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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-16 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, November 16, 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 John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was no public comment. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. The minutes of the November 10, 2022 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the minutes. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. There were no questions on the items. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon session. John McPaul, Community Outreach and Events Coordinator, provided information on the Veterans Outreach Programs. The goal of the Veterans Affairs Office is to improve the quality of life of the Franklin County veterans and their families. What they do is typically outside of state funding. They involve the community and receive donations. People see what they are doing and want to contribute to these programs. He continued that the Military Share Program has 388 households signed up for the month of December so far which equals 405 meals and 831 people being served. They still have another week to go for the sign ups. At a recent meeting with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, they stated that they want us to expand the program in the county since they feel that Franklin County has an underserved population for food distribution. They are discussing how to increase their distribution. He continued that Franklin County is the fastest growing county in their program and they were not prepared for the increases that we have had. The trucks they send us cannot hold the weight of the food that we need. They are looking at funding sources through Tuscarora Managed Care Agency (TMCA) to use funds they have for those who are on Medicaid and we could bring in some Fulton County veterans into the program. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked how many veterans are on Medicaid and John said they are working on getting those numbers from TMCA and they can provide those numbers at a later date. Mr. McPaul explained that Operation Save-A-Vet, Save-A-Pet is going well a own it would cost them thousands of dollars. There are four veterans and their dogs that are going to attend a Commissioners meeting in December that have passed the training for them to be recognized. Mr. McPaul said they will have a total of 13 veterans and their dogs that have passed the training in the program. The program focuses on therapy dogs and they are looking to expand to provide service dogs that can be trained to work with veterans with diabetes and seizures. With the help of the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs grants and the community they have been helping to keep the program going. Mr. McPaul explained the Operation Rucks to Reins is a wonderful program t eight week program where the veterans groom, saddle and work with the horses. The grant is from the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs and could be continued with outreach funds after the grant period may look at expanding it someday to family members as the funding allows. He continued that the Focus Photography program assists veterans who are affected by mental health conditions -explore and do things on their own terms. He thanked the Rotary Club who purchased all the equipment for the Continued on page 2 veterans to have all they need to participate in the program. They work with a professional photographer and go out into the community and are taught how to use all the equipment and how to properly take pictures. The veterans are able to use the equipment at no charge. Mr. McPaul said the We Support you Scholarship program is for dependents of veterans graduating from high school who want to go to an accredited higher learning institution and who are in need of financial assistance. They would like to expand this program to include spouses who want to go back to school. He continued that we have a lot of veterans who are living 100% off the VA and if they pass away and the spouse is not working the spouse loses the benefits so this could help them go back to school. They have been lucky and thankful for the board allowing them to Veterans Affairs, said the Save-A-Vet, Save-A-Pet hit a milestone where they can now pursue becoming? a service dog international accreditation training organization. They had to have a certain number of years and hours of training and have trained 10 dogs to become accredited. The next step is to meet with the trainer. Justin said his goal has been for Franklin County to become nationally recognized as a service dog international trainer. Chairman Keller stated that is great news and a result of a lot of time and effort and a lot of volunteer hours. He asked if this will open them up for more financial opportunities. Mr. Slep responded he believes so utilize that to open up the window to the 501C3 world and those resources could be endless. Chairman Keller mentioned the Focus Photography and Ruck to Reins programs are up and running, he would like an update in a couple of months on lives impacted and results of these two programs. Commissioner Flannery thanked both of them for what they do. He asked about how they get the word out to veterans about the Military Share program. Mr. McPaul responded that the initial outreach was newspaper ads, billboards, flyers to Human Service programs. The Military Share and if there is food available at the end they allow them to come back. Commissioner Flannery asked about the amounts of the scholarships. Mr. McPaul said the amounts depend on how many apply but the goal is to do five $1,000 scholarships but if we have two apply, they give $2,500 each. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 11:22 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing potential litigation matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to reconvene into regular session at 12:56 p.m. No action was required after the executive session. 