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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-14 Commissioners Meeting WEDNESDAY, May 14, 2025 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, May 14, 2025, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Horst 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; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. The minutes of the May 7, 2025 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. There was public comment from John Jordan. He stated the new parking lot is great and the people that did it did a great job and he thinks even with the oil tank and some people were complaining that apparently because that is really nice. He thanked all those who were involved and asked to tell the contractors they did a great job. There was also public comment from Valerie Jordan who wanted to read some numbers and also speak about the South Mountain Golf Course. In 2023 the reserve account had $4.1 million with a county budget of $170 million or 2.5% in the reserve account. In 2024 the reserve account was $2.7 million with a county budget of $ 171.1 million or 1.5% in the reserve account. In 2025 the reserve account is $3.2 million with a county budget of $162.3 million or 1.9% in the reserve account. Title 16 allows to carry reserve . In a pie chart, she stumbled upon for our county, she was surprised, yet not surprised, by the fact that 22% of Franklin County is comprised of retail/wholesale/hospitality. This 22% is the main driver in our county for bringing revenue into this county of ours. This 22% shows our county is a county of consumers now. Manufacturing sits at only 14% with little room left to turn that 14% into 20% knowing the municipal ordinances around here. On the other hand, this fact shocked her in that same pie chart; agribusiness sits at only 8% with continued farmland up for sale. On th May 8, she received a letter in email from Seth Cassell, State Forester Director of DCNR where South Mountain Golf Course exists now. Yesterday, she was sent an email from Connor Corpora, Director of South Central and Lehigh Valley Region Office of Governor Josh Shapiro concerning South Mountain Golf Course. Mr. Corpora and I spoke over the phone on the status of South Mountain Golf Course. Our brief conversation gives me hope that our governor is looking into this matter between South Mountain Golf Course and DCNR. She is hoping that South Mountain gets saved. She will forward the letters and send them to Chad Reichard as he is trying to save the golf course. 90.9% of the population of Franklin County, PA has health coverage. With 40.7% employee plans, 14.3% on Medicaid,14.7% on Medicare, and 12.9% on nongroup plans and 1.4% on military or VA Medicare or Medicaid touched. She is still waiting on her Social Security check that she should have in her account by now. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved all consent agenda items to include: Vouchers in the amount of $239,689.49 Addendum to the agreement between the County of Franklin and BI Incorporated to utilize COSTAR pricing for 2025. Individuals on supervision who have court ordered electronic monitoring remit monthly payment towards the cost of this equipment. The remainder will be paid by the General Fund. Quarterly Contract Listing for Children & Youth from January 1, 2025 through March 31, 2025. Change order whereas the Franklin County Dept. of Emergency Services and Motorola Solutions, Inc. have agreed to terminate for convenience by mutual consent the Contract for building Response Plans dated July 17, 2024. Lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Darren Garvin for the HUD Permanent (Supportive Housing Lease Program) that covers total rent plus any landlord- covered utilities at a cost of $10,200.00 for the period of May 1, 2025 through May 1, 2026. 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. This will be paid from the HUD grant. Resolution 2025-07 for updating FCMPO signatory resolution to reflect change in position for Quentin Clapper from Senior Planner to Planning Director. Resolution 2025-08 for recertification of a signatory resolution to authorize the current Chairman of the Board of Commissioners to sign all related agreements/contracts, addendums, and work orders for the MPO contract. Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Franklin County Visitors Bureau to use of their Great Room for the County's Municipal Summit on September 5, 2025 at a cost of $50.00. This will be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Habitat for Humanity for fiscal year 2023 to pass through CDBG funds of $37,489.00 towards their project, "Acquisition of Real Property." Agreement between the County of Franklin and PennDOT for the Preliminary Engineering phase of the rehabilitation of Burnt Mill Road Bridge as part of the federally funded Historic Metal Truss Bridge Rehabilitation Program. