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Commissioners’ Meeting

William F. Hutson called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. with Patricia G. Geissman present; Adam Friedrick was unable to attend. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.

The minutes of the October 23, 2018 commissioners’ meeting were emailed in advance. Mrs. Geissman moved to approve the minutes; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

Highway Engineer Andy Conrad presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) approving the final plat for the Quail Ridge Subdivision located in Liverpool Township lot 2, section 13; and (2) approving annual assessment on improvements constructed under the authority of Section 6131.63 Ohio Revised Code on approximately 27.2766 acres in lot 2, section 13 of Liverpool Township known as Quail Ridge Subdivision and establishing thereby said improvements as a public watercourse. Mrs. Geissman moved to approve the two resolutions; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

The commissioners reviewed the permits issued October 11-24, 2018.

Finance Director Mike Pataky presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) amending the 2018 Appropriations Resolution by transferring appropriations; (2) approving the reappointment of the Bee (Apiary) Inspector for the County of Medina for 2019; (3) approving an amendment to the agreement with Maximus, Inc. to provide professional consulting services for Medina County; (4) approval of a program management agreement between the Juvenile Court and Family First Council; (5) allowing expenses of the Adult Probation Department; and (6) allowing expenses of county officials. Mr. Pataky requested payment of the weekly bills in the amount of $561,867.83. Mrs. Geissman moved to approve the six resolutions and to pay the bills; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Mr. Hutson stated that it’s good to see that we are rehiring the bee inspector; it’s very important to our community. Mrs. Geissman agreed. 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. Mrs. Geissman moved to approve the resolution; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

Commissioner Hutson presented and reviewed the following resolutions commending the following 2018 4-H award winners:

• 4-H Meritorious Service Award – Doug Wellock & Bev Fry
• 2018 Medina County Friend of 4-H Award – Russ Farnsworth, Michelle Paullin and Mike and Patti Boyert
• 2018 Medina County 4-H Hall of Fame Award – Christie Becker
• 4-H Leadership Development Award – Mandy Cahoon
• 2018 Medina County Spirit Award – Spunky Spurs 4-H Club
• 2018 Medina County Community Service Award – Guilford Go-Fers 4-H Club

Mrs. Geissman moved to approve the nine resolutions; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE. Mrs. Geissman and Mr. Hutson will be attending the 4-H banquet this Thursday to present the commendation to the award winners.

Public Comment

Ed Stevens, 42 Bungalow Bay, Chippewa Lake, stated that as a longtime resident of Chippewa Lake, he is concerned about situations relating to the Medina County Sanitary Engineers’ office including a $65 annual charge for water meter removal/installation, payment for sewer lines attached to properties not in use year-round, being billed for 2,000 gallons of water when only 60 gallons are used and the overall cost of $547.

Mr. Stevens explained that his family has two cottages, however, due to harmful algae bloom issues for several years, they have been spending less time there and fewer family and guests are joining them. He estimates they spend 35 days per season there. There are approximately 40 cottages in the same situation and many remain shuttered during the summer; one is paying $62.75 per month while shuttered. The cottage water can only be used to shower, water plants, for the toilet and to wash dishes, so they purchase water for consumption. Workarounds for heating water lines during the winter are both expensive and dangerous alternatives with subzero Ohio temperatures. Cleveland sewer charges are $40 per quarter and compared to $60.50 per two months in Chippewa Lake.

He stated that the cottage residents want what is fair to all concerned, and they are working hard to make Chippewa Lake a safer place for children and pets. He is also a member of the Save the Lake Coalition which will increase the number of days to be at the cottages. Mr. Stevens indicated that he is representing all 40 cottages in requesting that the commissioners consider a reasonable cost reduction that considers Chippewa Lake’s current harmful algae bloom condition, what other citizens pay on a daily change basis and the county’s cost of doing business. He complimented the Sanitary Engineers’ office for their courtesy, service and desire to do the right thing.

Amy Lyon-Galvin explained that they had changed their policy toward the end of 2017. There are about 40 customers in Chippewa Lake that fall into the summer cottage category. One of their attempts to better their program was to make sure there was some accountability for appointment times and there was a small group of people that were not being billed for minimum service when the meters were being removed and when they were looking at the departmental procedures overall, there are other homes that were unoccupied that still had that minimum use that is billed. They bill every other month and ends up totaling just under $20 per month for the water component of the bill and there is a minimum component in the bill for sewer use. Even though the cottage is unoccupied, there is still water being delivered to that curb box that is shut off, and they still have the responsibility to maintain that service, and if it leaks, they must repair that service line. It had been a long standing practice that the summer cottages had an interruption to their billing and they were able to do that as a courtesy service, but the changes approved by the board is that they be treated the same as any other unoccupied home. In this case, there is a program that they would store the meter for them so it remains dedicated to the cottage and is protected, so it can be restored whenever they are ready to enjoy the cottage the next summer season. Some made those a permanent installation so they didn’t have to participate in the program.

