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Commissioners’ Meeting

William F. Hutson called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m. with Adam Friedrick and Patricia G. Geissman present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence to honor the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks.

The minutes of the September 4, 2018, were emailed in advance. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the minutes; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

Dustin Russell, Northeast Ohio Regional Liaison from the office of Governor John Kasich, presented a certificate from the Governor’s office congratulating Medina County on its 200th anniversary. Mr. Russell stated that 200 years is a significant accomplishment and they were glad to help recognize this monumental landmark. The county is well-positioned, full of great history and has many good years ahead of it. He stated that Medina County is a very special place.

Finance Budget Officer Erin Mariotti presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) amending the Annual Appropriation Resolution; (2) amending the 2018 Appropriations Resolution by transferring appropriations; (3) authorizing the county auditor to transfer funds from various county department accounts to the Medina County Print Ship Revenue line item; (4) authorizing the county auditor to transfer funds from various county department accounts to the Gasoline Rotary Fund; (5) authorizing the purchase of 6,300 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline for the Engineering Center; (6) declaring Medina County property as excess property; (7) authorizing the acceptance of an Office of Criminal Justice Services Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Agreement: (8) allowing expenses of the Adult Probation Department; and (9) allowing expenses of county officials. Mrs. Mariotti requested payment of the weekly bills in the amount of $744,851.15. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the nine resolutions and to pay the bills; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

Human Resources Assistant Nicole Lee presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) approving personnel changes for the employees under the jurisdiction of the Medina County commissioners; and (2) authorizing the layoff of a Safety and Health Coordinator in the Sanitary Engineering Department due to lack of work resulting from a restructuring and creation of a centralized Loss Control/Risk Manager in the Human Resources Department. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the two resolutions; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

County Administrator Scott Miller presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) accepting and awarding bid for the Medina County Prosecutors Office Relocation Project; and (2) amending the designation of legal holiday for 2018. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the two resolutions; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

Office for Older Adults Director Laura Toth provided an update on grant-funded programming through July 2018 noting that information & referral services are at 77 percent and supportive services is at 70 percent. The July 2018 service breakdown remains consistent. With regard to the change in transit funding, their average bill last year was $8,000-$9,000; this year they are running at $10,000-$11,000 per month. They are doing more trips but not a significant amount; it’s more of a change in the billing structure. She budgeted for an increase in local funds to help cover the additional cost per trip and so far, they are on track with that estimation.

Mrs. Toth reported that the Medina County Senior Walk was held on August 31; it was a great success. Over 30 vendors attended and there were over 100 walkers. The donation totals are still coming in and it is usually after the first of the year when the donation is made. They were also approved for 20 additional voucher coupons and were able to fulfill the waiting list. The vouchers may be used through the end of October.

The 90 and Over party will be held Friday; over 90 people have RSVP’d and approximately 30 are age 90 or over. She thanked Commissioner Geissman for agreeing to present the certificates. She stated that it is a very nice event. “My Favorite Medina County Memory” flyers will be distributed at the event.

Mrs. Toth announced that Friday, October 5, they will be celebrating the bicentennial from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Office for Older Adults. Veterans Services will be providing a shuttle service. There will be a historical speaker talking about Medina County, and many other historical presentations and displays. Flyers will be distributed regarding this event, it will be posted on the website as well as the Facebook page. She noted that having a Facebook page for the Office for Older Adults has been a very positive experience and is helpful getting information out to the public.

MCDAC Director Brian Nowak reported that due to inclement weather, KiteFest events were cancelled; however, the 5k run was not cancelled and nearly 100 people participated. It was good to see law enforcement, prevention and treatment providers, and members of the community gathered together. Mr. Nowak gave a special thanks to Fighting for Alyssa; they too are dedicated to drug awareness, prevention and treatment. Fighting for Alyssa raised $25,000 in corporate donations and registrations. They money was shared at the event with over a dozen agencies throughout the county and beyond including the Medina County Police Activities League, the Recovery Center and Cathy’s House. It was a good event despite the rain.

Mr. Nowak reported that Gary Hubbard gave a very informative and engaging presentation to the residents at Huntington Square Apartments about drug activity in Medina County and the work of the Medina County Drug Task Force. Mr. Hubbard is available to provide a presentation to any agency in the county.

Mr. Nowak further reported that Black River School District has joined with Ohio Guidestone and Belfaire to offer counseling and drug prevention services to students and parents in that district. Through this partnership, insurance dollars will be utilized along with Anti-Drug Levy funds, and this will provide more comprehensive and cost-effective services.

