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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-21 Commissioners Meeting WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2025 The Franklin County Commissioners met at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst, John T. Flannery, and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Horst thanked Quincy Township and their Supervisors for their He then presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence and remembrance of Mayor Starliper and his family after his passing, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. The meeting was live streamed. County Administrator Carrie Gray asked that 3.04, the agreement with the Pennsylvania State Police, be removed until a later date. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda. The minutes of the May 14, 2025 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the minutes. Commissioner Horst talked about the passing of Mayor Starliper. He met with the mayor a few times and was a man that loved his community and served his community well. He asked that everyone remember the family as they go through this time and say a prayer for them. There was public comment from Valerie Jordan. She believes the County is selling a few buildings and they will go back on the tax roll, which means revenue and will improve those areas. She thinks she knows both of those properties and they are in dire need. The County When a private owner buys them that will be a nice income for everyone. For the sunshine law, she went back and looked at the minutes, never put the spending in the minutes and per law they should be listed. now listed on the agenda and your attorney can advise. She knows the school board does. If we want to keep things clean, she suggests that the county does that because there is nothing to hideas all of this spending is vendors. Salaries are separate from the spending. Commissioner Host verified that there is only one property being sold and that the two actions she was speaking about are two different things. 3.08 is speaking to moving the wired internet connection. Commissioner Ziobrowski noted that 3.03 and 3.08 are associated but the building they are planning to sell is the old Adult Probation building, that with all the changes made, is located on Lincoln Way East behind the Historic Courthouse and that building is vacant. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved all consent agenda items to include: All bills presented and ordered paid in the amount of $1,960,051.79. Listing agreement providing Re/Max Realty Agency an exclusive right to sell the Franklin County owned commercial building located at 440 Walker Road, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Agreement between the County of Franklin and All Hands Fire Equipment to provide an 8-hour lithium-ion battery emergencies course for first responders, in the amount of $8,700.00. This course covers chemical properties of batteries, storage, containment and response techniques; and is relevant with the increased number of electric vehicles. The Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant will cover $6,960.00, the remaining $1,740.00 will be paid by the General Fund to meet the required 20% grant match. Agreement between the County of Franklin and the American Red Cross for use of the multi-purpose training room, office space (when available) and storage space at the Department of Emergency Services for the period of November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2027. Approval of the voucher for election poll worker pay in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00 Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $225,000.00 for the continuation of settlement funds. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Comcast to have a wired connection between Franklin Farm Lane and the Courthouse Annex. This would replace the connection between the old Adult Probation and Human Services buildings. A new method of connectivity is needed since we will be looking to sell the old APO building. The connectivity allows buildings on Franklin Farm Lane to remain on our internal network and share those resources at a cost of $19,737.20. This will be funded by an allocation across Human Services building occupants. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Dell for the annual bulk order of computer replacements at a cost of $124,377.19 to be paid from various Contingency funds, including human services and the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and West Michigan Warehouse Outfitters, Inc.to provide evacuation maps for the Human Service Building at a cost of $1,400.00. This will The Board reviewed regular agenda items. Ms. Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. Resolution 2025-06 to apply for a $60,000.00 grant from Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Chief Financial Officer Teresa Beckner stated that this is to apply for a grant from DCED for $120,000.00 and carries a 50% county match or $60,000.00. This is for the Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP). It provides for the county to hire a consultant to assist in long term planning. They propose to use the funds toward building the infrastructure as they look to the future. With the dynamic changes that are being made in government, including addressing AI (Artificial Intelligence) one of the hot topics everywhere, the revenue challenges that are faced, technology changes and opportunities. They believe this will bring the skill set beyond what is currently available with existing staff and an opportunity to receive 50% funding for the project. The outcome of the project willbe a long- range plan with recommendations for future planning projects and because of doing this additional grant opportunities will exist to fund those projects. Ones likely undertaken anyway. