Geauga County Airport Authority Moves Ahead with Roof and Door Repairs;
Young Eagles Will Fly September 19, 2026
Geauga County Airport Authority Meeting – August 10, 2026
Meeting Details: The Geauga County Airport Authority met in Regular Session on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Geauga County Airport, 15421 Old State Road, Middlefield, Ohio 44062. The meeting was in person with no virtual attendance option for the public. One Board member attended virtually. No agenda was provided in advance. Observer Note: For background on projects discussed at this meeting, see pages 4-5 of the LWVG Observer Report on the May 2026 Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) Department Budget Hearings, available here. Projects listed as being in a five-year plan on this report are the parallel taxiway, weather observation system, a runway rehab project, roof repairs for Hangars 4 and 5, and door repairs for Hangar 2. At the Budget Hearing, the Airport Commissioners said that the roof repairs and door repair would cost $204,000 and that they did not receive a grant for this work. There is also a T-Hangar project mentioned, which has been grant funded. This project received $800,000 from the Geauga County Commissioners for the T-Hangar project at a meeting on April 8, 2025. See the LWVG Observer Report for the April 8, 2025 BOCC Meeting for details. It is stated that the Commissioners’ agreement with the Airport is to contribute $25,000 a year to match grant funds for projects.
Meeting Attendance: Christopher Schloss, President, Greg Gyllstrom, Vice President, and members Tim Randles (virtual), George (Chip) Hess, II, James Makee, Jr, and Ben Nicastro
Staff Attendance: Ric Blamer, Airport Manager and Board Secretary/Treasurer
Consultant: MBI (Michael Baker International) Consultants Nicole Bryan, Aidan Gill and Joseph Aimadie
Members of the Public: LWV Geauga Observers Gail Roussey and Jennifer Weinbrecht
The meeting was called to order at 6 pm. Observer Note: Although there was an Agenda provided at the meeting, and all items were covered, the order of the Agenda was not followed. This report is in the order of when items were discussed.
Opening
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Roll call
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Appraisals for Miller and Wilson - Representatives of the consultant, Michael Baker International. Observer Note: Michael Baker is a consultant and liaison with the FAA. They have a five-year contract with the Airport. The amount for the appraisals of the two properties (adjacent to the airport, owned by Miller and Wilson) was presented by Joseph Aimadie and Aidan Gill and included a site survey as well as an appraisal. They said that they could get started now, with completion by February 2027. Mr. Schloss said that the proposal was only received at 5 pm that night. Mr. Hess said, “We are years away from doing anything on this.” Board members asked how much it would be just for the appraisals, and they said it would be $7,250 for each. Mr. Schloss asked if they would go ahead with the appraisal on just one or both properties, and the appraisers said they could. No decisions were made. Observer Note: In an email from Mr. Blamer, he clarified that the potential purchase of the Miller and Wilson properties and the already completed purchase of the Ford property would be for the purpose of putting in a longer runway.
Other Reports and Communication
FAA AIP/ODOT Grant Taxiway Construction Status - Nicole Bryan, the consultant from Michael Baker International, provided information. Ms. Bryan said that for the taxiway project, the pavement markings are laid but work needs to be done. Mr. Schloss said it has to be re-striped and they didn’t want to make payments until it was corrected. Ms. Bryan agreed. There were also complaints from Board members about the seeding of an area that has to be corrected. Mr. Gyllstrom said that they might run out of the season for seeding grass before it is corrected. Ms. Bryan said they are following up with the contractor.
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Runway-Coring - This was discussed as part of runway reconstruction but no further details were made available at the meeting. It was agreed that the coring needed to be done while it was dry. Mr. Gill from Michael Baker International said that he would be onsite for this. The Board said they wanted to be onsite as well.
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FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) AIG-BIL (ILJA) - Action Contractors report/pay App 8
Observer Note: AIG-BIL is Airport Improvement Grant-Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. IIJA is the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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Closeout Status Ford/Exhibit A - This was a brief discussion of the property north of the Airport. Exhibit A is a map of all property owned by the airport. According to Ms. Bryan, all paperwork was received by the FAA and she will follow up. Observer Note: The Exhibit A map was not shown at the meeting.