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. Assistant County Administrator John Thierwechter provided a high level overview of each of the actions. The Board reviewed Proclamation #2025-14 for the purpose of proclaiming May 18-24 EMS week. EMS Deputy Chief, West Region for WellSpan EMS Douglas Bitner read a statement and statics that have been made apart of these minutes. Commissioner Horst stated that we as a county are so blessed to have such dedicated volunteers to play this roll for us in public safety. W. You do a job that is very important, and we see that and we honor you and appreciate it. Commissioner Flannery stated that EMS is the backbone of our community, what they do. Commissioner Ziobrowski concurred that the integration of EMS services with our 911 is critical as they work hand in hand and provide a great team. As Mr. Bittner stated the actual responsibility for first response ends up with the municipalities which is a tremendous challenge, but they are happy they can assist in that challenge. Commissioner Horst then read the proclamation, and it was made apart of these minutes. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. Mr. Thierwechter stated that yesterday was the PMEA certification for the Department of Emergency Services and many of the people in the room today were there in support of that and just shows that we have a great team here at the County. The Board reviewed Proclamation #2025-15 for the purpose of proclaiming May 12-18 National Salvation Army Week. Major Chris Mauk stated that when National Salvation Army Week was first declared by the United States Congress and proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954 as a reminder to Americans to give freelyof themselves. In his speech President Eisenhower said among Americans, the Salvation Army has long been a symbol of wholehearted dedication to the cause of human brotherhood. In time of war, the men and women of this organization have brought to those serving their country far from home friendliness and warm concern. In the quieter days of peace, their work has been a constant reminder to us that each of us is a neighbor and kin to all Americans. Given freely of themselves, the men and women of the Salvation Army have won the respect of us all. They have been working to live up to that calling internationally since 1865 and in Franklin County since 1906. Helping someone with their emergency financial assistance programs with rent and utility payments as the need continues to rise among the working poor. Serving a hot meal through their feeding program, providing opportunities for the youth to grow, offering church services and other faith-based programs, providing toys and food for Christmas Day, providing warmth through a coat, providing shower and laundry services, providing resources so kids can start off the school year on the right foot, doing fundraising events such as their fabric fair, helping collect much needed funds during the Christmas seasonor donating a piece of clothing to their thrift store where those funds are utilized right back into service through the community. Their congregation members who auxiliary, and community partners all continue to give freely of themselves as they collectively work to love God, love others, and to be a bridge in the community. He thanked them all for their support and asked those who were visiting to stand and be recognized. Major Ashley stated that it takes anarmy to support the army. They are genuinely very grateful to their court, auxiliary, and advisory board. Through everyone they are able to do a lot of good in the community. They are grateful to be able to do that. On Friday, starting at 9:00 AM at the visitor center, they will be handing out donuts and coffee and invited everyone to come down and look at the National Salvation Army Week. At 12:30 PM they are showing Stories of Hope based off of stories of human trafficking survivors in the Eastern territory. This will be in the chapel of the Salvation Army. Major Mauk continued that all this week at the visitor' a great display that if anyone wanted to see it, commemorating National Salvation Army week. He then thanked Ms. Cathy Goetz for all her work in putting that together. Commissioner Horst thanked them for being here this morning and to those that volunteer have them as a part of it. In Mathew:25 he thinks is where it talks about feeding the poor and clothing and shelter and things of that nature. The Salvation Army is touching every need that we see here and they appreciate that and can't say thank you enough. What they do, has its challenges, but at the end of the day the reward they see in the folks faces probably just Commissioner Flannery stated that its incredible the work that they do and they represent so well in this community and the need is so great. He loves seeing them out and about. He then thanked them.Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that there are many gaps in the social safety net and the Salvation Army fills many of them homeless folks that get meals and showers them. Commissioner Horst then read the proclamation and it was made apart of these minutes. