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Commissioners’ Meeting

William F. Hutson called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. with Adam Friedrick present; Patricia G. Geissman was unable to attend. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.

The minutes of the September 25, 2018 public hearing, commissioners’ meeting and annexation hearings were emailed in advance. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the minutes; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

Representative Steve Hambley stated that it was a special sentiment to be able to represent the State of Ohio and the General Assembly to talk about the 200th anniversary of the County. The commissioners should be commended on how they have put everything together and working with the community. He mentioned that the logo is seen everywhere including on license plates; it’s great to see the logo to celebrate the history. It’s also been good to see the bell out and about as there was a lot of time and effort in constructing the bell which signifies freedom. He stated it was his great pleasure to commend Medina County for the celebration of 200 years.

Representative Darrel Kick stated that it was an honor to attend and be able to celebrate another great community in our State of Ohio; 200 years is amazing. He noted that enjoyed Mr. Hambley’s history book and it is neat to see all of the things that are so unique to this area and the collaboration among groups that make it such a great town; he is honored to be a part of this great county and he looks forward to the years ahead.

Adam Pohlabel, Legislative Aide to Senator Larry Obhof, presented a resolution to the commissioners commending Medina County’s bicentennial. He congratulated the County.

Highway Engineer Administrative Assistant Doug King presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) authorizing the change order number 1 final to the contract for the 2018 Medina County Item 422 Chip Seal between Melway Paving Company and the Medina County Board of Commissioners; and (2) authorizing the change order number 1 final to the contract for the 2018 Medina County Item 405 Bituminous Cold Mix Resurfacing between Melway Paving Company and the Medina County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the two resolutions; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE. The commissioners reviewed the permits issued September 20-26, 2018.

Finance Director Mike Pataky presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) amending the 2018 Appropriations Resolution; (2) amending the 2018 Appropriations Resolution by transferring appropriations; (3) authorizing the purchase of 6,900 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline for the Engineering Center; (4) sales tax distribution to the various districts located in Medina County; (5) approving a contractual engagement with the Auditor of State, Local Government Services Division, for assistance in the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Medina County; (6) accepting the HEAP program funding for the Office for Older Adults for FY 2019; (7) designating the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina counties to receive proceeds from marriage licenses and divorce fees for calendar year 2019; (8) declaring Medina County property as excess property; (9) allowing expenses of the Adult Probation Department; and (10) allowing expenses of county officials. Mrs. Mariotti requested payment of the weekly bills in the amount of $599,757.17. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the ten resolutions and to pay the bills; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both 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; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

Planning Services Director Rob Henwood reported that at the next meeting of the Planning Commission, they will be reviewing a final plat in Liverpool Township which will be making 22 new residential lots available for sale. He also reported that the construction update for the 2016 CDBG program is complete; they are wrapping up final paperwork before they submit final reports.

Transit Director Mike Salamone reported that the total year-to-date ridership for MCPT through August 31, 2018 was 50,973 trips which includes 24,946 on-demand trips and 26,027 fixed route trips. Year-to-date ridership has increased by 3,225 total trips. MCPT transported 357 clients on the on-demand service and there were 42 denials. The cost per passenger trip was $23.32 and the cost per mile was $3.44.

Mr. Salamone reported that the new veteran’s contract is in place and it provided veterans transportation anywhere in the county on both on-demand and fixed route services; over 20 veterans have enrolled. In August, MCPT provided 112 on-demand trips; fixed route was 106.

Continuing, Mr. Salamone stated that last month he submitted two grant applications for fiscal year 2019. The first state grant for $45,381 will help cover operating expenses. The second is an OTPPP grant which has a total project cost of $450,000; this would replace five busses. He has also requested state assistance for the 20 percent local match by using transit development credits.

Mr. Hutson asked what Mr. Salamone attributes the ridership increase to. Mr. Salamone answered that it is mainly due to scheduling. He also stated that the website is nearly complete and is expected to be running in 2-4 weeks.

