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Commissioners’ Meeting

William F. Hutson called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. with Adam Friedrick and Patricia G. Geissman present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence to reflect on the passing of U.S. Senator John McCain.

The minutes of the August 21, 2018 meeting and the August 23rd meeting in Wadsworth were emailed in advance. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the minutes from both meetings; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

Finance Director Mike Pataky presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) amending the Annual Appropriation Resolution; (2) amending the 2018 Appropriations Resolution by transferring appropriations; (3) revenue adjustments for the sale of surplus county property; (4) cash transfers for various funds; (5) creation of a Sheriff’s Officer Investigative Technology Equipment Fund and authorizing appropriations; (6) extending the collection period for the set-aside fees received by the Medina County Recorder; (7) authorizing Medina County Drug Task Force Agency to trade in a used vehicle on a new model vehicle from Medina Auto Mall; and (8) allowing expenses of county officials. Mr. Pataky requested payment of the weekly bills in the amount of $716,278.60. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the eight resolutions and to pay the bills; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

Human Resources Director Holly Muren presented and reviewed a resolution approving personnel changes for the employees under the jurisdiction of the Medina County commissioners. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the resolution; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE. Sanitary Engineer Amy Lyon-Galvin presented and reviewed a resolution approving the amount of unpaid utility bills for the Medina County Sanitary Engineer and providing for their certification in accordance with Sections 6103.02 and 6117.02 of the Ohio Revised Code. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the resolution; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE. Mrs. Lyon-Galvin noted that in the next two monthly bills, an insert about payment due by the end of October is included. It will be placed in every bill and there is a statement that those paid in full can ignore the notice. It is meant to inform the public.

Job & Family Services Director Jeff Felton presented and reviewed a resolution authorizing a contract with the Children’s Center of Medina County for child visits at the center for Medina County Job & Family Services. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the resolution; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE. Mr. Felton mentioned that their system to process electronic applications was down until today, but so far the updated system was working well.

Soil & Water Conservation District Manager Jim Dieter reported that the numbers have been met for the backyards to be certified with the National Federation of Wildlife and there will be a party to celebrate. On September 20th, the annual official’s tour will showcase the gardens that have been certified and surprises throughout the county. He will follow-up with more details closer to the event. October 24th is the annual meeting where supervisors will be elected and awards presented. There will be dinner and he asked that one of the commissioners be the MC for the night and all are invited. This will be held at the Career Center with the voting starting at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the program beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Transit Director Michael Salamone reported that for July 2018 the numbers were up. Total year to date ridership through July 31st was 44,131 trips which includes on-demand rides of 11,397 and fixed route rides of 22,734. Year to date ridership has increase by 2,689 trips from 2017. On demand is up 1,571 trips and fixed routes increased by 1,118 trips. Compared to July 2017, they are up 691 trips. Total ridership in July was 6,204 trips including 3,035 on-demand and 3,169 fixed routes. There were 318 clients in July and 36 denials. Total cost per passenger was $19.28 per trip. Total cost per mile $2.78. Trips per hour on-demand was 2.54 and for fixed routes it was 3.12. In July, the free rides for Veterans began. Ridership and clients have increased by over 25% on the on-demand and for fixed routes increased by 100%, but on the fixed routes there is nothing to compare to since they never tracked it. These increases include a combination of new riders and regular riders. Mr. Salamone stated they are getting numerous calls to sign up Veterans to ride.

Commissioner Hutson presented a resolution reappointing members to the Medina County Advisory Council on Aging. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the resolution; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

With no further business to come before the Commissioners, the meeting recessed at 9:43 a.m.

Discussion Session

At 9:45 a.m., the Commissioners began the Discussion Session in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.

Veterans ID Cards

Colleen Swedyk stated that Veteran ID requests have been up. There are 4 to 5 every day.

Triannual Review

Michael Salamone stated that the Triannual Review is complete, but there were several issues. Transit has the draft report with dates that certain activities are to be completed by. The FTA person was pleased with the results being that this was the first one for Medina County Public Transit. In answer to a question, Mr. Salamone stated that none of the issues were significant. The new website will take care of two or three of the remarks.

Transit Survey

Michael Salamone stated that the Transit Survey is complete. At the Transit Consortium meeting, the results will be discussed. Several employers listed trips to Akron and bringing people from outside of the county into work as needs because employees do not have rides to work. Extension of the hours was another need.

Transit Website

Michael Salamone noted that the website is 90% complete and should be finished in about a month. Once it is finished, it can be sent to the FTA to take care of some of the issues from the Triannual Review.

Federal Grant

Michael Salamone stated that the grant has been submitted and was executed last week by Commissioner Friedrick. The total project was $1,297,503 with a federal share of $917,098 and local match of $379,805. There were four projects: purchase of new vehicles, purchase of radios, preventative maintenance and operating assistance. The vehicles will be covered 100% by the grant and the Transit Development Credit through the state. Scott Miller stated that in the past the county has had to match 20% for the vehicles, but for the last couple of years transit has received a grant to cover it.

Transit Uniforms

Michael Salamone noted that the drivers will be getting polos and long sleeves to wear while driving the buses.

Next Grant Cycle

Michael Salamone noted that during the next grant cycle, he will be applying for funding to put cameras in the buses. Scott Miller stated that this is something that is needed because there have been some complaints and accidents. Mr. Salamone stated that there would be four cameras on the bus: one facing the front, back, one at the wheel chair lift and one at the entrance of the bus. In answer to a question, Mr. Salamone stated that the camera could see out of the bus in the front and back to capture license plates and accidents. Mr. Miller noted this would help with liability issues and can protect the drivers.