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 Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the County of Franklin and Bucks County Community College/Dept. of Public Safety Training Certification for the 2023 Training Membership Program at cost of $1,300.00, for the period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. This will provide up to 200 hours of onsite training courses, held at the Franklin County Public Safety Training Center or Franklin County Department of Emergency Services. The Board reviewed additional Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Notice to Proceed Letter and Proposal to Motorola Solutions for maintenance of the 911 Center's Motorola FLEX CAD software. This is a five year agreement at a cost of $21,963.93 per year, effective January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2027. Continued on page 3 The Board reviewed additional Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for the FFY2022 State Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $1,209,043.00, for a performance period of September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025. Funds are utilized for planning, organization, equipment, maintenance, training and exercises needed for acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. Funds are awarded to the South Central Task Force, which Franklin County is a member along with Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry Schuylkill and York Counties. The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Confidential Loyalty Renewal Agreement between the County of Franklin and Highmark, Inc. for renewal of ASO funding arrangement for the next 2 years from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024, in exchange for loyalty credits in the form of administrative (ASO) fee waivers. This credit is applied to the cost associated with maintaining medical/prescription coverage for our employees. The Board reviewed additional Human Resources matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the proposal from HM Insurance Group for renewal that contains cost associated with Stop Loss insurance for the ical insurance at a cost of $648,997.00 for the period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. Stop loss insurance (also known as excess insurance) is a product that provides protection against catastrophic or unpredictable losses related to claim expenses with our health insurance since we are a self-funded administrative platform. The cost of this insurance is built into the cost of our medical insurance premiums. The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Business Associate and Qualified Service Organization Agreement between the County of Franklin and Prime Care Medical, Inc. to acknowledge qualified services to include: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) underlining rules and regulations that both entities shall follow for the period of August 16, 2022 through November 16, 2032. The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from Frederick Chevrolet of Lebanon, Inc. for purchase of a van at a cost of $41,494.65 for use in County Maintenance duties as well as election duties. This bid replaces an earlier Board Action in that, upon executing that action, it was discovered that the prior van was no longer available. The estimated time of delivery for this new van is April/May 2023. The Board reviewed Risk Management matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from AllCom Global Services for a change order to move a camera from the New Judicial Center to Historic Courthouse at a cost of $8,347.63 for the period of November 21, 2022 through January 2, 2023. The Board reviewed Sheriff Office matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from Whitmoyer Auto Group for purchase of two (2) 2023 Chevy Tahoe vehicles for the Sheriff Office for a total cost of $125,679.42. Quote #1 is to be used as an extradition vehicle for a price of $66,839.70 that includes up-fitting (prisoner cage/weapons locks/storage units, cameras and install, as well as all labor for any other installation charges. Quote #2 is to be used for a warrant/admin vehicle for a price of $58,839.72 that includes unmarked concealed light package as well as install of all locks and secure storage. This vehicle does not have a prisoner cage and will be used to transport teams of deputies for warrants and or other administrative purposes. Continued on page 4 The Board reviewed Tax Claim matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the to accept a bid made by Kimberlyn Lipovetsky in the amount of $100.00 on the repository sale of a mobile home located in Antrim Township. This sale would be able to start generating tax money. Chairman Keller -PACE which is an economic redevelopment tool. Steve Thomas, Planning Director, said this is a property e tool that is hosted under the Community Services Division but more specifically Jodi Martin who is the new Tax Services Director. She is here and one of her first responsibilities is to administer the day to day operation of the program. He continued that John Costlow from Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) will go over the programs ins and outs. Vern McKissick from McKissick Associates & Mike Ross from Franklin County Area Development Corporation (FCADC) is present also. From Planning and Tax has reviewed towards Community and Economic Development. Mr. Thomas continued that our community is blessed with older structures but with those there are a lot of upgrade costs when it comes to energy and efficiency. This is a great opportunity to keep historic preservation alive in our tool to bring money into the community and to involve leaders and bring developers in. John Costlow said he has been around since the creation of the program. Commercial properties with clean energy financing are in 34 states right now. It's an innovative tool that allows private developers and private capital providers to put together a note and with that note the payment is added to the property tax bills. By doing that, it decreases the interest rate significantly for the people who are borrowing, as well as decrease some of the credit requirements. SEF has done a reasonable amount since the law was passed in 2018. They had the first county on board in 2019. During that period they worked with stakeholder groups to develop guidelines and a C- PACE in a box, which they provide to counties that have all the legal documents and guidance needed. They looked at other states that tried to implement this program like Ohio. It had a -PACE program. They had varied rates of adoption across the state plus a lot of confusion in the marketplace. His firm looked at Texas which was successful developing common guidelines and they started seeing that in other states as well. That is why they spent the money to get the guidelines developed. The legislature enabled C- or any funding into C-PACE to help it mature and grow and become a tool to be used across the counties. The statute was updated this past summer to now include indoor air quality resiliency and multi-family units that are five units or greater. It already included renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water. The first county outside of Philly which adopted it before it was even passed was Northampton in Lehigh County and SEF worked with Allegheny and Wayne counties. He explained that Sustainable Energy Fund is a 501c3 nonprofit created in 1999 by the Public Utility Commission during electric deregulation. They were funded through PPL from 1999 through 2005. They were entrepreneurial the way they deployed those funds and have been able to take that nest egg and do amazing things with more than $100M in loans for funds. