Geauga Airport and Courthouse Renovation Change Orders Move Ahead
Board of County Commissioners Meeting - October 16, 2025
Meeting Details: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met in Regular Session on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 9:30 am for a meeting at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH. This meeting was on Thursday due to the Monday holiday. Meetings can be live streamed through the Geauga ADP Youtube channel. Recordings are available for the public. The October 16, 2025 meeting recording can be found here. As of this report’s publication date, this video has been viewed 199 times. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section. An agenda is available in advance via request to the Commissioners’ Clerk and at the meeting. Items discussed at the meeting but not on the agenda, if any, are addressed at the end of this report.
Public Comment Policy: Permitted as outlined in the BOCC’s Public Comment Policy that was adopted on January 28, 2025, revised on April 15, 2025, and again modified on September 30, 2025. Observer Note: The above link to the Policy does not have the April or September revisions. The April revision was simply to change the time allowed for public comment from two minutes to three minutes. The revision approved in September allows public comment on Agenda items at the beginning of the meeting, with general public comment still at the end of the meeting.
Attendance: Present were Commissioners Carolyn Brakey, James Dvorak and Ralph Spidalieri. Also present were Commissioners’ Clerk Christine Blair, County Administrator Amy Bevan, Deputy County Administrator Mark Jimison, and Finance Manager Adrian Gorton.
County Representatives: Ric Blamer, Geauga Airport Manager; Elaine Malkamaki, Program Director, Community and Economic Development; Craig Swenson, Executive Director, Job and Family Services (JFS); Carmella Shale, Director/Engineer, Geauga Soil and Water; Celesta Mullins, Recorder; Charles Tkach, Program Manager, Maintenance; Liz Ruvino, Contract Coordinator, Maintenance; Nick Gorris, Director, Water Resources; Kathy Hostutler, Human Resources Administrator; Austin Rice, Director, Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
Others in Attendance: Patty Fulop, Part-time Outreach Coordinator, Geauga Airport; Ashley Brzozowski, Director of Pupil Services, Berkshire Local Schools; Carrie Dotson, Lifeline Director; Brittany Sustar and Joyce Taylor, Lifeline Board members; Brad Gellert, Senior Project Manager, TDA (Then Design Architecture); Brett Bestgen, Project Manager, Infinity Construction; Glenn Vernick, Maintenance Director; Frank Antenucci, Chief Deputy Administrator, ADP (Automatic Data Processing); County residents Diane and Tom Jones; Anastasia Nicholas, Chagrin Valley Times reporter; Allison Wilson, Geauga Maple Leaf reporter; members of the public, and this Observer.
9:00 Min. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a prayer was offered by Mr. Dvorak.
Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following:
Accepted the resignation of the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor and the hiring of a maintenance worker in the Maintenance Department.
Minutes - No Minutes were submitted for approval.. Observer Note: Weekly LWVG Observer Reports for the BOCC are available online through October 16, 2025 for informational purposes but are not substitutes for approved minutes. Approved BOCC Minutes are posted online here through August 5, 2025.
6:47 Min. Public Comment - According to the Amended Public Comment Policy, individuals can question an item appearing on the meeting’s agenda. In order to comment, individuals are asked to sign in and wait to be called upon, begin by stating their full name and address, will have up to three minutes to comment or ask a question, and are kindly asked to refrain from disorderly or disruptive conduct.
No Comments.
10:04 Min. Administrator’s Report - Ms. Bevan reported on the following actions she took:
-
Accepted the retirement/resignation of a Social Service Worker in the Department on Aging.
-
Approval of Community and Economic Development to use revolving loan funds in regard to the library administration building purchase for the Chardon Senior Center following the Ohio Department of Development certification of determination of exemption for a categorical exclusion. Observer Note: This was not further explained.
Financial Report: The following financials were approved:
Appropriations Transfers:
-
To the Prosecutor's contract services account for reimbursement checks that were received from the USDA that were deposited into the general fund.
-
From the Auditor's Office in their real estate assessment fund payroll accounts to “true up” (reconcile) balances to year end.
Cash transfer from the general fund to court technology for a portion of their 2025 funding.
Other transfers:
-
From the Commissioners’ Office to the unemployment rotary fund
-
From the Board of DD (Developmental Disabilities) from their operating fund to the residential services fund for Medicaid waiver and locally funded services.
Travel for the Auditor's Office, the Common Pleas Court, and the Treasurer's Office.
Vouchers:
-
$43,442.25 from Community Development to 7145 Pine LLC for a Brownfield Remediation Grant project.
-
$966,569.25 from the Engineers's Office to Ronyak Paving Incorporated for asphalt resurfacing including $656,633.75 for Sperry Road, $203,610.50 for Fairmount Road and also for crack sealing in the amount of $106,325.
