Ian Andrews

The meeting included the approval of prior meeting minutes. Key resolutions adopted concerned the replacement of Bridge No. 29 on Remsen Road, approval of personnel changes, authorization for fund transfers to the Medina County Print Shop revenue line item and the Gasoline Rotary fund, allowing expenses of county officials, allowing claims totaling $1,347,721.75, and accepting the HEAP Program funding for Senior and Adult Services. A quarterly update was provided by the Mental Health & Recovery Board detailing client services, levy-funded programs like supportive housing, group homes, crisis helplines, and recovery support services. A public service announcement was made regarding website spoofing risks concerning tax payments. A significant portion of the meeting involved public comment regarding a proposed resolution to prohibit the county from supporting or participating in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities or housing ICE detainees. During the discussion session, matters addressed included developing a contract with Westfield regarding fire and emergency service charges for the solid waste facility, Commissioner Harrison joining the NOACA Executive Committee to address the E-Check system, and the recommendation to dissolve the Microfilm Board. Comments were also made on a news article regarding an off-duty officer's conviction and the commissioners' commitment to fair law enforcement.

The Commissioners' Meeting involved numerous resolutions across various departments. Key actions included authorizing the County Engineer to advertise for bids related to chip and seal, pavement planing, and thin overlay of county roads, as well as awarding a bid for resurfacing Columbia Road. The Sanitary Engineer obtained authorization for construction inspection services for the Blake Avenue Reconstruction Project and approved a change order for the Automatic Transfer Switch Project. A resolution was passed to amend the Subdivision Regulations and proposed Development Agreement Work Group by adding two members. Human Resources resolutions approved personnel changes and amended the Sanitary Engineering Department's table of organization. Finance resolutions involved authorizing a cash transfer for the Emergency Management Agency, amending a grant agreement, allowing expenses, and allowing claims totaling $1,916,033.53. Other resolutions authorized a contract extension for yard waste management, annual appointments to the Dog Shelter Advisory Committee, vehicle leasing for the Building Department, and professional services for the Medina County Home. Job & Family Services resolutions covered several fund transfers between JFS and the County General Fund. The Director provided a detailed 2025 year-in-review emphasizing benefit distributions, collections, and child protective services statistics, noting a record number of adoptions. The MCBDD Superintendent presented the 2025 annual report, highlighting community partnerships and concerns over statewide deficit spending, particularly regarding Medicaid waiver matches. During public comment, a specialist discussed the need for board members for a recovery alumni group. The session concluded with an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation.

The meeting addressed multiple resolutions presented by various department directors. The Sanitary Engineer presented and secured approval for three change orders related to the CAMBI Building Project at the Liverpool WWTP and the Garman Road Well Development Project. The Planning Services Director obtained approval for a professional services agreement with Kleinfelder Inc. for CDBG application assistance. Personnel changes were approved by Human Resources. Finance resolutions included amending agreements for the Family First Council Early Intervention Program with Catholic Charities and the Health Department, allowing expenses of county officials, and approving claims totaling $1,516,105.40. The County Administrator secured approval for leasing vehicles for the Sheriff's office, awarding bids for the Career Center - South Campus Addition Project, and approving an amended lease agreement concerning office space subletting to the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA). Economic Development approved a Community Reinvestment Area Agreement. Building Department resolutions included reappointing a member to the Board of Building Appeal and authorizing an agreement for master plans examination services. Updates were provided on building permit receipts and inspection volume, MMHA housing statistics, and the launch of a new in-house Visitors Guide, noting significant cost savings. The commissioners also approved amending the bylaws and grant guidelines for the Medina County Drug Advisory Committee (MCDAC). Public comment included concerns regarding limiting cooperation with ICE, which the board clarified was not an active item for consideration. During the Discussion Session, the Westfield Water Plant Project was reviewed, focusing on architectural finish options for the building façade. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session regarding imminent litigation.

The meeting involved several agenda items presented by department heads. The County Engineer presented four resolutions, including authorizing advertisements for 2024 County Highway hot mix plant bids, bidding for 2024 stone and aggregate, approving the final plat for Windfall Estates Phase Three, and approving annual assessments for the same phase. The Sanitary Engineer presented three resolutions concerning cost-sharing for the Deer View Lane lift station improvement, professional design services for a riverbank restoration project, and applying for a Water Pollution Control Loan Fund agreement for wastewater facilities. The Human Resources Director reported on personnel changes, including new hires, rate increases, a promotion, a voluntary change in position, an appointment cancellation, and a retirement. The Finance Director presented 11 resolutions covering appropriations, revenue adjustments, expense adjustments, a fund accounting adjustment for ARPA money for healthcare expenses, cash transfer reversals, cash transfers, inventory transfers, excess property, and expenses for County officials' seminars. The County Administrator presented eight resolutions, including approving an agreement with the City of Medina for transit services, a change order for the Office for Older Adults kitchen renovation, approval for a cooling system replacement at the engineering center server room, an agreement for mental health programming at the jail, and an agreement for Office for Older Adults funding through the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. The Health Department provided an update on construction funded by a federal capital grant, including restroom and clinic room renovations. The Health Department also announced the launch of a program to distribute fentanyl test strips, detailing their purpose, usage limitations, and coordination with law enforcement and community partners. The Planning Services representative presented two resolutions related to authorizing fund allocation for Lafayette Township's critical infrastructure project and demonstrating responsibility over the 2023 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program (CHIP).

The meeting included the approval of minutes from the July 5th session. The County Engineer's office presented a resolution to close Vandermark Road between Crow Road and Dunn, and addressed weekly permits, both of which were approved. The Sanitary Engineer presented two resolutions: authorizing the final adjusting change order number two for the Columbia Road riverbank stabilization project (a deduct resolution), and establishing how permitting fees shall be collected under a redefined connection charge system, effective August 1st. The Facilities Director received authorization to advertise for bids for Medina County stormwater management and asphalt replacement for the jail's parking lot. The Human Resources Director presented resolutions concerning personnel matters, including a new hire, rate increases, a lateral class change, and a promotional incentive. The County Administrator detailed financial updates, noting a significant year-over-year increase in revenues and a decrease in expenses. He also brought up the need to appropriate an additional $2,500 for the homeless assistance program, originally allocated $7,500. Additionally, the administration discussed the significant cost increase for the Medina County Auditorium HVAC replacement, estimated to rise from $210,000 to $370,000 due to new equipment specifications and energy guidelines, suggesting this item be placed on hold pending review of other facility needs like the jail's rooftop. The Soil and Water Conservation District provided an update on staff hiring, tree and plant sales, educational presentations held from April through June, technical site visits (including drainage and pond management), and upcoming events and contest deadlines.