Commissioner Hutson presented and reviewed the following resolutions: (1) reappointing a member to the Medina County Advisory Council on Aging; and (2) appointing a representative for the City of Medina to the Medina County Planning Commission. Mr. Friedrick moved to approve the two resolutions; Mrs. Geissman seconded the motion. Roll call showed all commissioners voting AYE.

Mr. Hutson noted that Commissioners had received a notice of a liquor license permit classes C1, C2 from Route 42 Drive Thru Corp, doing business as Route 42 Drive Thru, 2370 Pearl Road, Brunswick Hills, Ohio 44256. There were no comments.

Public Comment

Rick Penthal provided an update on the Vietnam Veteran Memorial explaining that they received a matching grant for $60,000; they must come up with $30,000. The total project was between $90,000-$125,000. They have cut some expenses by receipt of donations including the cement, slabs and various other items. After all donations and contributions, they are approximately $16,500 short. Mr. Penthal explained the plans for the memorial. They are still working to obtain donations for the project and doing everything they can to get this completed. They plan to begin at the end of this month and will do as much as they can to get it ready for spring.

Mr. Penthal stated that this is the 50th anniversary for the Vietnam Veterans and this memorial represents the 33 Medina County veterans that died in Vietnam; their names are on the monuments and represents all branches of the U.S. military. There will be no more added to the memorial, and when they are all done with it, there will be no more Vietnam Veterans as they are all in their 70s. They are getting to the point where they cannot maintain it anymore, so when it is all said and done, the Vietnam Veterans will then turn it over to the County and they will take it over and maintain it going forward.

Commissioner Hutson thanked Mr. Penthal for coming in and asked him to provide updates as things move along. Mr. Friedrick moved to go into Executive Session following the Discussion Session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official; 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 9:59 a.m.

Discussion Session

At 10:01 a.m., the Commissioners began the Discussion Session in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.

Children’s Advocacy Center

Scott Miller stated that the Children’s Advocacy Center has purchased a new building and they have asked the county to cover some rent costs for their current building. Erin Mariotti had met with Terry Grice, Rhonda Wurgler and Jeff Felton to discuss this. Mrs. Mariotti noted that ADAMH is purchasing the building that the Children’s Advocacy Center is in now and had previously indicated that they would let them stay there rent free until they moved into their new building. The Children’s Advocacy Center reallocated their rent funds to other areas. ADAMH decided that they did not want to be landlords and would not take possession of the building until the Children’s Advocacy Center moved out. The Children’s Advocacy Center does not have the funds for rent because they reallocated their funds to provide additional services and have asked the county to cover $9,000 for rent. Mrs. Mariotti stated that the county leases the building from Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Children’s Advocacy Center subleases from the county. In answer to a question, Mr. Miller noted that as soon as the Children’s Advocacy Center moves out, the ADAMH Board will take possession of the building. If the ADAMH Board had taken possession of the building, they had a verbal agreement to allow Children’s Advocacy Center to stay rent free until they moved. Commissioner Geissman asked if there was an agreement signed. Mr. Miller answered that there was not and it was just a verbal understanding. Commissioner Hutson asked if the rent was forgone, why the county has to pay the rent. Mr. Miller explained that the county has an agreement with Metropolitan Housing so had the property transferred to the ADAMH Board, the agreement would have transferred to the ADAMH Board who said they would not make the county pay rent, but the ADAMH Board has not taken possession, therefore, the agreement with Metropolitan Housing stands. Commissioner Friedrick stated that if the county told the Children’s Advocacy Center to reallocate the funding back to rent, it would be taking away services in Medina County which is a hard thing to justify. Commissioner Hutson stated that his concern is can the county donate to the nonprofit. Mrs. Mariotti noted that she brought it up in the meeting and it could not be looked at as a donation, but a charge for service. Commissioner Geissman stated that they should not have reallocated money unless they had something in writing; Commissioner Friedrick agreed. Mr. Miller stated that the county pays Metropolitan Housing regardless. It would be a cancellation of the lease with the Children’s Advocacy Center and not a donation. Commissioner Geissman noted that she doesn’t want the county in a position in the future to have to continue to pay a bill for services. Mr. Miller noted that he does not see the need to have them bill the county for a charge for service because the county can cancel the lease permanently since they are moving or require them to pay the $9,000. Jeff Felton mentioned that they currently have a contract with the Children’s Advocacy Center and that same arrangement will continue into their new building. Mr. Felton stated that he doesn’t have an additional $9,000 in his budget to pay rent, but the contract could be increased to include the amount. Commissioner Hutson proposed that the lease be continued and they pay the $9,000 to the county. Commissioner Geissman agreed and suggested they reallocate the money again. Commissioner Friedrick stated that he was in favor of the lease cancellation option. Mr. Miller advised that he will contact Terry Grice to let him know that the lease remains and they owe $9,000. Commissioner Friedrick asked if the option Jeff presented will be discussed further. Mr. Miller answered that it is an option, but it will have to come out of the general fund. Commissioner Geissman asked if this could be discussed during budget time; Mr. Miller answered that it can be discussed for the first three months of next year. The commissioners agreed to continue their lease with the Children’s Advocacy Center and discuss the option of increasing the Job and Family Services contract during the budget hearings.