Mr. Hutson stated that he and his wife have a cottage on a lake and have had the same sorts of issues with treatments for the lake for invasive weeds and have had periods of time where the lake is not useable for recreational purposes; they still get a bill for services for water and sewer even though they are not there using them. He told Mr. Stevens that he understands his situation. Mr. Stevens stated that he has a few friends with cottages in Chippewa Lake that are unsure if they can continue to do this due to the problems with the algae and expenses. Mr. Hutson thanked Mr. Stevens for his comments.

Mrs. Geissman moved to go into Executive Session following the Discussion Session to discuss the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official and pending litigation; Mr. Hutson seconded the motion. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE.

With no further business to come before the Commissioners, the meeting recessed at 9:49 a.m.

Discussion Session

At 9:51 a.m., the Commissioners began the Discussion Session in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.

Boston Road Erosion

Andy Conrad distributed photographs of erosion along Boston Road, east of Ridge Road in Hinckley Township where the east branch of the Rocky River winds through county-owned property. As the river migrates, it is getting closer to Boston Road causing erosion which has left a portion of the Buckeye Pipeline exposed. Buckeye is not concerned since they can use an alternate pipeline route. Hinckley Township is concerned with what will happen to the roadway if it continues to erode. Mr. Conrad stated that Hinckley Township has reached out to the Ohio EPA and Ohio Army Corps of Engineers and are seeking the county’s perspective. He noted that Buckeye Pipeline has an easement outside of the pipeline and can control what happens. There was discussion regarding the options. Mr. Conrad stated that he will continue to work with Hinckley Township on this issue, but wanted the commissioners to be aware because this is county-owned property.

Executive Session

At 10:00 a.m., the Commissioners went into the Executive Session that had been voted on earlier. The Executive Session ended at 10:39 a.m.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mrs. Geissman moved to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Mr. Hutson. Roll call showed both commissioners voting AYE. The meeting ended at 10:40 a.m.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED OCTOBER 30, 2018

• 18-0849 Commending Doug Wellock for his 4-H Meritorious Service Award
• 18-0850 Commending Bev Fry for her 4-H Meritorious Service Award
• 18-0851 Commending Russ Farnsworth for receiving the 2018 Medina County Friend of 4-H Award
• 18-0852 Commending Michele Paullin for receiving the 2018 Medina County Friend of 4-H Award
• 18-0853 Commending Mike and Patti Boyert for receiving the 2018 Medina County Friend of 4-H Award
• 18-0854 Commending Christie Becker for receiving the 2018 Medina County 4-H Hall of Fame Award
• 18-0855 Commending Mandy Cahoon for receiving the 2018 Medina County 4-H Leadership Development Award
• 18-0856 Commending the Spunky Spurs 4-H Club for receiving the 2018 Medina County 4-H Spirit Award
• 18-0857 Commending the Guilford Go-Fers 4-H Club for receiving the 2018 Medina County Community Service Award
• 18-0858 Allowing claims and authorizing issuance upon the treasurer in settlement of such list of claims
• 18-0859 Approving the final plat for the Quail Ridge subdivision located in Liverpool Township lot 2, section 13
• 18-0860 Approving the annual assessment on improvements constructed under the authority of section 6131.63 Ohio Revised Code on approximately 27.2766 acres in lot 2, section 13 of Liverpool Township known as Quail Ridge subdivision and establishing thereby said improvements as a public watercourse
• 18-0861 Amending the 2018 appropriations resolution by transferring appropriations
• 18-0862 Approving the reappointment of the Bee (Apiary) Inspector for the County of Medina for 2019
• 18-0863 Approving an amendment to the agreement with Maximus, Inc. to provide professional consulting services for Medina County
• 18-0864 Approval of a program management agreement between the Juvenile Court and Family First Council
• 18-0865 Allowing expenses of the adult probation department
• 18-0866 Allowing expenses of county officials
• 18-0867 Approving personnel changes for the employees under the jurisdiction of the Medina County Commissioners

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

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