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if SEF has a pool that lends money. Mr. Costlow responded that they do have a pool simply administer this program. There are requirements that it has to save X amount of energy and they have to prove that requirement so their engineering staff goes through their energy analysis and confirms that they will truly save X amount of energy. Their staff is there for execution of the C-PACE agreement, statement of levy of lien that is recorded with the deed at the County, depending on when the tax bill is due they provide a certified statement every year that this property is at this location, it has this amount due and this amount is collectible this year. He said that tax collection is different for every county. The bill is sent out and the property owner pays the bill, money goes to a paying agent which is a wall street based firm that is credit rated triple A, and they disperse the funds to the capital provider or any agencies involved. A county can collect a fee for each transaction equivalent to what their costs are but since Continued on page 5 to do a cost study then to collect the payments. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if it is a fixed amount added as a lien to the property or does it change with the assessment. Does it increase flat payment and is not a variable rate. He touched on the word assessment in the C- mean to appraise a value on a property. Being in a LERTA zone does not affect the property at all. Mr. Costlow continued that they are regulated by the Public Utility Commission and they file annual reports and audits to them. C-PACE provides low cost long term financing. If a company defaults on a building and 15% of the money was from C-PACE the loan does not accelerate, it is not like a mortgage where all future payments are due the day of the default. C- When taxes are collected the payment is due before the bank that is the lien. Assessment continues on with the property so whoever purchases that property resumes with the payment. He explained that the process is straightforward. The county would pass a resolution and if it chose to work with SEF, a cooperation agreement would need to be completed. With the guidelines the Board can either approve themselves or designate someone in the county to approve them. They update the guidelines every year in January. The county could have a third person review the guidelines for the county instead of them coming back each year to review with the Board. SEF would then go out and promote C-PACE by doing seminars and getting commercial and home builders involved. They also work with the solar companies and educate them on C-PACE and how it can work for them. Chairman Keller stated that the collecting. Chairman Keller asked about the term of C-PACE financing and is it tied to average weighted useful life of the improvements. Mr. Costlow responded that they limit C-PACE to 30 years. Mr. Thomas wanted to mention that they did invite municipalities to attend but they did not hear anything back from them. The Board invited comments from Mike Ross, President of FCADC. He stated that he sent an email yesterday affirming FCADC support of C-PACE as it will have a direct impact on the final phase of the redevelopment of the former Central Junior High School and Vern is in attendance to speak on behalf of his project. This has been the most successful redevelopment project and has a catalytic effect on the investment in downtown. They appreciate all that he has done there. C-PACE is a creative financial tool for property owners to obtain low cost, long term financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The adoption of C-PACE going forward. This will be a tool available across the county for redevelopment projects. FCADC supports the adoption of the resolution. They are seeing a lot of good things in downtown Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Greencastle and are hoping to get something going in Mercersburg also. He feels there is no downside to this. There is no liability or financial obligation of the county. Solicitor Sulcove stated that as he hears the details of the program and ocuments before he makes a final assessment. Vern McKissick of McKissick Associates stated that older buildings are inefficient and the knee jerk reaction is to tear them down and build an energy efficient new building but the reality is you can get 80% of the energy performance on an old building at half the cost of new construction. The other piece is the concept of embodied energy that changes the calculation. He explained further. He is thrilled to work with Sustainable Energy Funds and has great faith in what they do. He explained the Rose Rent building project which was acquired with the help of FCADC six years ago. The building had been empty for 30 years. They identified two schools at the site. The project has been completed and is fully leased with a waiting list. His goal with increased construction costs. C-PACE will allow them to build the entire project in one phase and keep the quality level up and not chop it back to meet requirements of traditional funding models. C-PACE will help them to move the entire project forward and aligns with what they do and believe in terms of the buildings. Continued on page 6 Steve Christian, Executive Director of the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and who is also involved with Cumberland Valley Business Alliance, said that this is a learning experience or low risk proposition for the county. It would be a helpful tool for Vern to complete his project and hopefully projects similar to it in the future. Anytime we are able to add a viable economic development tool, we want to do it in a way that is responsible. Vern is very good at analyzing nds on behalf of the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance, the Chamber and Chambersburg Area Development Corporation that if another tool can be added to their tool box for economic development, he encourages them to do so. Chairman Keller said from one can move forward with preparing a resolution and having our solicitor review the documents to taken care of and encourages other developers who are doing similar things across the county it would be a good thing as well. Commissioner Flannery commented that when he heard a brief description of C- it can help him do what he does he supports it 100%. Commissioner Ziobrowski said with the - but it also protects us - and he sees nothing but positive things about the program. Steve Thomas said that they are working on the resolution and the public notice and the legal analysis. The Board agreed to aim to have it on the agenda for November th 30. The meeting was adjourned at 2:49 p.m. with a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski