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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-07 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, September 7, 2022, with the following members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. The meeting was live streamed. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was no public comment. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. The minutes of the August 31, 2022 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the minutes. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked for more information on the Juvenile Probation action authorizing officers to carry firearms. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, explained that on June 27, 2022 President Judge Meyers issued an order allowing officers to carry firearms if they are interested and are properly trained. Jim Hepler, Juvenile Probation Supervisor, explained further that after due diligence Juvenile Probation is requesting to purchase Glock firearms. This would be congruent with the order and the 11 page policy as well as procedures and other requirements for best practices to protect the juveniles and the officers that the probation officers are to follow if they are interested in carrying firearms. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that he has no concern with the order and is not contesting the request. He asked what precipitated this decision and if there were instances where the Juvenile Probation Officers needed to defend themselves. Mr. Hepler responded that since 2019 there has been concern about firearms in the homes and instances where juveniles have used firearms during a crime in the Borough of Chambersburg. There were other incidents that Mr. Hepler mentioned. Other law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry firearms and many of the officers are experienced in using firearms and should be permitted to carry firearms so they can go home safely at night to their families. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if other counties allow Juvenile Probation officers to carry firearms and Mr. Hepler responded that 45 out of 67 counties permit juvenile probation officers to carry firearms. The departments that do not carry firearms do not conduct arrests and they have sheriff or law enforcement agencies go with them to the juvenile homes. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked why the President Judge waited from 2019 to 2022 to issue this order. Mr. Hepler responded that they originally worked with Judge Krom who requested more information and asked to form a safety committee to review the request and then COVID hit and meetings got canceled. Once they started meeting again they took time to make sure it was done correctly. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that his concern is if something goes wrong then the County bears some responsibility and liability. Mr. Hepler stated that the officers will also carry less lethal weapons which are what they carry now and these weapons will be used strictly for self-defense. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon session. Continued on page 2 Tom Reardon, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, was present to request Housing Trust Funds for a project to support the rehabilitation of a duplex located at 647 Hollywell Avenue, Chambersburg and to support the construction of a new home located at 13907 Pennersville Road, Waynesboro. Mr. Reardon mentioned the mission statement in three to serve everyone; Mr. Reardon provided pictures of the current home and land that they are asking for Housing Trust Funds to use for renovations and a new home. Mr. Reardon mentioned that Habitat has had to change things since the costs have increased. In 2017 a foundation cost $11,000 and this year the quotes were clos homeowners pay for the cost of the home. No one will pay more than 30% of their gross income. Commissioner Flannery asked to explain how they screen and qualify a family and what the success rate is for those they help. Mr. Reardon responded that they look for their ability to pay. They offer a hand up not a hand out and they have to prove they have responsible use of their money. They do credit checks and they have to have no outstanding collection accounts or fraud. The second thing they look for is a willingness to partner. The homeowners have to have a minimum of 350 hours of sweat equity for a single person or 450 for a couple. The third thing is they have to have a legitimate need for housing. Their success rate is 100% because Habitat works with them long past the sale of the home and they have never had to foreclose on a home but they have had to threaten a homeowner in the past to make sure they pay their mortgage. They do everything they can to work with them. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked how Habitat monitors that they are not working off the books in order to keep their payments low. Mr. Reardon responded that their mortgage payment never changes. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if faith or lack of faith has any influence that gets selected for a home. Mr. Reardon responded that they serve everyone and faith does not make a difference. Chairman Keller stated that these are great projects and the contract is on for final considera Ed Herald, Vice President on the Board of Directors of Chambersburg Project, was present to request a Housing Trust Fund allocation for home repairs completed during the 2022 work camp. He said the Chambersburg Project has been in existence since 1998 and they serve the community countywide, not just in Chambersburg. They started in 1994 when a church decided to do missions by staying close to home and helping to make repairs to an interdenominational organization that is a nonprofit with a nine member board of directors with 20 churches involved. They provide maintenance and repairs for homeowners in the county during the second week in July each year. This year they had 37 homes to work on. Since 1998 they have worked at over 900 sites. They target issues. Mr. Herald presented some pictures of the teenagers repairing homes and where they sleep during the evening hours. They also have evening programs so the kids are having fun and develop relationships with each other. Mr. Herald said their funding sources include: $200 participant registration fee and donations from churches, individuals, service clubs and from the Housing Trust Fund. