorporated for the Butternut Road project. A significant discussion involved a request from Kent State University for a letter of support for a proposed Bachelor of Applied Studies in Applied Organizational Leadership Program, which passed despite reservations from one commissioner regarding the program's details. The Board also approved a resolution allowing the Geauga County Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Board to enter into an agreement with the Township of Middlefield following a recent cyber breach. Additionally, the Board approved a modification to increase funding units for transportation services for Adult Day Service Clients through the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. The Board approved a revised job description and authorized advertising for the Deputy Director position within the Emergency Management Agency. The session included two executive sessions: one for discussing employment and compensation, resulting in the approval of a Public Relations/Communications Intern hire, and another for discussing pending litigation, where no action was taken. Public comment addressed a bronze courthouse plaque credit, the property tax abolishment initiative, and the need for improved signage to county offices.

The Board convened, following the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Key actions included approving minutes from prior meetings in May 2021. The County Administrator reported on various administrative approvals, including executing Senior Farm Market Program Participation Agreements, personnel changes within Water Resources (resignation, advertisement, and hiring), concurrence with Bainbridge Township regarding liquor license hearings, and hiring for Transit. Financial items involved cash transfers, encumbrance increases, Then and Now encumbrances, a Contract PO for Transit, and payments for software support and engineering services for wastewater projects. The Board approved financials via Resolution #21-074, which included an encumbrance for directional boring services, deposit of CORSA settlement checks, and payments for the new County Office building project and radio system support. The Board authorized advertising a Public Hearing for the 2022 Tax Budget, scheduled for June 29, 2021. Charter Communications provided an update on the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (ARDOF) fiber construction plans for unserved areas in the county and discussed potential state funding programs and American Rescue Plan partnerships. The Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste Management District announced the second round of Gotta Go Green Community Grants, with applications due June 25, 2021. Subsidy Grant Agreements with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for community-based non-residential corrections programs (FY2022 and FY2023) were approved. Contracts were executed for traffic signal installation at Washington Street/Haskins Road and approval was given for the plan set, specifications, and estimate for the Bundysburg Road Bridge replacement. A replat for a portion of Frank W. Stanton's Chagrin Highlands Subdivision No. 3 was approved. Bids for Home Care Services for Geauga Residents Age 60 and Over were awarded to three agencies for a reduced contract period in 2021-2022. The Board rejected a paving proposal from Ronyak Paving for the Fairgrounds Project due to conflict of interest and awarded the project to Ohio Paving and Construction Company, Inc. The bid for the DDC Clinic Paving Project was awarded to Burton Scot Contractors, LLC. Projects for the PY2021 CDBG Allocation Program were selected, totaling $284,000.00, covering needs for the Department on Aging, Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation, Cleveland Sight Center, Village of Middlefield, DDC Clinic, WomenSafe, and administrative costs. The Board waived policy to approve payment of minor late fees for the Illuminating Company and East Ohio Gas related to Metzenbaum Sheltered Industries bills. An amendment for additional Federal CARES Act Funding for Transit operating and maintenance was executed. Partial payment requests for wastewater treatment plant projects were approved for Workman Industrial Services and TRAX Construction Company. The Board granted permission to advertise for bids for Water Towers Painting and Improvements, with the opening scheduled for July 7, 2021. A bid for McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant UV Module Replacements was awarded to Pelton Environmental Products, Incorporated. The recommendation for proposed social services using Title XX funds for FY2022-2023 was approved. Executive Sessions were held to discuss compensation of public employees and pending litigation, with no action taken in either session. Certificates were presented, and various reports and upcoming meetings were acknowledged.