County Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good morning. It's the last day of July, July 31st, 2026, and it's 930. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Commissioner Moore.

Here.

Commissioner Gallagher. Here. Commissioner Riddell. Here. We have a quorum.

Cool. We're going to go out of order. Could you please read resolution number 11 for me?

under community development amendment resolution 25660 adopted september 26 of 25 awarding contract to genmet construction lorraine for program year 23 led safe ohio project to william farley the owner and tabitha butleski the tenant at 623 east avenue elyria said amendments reflect change order of 9900 that was necessary to rebuild rotted structure for the front porch and total project is seventy seven thousand five hundred fifteen dollars will be paid from program year 23 lso account

Move to approve.

Second.

Discussion?

yes um i've looked at this and this is dating back from a job that was done um that it was it was in last year's program and i don't like the way the uh the bid came in i don't like the original bid the way it came in and i've questioned it um the original scope of work says and porch it was very vague and we come back with a 9 900 change order the maximum is the contingencies are lower than that number we'd be going over and above this this bidded project um which included some visual stuff that should have been caught originally and should have been part of the original scope of work and digging into it further This is a last-minute thing that was brought to my attention. That's why I was a little late to this, going over some of the details about it. I think that this is not a good thing for us to do. It's taxpayers' money, and we have to look out for it and make sure we're spending it wisely and correctly. So by doing this change order, there's a waiting list of people to have these projects done, and the scope of this whole job is $77,500. $15, of which they're putting in handrails on it that were, just after digging into it, I'm looking at it. Here's an example, and anyone out there should look into it when you see this. Entry door, $5,600 for this house, $5,600 for a door. That's a lot of money for a door to put it in. You look at hand railings on a porch, $6,800. That's a lot of money for porch decking, or I mean handrails. So as I dig into it, I just don't like this. I think that the contractor, there were multiple bids on this job. And this is probably, and I haven't gotten those details, where it exceeded, it probably exceeded the other bidders, this change order work. And some of this stuff is visible work. You know, like lattice around the bottom of a deck. You should have seen that when you walked up to the job and estimated it. I come from a construction background, so when I started digging into this, I see some inconsistencies, I see inappropriate bidding process here, and yet this was approved by, you know, based on criteria that's required in the, with regards to this program. and it got stamped by the state it got stamped by us or is it federal or state whichever one but it got stamped by us and it's not acceptable so that's why my position and my answer to or my uh vote on this will be based upon those reasons we need to do better okay

Yeah, I wasn't coming in today. I heard there was some controversy, so I came in. Karen, I was informed yesterday that if we did not approve this, that our general fund would be affected, not the grant money, to the tune of $90,000. That is why I came in. So can you explain that misinformation that I received? I guess it's misinformation.

Yeah, I would say that that is definitely misinformation. So the process that I know that has happened to date is the change order was requested by the contractor. Our consultant, Kleinfelder, received the change order, communicated that to the Community Development Department in June. There was no communication back from our department to Kleinfelder. So the work proceeded as if it had been approved. They did get the approval of the state prior to performing the work. So at this juncture, this item was brought to us at the last minute. We did not have an opportunity to thoroughly investigate it like Mr. Gallagher has said. We probably should have just been approving a change order in the amount of $3,100. The way this is written on the agenda, we're amending a resolution that was already approved. If this particular item, number 11, is not approved today by this board, the original resolution would stand, and the $77,000 contract would be honored by the state.

So the issue at hand here— I was just informed yesterday saying it would not.

Yeah, that is correct, Commissioner. I do apologize for that.

And I need you to educate your team because of what my understanding, sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

Is that seems to be a certain amount of, kind of a pattern is starting to develop where there seems to be someone's dropping the ball and then it's put on us to hurry up and make a decision.

