Lake County

The meeting agenda included the review of minutes from the previous regular meeting, public comment, and several resolutions. Key resolutions involved approving plans, specifications, and estimates for the Bryn Mawr Waterline Replacement Project and advertising for bids. Other resolutions concerned certifying unpaid water administrative charges, supporting a Farmland Preservation Plan grant application, authorizing a renewal addendum for third-party administrative services, appointing a member to the Region 13 OneOhio Governance Board, and approving a construction surety and final dedication plat for the Quail Highlands Phase 6 Subdivision. The Finance Department presented resolutions for approving bill payments and purchase orders, along with resolutions for adjusting appropriations and transferring cash between various fund accounts. Departmental reports were received from Utilities, Job and Family Services, the County Administrator, Clerk, and Legal. The session concluded with plans for an Executive Session to discuss personnel compensation.

The agenda included the review of the Regular Meeting minutes from January 29, 2026, and a Public Comment session. Key resolutions involved the Engineer's Office: approving plans and specifications for the Hopkins Road Culvert Improvement and Haines Road Culvert Improvement projects, advertising for bids for the Lake County Intersection Re-alignment Project, authorizing a final change order for the St. Clair Street Bridge Overlay Project, and authorizing the use of the "Force Account" for road maintenance and material purchases. The Utilities agenda featured resolutions concerning the Kirtland Old Town Sanitary Sewer Project special assessments, awarding maintenance contracts for the Solid Waste Facility Gas Collection and Control System, and certifying/deleting unpaid water and sewer sums to the County Auditor. The Commissioners' Office addressed resolutions to accept NOPEC Energized Community Grant funds, enter into a Federal Equitable Sharing Agreement, and appoint a member to the Lake Development Authority Board of Directors. The Finance Department presented resolutions approving payment of bills, approving purchase orders, and adjusting appropriations within various funds. Departmental reports were also noted from Utilities, Job and Family Services, County Administrator, Clerk, and Legal.

The meeting involved the adoption of multiple resolutions. Key resolutions included authorizing the final release of a three-year maintenance surety for a sanitary sewer extension, approving plans, specifications, and costs for the New Fourth Street Sanitary Improvements Project, and several resolutions transferring appropriations and cash within various Lake County Department of Utilities funds related to waterline replacements and other projects. The Board also adopted a resolution certifying unpaid water and sewer sums to the County Auditor, approved a change in representation for the Lake County Planning Commission, and ratified a revision to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency Code of Regulations. Financial resolutions approved the payment of bills, purchase orders, and increased appropriations for non-general fund accounts. Furthermore, the 2026 Permanent Appropriation Measure for the General Fund was approved, detailing cost containment efforts, including refinancing notes for the Public Safety Center and staffing reductions, while ensuring core services were maintained. Departmental reports covered the Utilities bid opening results, updates on SNAP Benefit Program changes impacting work requirements, and a federal appropriation update regarding technology for the Public Safety Center. Old Business focused on appreciation for participants in the Code Blue Program during extreme winter weather. New Business involved discussion regarding the potential closure of the Conn Selmer Eastlake plant. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session to discuss pending litigation.

The meeting commenced with moving a Special Resolution honoring the memory of the late Commissioner Richard J. Regovich and bestowing the Key to Lake County, which was unanimously adopted. Key resolutions approved subsequent actions for the Lake County Department of Utilities, including approving plans and specifications for the Green Road Waterline Replacement Project ($1,330,008.00), increasing appropriations, and awarding a contract ($1,721,832.00) for the Aquarius Raw Water Pump Station Traveling Screens Replacement Project. Other approvals included plans for the Solid Waste Facility Baler Building Slab Pavement Repair, certifying unpaid water/sewer sums, authorizing a revised Radiological Emergency Response Plan (RERP) for the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, and reappointment of individuals to the Lake Development Authority Tax Incentive Review Committee and the Lakeland Community College Board of Trustees. The payment of bills totaling $1,337,765.46 and purchase orders totaling $1,916,749.05 were approved. Departmental reports included an update on the stabilized Mentor situation and significant news regarding Lubrizol Corporation's multi-million-dollar investment in its Wickliffe headquarters. The Board also discussed the efforts related to Code Blue during the extreme winter weather.

The session began with opening remarks regarding the 'Dress Down January' initiative benefiting the United Way of Lake County, acknowledging the severe cold weather. The main discussion centered on developments concerning the Perry power plant, specifically the partnership with Meta and the resulting Power Purchase Agreement, which provides operational stability. This agreement facilitates extending the current license from 2046 to 2066 and funding a 'power up' upgrade to add approximately 213 megawatts of additional power, targeted for completion by 2031. The representative confirmed that these upgrades involve modifications to the secondary side of the plant and are not new reactors, although Vistra is generally exploring future small or large reactor siting opportunities at Perry, Davis-Besse, and other sites. Commissioners inquired about traffic and workforce implications during the multi-year upgrade phases planned for 2027, 2029, and the major outage in 2031.