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. The Board reviewed Proclamation #2025-16 for the purpose of proclaiming May 12-18 National Prevention Week. Katelyn Becker thanked the Commissioners for recognizing the week on behalf of the Franklin Fulton Drug and Alcohol program. Their continued support affirms the vital role that prevention plays in protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing of our community. individuals, families, and communities. It works best when it begins early, reaches across generations, and is embedded in the places where people live, learn, work, and play. They are proud to recognize the incredible work being done in Franklin County. The Healthy Communities Partnership of Greater Franklin County is a shining example leading efforts in the community and schools, neighborhoods, and to create a safer, stronger, and more connected community. Their work helps ensure that the youth have the support and opportunities they need tomake positive, healthy choices. This is a collective effort. Alongside Healthy Community Partnership, they wanted to recognize the many organizations, churches, school community coalitions, parents and caregivers that are on the frontlines of prevention every day. It takes everyone working together to make a difference and together they are making a difference. She then thanked the Commissioners again for shining a light on prevention this week and for being part of the community that believes lifting each other up before crisis begins. Commissioner Horst thanked Ms. Becker for everything that they do out at Drug and Alcohol. Stating that the more that we can touch and educate at an early age really makes a difference in the long run. Back to what the Salvation Army talked about, it takes an army and this is another one of those items that the more we work together as a team with the community and the partners in the community, it really makes a difference. Commissioner Flannery thank you and these three proclamations today, EMS, Salvation Army and Drug and Alcohol Prevention, you serve the most vulnerable part of the population here in the community it means so much looking forward that makes Franklin County so great. Their passion is heartwarming. Commissioner Ziobrowski there are many reasons historically that people have one of the major reasons that people abuse drugs and alcohol, particularly young people, is that there is something missing in their life and they are trying to replace it with something that allows them to become inebriated. To find methods to replace or fill that hole he knows is a big part of what they do. It no or preventing, and that is so critical for our kids. Commissioner Horst then read the proclamation and it was made apart of these minutes. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. Mr. Thierwechter introduced Chief of Juvenile Probation Angie Mackley to present the Juvenile Probation program to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends, topics of interest and any concerns they may have. Her presentation was made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Horst asked for public knowledge, how many staff is there in Juvenile Probation. Ms. Mackley stated they should have 16 when fully staffed but are currently down four officers. The officers she does have are working twice as hard because they are in need of staff. Its really difficult for everyone across the state in the human services field just to find people that want to work. Commissioner Horst then asked on the mental health side, what would be the greatest tool she could have for that. Ms. Mackley stated that there are so many, but one would be access to psychiatry is a huge issue. There are psychiatrists but the wait list is tremendous. They have kids that are self medicating because they are not able to see a psychiatrist. They have family doctors that are prescribing and nothing against family doctors, but that is what a psychiatrist is for Just individual mental health counseling would be right underneath that. Commissioner Horst asked if a majority of the kids they work with is a mental health issue. Ms. Mackley stated yes. A lot of trauma been dealt with at all. Commissioner Flannery stated juveniles, he feels like the probation officer has to act like a parent at times. Ms. Mackley stated because they are modeling what a parent should. supervise the whole family. Commissioner Flannery asked if she thinks under those circumstances that when in a home or the parent at some point becomes part of the process or discussion. Do your officers find themselves kind of trying to train the parent as well on how to deal with these situations. Ms. Mackley simply stated absolutely. Commissioner Ziobrowski had a few questions. Why only one provider of youth psychiatric services? Is this a national or regional phenomena? Ms. Mackley stated there are many psychiatric providers. The problem is the wait list. Their goal is to get juveniles through supervision and not hold on to them because that was one of the complaints that the state of Pennsylvania as a whole had heard that juvenile probation is bad because kids are getting under supervision and they stay under for years at a time. Looking at it from that one perspective, the numbers could have been, yes. But when you look at the fact that its statewide, the inability to provide those services is part of the reason because a lot of times kids under juvenile probation have come to them because other systems have not been able to do things. They end up getting charges and some of the p get them on juvenile probation, they can make all that stuff happen. But juvenile probation is not the answer to everything. Charges are not the answer to everything. Juvenile probation anything more than anyone else. They just have the ability to court order things. