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.)

• Resolutions:  #5 Requisitions   re.1060   Mr. Lundy stated he wants the legal services in house by the county prosecutor’s office.  He voted no.
•    #5  re. 1046   Mr. Moore stated why apply for an elevator license for Golden Acres building which is currently unoccupied.

#10  Mr. Lundy stated FY 2022 Lorain County Tax Budget is not binding. He wanted to make sure that the sheriff’s office is not being reduced.

#15  Mr. Lundy stated any improvements to the Job and Family Services are a good thing.

#18  Mr. Lundy said the Ohio Department of Public Safety for Adult Probation Case Management Sysyem grant is good because no cash match is required.

#21  Sheriff  Mr. Lundy was again pleased by no local match needed for FY21 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant.

#22  Mrs. Hung thanked her colleagues for acting on the sub-grant award agreement with Ohio Department of Public Safety Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund Grant that came to her office this past Monday.

1. Public Comment:  Amanda Quimper, Guenevire Ackerman, and Laura Hubbard read from prepared papers of the Ohio State Jural Assembly that follows the Declaration of Independence (unalienable) and the national and state Constitutions.

1. County Administrator Tom Williams said the national drug overdoses are up 29% at 93,000 deaths: Lorain County drug overdoses rose 53% to 138 deaths.

E.  Commissioner’s Reports:  Mr. Lundy expressed sympathy to Dan Reaser, whose father Cecil passed.

He also talked about an upcoming needs assessment survey from the Office of Aging. He thanked the Firment Family and welcomed the new owners.

He attended the Wellness Court Graduation in Judge Jim Miraldi’s courtroom.

F. Clerk’s Report:  She reminded them of the July 21 Investment Advisory Committee meeting at 11 a.m. in room b.

H.  Board  Correspondence was waived as the commissioners entered into executive session.

(This is a report of the July 14, 2021, public meeting of the Lorain County Commissioners.)

Commissioner meetings consist of a public portion and an Executive session which is not open to the public. The public portion of this meeting was less than 15 minutes while the Executive Session was approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. 

All public business meetings begin with motions to approve seven resolutions where activity has taken place in the past week. Those seven resolutions are investments, appropriations, transfers, advance/repayments, requisitions, travel, and bills.  On 7/21/21 there were no advances/repayments or travel. The other five were all approved without any commissioner comment. Details regarding these Resolutions are available in the official meeting minutes at https://www.loraincounty.us/commissioners-departments/board-of-commissioners/board-agendas-minutes.  However, the process of preparing the weekly minutes involves various steps of approval delaying the publication of these minutes. The most current minutes available at this time are for the 6/23/21 meeting.  

The commissioners approved entering into two contracts with Fabo Architecture, Inc. of Parma, OH to perform architectural and engineering professional services for

1. County buildings $15,900.
2. Emergency services buildings $60,675  

Payment of $3,694.88 was approved to CSX for inspection services associated with construction of a new water line on North Ridge Road.

Commissioner also approved entering into a contract for maintenance with City of Elyria for a portion of Indian Hollow Road, Carlisle Township.

During public comment a representative of First Energy External Affairs introduced himself to the commissioners to let them know he is available as their main contact with First Energy during storm problems.

There were no reports from Tom Williams, County Administrator; Dan Petticord, Assistant County Prosecutor; commissioners Dave Moore and Michelle Hung, or clerk Theresa Upton.

Commissioner Lundy reported he had attended the Business Expo in Avon Lake, the Lorain County Farm Bureau Dinner and Policy Development Meeting at Lorain Community College, the Investment & Advisory Committee, and will be attending the dedication of the Sam Felton Park.

He reported that the county’s investments total $162 M. Interest for the past year was $1.2 M, but due to interest rates dropping that figure is expected to go down in the future. There was a time when the county regularly earned as much as $6M to $7M annually in interest.  

(This is a report of the July 21, 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.)

In the business portion of the meeting 12 agenda items were approved. Financial items included were

1. Adjustment of salaries of two Avon Lake Municipal Court employees

2. Increase of $180,000 to the Neighborhood Alliance to provide protective services for Adults for Fiscal yr 2021

3. 75% reduction ($14,838.20) to the Community Incentive Grant funding to the city of Lorain until the city repays debt to the county

Agenda item #11 lifted the pandemic State of Emergency in the county rescinding resolutions 20-205, 20-206, and 20-213 which were passed by the previous administration on 3/18/20. These resolutions established the running of the county in case commissioners and/or the administrator were to be incapacitated for an extended period of time.        

Administrator & Commissioners’ Reports of Weekly Activities

Michelle Hung reported the Lake Erie Crushers will be sponsoring a food drive at their 6/30/21 game in support of the Lorain County Council on Aging food banks. 

According to their website https://lcooa.org/  LCCOA is the primary agency for supporting Lorain County’s over 68,000 older adults. Their mission is to improve the health, well-being and independence of aging individuals and other adults with special needs. 

On 6/30 bring a nonperishable food donation and be entered in a raffle for a Lake Erie Crushers Fun Pack.