Commissioner Hutson presented and reviewed a commendation honoring the Medina County Board of Realtors for 75 years of business. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the resolution; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. There was no discussion; roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

Commissioner Hutson presented a proclamation proclaiming October 5, 2018 as “Made in Medina County Day.” Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the resolution; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Kathy Breitenbucher stated that Made in Medina County Day is Friday, October 5. There are 19 plants that are involved in Friday’s event, 25 tours going on, 13 elected officials participating (including the commissioners) and 384 attending. Mr. Friedrick noted that Kathy and Bethany do a great job setting up these events; every year gets better. Bethan Dentler added that they have more than tripled the number of people who are attending plant tours. The commissioners thanked them for their effort. There was no further discussion; roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

Commissioner Hutson presented the following resolutions: (1) appointing a member to the Medina County Advisory Council on Aging; (2) appointing a member to the Medina County Revolving Loan Fund Committee; (3) appointing a representative and alternate for the villages to the Medina County Planning Commission; and (4) designating legal holidays for 2019. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the four resolutions; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. There was no discussion; roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

Public Comment

Mark Fredrick, 6146 W. Smith Rd., Medina, stated that it is important for residents to speak out. He thanked Mr. Hutson for inviting him to speak and he knows it’s a pain for residents to give up their time to speak, but it’s important because if they don’t, they become the “sheeple” and they get fleeced. He stated that last week, the garbage deal was a done deal, and he was disappointed that it was ran through so quickly, but at least we were able to have public comment before “ramming it through.” He stated that he was disappointed with Mr. Fredrick that he didn’t care more about recycling in this county by letting that contract slide through. He noted that he has also reached out to Medina City and will be talking to Wadsworth and Brunswick as this is not just a county problem, it’s also the cities within the county. He stated that he has a problem with the residents subsidizing the amount of money going in for commercial recycling because the residents won’t receiving any benefit.

Mr. Fredrick stated that the roads around here are unbelievably bad at times. He asked how long it takes to fix one block of concrete streets. He also stated that the timing of the traffic lights in Medina is problematic; this leads to wasted fuel and pollution. He asked why we can’t have somebody competent figure out the proper timing of the traffic lights.

Regarding mailboxes, Mr. Fredrick stated that the engineer’s office “attacked” two more mailboxes – Marks and Smith Roads. He had previously provided the engineer’s office a list of 35 mailboxes, but only two of them got moved.

Mr. Friedrick stated that regarding the mailboxes, with the policy that was put in place, no more are being constructed, so his numbers don’t reflect the number of mailboxes that were not constructed in the areas deemed dangerous. Regarding recycling, he explained that Mr. Fredrick came into commercial recycling discussions late. To say this got “rammed through” is opposite of what really happened; it took forever to get to this solution. He stated that last week, Mr. Fredrick mentioned that he had spoken with him for two hours, and he must not have listened to everything he had explained that are going on with recycling in the county. He noted that they agree on what they need to do and what they want to accomplish, although they may disagree on how to get there. Mr. Hutson stated that the commissioners had the contract a week prior, but the decision was made to delay the vote for another week as to provide the commissioners time to review it. That contract had been presented to the commissioners in its substantial form a month or more before that; this has been a long term process and was not in any way, shape or form “rammed through.” He also stated that he shares Mr. Fredrick’s consternation with the traffic lights; however, the traffic lights are in the City of Medina.

Mr. Friedrick moved to go into Executive Session following the Discussion Session to discuss pending litigation; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

With no further business to come before the Commissioners, the meeting recessed at 9:59 a.m.

Discussion Session

At 10:00 a.m., the Commissioners began the Discussion Session in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.