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ODOT - Grant received (Phase One T-Hangar). Mr. Blamer said that they haven’t heard anything for the Phase two Match.
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Quarterly report - Mr. Blamer said he had completed the quarterly report for the Taxiway but not for the T-Hangar Phase One.
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T-Hangar Phase One and Two - Ms. Bryan said that they are actively doing phase-out work of the Phase One T-Hangar project. They need to complete the submission for Phase Two of the project. Mr. Blamer said that they haven’t heard anything back from ODOT regarding Phase Two of the T-Hangar project. Observer Note: See Geauga Maple Leaf article for more information regarding the T-Hangar and the Taxiway. The article quotes part-time employee Patty Fulop who said: “The taxiway costs about $3.4 million and the FAA is covering all but 5%, and Geauga County Commissioners are providing the $176,000, or 5%, matching funds.”
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Wind-Tee (wind direction indicator) - Ms. Bryan said that she thought that the Airport might want to handle that without their assistance. She said that the Wind-Tee is considered outdated and not required by the FAA. The Wind-Tee got damaged (although it wasn’t clear how it happened). There was a discussion of whether they should just take it out, or get a windsock. Ms. Bryan said again that this is not required by the FAA, but other Board members said they relied on it when flying. She said that a solar windsock could probably work. There was also a brief discussion of how much insurance would contribute to a replacement. It was decided to continue to investigate cost and options.
Continuation of Beginning part of Agenda
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Recognition of Guests - Observers gave brief backgrounds on their work with LWVG. Mr. Gyllstrom said that he appreciated the information about candidates provided by the League. Mr. Blamer also offered to help with acronyms or other information.
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Minutes: Minutes for July 13, 2026 were submitted for approval, but due the lack of a quorum, approval of the minutes was tabled. Observer Note: Minutes are not posted on the website and were not distributed at the meeting.
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Financials through July 2026 - see below
Standing Committees
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Finance - Report - Mr. Gyllstrom said that there was a maintenance underspend and that potential snowplow costs for the rest of the year could be a risk to the bottom line. Year- to-date, there is a profit of $22,000. He said that revenue was flat. For the future, there was a question of whether they should begin holding a security deposit for hangars as they recently had to expend a lot to get rid of items in a vacated hangar. There was no decision. There was also a discussion about charging tenants a service fee if they use a credit card. Mr. Gyllstrom said that year-to-date fees have been $763. Mr. Schloss said this was standard procedure for businesses. Mr. Blamer said that a little more than half of the tenants use credit to pay. Mr. Gyllstrom said that they should write into new leases a security deposit (of one month’s rent or less). There was a question of whether electric meters could be installed to bill tenants for actual use. Mr. Blamer said there were electric meters in Hangar Bravo but not yet in Hangar Alpha. By using individual meters, the Airport will be able to direct charges to tenants. The financials were approved unanimously. Observer Note: The change in the leases was not yet finalized.
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Facilities - There is a work order for Hangar 4 roof, but they will deduct the cost of a vapor barrier on the roof because it is not needed. They can use extra money for electrical work. They approved work to begin for the Hangar 5 roof and said that tenants will have to move during construction. They need quotes for the Hangar 2 door. Mr. Schloss was not sure about the door width. They will reach out to the door company. They discussed reaching out to the snowplow company to remove snow from the runways.
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Governance - They have not identified anyone to serve on the Board. There are two openings at the end of the year, unless those individuals, Tim Randles and James Makee, Jr., would serve again. Patty Fulop (a former employee) was suggested as a possible candidate.
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Safety - Mr. Sauter put together signage, but there was no agreement on what it should say. They decided to wait until Mr. Sauter was at the next meeting. They also discussed signs to beware when opening hangar doors.
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Strategy - It was suggested by Mr. Schloss that they put together a list of all projects and discuss priorities. Mr. Gyllstrom said they need to figure out cash flow.