-
$52,52.85 from Maintenance to North Bay Construction Incorporated for pay request number two on the installation of a new generator at the Emergency Management Agency.
Revenue Certification from the Commissioners’ Office in their building improvement fund for additional unbudgeted revenue received in 2025 (amount not specified).
The County Commissioners received approval for increases in the amounts of the Engagement Agreement with Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan and Aronoff, LLP as follows:
-
An increase of $10,000 for legal counsel in connection with the provision of legal services to support the design, construction and delivery of the proposed Capital Improvement Project, Phase 1 in a new amount not to exceed $160,000.00, without prior approval from the Board.
Mr. Gorton said this was for the review of construction documents for the new county office building.
-
An increase in the amount of $50,000.00 for the Engagement Agreement with Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan and Aronoff, LLP for legal counsel in connection with the provision of legal services to support the design, construction and delivery of the proposed Capital Improvement Project, Phase 2 in a new amount not to exceed $150,000.00, without prior approval from the Board.
This was also for the new county office building project.
15:40 Min. The Airport Authority received approval for Reimbursement Request #5 for the Taxiway Extension Construction Project, specifically to Construct Parallel Taxiway A including Taxiway Connector A1 and A2 – Construction, Final Phase and Install Taxiway Edge Lights – Construction, Grant #3-39-0054-028-2024 in the amount of $676,752.20 (FAA Share $609,076.98, ODOT Share $33,837.21, and Local County match share $33,837.21).
There was a discussion between Commissioner Brakey and Airport Manager Ric Blamer referring back to Mrs. Brakey's September 16 request for Mr. Blamer to provide information as to why the Commissioners are responsible for increased charges on change orders. She had noted that the Commissioners had not approved of these changes. Observer Note: See LWVGeauga Observer Report for September 16, 2025 here.
Mrs. Brakey stated that the answer Mr. Blamer gave did not address her question.
Mr. Dvorak asked Ms. Patty Fulop, prior manager and currently a part-time outreach Coordinator, for her perspective. Ms. Fulop said that the grant match required the County to pay and that this was in the 2013 Operating Agreement.
Mrs. Brakey said that she had read the Agreement and did not see it and asked again for a specific citation of where in the Agreement or the Grant Agreement it states that the Commissioners are required to pay for change orders. She stated that she didn’t want to authorize the payment until she received this information.
Mr. Dvorak asked if this was time sensitive, and Ms. Fulop said that it was. Mrs. Brakey said that she had asked for the information back in August and that she doesn’t have any leverage other than withholding money. Mrs. Brakey said she was promised at the September 16 meeting that she would get the answer, and she has not received that information. Mr. Dvorak then asked if the information could be sent by the end of day, and Ms. Fulop said that it could.
Mr. Dvorak asked for better communication.
Motion to approve - Commissioners Dvorak and Spidalieri voted yes and Commissioner Brakey voted no.
28:04 Min. The Berkshire Local Schools Director of Pupil Services, Ashley Brzozowski, received Board approval to execute a Letter of Support for state capital funding to complete the Vocational Workforce Training Hub and Student and Family Wellness Resource Center on the co-shared Kent State University Geauga Campus.
Ms. Brzozowski discussed how they would utilize the funds to upgrade their pre-employment skills program and repurpose a garage. She noted other planned uses for the hub include teaching apartment living skills and after hours support for adults with disabilities. She said other districts would be able to send their students to the training hub.
31:38 Min. Recorder’s Office received approval, pursuant to R.C. 317.321 and 307.862 and review of the competitive seals proposals received on September 10, 2025, to begin negotiations for a contract with Fidlar Technologies, Incorporated, as they represent the offeror with the most advantageous proposal based on the rankings performed by the county, pursuant to R.C. 307.86 (A)(2).
34:23 Min. The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District received approval for the following:
-
To execute the 2026 Ohio Department of Agriculture – Office of Farmland Preservation Application for Local Sponsor Certification and to continue execution of the Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding dated October 13, 2016, between the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, Geauga County Planning Commission and the Geauga County Board of Commissioners.
-
For the Agreed Judgement Entry for Case 25M000225, Geauga County Board of Commissioners vs. Stacy Crute, IV, et al. and authorize Sheila Salem, Assistant Geauga County Prosecutor, to execute the Agreed Judgement Entry. The case pertains to the Finding of Violation issued by Geauga County Board of Commissioners on February 4, 2025 regarding construction activities occurring at 11425 Aquilla Road and failure to comply with Geauga County Water Management and Sediment Control Regulations, Section 3.01 and 7.02. Soil and Water Director Carmella Shale stated that this case was resolved, but the Judgment Entry would provide proof of the agreement regarding the use of the property as a dirt bike trail. Ms. Shale said that right now there is no evidence of the trail, but if it should be used as such again, then the owners would need to make sure the fence is in place.