Right. I've had some discussion with Mr. Greenspan with regards to this issue. We've I've explained to him that his department is no different than any other department agency that needs this board's approval. They have to abide by the rules. Generally speaking, the clerk has a very strict policy with regards to getting items to us at least a week before our board meetings so that we have the opportunity to vet the issues to make sure that they are proper to come to the board for approval or disapproval. From this point forward, I've also asked the clerk that if anyone does try to ask for an emergency consideration for an agenda item, that she refer them to me.

and just just so everybody understands uh what triggered my digging into this deeper i'm going to read to you project includes this is our resolution that we did last year okay on august 15th it says project includes window and door replacement hud cleaning new gutters and downspouts asbestos siding removal and replacement and front porch work Our change order is, what front porch work breakdown was in the original bid? It wasn't there, okay? At least what I see. Then I come in and they present a change order to us for $9900 for rebuild rotted structure. Now bear in mind, now this is a detailed bid. rebuild rotted structure for front porch per city of Elyria. Forters for post tables, 16 inch by eight inch by 36 inch deep, all lumber to be treated. One set of steps, three posts, four by six, two posts for steps, four by four, two by eight ledger boards. Ledger boards are what wrap the porch. Two by eight beams, three of them, two by eight floor joists, five quarter by six decking for floor lattice around perimeter deck. Approximately 28 foot by six foot overall. So now we get a detailed bid, okay? And it's $9,900. So that's why I'm so adamant about it. And I'm good, I'm done.

Oh, you're not done? You're just getting started. Commissioner Riddell?

Yes. Unfortunately, this is one of those things where the people that would be punished are not the people that committed the error. I'm troubled by the process that we were notified that there was a need for an extra. The building inspector was well within his realm to say, look, this is what we need to do. You can't just get the porch half up to code. You got to get it up to code. We understand that. There was a contingency in here of 60 some hundred dollars because you do have things that are unseen and come in, you peel the siding off the house and you find something else and you gotta deal with it, termites or whatever. And so everybody was in their realm except our consultant who reached out to us for approval, didn't get it in a timeliness that suited them. So rather than err on the side of no, they decided to call the state and get approval to go ahead, which took us out of the game. I'd be remiss if I didn't say this is another reason why we'd like to have the urban designation so that we can control these things and not the state. So at the end of the day, though, the homeowner didn't do anything wrong, but he's the beneficiary of this new porch. And I think putting, I agree with Commissioner Gallagher, putting $77,000 into a house, this fellow's a landlord, that's not a sin either, but I think he could have put a couple of thousand dollars skin in the game and finished the porch. and i think kleinoder need we need to find a way they represent us so as our quasi employee we're responsible for the decisions they make and so i feel again kleinoder is the one that and and our staff you know didn't communicate effectively and didn't get the job done the contractor did what he was told to do the homeowner received what he was supposed to receive and at the end of the day To not pay this would be to punish the contractor. And I don't see contractor error in this particular case. But I think there's a way to hold Kleinoder. They're our employee as well. And I think there's a way to hold them responsible for this overage.

One other thing is to mention, this is this landlord's third house, just for the record.

Well, third participation in the program. Third participation in this grant program.

Right, right.

That's a matter for another policy decision with Mr. Kleinfelder. Yeah.

Well, okay.

Well, like you said, I was...

Not happy of the information that I received. I had to change a lot of plans for me in regards to a family funeral that I'm supposed to be at. So I'm ready to vote. I'm going to be voting under protest. I don't like this last minute stuff.

Commissioner Moore.

Yes, under protest.

Mr. Rendell.

Yes. Mr. Gallagher.

No. Okay. I will now hand the comm over to you, sir.

Good luck.

Goodbye. I'll see you guys tomorrow.

Travel safe.

Okay. Uh, today we have a proclamation proclaiming August as child support enforcement month and Amy price administrator of CSEA is here.

Good morning. Good morning.

Amy Price from CSEA. I'm the administrator there. Thank you for having me this morning. August is Child Support Awareness Month across the state of Ohio, so we would like to bring awareness to the program. Child support is vital for families, children, the economy, and our future. At CSEA and with our partners such as the courts, we establish uh paternity support orders and enforce those orders the support goes back into the families with children or families that had raised children if they're getting it after the fact and arrears but it also goes back to recruits recoup state funds that was put forward for medical or TANF or LCCS services. I usually highlight on the family and the children, but I think it's important to highlight that as well. um i am very every year i stand up here and talk about how proud i am of all my staff and i've always been very proud of my staff but this year in particular with some of the challenges i just would be remiss if i did not acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the staff we are We are doing, we are working on a caseload of 22,000. Can you pull the mic up closer? People can't hear you. Yeah, we're working on a caseload of over 22,000 cases. And so far through June 30th. It's not working?