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked Ms. Mackley if she thought the lack of providers of juvenile psychiatric services is a financial disincentive for psychiatrists or why are there so few of them because if . Ms. Mackley s a good question and not one she can truly just that in Franklin County a lot of people need psychiatric services. She knows some of the answer was telehealth to bring in in. Keystone Health and WellSpan have psychiatry but if there is only one psychiatrist at each place, with how many people in Franklin County that need those services, that can only be seen by these four or five people. Commissioner Ziobrowskiasked if juvenile psychiatry a subset of psychiatryand a specialty. Ms. Mackley stated that sometimes it is, but sometimes psychiatrists are not comfortable, so they specialize in with adult or juvenile. Commissioner Ziobrowskisaid that something they heard yesterday at the opening of Boys and Girls club, that every child needs five adults in their life that care about them and how does that interact with what they do. Ms. Mackley said that 110% that correlates to absolutely everything that they do. Their number one goal is because alliance, if they don't create those I heart to heart conversations, show them that no one is perfect and we all go through stuff, they wastingtime and spinning their wheels. They strive to be one of those five people everyday. Commissioner Horst stated he had one other question. She had referenced the juvenile bed shortage in Pennsylvania. For public knowledge, if she knew it, what is the cost per day for a bed. Ms. Mackley stated that currently in Franklin County we used to have a detention center on South Mountain that closed. When that was still in operation, they had a conversation, run by Abraxas, about doing a regional detentionfacility and was supposedto, with Cumberland County, have beds at South Mountain. Abraxas When Abraxas shut down South Mountain, leaving Franklin and Cumberland County out of the regional detention center, they now have to travel to Morgantown. The goal of the Department of Human Servies with juvenile probation was to regionalize detention facilities. They have made headway with their detention facilities. Currently, Franklin County has contracted beds in Ohio and the staff have to drive four hours to $335 for beds in Ohio. Its $800 in Pennsylvania, if you can find one. Commissioner Flannery wanted to verify it that was per day. Ms. Mackley said yes. Commissioner Horst askedhow does the parent get there to see the child if the child is three or four hours away. How do they get the positive reinforcement of family? Abraxas South Mountain was the best at two and a half or three hours, regardless, for a detention bed. The meeting was recessed at 11:15a.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. The meeting was reconvened for Retirement Board at 1:02p.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Retirement Boradwas adjourned at 2:04p.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. The meeting was adjourned at 2:12p.m. on a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. John K. Thierwechter Assistant County Administrator FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ Dean A. Horst, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ____________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski Version - BASED PRACTICES - 2) - EVIDENCE PA Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (PADRAI)Youth Level of Service (YLS)Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument2 (MAYSIChildhood Trauma Screening (CTS)Case Planning Graduated Responses Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) based tool that adds - PADRAI DetainAlternative to Detention (ATD)Release Is an objective evidenceuniformity to the decision to securely detain a juvenile. to determine overall risk YLS domanins Prior and Current OffensesFamily Circumstances/ParentingEducation/EmploymentPeer RelationsSubstance AbuseLeisure/RecreationPersonality/BehaviorAttitude/Orientation Looks at 8 different level and areas of need focused assessment by a - irritability, depressed/anxious, somatic complaints, - 2 - reported inventory focusing on alcohol/drug use, - MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS Selfangrysuicide ideation, and thought disturbances.Can point to a need for mental health treatment.Identifies youth who are likely to be suffering a trauma exposure and would benefit from being referred for a more comprehensive traumatrained clinician. MAYSICTS CASE PLANNING Focus on reducing risk factors that have the greatest impact on recidivismEmphasize on strengthsIdentifies triggers Utilize approaches based on traits such as culture, gender, language, disabilities, and mental health (responsivity factors) GRADUATED RESPONSES CertainSwiftTargeted ProportionateFairIncentives should be provided at a 4:1 ratio over sanctions to promote positive reinforcement of positive behaviors. EPICS In - CheckReviewInterventionHomework Provides structure to probation officer's sessions with juveniles. DISPOSITIONS Youth Court, Youth Aid Panel, First Offenders Program, Say it Straight, Technology and Social Media Awareness Class, Theft Prevention Class DiversionWarn, Counsel, Dismiss (WCD), Informal Adjustment, Consent DecreeAdjudicationPlacementCertification to Criminal Court 2010 - numbers from the most recent report RECIDIVISM REDUCTION JJSES) show a rate of recidivism at 23%. - Franklin County recidivism number from 2007(preRecividism(2020) show a rate of recidivism at 13%.