36:50 Min. The Department of Community and Economic Development received approval to authorize the President of the Board to execute the Ohio Department of Development, Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, Subrecipient Agreement between the Geauga County Board of Commissioners and Chardon Local Schools Board of Education in the amount of $433,315.00. Ms. Malkamaki said that Millstone was the contractor and that this is a reimbursement grant. According to the grant, they were permitted to go ahead with the work.
38:55 Min. The Maintenance Department received approval for the following:
-
To execute the Construction Agreement with V. L. Chapman Electric, Incorporated for the West Geauga Senior Center / MSI Wastewater Treatment Plant Standby Generator Installation in the amount of $198,699.06. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
Mrs. Brakey confirmed that the cost includes an automatic transfer switch (to ensure no lapse in service).
-
To execute the Construction Agreement with Ohio Paving and Construction Company, Incorporated for the Geauga County Safety Center Parking Lot Repave in the amount of $847,682.65. The Bid Bond submitted shall be held to serve as the Performance Bond for this project.
-
To award the Bid to U.S. Lawns – Cleveland East (Deandrade Landscape Design) for the Snowplowing, Salting and/or Cindering of Geauga County Parking Lots – Chardon Area (5 locations) for the 2025-2027 seasons in the amount of $108,600.00 ($54,300 – 2025-2026 and $54,300.00 – 2026-2027) and Salt at $165.00 per half ton in the amount of $40,000.00 for an amount not to exceed $148,600.00 for the two year period, as they represented the lowest and best bid.
44:16 Min. The Department of Water Resources received approval for the following:
-
To execute Contract Maintenance Form #2, increasing the Service Contract with Bill Conti Plumbing, LLC for repair at the Parkman Wastewater Treatment Plant and additional funds for possible additional services in the amount of $7,000.00 for a new amount not to exceed $13,500.00.
-
To authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Request for Partial Payment #4 for Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project in the amount of $478,812.00 and execute the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Contractor’s Estimate and the OWDA Fund Payment Request #4 in the amount of $478,812.00.
-
To approve Contract Change Order #1, increasing the Contract with Shook Construction Company for the McFarland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the amount of $140,779.65 and further authorize Ralph Spidalieri, authorized representative, to execute the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) and Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA) Contract Change Order Form.
Water Resources Director Nick Gorris said that they had encountered some challenging soil conditions which required additional work. There was also a re-routed pipe. He also said that there had been some decreases, but the figure above is the net increase. He said they were back on schedule.
48:20 Min. Lifeline, Incorporated Director Carrie Dotson, gave a short presentation on Lifeline and their services in Geauga County. Mr. Swenson said that some programs have transitioned out of JFS (Job and Family Services) to Lifeline, which is a non-profit. Ms. Dotson reviewed the history of Lifeline as follows:
“Lifeline was founded in 1973 with the mission of providing emergency assistance and in 1983 Lifeline became a partner of the United Way. 1987 is when we became designated as the Lake County’s Community Action Agency. In 2008, we were certified as a mental health agency by what is now the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. We received the interim designation as Geauga County's Community Action Agency. . . serving in Geauga County since January 1st of 2020.”
She further described their mission as follows:
“Our mission is to lead the fight against poverty by empowering community members to achieve self-sufficiency and by overall improving the quality of life for all residents. Our board believes that self-sufficiency means something different for every individual that we serve. So depending where they are on the spectrum, some maybe just need some job training to get a better living wage job. Some, you know, maybe are homeless and have a long way to go before they can do that. So we kind of work with them where they are through our programs….. In Lake and Geauga counties, we currently offer over 25 different programs aimed at tackling poverty from every different angle.”
She mentioned that they have a full-time office in Newbury and offer services throughout the county including home visits and work at Chagrin Falls Park.
Two Board members spoke in support of the work of Lifeline.
Current programs available in Geauga County are:
-
Rental assistance program, which helps people secure safe and affordable rental housing through providing security deposits and first month’s rent. The program also involves some financial literacy coaching.
-
Homeless crisis response program, which provides transitional housing for folks coming out of homeless experiences.
-
Home energy assistance program (for summer and winter).
-
Utility assistance program that can cover water bills.
-
Property tax assistance program, which is primarily for seniors to help lower property tax costs, particularly for those who are struggling with back taxes that are due.
-
Senior snow plowing program so that providers can reach seniors.
-
Financial literacy program.
-
Representative payee program for those whom the Social Security Administration feels can't manage their own finances.
-
Jump start car repair program that is targeted at folks who need their car to get to work.
-
Senior programming, such as 1) a safety check program where enrolled people can get a check up call and 2) helping hands for seniors program, which is designed for seniors who want to continue to live in their homes and maintain their independence but need some help.