Recycling

Amy Lyon-Galvin distributed a packet containing a letter from Pratt Recycling and a Plain Dealer newspaper article. Pratt Recycling is the largest producer of 100% corrugated packaging in North America. In 2019, Pratt will be opening a new mill in Wapakoneta, Ohio. They will be consuming nearly 3 million tons of recycled paper each year. Pratt speaks towards their relationship with Rumpke and Machinex regarding the opportunity here in Medina County with the new facility at the CPF. Pratt’s letter noted that they will not use any paper generated at a dirty MRF. Amy stated that this letter is in support of the proposal Medina County chose and that the material from the CPF will be going to Pratt and they will use it since it is their preferred source of paper. Pratt will be here to speak with the Solid Waste Policy Committee meeting in December. The Solid Waste District is responsible for educating the public on recycling properly. In Cuyahoga County, they are having some challenges because of the market. Amy stated that Medina County shares the same message and Medina County will be doing more education and outreach now that a decision has been made. Commissioner Hutson stated that on the first page of the article, it mentioned that up to 25% of the materials in the recycling bins were contaminated or garbage. When touring the Republic facility, they stated that it was standard for them. On the day of the tour, they had an 80 percent recovery day, but they average 75 percent recovery. Amy noted that it is standard in the industry, but it is a matter of helping the public understand what that means.

Illegal Dumping

Amy Lyon-Galvin stated that there has been great cooperation from local law enforcement regarding illegal dumping. One individual was charged and paid $75 for his misdemeanor and court costs, and will also be on probation. They want to make sure the public knows that they will be using their local law enforcement to prosecute illegal dumpers. There is a second individual who is being charged for illegal dumping of a recliner at one of the locations.

Charles Calvert stated that he had an opportunity to tour the Wapakoneta facility last year and he was glad it was not in Medina County because it was a rat infested, horrible facility. He noted that he went around last week to the bins in Wadsworth and found motors, garage door openers, refrigerators and bags of garbage. Mr. Calvert suggested the commissioners take a tour of some of the recyclable bins. Amy noted that Wadsworth is the area that has been the biggest struggle. Buehler’s in Wadsworth had asked the recycle bins to be removed because in Wadsworth, there is not available parking lot space and it is very visible in the front of the store. Commissioner Friedrick inquired what Wadsworth’s policy is for taking items like that. Amy answered that there is a cart and all of the material has to fit into the single cart for an automatic pick up. The transfer station is open for limited hours on Saturday. The Wadsworth Police Department has been helpful in looking for identifying information to capture the illegal dumpers.

Jerry Springer stated that Pratt will not take the products from the CPF because it will be a dirty MRF. All garbage will go to the plant with the commercial and they won’t split that. Amy stated that they will take what is coming from the facility in this contract whereas they would not take it from a different service provider who was doing residential mixed-waste. Amy stated that it will still come through based on flow-control and the facility operating as a transfer station, but the process will focus on separating recyclables from the commercial waste stream. Commissioner Friedrick noted that the CPF will still be taking residential waste, but it will not be sorted as part of the mixed waste processing. Mr. Springer stated that the plant will have two dumping areas: one for residential and one for commercial. Amy stated that it won’t be too dissimilar from what the prior operation was. There will be a scale house operator directing trucks to the tipping or transfer floor. Commissioner Friedrick stated that the transfer floor will have the residential floor. Mr. Springer stated that when he hauled over there for 30 years, the trucks were on the back side and the stuff dumped on the front side was so bad that they didn’t want to run it through there. Commissioner Friedrick stated that is what part of the taking stuff from one floor to the other floor and that changed the calculation for the landfill diversion rate.

Letter to Political Subdivisions

Amy Lyon-Galvin noted that a letter is being sent out to the political subdivisions offering to go speak with each entity so they can receive information directly from the Solid Waste District. Commissioner Hutson suggested the Township Association Meeting as a forum Amy could speak at; she will inquire about that.

