Medina County commissioners approve package of resolutions on bridges, equipment, personnel, grants and contracts

Medina County — At a meeting of the Medina County Board of Commissioners, the board voted to approve a package of resolutions affecting county infrastructure, equipment purchases, personnel changes, grant administration and vendor agreements.

County Engineer Andy Conrad opened the meeting by presenting nine engineer resolutions, including new bridge-load limits for Mattingly Road and Medina Line Road, findings of public convenience and welfare for multiple bridge replacements (Bear Swamp Road bridge 21; Hartman Road bridge 4; Ledgewood Road bridge 1), a temporary road closure for guardrail replacement on Francesca Road, participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation cooperative purchasing program, authorization for OPWC (Ohio Public Works Commission) grant applications and contracts, and authorization for specified force-account work. "I have a bunch for you today — nine resolutions for your consideration," County Engineer Andy Conrad said. He urged support for the OPWC funding program, calling it a "lifeline" for township and municipal infrastructure and encouraging residents to vote on the related statewide bond measure.

The board approved the engineer package by roll call; Commissioners Swiatek, Hambley and Harrison voted yes.

Other votes at the meeting included:

- Sanitary department: authorization to purchase a 2025 EnviroSight combination Rover X mainline and lateral-launch inspection truck. The board approved the purchase by roll call vote.

- Human Resources: two personnel resolutions including two promotions (building and county home), one rate increase at the county home, and 16 fund changes across several departments; and an amendment to the table of organization for the Medina County Home. The board approved both HR resolutions by roll call vote.

- Finance: seven finance resolutions, including creation of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) account for program year 2024 in the amount of $500,000 (program period described as October 2024 through September 2026 with an additional cleanup year), a law-library excess-property declaration, interoffice inventory transfers, a larger excess-property list from multiple buildings, travel/expense approvals for county engineers and other officials, and weekly bills totaling $377,896.45. The board approved the finance package by roll call vote.

- County administration: seven resolutions presented by County Administrator Matt Spurner, including a five-year agreement with Community Energy Advisors; a first change order on the administration-building elevator project adding $82,100; a 2025 medical services agreement for the Medina County Jail with an annual cost cited as $50,000; a promissory/donation arrangement for a piano from a 501(c)(3) (identified in the record as P and O Cleveland) that would transfer ownership to the county after three years at no county cost; a stop-loss insurance agreement with Medical Mutual of Ohio for 2025; and an enterprise vehicle-lease agreement for the Medina County Sheriff’s Office to lease six vehicles (three 2025 interceptors and three 2024 responders) over a multi-year term. The board approved the county-administration package by roll call vote.

During department updates, Denise Testa (Planning) summarized the January planning calendar — two major subdivisions on the agenda, a cost-of-services report, officer nominations and an upcoming zoning text amendment for Granger Township — and said the planning office is starting environmental reviews for the PY24 CDBG grant so funds can be drawn down sooner. Laura, representing Medina County Senior and Adult Services, said the office is implementing a branding/name change, completed the Meals on Wheels "Share the Love" partnership (with an expected donation distribution in May), and reported that the agency passed the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging fiscal audit for the period reviewed with "no findings or recommendations." "We passed our Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Fiscal audit," Laura said; she added final grant-year numbers should be available in February and the unit requirements for 2024 were met.

Public comment produced no speakers during the allotted time. Toward the end of the meeting the board voted to enter executive session to discuss compensation of public employees, collective bargaining matters and the appointment of a public official; the board indicated it would not reconvene publicly after that session.

Roll-call votes recorded Commissioners Swiatek, Hambley and Harrison as voting yes on the various motions noted above. No 'no' votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded in the public roll-call minutes available in the meeting transcript.

The actions approved change short-term spending and contract commitments (equipment purchases; an elevator change order; a jail medical services agreement; vehicle leases) and move forward with planned infrastructure work and grant administration (bridge replacements and OPWC applications). The board also approved routine personnel and finance housekeeping items and accepted department updates on planning and senior services.

The board closed to executive session to discuss labor and personnel matters and indicated no further public business would be conducted after that session.