GMHA Maintenance Manager Sean Jervis Meets the Board;
GMA Board Member Susan Kemerrer to Step Down
Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority (GMHA) - August 18, 2026
Meeting Info: Regular meeting held on August 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM in the Conference Room at Murray Manor at 385 Center Street, Chardon, OH 44024. The meeting was held in person. Reviewer Note: These meetings are held in person. There are no virtual options or videos available.
Agenda: An agenda was provided at the meeting. It is not available online. The documented
proceedings below follow the agenda and are presented sequentially.
Attendance: Chairman Jeff Markley, and board members Susan Kemerrer, Sandy Grassman, Michael Petruziello, and Walter (Skip) Claypool were present. Mr. Claypool joined after the Financial Report. Ms. Kemerrer departed after the Report of Counsel. Legal Counsel Marshal Pitchford was present. Carrie Carlson, Deputy Executive Director, Anna Ball, Executive Director, and new Maintenance Manager Sean Jervis were present.
Others Present: This Observer and four other members of the public were in attendance in person.
Observer Note: The Executive Director indicated they were recording the audio of the meeting. These recordings are not routinely published.
1. Meeting Called to Order
The regular meeting of the Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority Board was called to order at approximately 4:02 pm.
2. Roll Call
Mr. Markley, Ms. Kemerrer, Mr. Petruziello and Ms. Grassman were present at the beginning of the recorded business. Mr. Claypool joined immediately after the Financial Report discussion. Ms. Kemerrer was present through the Report of Counsel and then left quietly immediately after that report.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
4. Meeting of new Maintenance Manager, Sean Jervis
Mr. Jervis said he has worked in public housing since 2018, most recently with the Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority. His experience included maintenance supervision at a site comparable in size to GMHA, managing inventory, personnel, vacant-unit preparation and contractors. He also served about 18 months as a capital programs coordinator and has roughly 30 years of contracting experience, including work with his father.
Mr. Jervis described his approach as being a leader rather than a boss. In response to Board questions, he said he would seek guidance when an issue exceeded staff authority and would evaluate staffing needs. Ms. Carlson reported that Glenn, a new Maintenance Technician II, would start the following day. Another maintenance hire was still being sought.
The Board asked that Mr. Jervis be included in discussions affecting maintenance and capital projects. Dr. Ball also discussed obtaining NSPIRE inspection training or certification for him.
5. Discussion/Approval of Minutes
The Board reviewed the minutes of the July 1 and July 21 regular meetings. With no corrections offered, a motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded. The motion passed without opposition. Reviewer Note: Minutes are not available on the website.
6. Financial Statements and Write-offs
The Board reviewed the July 2026 financial statements for public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher program and non-federal/other funds. A motion to receive the statements passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Ms. Kemerrer, Mr. Petruziello and Ms. Grassman voting yes and Mr. Claypool absent.
The Board also approved August write-offs totaling $1,665.98. The roll-call vote was the same with Mr. Markley, Ms. Kemerrer, Mr. Petruziello and Ms. Grassman voting yes and Mr. Claypool absent. Mr. Claypool joined the meeting immediately after the Financial Report discussion.
7. Commissioner’s Report
Ms. Kemerrer advised the Board that a family obligation may require her to relocate south and that she expected to leave the Board no later than April 2027, once a suitable replacement could be identified. She wanted an orderly transition because of the ongoing RAD, HUD and strategic-planning work. Her seat is appointed by the City of Chardon, with the city manager making the selection.
Dr. Ball had prepared a draft vacancy notice for circulation to housing authorities and the City. The City's boards-and-commissions application could be used online, with a paper option for applicants who do not use online systems.
8. Report of Counsel
Mr. Pitchford reported on current legal matters. He reported on two pending cases. One involved collection of approximately $4,500 from a former tenant after locating the individual and completing service. The second involved an eviction and collection claim of about $14,000 before additional damages. If the claim exceeds $15,000, it may need to be transferred from Municipal Court to the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. Detailed questions about the pending cases were deferred to executive session; counsel stated that staff's handling of the matters was not at issue.
Counsel also said the legal memorandum requested at the previous meeting concerning possible dissolution or privatization had been finalized and incorporated the Board's questions. It was expected to be circulated by the end of the week. Responses to related federal and state public-records requests were still pending. The memorandum was described as confidential attorney-client communication.
Ms. Kemerrer left the meeting quietly immediately after the Report of Counsel.