Is it not working? Sorry, Amy.

it's still me not talking into it there you go okay so we're working on a caseload of over 20 almost 23 000 cases and so far um through june 30th we've brought in 23 million dollars for in child support so i just would like to acknowledge that and in our actual lobby through the lobby and cash and checks through june 30th we've brought in well not we've brought in we've collected five hundred and twenty one thousand dollars just through that lobby alone so not electronic not paychecks those are people walking in and making payments I just really wanted to just take the time to say you know child support is important for so many reasons for the children the families and the economy and we every year do a great a good job I'm proud of my staff every year and I don't want to say extra proud, but I see people really digging in and doing what they can for the community.

Thank you. I see great progress in their child support collections and stuff. You guys have been doing a really good job of that over the last year.

Thank you, I appreciate that.

Sorry, Jeff, go ahead. Well, I appreciate that. And we have a proclamation to read and then share with you, but you did such a good job of covering most of it. I'm just gonna read a couple of the paragraphs so that you know that the level of support that the commissioners and staff here provide for you. And that whereas children are our most precious resource and their wellbeing development and success are deeply dependent on support and involvement of both parents. And whereas child support helps lift families out of poverty, promotes parental responsibility, and strengthens families and communities across Lorain County and beyond. And whereas during Child Support Awareness Month, we recognize and express our deep appreciation for the parents who fulfill their responsibilities and the caregivers who support children's growth and the professionals who work each day to ensure that each child is no child left behind. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

You have your picture?

They're like shaking their heads no.

Come on.

She's not going to surrender, I can tell.

I'll be on this side.

Okay, there we go.

Thank you. Thanks, ladies. Nice work.

Please don't take offense, but we are going to head back to the office and not stay for the entire meeting, if that is OK. Oh, I'd be shocked if you stayed. Thank you.

All right.

You ready? All right. Under resolutions number one, investments.

So moved. Second.

discussion mr riddell aye mr gallagher aye number two appropriations motion to approve second discussion yes casey could you could you address item number four

Yeah, certainly. So that is an area of our general fund budget that we're short on appropriations in that miscellaneous fund for professional services. So this is an area where we are appropriating some additional funds to take care of some legal fees. I believe this is between the Part of it is from the sheriff and some from the domestic relations court.

And for those that are following, we do have a line item for these services, but unfortunately this year we've exceeded that budget, but totally out of our control. We are not a plaintiff in any of these actions.

Anything further? Nope. Mr. Gallagher? Aye. Mr. Riddell? Aye. Number three, transfers. There were none. Number four, advances repayments. There were none. Number five, requisitions.

Move to approve. Second.

Discussion? Mr. Gallagher?

Aye. Mr. Riddell? Aye.

Number six, travel.

So moved. Second.

Discussion? Mr. Rennell. Aye. Mr. Gallagher. Aye. Number seven, bills.

Move to approve. Second. Oh, wait. I'm sorry. I was going to say there's a couple pages, right? Yeah, there's three pages. Page one. You got it up there? You want to go to page two? Page three. Motion to approve pages one through three. Second.

Discussion? Commissioner Gallagher?

Aye.

Commissioner Verdell? Aye. Number eight? I don't.

There was no executive session today.

Is there any, I don't believe there was any comments on agenda items. It's just public comment. Public comment, public comment. Yep, that's it. Is there any old business? No, no, and a board business number 9 and for the waiting in the kind of reading waving in the reading in the county commission meeting minutes of July 14th, 17th, 21st and 28th. So move second discussion. Mr. Dell, Mr Gallagher, I number 10, approving a tentative agreement and authorizing room between International Union of operating engineers, local 18 set S and Lorraine County Board of Commissioners effective September 1st, 26 through August 31st, 29.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Discussion?

As for those watching, this is an agreement with the staff at the Vascular Bridge.