Metropolitan Housing Authority

Scott Miller noted that last year there were discussions about donating property to the Metropolitan Housing Authority. There was property for sale next to the lot the county owns by the jail and Feeding Medina County bought it. The lot by New Horizons has been put to the side. Skip Sipos has requested that the property be donated to Metropolitan Housing Authority to build housing units. Commissioner Geissman stated that she is concerned about giving property away that may be needed in the future and it is near the jail. Commissioner Friedrick agreed and noted that his concern is there are five full pods and inmates are being shipped to Geauga County. Mrs. Mariotti stated that billing for the month of August to Geauga County was $27,000. Commissioner Geissman added that she anticipates that all of the Feeding Medina County property will be for sale in the future. Mr. Miller mentioned that Metropolitan Housing was looking to have the property donated to use for a grant. Skip Sipos explained that everything they do is competitive so in order to receive grants, they have to demonstrate commitment from the local community. He understands the close proximity to the jail and as for the Feeding Medina County property, it is less than .5 acres which will only hold 5 units. Mr. Sipos noted that he has reached out to them, but he has no reason to believe that the property will be affordable for Metropolitan Housing. Chuck Calvert stated that he was involved in the purchase of the Feeding Medina County building and there is a first refusal claim. Commissioner Hutson stated that the jail and other things should be considered before making any commitment to selling or donating the property. Commissioner Friedrick clarified that there are no plans right now to sell or donate the property. The commissioners agreed that the property will not be donated to Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Job and Family Services Software

Jeff Felton reported that the conversion of cases has gone smoothly with a few hiccups. Commissioner Friedrick stated that he spoke with a Lorain County Commissioner and he had the same report, so it seems it has gone well overall. Mr. Felton noted that the families living together in their old system were all listed under one case, but now each person in the family has a separate case number due to a glitch in the system. Our food assistance numbers will increase from 9,800 to 16,000 even though the same number of people are being served.

Executive Session

At 10:26 a.m., the Commissioners went into the Executive Session that had been voted on earlier. The Executive Session ended at 10:44 a.m.

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 10:44 a.m.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

• 18-0729 Allowing claims and authorizing issuance upon the treasurer in settlement of such list of claims
• 18-0730 Amending the annual appropriation resolution
• 18-0731 Amending the 2018 appropriations resolution by transferring appropriations
• 18-0732 Authorizing the county auditor to transfer funds from various county department accounts to the Medina County Print Shop Revenue Line Item
• 18-0733 Authorizing the county auditor to transfer funds from various county department accounts to the Gasoline Rotary Fund
• 18-0734 Authorizing the purchase of 6,300 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline for the engineering center
• 18-0735 Declaring Medina County property as excess property
• 18-0736 Authorizing the acceptance of an Office of Criminal Justice Services Edward Byrne Memorial Justice grant agreement
• 18-0737 Allowing expenses of the Adult Probation Department
• 18-0738 Allowing expenses of county officials
• 18-0739 Approving personnel changes for the employees under the jurisdiction of the Medina County Commissioners
• 18-0740 Authorizing the layoff of a Safety and Health Coordinator in the Sanitary Engineering Department due to lack of work resulting from a restructuring and creation of a centralized Loss Control/Risk Manager in the Human Resources Department
• 18-0741 Accepting and awarding the bid for the Medina County Prosecutors Office Relocation Project
• 18-0742 Amending the designation of legal holidays for 2018
• 18-0743 Reappointing a member to the Medina County Advisory Council on Aging
• 18-0744 Appointing a representative for the City of Medina to the Medina County Planning Commission

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

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