9. Report of Director
a. July Programs Report
Dr. Ball reported that GMHA had selected its first group of applicants from the waiting list and had begun the onboarding process. She noted recurring work-order patterns and said she and Mr. Jervis would address repetitive or systemic maintenance calls internally.
The Family Self-Sufficiency program had 21 participants. Dr. Ball discussed a possible opt-out model under which eligible residents would be enrolled automatically and required to meet at least once with the program coordinator before deciding whether to leave the program.
Voucher utilization remained affected by the shortage of participating landlords, leaving approximately 20 vouchers unused. Dr. Ball discussed a more coordinated approach to administering specialized voucher programs, including Foster Youth to Independence, the Family Unification Program, Shelter Plus Care and possibly Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing.
Under the proposed approach, GMHA would serve as the housing-administration partner. It would manage the vouchers, determine participant eligibility, complete required inspections and recertifications, make housing-assistance payments, and handle HUD reporting. Participating agencies—including the Mental Health and Recovery Board, Ravenwood, Job and Family Services and Adult Protective Services—would provide case management and other supportive services appropriate to the residents they serve. Landlords would supply the available rental units. GMHA could receive an administrative fee estimated at 7 to 10 percent for managing the vouchers.
Dr. Ball said this arrangement could reduce duplication by placing voucher administration with GMHA while allowing partner agencies to concentrate on supportive services and landlord relationships. Discussions with the agencies and the county housing coalition were preliminary, and no formal action was taken.
b. HUD Symposium Overview
Dr. Ball reported on HUD's recent "Blueprints to Buildings" symposium, attended by small public housing agency directors and regional HUD representatives. The event provided contacts and information about RAD, repositioning and assembling multiple funding sources. Dr. Ball also spoke with the executive director of the Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority.
c. Cloverdale II Demolition
Agenda Sequence Note: The Board returned to this subject after the RAD discussion and again under New Business when considering the formal SAC (Special Applications Center) application. See information below.
Dr. Ball said the Section 18 process was moving forward and that no additional resident notice or meeting was required at this stage. It was reported that Consultant Nathan Bondar had been helpful with the Section 18 work. GMHA had obtained a $39,000 county/CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) demolition grant based on three quotations. The amount included at least $5,000 for landscaping, together with asbestos testing, removal of the two-unit building and driveway, topsoil and seeding. A detailed project plan, permitting and grant-compliance work remained to be completed.
d. RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration)
The Board discussed RAD. Dr. Ball said many small Ohio housing authorities represented at the HUD symposium were working with TFG of Columbus as a RAD co-developer or consultant. TFG offered GMHA a full property analysis, including per-unit and operating-expense projections, for $2,000. Board members asked for transparent calculations that would show the assumptions and support a neutral conclusion about whether RAD would benefit GMHA. They also questioned how existing consultant work, costs and contract provisions might be used.
TFG was invited to the next meeting, likely as the first substantive agenda item. Members discussed whether an in-person or virtual presentation would be preferable. Dr. Ball noted that the next Ohio Housing Finance Agency 4 percent tax-credit application deadline was in February and that a complete architectural package would be needed. The Board also questioned tax effects, developer fees and other project costs. No decision to proceed with RAD was made.
Dr. Ball had requested an extension of HUD's September 8 deadline for a complete financial pro forma (financial forecast). HUD was expected to establish a new due date.
e. Strategic Planning
Dr. Ball proposed developing a five-year strategic plan beginning January 1, 2027, covering facilities, operations and other agency functions. The process would include monthly coaching or one-on-one meetings, employee goals and merit-based evaluations. The Board supported beginning the process; no formal motion was taken.
New Business
a. UPCS (Uniform Physical Condition Standards) Services
Following an RFP (Request for Proposal), U.S. Inspection Group was identified as the apparent successful proposer and is also GMHA's current contractor. The proposed contract would cover October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, at a cost not to exceed $3,046.40, with a base year and four one-year renewal options without an increase.
The inspections provide a safeguard before HUD's NSPIRE (National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate) UPCS inspections but are not mandatory. Members discussed training and certifying Mr. Jervis and possibly bringing the work in-house in the future, while continuing to evaluate the contract's value. A motion authorizing the executive director to execute the contract passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Mr. Petruziello, Mr. Claypool and Ms. Grassman voting yes. Ms. Kemerrer had left the meeting.
b. SAC (Special Applications Center) Application for Cloverdale II Demo
The Board considered a resolution authorizing demolition of two public housing units on Cloverdale Lane in Middlefield and all steps needed for the Section 18/Special Applications Center process. Ms. Carlson emphasized that the resolution authorized the application, not an immediate demolition contract; a proposal would return to the Board. Approval would reduce GMHA's Annual Contributions Contract inventory from 243 to 241 units.