Ms. Dotson said that in 2024 they assisted 95 Geauga County individuals and 41 county households. For energy assistance, 69 households were approved through the summer crisis (mostly senior citizens). They improved the transportation opportunities for 49 residents so they could continue to get reliably to work (including 39 with car repairs, 10 with electric bikes). They helped with housing for 12 households. She emphasized that they are using federal dollars for the programs. She said their client base is throughout the county and that they work with numerous county agencies.
Mr. Swenson said that Lifeline is not yet fully designated as the County Community Action Agency, but that doing so would enable them to receive increased federal funding and would provide more training for their staff.
Mrs. Brakey asked who else in the County would be equipped to be the Community Action Agency. Mr. Swenson said he couldn’t think of anything else. He said that Cleveland United Way has stepped away from providing these kinds of services in Geauga County. He reviewed the history and said that there had been a void until now.
Mrs. Brakey wondered if they should allow other agencies to apply. Mr. Swenson said it was something that could change.
Mrs. Brakey asked if there was a financial commitment from the county, and Mr. Swenson said that there wasn’t.
1:12 Min. The Department of Job and Family Services received approval to execute a Letter of Endorsement in support of Lifeline, Incorporated in seeking federal designation to be the Community Action Agency for Geauga County.
1:13 Min. Executive Session - The Emergency Management Agency (EMA) received approval at 10:36 am for the Board move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment of a public employee, pursuant to O.R.C. 121.22 (G)(2). Austin Rice, Director of EMA, and Kathy Hostutler, Human Resources Administrator, joined the meeting.
1:39 Min. Return from Executive Session at 11:00 am with the following action:
The Commissioners received approval for the following in regard to Mark Jimison, Deputy County Administrator:
-
To accept the OPERS Statement of prior Service of 1.394 years. Mr. Jimison said he had worked in maintenance for the Village of Moreland Hills during law school.
-
To approve an unpaid personal leave of absence for the period of October 23-24, 2025 and October 28, 2025 through November 11, 2025 for time not covered by accrued vacation time. Mrs. Brakey stated that these dates were known to the Commissioners before Mr Jimison was hired.
24:56 Min. Public Comment:
A South Russell resident said that on October 13 “we celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the US Navy.” He said the Navy was founded before the country.
1:45 Min. Board Discussion - Follow up discussion regarding Change Order #14 for the Courthouse Renovation. Mr. Brad Gellert from TDA (the architects for the Courthouse Renovation) was there for the discussion. This was a follow up to a prior discussion about a change order required for security in the courthouse, in particular the Magistrate’s courtroom. This was discussed at the meeting of October 7, 2025. Observer Note: See discussion in the LWVGeauga Observer Report for October 7 here.
Mr. Gellert reported that he reviewed the process for determining the design of the chambers and said that they had been submitted to Judge Paschke and approved. It was discussed that violence was more likely in the Magistrate courts, as they handle domestic cases. The 2nd floor Magistrate Court is the issue since it will now be shared by two Magistrates, as a decision was made that they needed three magistrates. It appeared from the discussion that, for one of the Judge’s chambers, the Magistrate cannot get directly to the bench, but has to go through the courtroom. Mr. Gellert said they found out about the third Magistrate last August and that it took time to find a remedy.
Ms. Bevan asked Mr. Gellert for solutions. He said they would contribute “pro bono,” or no charge, to work with the Commissioners on a crosswalk design from the new county office building across Ravenwood to the hospital. Both Mr. Dvorak and Mrs. Brakey said they appreciated that offer because this is something that has been discussed.
Mrs. Brakey said that there is a Courthouse Donation Fund, which is a restricted fund for courthouse improvements that can be spent at the sole discretion of the judges. Judges Paschke and Rambo have both agreed to use money from this fund to address the issue of the doors.
The Commissioners voted to approve the work, but with compensation for the change coming from the Courthouse Donation Fund.
1:57 Min. Chardon Township Council Meeting - Mrs. Brakey mentioned that she attended the Chardon Township Council meeting on October 15 because there was a discussion about annexation. She said that there was a purchase agreement between the United Methodist Church and Redwood Apartments for high density housing. The property would include 10 acres in Chardon Township. The annexation would be into the City of Chardon to consolidate the property into one subdivision. Water and sewer could be factors in any decision. Mrs. Brakey said that annexation could come before the BOCC, but that the residents overwhelmingly opposed the annexation. She stated that, if the City of Chardon and Chardon Township agreed, that would be another way for annexation to occur. Observer Note: See more information in the Geauga Maple Leaf here.
54:15 Min. Meeting adjourned at 11:21 am.
Information and Posted Minutes: Available here.
Next Regular Meeting of the BOCC: The next Regular Meeting of the BOCC will be on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 9:30 am at the County Administration Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH.
Observer: Gail Roussey
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: October 19, 2025
The League of Women Voters Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.