Matt Lundy reported Grace Gallucci, director of Northeast Ohio Agency Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), spoke at the Township Association meeting.

Matt said the Community Protection team reported 29 covid cases and 62% of residents over the age of 18 have received covid shots.

Mr. Lundy complimented the Neighborhood Alliance on the great work they do in the county. During their virtual annual meeting they discussed a “New Kitchen” fund raising initiative.

Food Forum Forward in coordination with the Health Department and 2^nd Harvest is working to get food to families in need.

SB111 is currently in review in the Ohio Senate. If passed, $422 M will be available thru the Rescue Act to townships.

Dave Moore is working with Senator Manning regarding the state biennial budget bill and hopes to have something to report next week. 

In regards to the Lorain County Trump Rally scheduled this Saturday 6/26 at the Lorain County Fairgrounds Mr. Moore expressed his feeling that the event will be safe and encouraged people to participate in this historic event for Lorain County.  

Administrator Tom Williams indicated he has had a number of calls concerning the county’s funding of the county fair. In 2020 he pointed out that due to the pandemic the fair lost half a million dollars. He emphasized that fair funding is for the Jr, Sr, and General Fair and that it supports the 4-H program year round not just the week of the fair.    

(Note: Report of June 23, 2021 Lorain County Commissioners’ Meeting)

Elyria, Ohio – At each county commissioners’ meeting a variety of items are voted on. Many involve financial expenditures.  When the commissioners discuss any of the items, I report that discussion. At the 6/9/21 meeting none of the commissioners offered any input on the 19 items on the agenda. All were passed unanimously.

In four of the 19 agenda items a grand total of $1,668,136.20 was approved for four different projects.

 Following votes taken on the 19 agenda items each commissioner reported on his/her activities for the previous week.

Matt Lundy followed Michelle Hung’s report on county support of the Lorain County Fair. While he expressed his personal support for the fair in general, he took the opportunity to continue to express his never ending opposition to what he described as the fair board “marketing” of the confederate flag. In his words  the flag is “a symbol of hate and more recently insurrection”.

Continue reading “Commissioners approve $1,700,000” →

1. Tom Williams reported there was a meeting with mayors, county directors, community development and solid waste personnel.  Meeting was to provide county contacts to mayors and to open communication lines.  

2. Matt Lundy discussed the continued elevated numbers of county residents with mental health and addiction issues.  This should come as no surprise.  It would be helpful to know exactly what LCADA Way, MHARS Board and Nord Center are doing to address these issues.  In speaking with the former director of MHARS Board several months ago, there is no centralized record keeping of overdoses, deaths from suicide, etc. 

3. Michelle Hung reported that Lorain County Storm Water acquired 59.2 acres south of Lorain Rd. on Rt. 83 for a retention basin project.  The cost of the property was $295,000.  Michelle sits on the board for Lorain County Storm Water.  

Continue reading “$15 million available to pay your rent” →

Four organizations have applied for and the commissioners awarded them with TANF funds (the state of Ohio Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program). 

Individuals and families who apply for TANF must meet the monetary and non-monetary state guidelines, complete work-related activities, provide paternity information about the children in the household and report as required by the state.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County, Job and Family Services and Horizon Education Center, and Tower Educational Consulting Group, Inc. of Lorain are sharing in a combined total of $247,881.79 for Mentoring and Tutoring low income Lorain County children for the period of July 1, 2021 thru September 30, 2021.

ECK comment:

No explanation was offered as to why four organizations would be providing  what appears to be the very same services and how those services do not overlap for the same children. It would seem likely that at a minimum there would be administrative services costs duplicated across the four organizations.

(Note: This is a report about the Lorain County Commissioners meeting on May 26, 2021.)

Elyria, Ohio – TAX ABATEMENTS and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS APPROPRIATED FOR ANOTHER YEAR by Lorain County Commissioners.

The Tax Incentive Review Council (TIRC) meets yearly (as required by law) for the purpose of reviewing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects and residential and commercial Community Reinvestment Areas (CRAs) for the previous calendar year.

The TIRC reported to the Commissioners that eight tax abatements and 34 TIFs are in compliance and should be continued for another year.

Continue reading “TIFs and CHIPs approved” →

Elyria, Ohio – In the state of Ohio communities (political subdivisions) are offered an incentive program to encourage them to increase the tonnage of recyclables they recycle on an annual basis. The county administers the program and for 2021 Lorain County can receive a maximum of $450,000 to be distributed to communities meeting the state standards. 

Many communities experience a high contamination rate reducing the amount of their reimbursement so Solid Waste Management District Director Blevin is looking into implementing a variety of programs in an attempt to reduce that contamination rate. He wants to begin by targeting multi-family dwellings in Lorain and Elyria.

A slogan they hope will stick in residents’ minds is

            ”When in doubt, throw it out.”

 meaning when in doubt about a particular item as to whether it can be recycled or not, place the item in the regular

Continue reading “When in doubt, throw it out” →