Mr. Gallagher. Aye. Mr. Riddell. Aye. Number 12, authorize and direct the interim county administrator to execute and submit all documents necessary to carry out Lorain County's participation in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program as an urban county, including urban county qualification and cooperation agreements the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, the Application for Federal Assistance Standard Form 424, and related certifications, submit, excuse me, subrecipient agreements and environmental review certifications and request for release of funds, designate the environmental certifying officer and declaring an effective date.

Move to approve. Second.

Discussion?

Yes. This block grant, there's been quite a bit of confusion out there. So basically, for almost 50 years, we've had CBDG money coming in, which was basically intermediated between the state of Ohio and HUD and us. So it went HUD to the state, and then we applied for those grants under the state well this would make us an entitlement where we are direct with HUD so this is basically more money more funds for a program that we're already using so the confusion is is the word urban and and by saying that word urban people are thinking we're trying to convert townships and villages and we're going to redirect this money elsewhere last year we had a hundred just roughly a hundred projects that we funded. We have 200, over 200 in projects we had to decline because of revenue. And so, you know, there's terms out there that we might have used this for sewers or something like that. It could be for sewers, but it's LMI, it's low to moderate income people in regions and designated. So there's very strict rules with HUD, and we're obviously following them, but needless to say, we have all these different programs out there that are underfunded, and we could use that funding to help it. This also has an impact.

Accurate, but it's important to point out that there are 40 communities, 40 counties in the state of Ohio with populations less than 40,000. And so obviously when we have 200,000 and they have less than 40,000 total, I think it clarifies why the terminology for urban county exists. The second part of this is that while there was a lot of fear and a lot of misconception and a tragic public relations issue for this program, Many communities opted out that it doesn't matter if they don't want to receive federal funding, that's certainly their prerogative. But we had a dozen communities who were eligible and to not pursue this on their behalf would be us not doing our job for those who do want to be in this program and who do want the benefits that come with it. So we're pursuing it on the basis of those that want to go forward, and I guess in the future we'll deal with those who said they don't.

Very well said.

Anything further? Commissioner Gallagher? Aye. Commissioner Ronell? Aye. Ms. Perkins? Good morning, Commissioner.

So I do have a... topic so on Tuesday this board approved some health care changes for our employees and plan participants the HR department has been working diligently and putting together some days and times for a wellness fair so that we can better inform the employees and our plan participants on the changes of the plans prior to conducting open enrollment so right now we have Five days in time set up for these wellness fairs, the first being August 18th. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and that would be in these rooms here in the administration building, fourth floor, meeting rooms A and B. September 8th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Collection Center Education Center. That's located on Abbey Road. We usually refer to that as the Collection Center. So let's see. Then we have September 9th, Board of Elections. That will be 10 a.m. till noon. Off September 10th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here again in meeting room A and B. And finally, September 15th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. They've got Murray Ridge here. I believe that that is actually at the public health building. So we've tried to stagger our locations and our times in order to cover various shifts so that the employees will have an opportunity to participate in the wellness fair. And that concludes my update.

Thank you. Well, congratulations to the staff. This was a mission that has been two years in the coming. And the employees were unhappy with the hospitalization because the premiums were high because the payout of the plan was high. And again, we are self-funded, which means when the bill arrives, we pay it. So, at the end of the day, we had to find a way to do to both get this under control for the employees as well as curb the expenses for the taxpayers. Because while the employees pay 15% of the cost of the insurance out of their paychecks. 85% of this is paid for by the taxpayers. and the fund expenditures were growing at almost $5 million a year. And at some point that would be unsustainable. So at the end of the day, the staff did a great job and the process has been well done. The participation in formulating this plan, and now the part of delivering the decisions on the plan to the public. I commend the staff for seeing to it that everybody has an opportunity at least once and is eligible to go several times if they have need for further clarification or information. Well done to you and the staff, especially a shout out to Elise in HR because I know she was very important to you in this process.

Yes, absolutely. They've done a wonderful job. In addition, we are working with Oswald to put together a tutorial that we would be able to post and share through the NeoGov system. For those who aren't able to attend in person, we'll still have information for those that they can get online.

Yes. And also for those that are following Oswald is a new name in the world of hospitalization for the County plan, but they acquired the hospitalization group of minute man who was our previous, uh, our previous vendor. And, uh, the Oswald transition has been a, a, a huge a plus for the process. They have a great staff and resources that they brought to bear on this, on this process.