The $39,000 grant would support asbestos testing, removal of the building and driveway, landscaping, topsoil and seeding. A detailed project plan, permits and applicable environmental and grant requirements still had to be completed. Ms. Grassman moved and Mr. Petruziello seconded the resolution. It passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Mr. Petruziello, Mr. Claypool and Ms. Grassman voting yes. Mr. Claypool observed that a private organization would not require HUD approval for a comparable demolition.
c. Trash Removal Services
The Board considered the final renewal option for the Dumpster Bandit trash-removal contract. The term would run from November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027, at a cost not to exceed $25,140, with no increase. The motion passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Mr. Petruziello, Mr. Claypool and Ms. Grassman voting yes.
d. Moving To Work Application
Dr. Ball proposed applying for HUD's Moving to Work Flexibility II Cohort. She said that GMHA met the applicable performance requirements. The program could permit greater flexibility in combining capital and operating funds, scheduling Housing Quality Standards inspections, conducting recertifications every two or three years, using project-based vouchers, and considering term limits or work requirements.
Required resident meetings attended by Dr. Ball drew approximately 10 or 11 participants at Harris House and nine at Murray Manor. The so-called “GMHA RISE” initiative, GMHA’s local framework for connecting working-age, nonelderly and nondisabled residents with employment, training, financial-development and supportive services, was generally supported by the residents. Residents expressed concern for adequate support for single mothers and children. Dr. Ball said GMHA could administer the program without additional staff and manage the reporting, with possible support from workforce agencies, Job and Family Services and NOC COG (Northeast Ohio Consortium Council of Governments). Only one housing authority with fewer than 1,000 units would be selected nationally for the cohort.
A motion to submit the application by September 15 passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Mr. Petruziello, Mr. Claypool and Ms. Grassman voting yes.
e. Work and Dignity Certificate
The Board discussed HUD's Work and Dignity coalition and certificate, which align with employment supports for working-age residents who are neither elderly nor disabled and can include term limits or work requirements. During the HUD Symposium Dr. Ball was asked to sign onto the coalition. A motion authorizing execution of the signing of the certificate passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Mr. Petruziello, Mr. Claypool and Ms. Grassman voting yes.
f. Assets Obsolete
Staff identified four air-conditioning units, four hot-water heaters, two stoves and two refrigerators as obsolete and no longer needed. A resolution declaring the items obsolete passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Mr. Petruziello, Mr. Claypool and Ms.Grassman voting yes.
f. Disposal of Assets
A separate resolution authorized disposal of the obsolete items through recycling. Any proceeds would be credited as other income to the operating fund. The resolution passed by roll call, with Mr. Markley, Mr. Petruziello, Mr. Claypool and Ms.Grassman voting yes.
10. Hearing of the Public
Kim Forrest, a resident of Murray Manor, reported that 17 donated frozen meals and ice packs had been taken from a community refrigerator. She said police and staff were aware of the incident and that security video existed. She was concerned that residents had not been notified and said other items also had been disappearing. Board members indicated that the immediate matter appeared to have been addressed. Staff had a meeting scheduled with Ms. Forrest for the following week.
After the comment, the Board discussed its public comment rules, including whether work-order topics could be restricted and how time, place and relevance limitations might be applied. Counsel described the issue as nuanced and cautioned against infringing constitutional rights. Members said the policy was intended to keep meetings focused and avoid sessions lasting two or three hours. Dr. Ball planned a broader policy review and would add adoption and revision dates to policies; counsel would advise on the public-comment provisions.
11. Executive Session
A motion was made to enter executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(3) and (5) to discuss pending litigation and matters required to be kept confidential by law. The session was to include the four remaining Board members, the executive director, deputy director and counsel. Counsel did not anticipate action following the session. The motion passed by roll call. Observer Note: Mr. Markley indicated there would be no actions from the closed session so this observer exited the meeting.
12. Adjournment
Adjournment occurred without this observer present.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be a regular board meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 4:00 pm at Murray Manor. More information about the Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority can be found here.
Observer: David Lewis
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: August 18, 2026
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