1. Investments – approved without discussion
2. Appropriations – approved without discussion
3. Transfers – approved without discussion
4. Advances & Repayments – none
5. Requisitions – approved w/o discussion
6. Travel- none
7. Bills – approved w/o discussion
8. Authorized personnel – will defer to executive session
9. Approve meeting minutes from previous meeting 7/21/21
10. Job & Family Services – move to table was approved
11. Resolution – authorize and rescind various personnel using agency’s MasterCard not to exceed $2500 for permissible expenses in 2021 – approved
12. Resolution – Common Pleas Adult Probation – Approve a probation funding grant agreement for $1,375,180 with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Division of Parole, and Community Services Bureau of Community Sanctions for Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison (TCAP). Funding will establish and operate a full-supervision for community offenders under community control within its jurisdiction effective until June 30, 2023. Approved.
13. (Engineer’s office) – Resolution: Approve and enter into a subdivider’s agreement with Amherst Hampshire Farms, LLC John Edmonson subdivider. Subdivider has submitted all proof of ownership and insurance. Approved.
14. (Veteran’s) Authorize $1,000 to Andras Crematory and Funeral Home in Lorain for an indigent veteran
15. Authorize another $1,000 to the above for an indigent veteran
16. Authorize Veteran Service Director Jacob Smith to use the county Visa card not to exceed $5000 – Moore found out it is important because they operate about 10 vans to transport veterans. This covers board members travel expenses to conferences and to use to maintain the vehicles. Approved

Lobby portion – no one from the public requested to speak

Reports :

Mr. Tom Williams, County Administrator – Job and Family Services employees are doing a great job. An employee saved an elderly person’s life. I will talk to you about some other good things during the executive session. 

Dan Petticord, Assistant County Prosecutor – no report, but I’ll talk to you during executive session.

Michelle Hung – no report

David Moore – no report

Matt Lundy – JFS (Job & Family Services) provide services to over 47,000 members of our county and the employees are great. Saturday was a tremendous day and also to remember Sam Felton who we lost too soon during Covid, a Navy Star recipient and a double Purple Heart recipient with Central Park was named after him. He was an advocate for veteran’s issues. Deputy Steak Fry was a tremendous barbecue. Urban League asked him to tape something encouraging people to get vaccinated. We all see the reports coming out that we should be concerned about the very aggressive variant out there. If you have been hesitating to get the vaccine, please get the vaccination! The overwhelming of those hospitalized are unvaccinated. It is a very aggressive variant so please get vaccinated. (I am not retyping, he literally said this twice!)

Clerk’s report – no report, just retirement proclamation for 2 JFS employees

Board correspondence reading waived due to an executive session.

Meeting adjourned into executive session.

(This is a report of the July 28, 2021, meeting of the Lorain County Commissioners.)

Elyria, Ohio – Lorain County Commissioners’ Board Meeting was held on 6/30/2021 in the county administration building in Elyria.

Congratulations to Jerry Good on his retirement from the Lorain County Economic Development Dept. He was with Lorain County (LC) for 6.5 years. He previously worked in Columbus at Jobs Ohio and had a staff of 178 people. He also developed Carvana.

1) Investments – approved

2) Appropriations – approved

3) Transfers – approved

4) Advances/Repayments – none

5) Requisitions – holding for next meeting to discuss then

6) Travel – none

7) Bills – approved

8) Authorized various personnel actions – Will be discussed in Exec. Session after the public session

9) Minutes – waive reading and approved minutes from previous meeting

10) Children & Family Counsel – approved contract with Neighborhood Alliance Lorain for $142,641.08 for purchase and delivery of Help Me Grow early for intervention effective 7/1/21-9/30/21

11) Approved $18,000 to contract with Child Resource Center Lorain for 7/2021-6/2022 promoting safe & stable families and providing parent advocacy and mentoring services

12) Health District– Declare it necessary to levy a tax in excess of the 10 Mill limitation to provide funds for 5 years to be placed on the November ballot. Approved. Discussion: This is a renewal of the ½ Mill levy. In 2017, all the health departments in the county were merged and at that time the tax levy was cut in half from 1 Mill to ½ Mill and this is just a renewal of that ½ Mill levy. The cost is a little over $15/yr per 100k home. “What a fortunate coincidence the health departments merged prior to the pandemic. It shows the efficiency and effectiveness of having the merger.”

13) Developmental Disabilities – Approved and enter a lease agreement with TRIAD Grafton to be shared space effective for square footage to be shared space vocational and adult day support for adults with developmental disabilities 7/2021-6/2022. Triad will pay $1691.80 Oct-March and April-June pay $2537.24.

14) Viaquest Inc. For adult day support for adults with disabilities square footage and services. Effective 7/2021-6/2022 Viaquest with pay $1610.50 10/2021-3/2022 and then 4-6/2022 $2415.75

Public Speakers – None

Individual Commissioner Reports follow.

Lundy: Lakefront Community Group met to discuss lakeshore erosion

There is a great program announced by Governor a Business Assistance Program that will provide grants. See businesshelpohio.gov. Will especially assist food/beverage industry, entertainment, lodging, and general small businesses and may be able to obtain 10k-20k+ grant. Apply as soon as possible if your business was impacted by Covid.

Someone brought up restrooms being locked in the bldg. He doesn’t agree with this, he believes it is a public bldg and restrooms should remain open and that it’s an overreaction that there were a couple homeless people in the bldg. He wants restrooms unlocked an open. Maybe we should address homeless instead of the restrooms. He feels it’s an overreaction.

Hung: Lorain County was showcased to the would at the Trump Rally. LC Fair Board makes the decision to host, not the Commissioners. Save America PAC paid the Lorain County Fair Board for the event. Trump did fly into LC Airport. Thank you, Sheriff’s Dept and Deputies, safety personnel, LC EMA, and agencies that assisted ATF, FBI, SWAT (Erie and Ottawa County), etc. Especially from LC EMA Jessica Fedder and Kevin Harlis and Jan Tucker 911 dispatcher. Security Mutual Aid by Ashland, Ottawa, Medina, Cuyahoga, Erie, Sandusky Sheriff’s offices, and Metroparks, S. LC Ambulance, Wellington Fire, and others who assisted.

July 4, 1776 – This weekend we will celebrate the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Our founders believed that we have God-given rights. May we remember those who fought and gave up so much so that we could have freedom. Have a safe and happy 4th of July.

Moore: Complimented the Chronicle Telegram for providing good coverage leading up to the Trump Rally and it was an honor and privilege to have our county showcased in such an event. Law enforcement did a fantastic job.

Regarding the restrooms, there were men in the women’s restroom drinking and Moore is more concerned about safety than having restrooms open to the public. It’s not uncommon to have to ask for a key to use the restroom and is in full support of locking restrooms for safety of personnel.

Clerk Report – No report

Waive reading of correspondence due to lengthy Executive Session to follow.

Public portion of meeting adjourned.

(Note: This is a report of the June 30, 2021, Lorain County Commissioners’ public meeting.)