You guys did a very, very good job on this. It was well-organized and methodical. I mean, I can't believe how many meetings you guys had to get this health care stuff done. And great job.

Well, we all know and love Elise, and she is the taskmaster. So she makes sure that whatever we need to do gets done, and we get it done on time. So the HR staff, they did the heavy lift. And just like Commissioner Riddell has said, you know, we're all thankful to have them working so well. And with the team of Oswald and also, you know, I have to mention Steve Parsons with Chalco. It was a heavy lift, but it looks like we're nearing the end.

Yeah. There will be tweaks, I'm sure. Absolutely. You know, things will come up. There always is. Unforeseen. Great job.

Thank you. I have nothing. Board of Correspondents?

Motion to waive the reading of the board correspondence. Second.

Discussion? Commissioner Gallagher? Aye. Commissioner Riddell? Aye. Is there any new business?

No.

Public comment?

All righty. Virginia Biener, is that it? Biener, is that how you say it?

I don't know where to go for help, but I'm under the threat of Jack Hall. If I talk about this and embarrass him or hurt his ego, I will go. He'll arrest me. He made a false report to, I think it's called Rivian. The people, you know, the psych people come out when you, he made the threat through them. I'm not a good speaker. I think I used to be, but I lost all my friends and families within eight months while I was rehabbing this triplex. And after that, I lost the ability to write. I can write now. And it took a while, but Jack knew this. And I started working on his campaign. And he promised, he was my only, he was gonna help me. I had been, these people, I rented the upstairs, they showed me perfect BCI. Oh, I can't remember, the highest credit rating and lots of references written out. I didn't check them, I was pretty stupid. Like I said, I was told I had the severest form of PTSD at the time. I don't think I have it now, you know. And I was never like depressed, suicidal, but every time I'd hear that someone new died, you know, it was hard. Jack thinks it's real easy and I should have, you know. But I met him after this, and he said he was going to help me get justice. Well, these people were planning, they were mad because they had to move. And they said if they had to, they would burn the house down, the triplex. And I couldn't evict them. The house was still in the estate, in an estate. and I couldn't evict them. And the one man who had the perfect BCI, he ended up in LCI for stabbing a man. I talked to the mother of the victim. She lives right down on 301 if you want to talk to her. He stabbed her in the back and then the side, and then he rolled him over and he cut open his abdomen and pulled out his intestines. But his wife is more dangerous. You might know her. I will send you, anybody gives me their email, I'll send you a report. But worse than them is Jack Hall. His little ego, I wanted an investigation, and I wanted an investigation in Judge Robert White.

I was arrested that night that they were trying to kill me.

They were gonna burn down the house. And next door to me lives the family of Sean Stevens. If you remember, in the Metro Parks in 2008.

Your time is up, unfortunately. Okay. If you want to stop afterwards and if you need some help, we'll be glad to meet you.

I spent 10 days in jail and tried. What I want to say is Jack Hall knew I was just terrible. I told him all my fears of jail, so he couldn't put me in jail. He wanted to shut me up about his deputies.

Okay. Thank you.

If somebody gives me your email, I will send you the whole report, and it's 150 pages. Okay. You don't know who he is.

Thank you. Thank you. And Judge Weiss.

Shawna Hatfield.

If you want the email, my email, give me your email. You can have it all.

morning shauna hatfield lagrange good morning good morning first after listening to you three state last minute deadlines i just want to say that that's very hypocritical um i want to know why amy price is listed on the agenda and introduced as the csea administrator her actual title is case manager investigator and supervisor too I'd also like to make a blanket statement that Lorain County is not for sale nor is the health of Lake Erie or any of the other Great Lakes as far as JFS paying other counties to do our jobs is not a resolution Amy Price herself just stated today in her own words that she's facing struggles or faced struggles at CSEA um what drew most of us to this job were the benefits specifically the health insurance and over the last four years that benefit has dramatically decreased and it's dramatically decreasing again so again i ask you return to the bargaining table and resume negotiating thank you very much nothing more nothing

All right, we're adjourned.