Encroachment Issues

Amy Lyon-Galvin stated that there are encroachment issues on the small treatment plant property in Hinckley Township. The neighboring property owner is parking on the driveway and they have constructed a retaining wall with a fire pit on the county property line. Mrs. Lyon-Galvin noted that a meeting was scheduled for next week with the zoning inspector to determine an agreeable solution. Commissioner Friedrick asked if they went through thezoning procedures. Mrs. Lyon-Galvin stated that they applied for a permit for the accessory building. There is a deed restriction that they cannot use the county’s property to access the accessory building, but they are using the county’s driveway for the accessory building. The application for the accessory building from 1998 had a hand drawing of the building which was 5 feet from the property line. They do not have a driveway on their property to get to the accessory building. In answer to a question, Mrs. Lyon-Galvin stated that the retaining wall is 2 feet over the line. Mr. Friedrick asked what happened when there was encroachment on the county property near the fair. Scott Miller noted that they had to move their fence from the county property.

Wadsworth Meeting

Commissioner Hutson asked if there was anything the commissioners needed to do regarding the meeting in Wadsworth. Mrs. Lyon-Galvin stated that if any Wadsworth official reaches out to let her know. She has asked Robert Patrick for availability to get together to further discuss the project. She has not heard from anyone from Wadsworth. Commissioner Friedrick stated that this will be going to the planning and programming committee again in October for a vote. Mrs. Lyon-Galvin stated that additional supplemental information has to be submitted to NOACA by September 21st. Commissioner Geissman asked if NOACA has the last words. Mrs. Lyon-Galvin stated that was correct. Mr. Friedrick noted that the planning and programming committee is advancing the project to the Executive Board and they have to vote on it for approval. NOACA will be voting on the compromise. Mrs. Lyon-Galvin noted that the purchase of the West Field Water System and transfer of assets will come into play for those county owned utilities and the lift station in the approval of the compromise.

Building Regulation Public Hearing

Christopher Randles stated that the public hearings for the building regulations are scheduled for September 18th and 25th at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Hearing Room. There will be notices in the Gazette on September 4th and 11th, on the website and available in the Building Department.

Appeals Board

Christopher Randles noted that there is an appeals board hearing on September 5th at 5:30 p.m. at the Building Department. This is an appeal to an inspection on a house with bedroom windows that were not big enough to meet egress requirements. The owner built their own home and did not know all the regulations.

Partial Roof Collapse

Christopher Randles mentioned that yesterday in Granger Township, at Ken’s Beverage, there was a partial roof collapse. The trusses failed and the structure has been vacated. A notice of violation of dangerous structure will be sent to them. There was only one person in the structure at the time, but he is okay.

Budget Hearings

Mike Pataky stated that budget hearings have been scheduled. He distributed the schedule to the commissioners.

Commissioners Meeting

Commissioner Geissman asked if the commissioner meeting on September 4th could be moved to 8:30 a.m. All commissioners agreed to meet at 8:30 a.m.

Courthouse and Administration Building Study

Commissioner Hutson noted that the Facilities Task Force is meeting today and the architect working on the courthouse and administration building study will be present. There have been preliminary discussions with Mayor Hanwell about the parking deck. A meeting is forming to further discuss the issue.

Bids Due

Stan Sheetz asked if there was a status on the courthouse commons renovations and move in. Scott Miller stated that the bids are due August 30th. The contract will then be awarded. Commissioner Hutson noted that this was for the 2nd floor of the building to fit the prosecutor’s office. Mr. Miller stated that he hopes the prosecutor’s office can move in by the end of the year. He is pushing of November 1st. A meeting with Veronica Perry is scheduled next week to discuss the final details of their bid. In the atrium, a platform will be built as a waiting room. Adult Probation should be moved out by the 2nd quarter of next year.

Professional Building

Stan Sheetz asked if there were recommendations from the Facilities Task Force for the professional building. Commissioner Hutson stated that his position is there would be no renovations of the professional building. The architect will be looking at the administration building and hopefully some departments can be moved here. He would not recommend that the county put any money into the professional building. Commissioner Geissman stated that she recommends that the county sell the building.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Friedrick moved to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Geissman. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE. The meeting ended at 10:07 a.m.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED AUGUST 28, 2018

• 18-0706 Allowing claims and authorizing issuance upon the treasurer in settlement of such list of claims
• 18-0707 Amending the annual appropriation resolution
• 18-0708 Amending the 2018 appropriations resolution by transferring appropriations
• 18-0709 Revenue adjustments for the sale of surplus county property
• 18-0710 Cash transfer for various funds
• 18-0711 Creation of a Sheriff’s Office Investigative Technology Equipment Fund and Authorizing Appropriations
• 18-0712 Extending the collection period for the set-aside fees received by the Medina County Recorder
• 18-0713 Allowing expenses of county officials
• 18-0714 Approving personnel changes for the employees under the jurisdiction of the Medina County Commissioners
• 18-0715 Authorizing a contract with the Children’s Center of Medina County for child visits at the Center for Medina County Job and Family Services
• 18-0716 Reappointing a member to the Medina County Advisory Council on Aging
• 18-0717 Approving the amount of unpaid utility bills for the Medina County sanitary engineer and providing for their certification in accordance with Sections 6103.02 and 6117.02 of the Ohio Revised Code
• 18-0718 Authorizing Medina County Drug Task Force Agency to trade in a used vehicle on a new model vehicle from Medina Auto Mall

All deliberations concerning official business and formal actions by this Board of Commissioners were conducted in an open public meeting this twenty-eighth day of August 2018.

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