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the resolution. Commissioner Flannery asked if going through this process, in regard to the application, and if we qualify and move forward, it opens up future grant funding from DCEDtowards bettering the county. Ms. Beckner agreed. He wanted to make this point because we will make that $60,000.00 back in a short time and maybe help some townships out down the line with that money. Commissioner Ziobrowski believes there are people in the county that could do this work, if they take off from their regular job but they are really busy and not only would this be bringing in some expertise that we may not have, but it frees thestaff to work with the consultant and leveraged 10-fold he would be surprised. The benefit to this is great and we have a lot of change going on and AI is a big part of that. The Board conducted a bid opening for Jail HVAC. Ms. Gray said this is a rebid for the Jail HVAC. Procurement Director Robin Harmon stated this was a rebid with a much better responsethis time to replace the HVAC system in the kitchen area at the Jail. The current is original to the building and at end of life and needs to be replaced. MS. Gray stated there are a total of 5 bids. Commissioner Horst then opened the five bids that were received. The following bidders submitted bids per the attached document titlJail Kitchen HVACFrey Lutz LLC, Master Mechanical Corporation, Stouffer Mechanical Contractor, Rodney B. Smith, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, and M.S. Johnston Company Inc. Ms. Gray stated the staff could review the bid submissions and be able to make a recommendation at the May 28, 2025 meeting. The Board reviewed Proclamation #2025-17 for the purpose of proclaiming May Military Appreciation Month. Ms. Gray introduced Mr. Steven Grace, Ms. Tabiatha Newlin and Ms. Tracy Burk. Mr. Grace stated its a great thing to do and Franklin County has an amazing group of Vets. Somewhere over 13,500. Settled in this area between a lot of active-duty bases, reserve bases, and guard. They see it everyday, and they come out and still serve which is a big thing for a lot of them. Commissioner Horst told the Veteran Affairs staff that they have been doing an amazing job. They picked up a ball that was getting pretty flat and stepped in and carried the weight for the past few months. He and the rest of the Board appreciate that. They may not see each other often, but they do see them and what they are doing in the community. say thank you enough. Those that you are helping signed a contract that said here is my life and do with it what you want, and at the end of the day it never stops. They keep giving back to us. It is stories that we hear from World War II vets and forward that are up lifting to hear the stories of when they served and howit changed their lives and not just about the things that they did, but those who they helped. Commissioner Flannery thanked the staff for pulling together as a Commissioner Ziobrowski pointed out that this is Military Appreciation Month and we have a very humble Chairman. He once asked Commissioner Horst if he was a Marine and Commissioner Horst told him, you are a Marine, you are always a Marine. On behalf of himself and the rest of Franklin County, we thank you for your service. Commissioner Horst then read the proclamation, and it was made apart of these minutes. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery the Board unanimously approved the job description for Probation Officer I. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 7:05 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing personnel matters. There will be action required after the executive session. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to reconvene into regular session at 7:19p.m. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to appoint Joshua Curry as the Franklin County Veterans Affairs Director. There was public comment from Alan Peck who thanked the Commissioners for coming. There was also public comment from Valerie Jordan that this room is very clean and nice. In New Jersy where they held their meetings was in the Fire Department so nice. She then read the statement that is attached about the inmate that passed away at the County Jail. For all that they have paid in taxes they got a new county building,a new parking lot, bridges. In New Jersy you would be paying a lot morein taxes. She encouraged the board in She has never complained about her taxesas she feels she gets a lot for them. Shealsogoes to the Senior Center and to get a meal,and every single employee has been nice. When you cut a budget, that Lori Depies was here as the Treasurer of the Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department. She statedthat the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had passed legislation for a tax credit program for Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) which allows municipalities and school districts to developa tax credit for active volunteer firefighters and EMS personneland funding for the project. credit. Many counties around Franklin do, Adams, Cumberland,and many of theBroughs, townships, municipalities and school districts have this. They believe it would be a great thing for the volunteers in Franklin County if they were to work with the County somehow, maybe through the Franklin County Chiefs Association to developa programthat was meaningful to the fiscally burdensometo the County. They believe this will help with recruitment and retention as a great wayto say thank you for all the training and the hours that they put in. She thinks that developing a program that is either on the income tax side or real property side. She would like to see something similarto AdamsCounty where they have both, they would take advantage of the earned income side and some others that own homes on real propertytax. She asked if the Board would you be amenableto the Franklin County Chiefs Association drafting something to see if it would be something they would sign off on.Commissioner Horststated he would look at anything. He thinks that they do a great jobas volunteers,and we have a crisis on our hands with the number of volunteer firefighters and EMS and he will take a look at it. Commissioner Flannery stated he would take a look at it as well. Commissioner Ziobrowskistated he would indorseanything on the earnedincome side.Ms. Depiesstatedthat the earned income side is a little tricker,but the low hanging fruit would be the real property tax firstand then work through the earned income is going to be some gymnastics. She understands that they may have to start with one and expand to the other. They are happy to work with the ChiefAssociation to get something drafted. Commissioner Horst asked Ms. Grayto get contact information after the meeting.Ms. Gray statedshe would get the contact information and set up a time to meet. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32p.m. on a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ Dean A. Horst, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski Bidder List Kitchen HVAC Replacement for the Franklin County Jail Bids accepted until: 04:00 PMBid Opening: 6:30 PM Tuesday, 5/20/2025Wednesday, 5/21/2025 Total Cost 1.Frey Lutz LLCNo Base Bid Lancaster, PAAlt 1, Adm 2: $231,000.00 2.Master Mechanical CorporationBase Bid $205,254.00 McAdoo, PaAlt 1, Amd 2: $18,542.00 3.Stouffer Mechanical ContractorBase Bid $229,228.00 Chambersburg, PAAlt 1, Amd 2: No Bid 4.Rodney B. Smith Plumbing, Heating, & CoolingBase Bid $293,000.00 Chambersburg, PA Alt 1, Amd 2: $10,000.00 5.M.S. Johnston Company Inc.No Base Bid Hagerstown, MDAlt 1, Amd 2: $200,000.00