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Community Outreach - Mr. Randles said that the Angel flights will get publicized as well as PALS (Patient Airlift Services). Individuals who are part of the Airport Board volunteer for these flights. PALS goes to rural areas. The flights are 350-500 miles each way but are “incredibly rewarding.” These are not critical patients who require Life-Flight; they are patients who require medical services that would otherwise be difficult for them to reach due to the distance. Mr. Makee said that Youth Camp will happen next quarter.
Unfinished or Old Business (located here on the Agenda)
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Hangar Five Roof Quote - see above
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Hangar 2 - Door - on hold, getting quotes - see above
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Miller Property Easement - see above
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Fuel 93UL vs 90 REC - There was a discussion of different types of fuel. Only two members use unleaded, which might be taken off-line and no longer available for purchase.
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Other - University Hospital - There was a question of whether they are interested in using the garage. Mr. Blamer said they need to follow up with them. Mr. Blamer said that the UH lease at Portage expired so “they are here full time.” Mr. Blamer said that the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) could utilize it.
New Business
Requisitions and Purchase Approval
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Airport Liability Insurance Renewal - As listed in the bills, this bill was for $3,633, and it was approved.
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Signage Quote - This discussion was mainly earlier in the meeting and was about the need for a sign to put drivers on notice that they are not permitted on runways. It was also noted that a Board member and a member of one of the fire districts frequently drive on the runways. No action was taken at this meeting.
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August Bills Observer Note: This item was listed on the Agenda and the bills were listed, but there was no discussion of individual bills except those contained in this report (Preston and Airport Liability Insurance). Those over $400 were:
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Chase Credit Card Purchases - $477.66
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OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System) - $989.33
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Cleaning - Sarah Miller - $450
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Dean Watson (reason for this payment not discussed)
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Connectsix-Wx System Subscription (for weather) - $799
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Preston Courtesy Car Maintenance - $800.0
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Illuminating Company General - $792.05 (there was also an Illuminating Co. bill for $255.05 for Bravo, $145.65 for Alpha and $113.80 for Runway 643)
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Ohio Sales Tax - $611.53
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BOCC Mortgage Payment #42 - $3,619.09
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Dave Rowland (no discussion) - $1,000
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Blasko and Cummins - Airport Liability $3,633
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Replenish Petty Cash - $450
During the discussion of the bills, Mr. Blamer said he would be following up with the FAA with regard to the new weather station that the FAA recommends to be installed.
Checking (Fuel) Account for August balance as of 7/31/26 was $39,293.35.
(Action Contractors Pay # 9 - $131,460.41 approved at the July meeting.) Observer Note: Action Contractors worked on the T-Hangar Project, Phase One. Payment # 9 is pending final resolution of some work yet to be completed.
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Grant Account for August on 7/31/26 was $6,379.66
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Two accounts were listed with no amounts: Great Lakes Construction and Michael Baker International (consultants)
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Courtesy Car- Passenger Window Replacement - There was a discussion about using a different company for maintenance issues. All agreed that the current vendor, Preston Ford, was expensive. Other suggestions were Newbury Tire and Eastside. The cost to replace the car window was $300, and Mr. Blamer said that no one who used the car came forward to report the window damage. Observer Note: The specifics of this car, reasons for use, type of car, etc. were not discussed.
Airport Events Coming up
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September 19 Pancake Breakfast - to be held at the Airport in the morning and will include Young Eagle Flights. Observer Note: The EAA Facebook page will have details.
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EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) - Mr. Blamer coordinates this group, which includes Young Eagle flights. Other programs can be found here.
Public Comment:
There was no formal comment, but Board members asked if the two observers had any questions.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm
Next Meeting: The next Geauga County Airport Authority Meeting will be a Regular Meeting on September 14, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Geauga County Airport, 15421 Old State Road, Middlefield, Ohio 44062.
Observers: Gail Roussey and Jennifer Weinbrecht
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Submitted: August 17, 2026
The League of Women Voters of 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.