Commercial Credit Accounts

Amy Lyon-Galvin stated that she has been working with the Prosecutor’s office on establishing the appropriate paperwork for commercial credit accounts; there was a recent incident with unpaid bills. They have put together an agreement to extend credit, corporate resolution to establish a credit account, and a personal guarantee. Amy will be presenting a resolution to put this into place for commercial credit accounts; the commissioners agreed. Curtis Perkins noted that on the Credit Application, would haulers be grandfathered in or would he have to sign it. Amy stated that it has not been decided, yet, but she believes that the accounts in good standing would be recognized for that. Mr. Perkins stated that he does not sign a personal guarantee for any credit application. Amy thanked Mr. Perkins for his feedback.

Westfield Township

Amy stated that Westfield Township has asked if the commissioners could share the driveway in Westfield Center where the water towers sit. Westfield Township will be building a fire station and have requested use of the property and shared access to the driveway; they would conduct improvements to the drive as part of their project. Commissioner Friedrick stated that he was okay with this. Commissioner Hutson noted that to be clear it was Westfield Township that was asking for this.

Brunswick Rotary Government Day

Amy Lyon-Galvin noted that they were invited to attend Brunswick Rotary Government Day. Amy stated that they will set up a table at any event or organization to educate and reach the public on recycling.

60 Public Square

Scott Miller stated that work has begun on 60 Public Square and it is estimated that it will be completed December 28. In January, the Prosecutor’s office will hopefully be moved over there. There have been talks with Staples about office furniture.

Human Services Wall Repair

Scott Miller noted that the Human Service Wall Repair project is also underway and is going well.

Website

Scott Miller mentioned that the website is under development and will hopefully be finished in November.

Budget Books

Scott Miller stated that budget books will be available to the commissioners Friday.

Budget Hearings

Mike Pataky stated that budget hearings begin next week at 10:30 am.

Executive Session

At 10:16 a.m., the Commissioners went into the Executive Session that had been voted on earlier. The Executive Session ended at 10:52 a.m.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Friedrick moved to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Mr. Hutson. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE. The meeting ended at 10:53 a.m.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED OCTOBER 2, 2018

• 18-0776 Honoring the Medina County Board of Realtors for 75 years of business
• 18-0777 Proclaiming October 5, 2018 as Made in Medina County Day
• 18-0779 Authorizing the Change Order Number 1 Final to the contract for the 2018 Medina County Item 422 Chip Seal between Melway Paving Company and the Medina County Board of Commissioners
• 18-0780 Authorizing the Change Order Number 1 Final to the contract for the 2018 Medina County Item 405 bituminous cold mix resurfacing between Melway Paving Company and the Medina County Board of Commissioners
• 18-0778 Allowing claims and authorizing issuance upon the treasurer in settlement of such list of claims
• 18-0781 Amending the Annual Appropriations Resolution
• 18-0782 Amending the 2018 Appropriations Resolution by transferring appropriations
• 18-0783 Authorizing the purchase of 6,900 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline for the Engineering Center
• 18-0784 Sales tax distribution to the various districts located in Medina County
• 18-0785 Approving a contractual engagement with the Auditor of State, Local Government Services Division, for assistance in the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Medina County
• 18-0786 Accepting the HEAP Program funding for the Office for Older Adults for FY 2019
• 18-0787 Designating the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina counties to receive proceeds from marriage licenses and divorce fees for calendar year 2019
• 18-0788 Declaring Medina County property as excess property
• 18-0789 Allowing expenses of the Adult Probation Department
• 18-0790 Allowing expenses of county officials
• 18-0791 Approving personnel changes for the employees under the jurisdiction of the Medina County Commissioners
• 18-0792 Appointing a member to the Medina County Advisory Council on Aging
• 18-0793 Appointing member to the Medina County Revolving Loan Fund Committee
• 18-0794 Appointing a representative and alternate for the Villages to the Medina County Planning Commission
• 18-0795 Designating legal holidays for 2019

All deliberations concerning official business and formal actions by this Board of Commissioners were conducted in an open public meeting this second day of October 2018.

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