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LAKE COUNTY – A resolution appointing Walter R. Siegel to the Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority Board of Directors was tabled at the Jan. 16 meeting.

It was tabled since Commissioner Dan Troy objected because three of the four persons interviewed for the position were female and all nine members of the Port Authority Board would be male if Siegel was appointed.
North Perry Mayor Ed Klco had also questioned whether there would be a conflict since Siegel was still involved with Perry Township as zoning inspector and Perry economic development.
When Commissioner Jerry Cirino’s motion to remove it from the table did not receive a second, he shared copies of numerous letters he had received in support of Siegel’s appointment. The letters were from all three trustees of Painesville and Madison townships, four Fairport Harbor Village council members, Painesville’s economic development director, four Madison Village council members, chairman of the Perry Joint Economic Development District, a Perry Village council member and a retired North Perry Village council member.
For example, the letter from the Painesville Township Board of Trustees stated:
“Wally’s experience and leadership on the Perry Joint Economic Development District, the Perry Joint Fire District Board, the Perry Economic Development Council, and the Lake County Planning Commission have been exemplary. Additionally, Wally’s 20-plus years as the Perry Township Administrator has given him experience negotiating tax abatements, applying for and administering grants, mitigating shoreline erosion, and extensive storm water and utilities experience.”
Cirino asked David J. Hackman, Jr., chief assistant prosecutor and legal counsel to the Board of Commissioners, to advise on whether there would be a conflict of interest if Siegel was appointed.
Hackman said, although there might be in the future, at the current time there was no conflict.
Cirino said, since the main reason the resolution was tabled was because of a possible conflict—and it was determined legally there was none--there was no good reason to leave it tabled.
Commissioner Dan Troy stated, since the resolution was still tabled, it really was not up for discussion.
Cirino noted Siegel was Hamercheck’s nomination, but Hamercheck did not comment.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED
JAN. 23:
ENGINEER’S
OFFICE
• Authorizing advertising for bids for the Carter Road Widening and Safety Improvement Project in Leroy Township for the Lake County Engineer’s Department with a bid opening date of Feb. 14.
The estimated cost is $825,000 to $925,000.
• Authorizing the Lake County Engineer to enter into a local public agent (LPA) agreement with the Director of Transportation of the State of Ohio For The Lak-Cr Gr Var Fy 2018 Project to upgrade existing guard rails on various county roads, up to $98,000, which all be refundable from ODOT.
Utilities
Department
• Increasing appropriations within the Lake County Department of Utilities Water Project Fund 595, Rogers Road Waterline Replacement Project.
COMMISSIONERS'
OFFICE
• To place a renewal tax levy of 0.7 mills for 10 years on real estate within Lake County for mental health, alcohol and drug addiction services, programs, and facilities as provided by Section 5705.221 of the Ohio Revised Code, on the ballot at the May 8 Primary Election.
The levy would generate about $4 million and cost about $21.44 annually per $100,000 of property valuation.
FINANCE
DEPARTMENT
• Approving payment of bills in the amount of $3,034,628.53.
• Approving purchase orders in the amount of $1,393,438.17.
• Transferring cash within various general and non-general fund accounts.
NEW BUSINESS
• Troy stated the County Commissioners Association of Ohio was still working on trying to get the state to pay as much as possible to replace voting machines in the new Capital Bill.
CCAO plans to contact the new governor next year to try to promote the importance of county governments and the need for cooperation with the state.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Brian Massie of Concord Township read a letter to the commissioners stating, once again, that he did not believe the Land Bank (Lake County Land Reutilization Corporation) should be spending money to demolish St. Mary Magdalene’s parish house and convent since the cost would exceed the value of the property which the church is deeding to the Land Bank by about $82,000.
“I don’t think Mr. Rogers did anything nefarious or sinister,” he said, adding he didn’t think the county taxpayers should help a religious organization.
“Which (the taxpayers) are not,” said Commissioner Jerry Cirino. “You have inquired about this a number of times, and I have talked with Mr. Rogers about it—who I agree with you doesn’t do things that are nefarious in any way—and it really was a joint effort with the city of Willowick to take an area that was effectively blighted and to now turn it into something that will be better for the city of Willowick on Vine Street.”
Cirino added, the Land Bank’s purpose is to help eliminate blighted areas, which this was, and it uses delinquent tax funds to pay for these projects so the properties start producing tax revenues again.
He said Rogers believes, once the church properties—which are being deeded to the Land Bank—are sold and developed, the taxes generated will, in time, pay for the costs expended.
“Now it’s not producing any tax revenue for the city of Willowick,” Cirino said. “I believe he (Rogers) has a valid plan for what can be done to this property to turn it into productive property where we are getting taxes from it.”
Massie said he would allow county residents to judge the situation.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
• The commissioners adjourned to executive session to discuss personnel-compensation.
MEETINGS
• Meetings are held in the Commissioners' Chambers of the Lake County Administration Building, 105 Main St., Painesville. All meetings are open to the public. Requests to address the government board may be made at any board meeting or presented to the Commissioners' Office by calling (440) 350-2753.
There was a meeting Feb. 1. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.