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked what the age group is and how they are recruited. Mr. Herald responded that - through high school and they recruit through churches. Some of the bigger churches help with the participation fees. Chairman Keller asked the areas where the projects happened this year. Mr. Herald responded that the projects were in Mercersburg, Quincy, Chambersburg, Shippensburg, Fayetteville, Blue Ridge Summit, Mont Alto and a few others but it was well spread out. Chairman Keller said this is a great mission and it aligns with the Housing Trust Fund. He welcomed him back and that it was a great presentation and they are a blessing to the community. The item will have final Continued on page 3 The Board reviewed information regarding National Recovery Month. James Eagler, rd Administrator of Drug and Alcohol for Franklin/Fulton Counties explained that this is the 33 year for National Recovery Month. He appreciates the continuation of honoring recovery month. years now. He thanked the county for giving him the opportunity of an internship five years ago. degree. The County was the only agency that took a chance on him after contacting other agencies for him to do an internship. Today he is now the administrator of the department four years after being hired. They valued the work that he did and mentored him. He is grateful to work for the county and serve the community. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved Franklin County Proclamation #2022-20 proclaiming the month of September 2022 as National Recovery Month and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Ziobrowski congratulated James for confronting his demons and for eight years clean. He relates to him as an adult learner oing a wonderful job thanked him for all he does. The Board recessed and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for final approval of the items that were reviewed. The Board reconvened at 2:00 p.m. There was no public comment. The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved Resolution 2022-27 for the submission of a National Park Service History of Equal Rights Grant application request of $750,000.00 for renovations to the Historic Franklin County Courthouse. The Board reviewed Community Connections matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved lease agreement between the County of Franklin and JSJ, LLC for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program (Supportive Housing Program SHP I/II) that covers the total rent plus any landlord covered utilities for participants. The lease is at a cost of $9,100.00 for the period of August 26, 2022 through September 1, 2023. The County holds the Lease with the landlord and the participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for any utilities not included in the lease rent, up to 30% of their adjusted gross income. Participants are linked with Supportive Services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. The Board reviewed Court Administration matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the quote from Dell for purchase of computer equipment as part of the Courts bulk order at a cost of $12,138.22. This order was not included in the County bulk order due to the Courts still settling into their new facility. The Board reviewed Drug & Alcohol matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the updated contract listing for additional contracts and addendums for fiscal year 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 for the Drug & Alcohol department. Contract listing is maintained for proper accounting of all contracts to include vendor name and address, type(s) of service provided and rate(s) charged for services. Continued on page 4 The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Project Modification Request to PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to request the amount of $200,000.00 to sustain the position of Treatment Court Coordinator for the operation of the Good Wolf Treatment Court for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023. This request would include wages, benefits, travel, training, supplies and operating expenses and service providers/consultants. The Board reviewed additional Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the grant application to PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to provide a grant in the amount of $46,999.00 from the Child Advocacy Centers Birth Certificate Funds grant (State CAC-BC) to address the need for continued services to Franklin County child abuse victims along with addressing the challenges Over the Rainbow (OTR) faces in seeking and maintaining National Child Alliance (NCA) accreditation. The grant term would include January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. The Board reviewed Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman to execute the renewal of the agreement between the County of Franklin and CCAP Technology Services to provide security services. CCAP works with a firm named Sylint which provides Cyber Security updates and training. Additionally, they provide assessment and make security recommendations with network and network attached hardware. The agreement is for an amount of $9,000.00. The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman to execute the quote from Atlantic Tactical, Inc. for purchase of ballistic vests for the CERT team at a cost of $25,014.00. This was recommended to protect the staff while interacting with a violent inmate. The CERT team handles a lot of our hospital transports and having their own will allow the general vests to be available for all other transports. Having allocated vests will allow the correct sizes to protect staff as it was intended. When the panels need replacing after the five (5) years end of life, the plan is ONLY to replace the panels and not the entire vests saving the County money. This also gives the CERT team protection if called to assist other departments within the County. The Board reviewed additional Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the amendment to the agreement (dated 2016) between the County of Franklin and the County of Fulton to hold Fulton County offenders during their incarceration for both male and female offenders to be housed here at Franklin County in the amount of $81.00 per day per inmate payable to Franklin County for the term of July 1, 2022 through July 1, 2024. The Franklin County Jail is PREA certified and abides by all PA Title 37 regulations. Franklin County reserves the right to accept or reject any offender at our discretion. All medical expenses accrued will be solely the responsibility of the County of Fulton. The Board reviewed Juvenile Probation matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Witmer Public Safety Group for purchase of Glock 48 Firearms and other necessary equipment (ammunition, hearing and sight protection, cleaning kits, and range items) for the on duty carry by Juvenile Probation Officers per Court Order dated June 27, 2022. This quote is for a total amount of $18,150.84. Capital requests have been submitted for the last several years in anticipation of the approval from the President Judge for on duty carry authorization. Continued on page 5 The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Housing Trust Fund Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and Chambersburg Project, Inc. requesting an amount of $5,000.00 from the Franklin County Housing Trust Fund for home repairs completed during the 2022 work camp. The Board reviewed additional Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Housing Trust Fund Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and Habitat for Humanity requesting an amount of $35,000.00 from the Franklin County Housing Trust Fund to support the rehabilitation of a duplex located at 647 Hollywell Avenue, Chambersburg, PA. The Board reviewed additional Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Housing Trust Fund Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and Habitat for Humanity requesting an amount of $35,000.00 from the Franklin County Housing Trust Fund to support the construction of a new home located at 13907 Pennersville Road, Waynesboro. The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Jennings Chevrolet-Buick-GMC, Inc. for purchase of a 2023 van to replace an existing vehicle with excess of 200,000 miles and increasing repair costs and dependability. The quote is for an amount of $49,267.00. Two quotes were received and this was the lowest qualified quote. The Board reviewed Sheriff matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Baycom for installation of car computers and other related equipment for Sheriff vehicles in the amount of $16,680.00 to be paid from County Records Improvement funds. Three quotes were obtained and Baycom was the lowest qualified quote received. Chairman Keller wanted to acknowledge that Linda Miller, long time Register and Recorder of Franklin County, has made public her intentions to retire at the end of this month. The Board wanted to congratulate Linda on her many years of service. Her office has always run efficiently, effectively and her standards for customer service have always been excellent. She has been a great elected official and a pleasure to work with. The Board wishes her all the best on her retirement. Chairman Keller continued that it falls on the Board of Commissioners or the Election Board to be involved in finding a replacement for her since she is retiring midterm. Carrie Gray and her team have put together some information for them to take under he same party as the elected official that is leaving, and Linda is a republican. The appointment would require senate confirmation. The County Board of Elections needs to submit a letter to the Governor and the State Senate of our recommendation that should include a copy of the resume of the person the County is recommending. We were told it could take between one week and six months for the confirmation process; however the County can appoint an interim Register and Recorder at the discretion of the Commissioners/Election Board for that interim appointment. Chairman Keller said he has two thoughts since it could take several weeks or months to go through the process of working with the Governor and the Senate to appoint a replacement so he would like to consider appointing an interim director. In the interest of consistency we want to pause to do more research for whatever process we put in place for someone to complete he middle of their Continued on page 6 term but he cannot recall how the county has selected a replacement in the past. He suggests calling other counties to see how they have done it and have staff come back with further guidance and a process on appointing an interim replacement. Commissioner Ziobrowski said filling in as the interim director. Commissioner Flannery said he would like to know if she is interested in running for the position in 2023. Chairman Keller said he will coordinate with Carrie and her staff to come back next week with a recommendation. The meeting was adjourned at 2:12 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski