HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-31 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, March 31, 2011, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, and the
Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Bill Landis from Mercersburg provided public comment and wanted to thank the
Board for additional information on the website. This was long overdue and part of the
change that is possible through technology and will take time for the general public to
become aware of the information.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of March 22, 2011 and March 24, 2011 meetings.
The Board asked for further clarification on the Coroner Solicitor rates that were
questioned at Tuesday’s workshop meeting. Mr. Hart provided additional information
and explained that prior to 2008 increases were set by the elected officials and these
increases varied. Starting in 2008 the Commissioners set the rate and all solicitors
receive the same percentage increase. This increase is in line with other solicitor rate
increases since 2002 which averages 2% per year. The Coroner’s Solicitor has not had
an increase since 2002. The budget adjustment for Court Administration was also
discussed further and Mr. Hart explained that there are two death penalty cases and
normally they are budgeted but now funds are put into contingency and a transfer is
required to move these funds to the courts operating budget. The Tuscarora Managed
Care amendment was explained further that the County gets reimbursed for all costs
incurred.
Carl Helman questioned the Coroner Solicitor rate and doesn’t understand the
rationale behind the increase and is challenging the justification.
The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Subsidized
Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth
Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children
with special needs for payment in the amount of $25.75/day for the period of February 1,
2011 through January 31, 2016, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $0 to
cover non-recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the
cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation
program.
The Board reviewed additional Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert
L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Subsidized
Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth
Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children
with special needs for payment in the amount of $31.00/day for the period of February 1,
2011 through January 31, 2016, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $0 to
cover non-recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the
cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation
program.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed additional Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert
L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Subsidized
Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth
Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children
with special needs for payment in the amount of $35.00/day for the period of February 1,
2011 through January 31, 2016, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $0 to
cover non-recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the
cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation
program.
The Board reviewed Coroner matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Renewal Contract
between the County and Jan Sulcove to provide contracted attorney services for advice
on legal matters pertaining to the Coroner’s Office at a cost of $110.00 per hour not to
exceed 100 hours unless prior approval by the Coroner and Board of Commissioners for
the period of January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. The 2010 rate was $90.00
and increased to $110.00 for 2011 at the request of the Coroner.
The Board reviewed Court Administration matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 2011 Budget
Adjustment in the amount of $100,000.00 to cover extra court-related costs including
additional expenses for psych services, special counsel and expert witnesses needed
due to complex nature of issues with two murder trials.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Form 8038-CP to the Department of the Treasury to file semi-
annually for the County to claim 45% reimbursement from the Federal Government for
the interest paid for the Recovery Zone Economic Development Note. The County will
receive a reimbursement in the amount of $13,869.00.
The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the Quarterly Report to the Housing and Urban Development
through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development for the
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program for the period of October 1,
2009 through September 30, 2011. The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
(ARRA) require quarterly reporting per the forms (Time Sheets and Expenditures) that
the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) created for the
HPRP program. One section of the five section report, the HPRP Subrecipient
Certification, requires a County Commissioner or Chief Elected Official Authorization.
The physical report will not be done until Friday, April 1, 2011 due to time sheets that
need to be collected through Wednesday, March 30, 2011. This action is seeking
authorization for the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners to sign necessary forms
when they are finalized on April 1, 2011
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Quarterly Report to Pennsylvania Department of Community and
Economic Development to report on the Community Development Block Grant – R
Grant where the County received $80,320.00 used for Indian Lake Camp Corporation to
replace water lines. Project was 100% completed in October 2010 but the County is still
required to provide a report to DCED quarterly.
Continued on page 3
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the Proposal from Nitterhouse Alarms Communications to provide
fire alarm system inspection and preventive maintenance including clean and calibrate
electronics of system to insure proper operation at Commissioners Complex, 14 North
Main Street, Chambersburg at a cost of $220.00 for the period of January 1, 2011
through December 31, 2011.
The Board reviewed Sheriff matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 2011 Budget Adjustment
in the amount of $140,840.00 for wages, benefits and uniforms for three new Sheriff
Deputies and to include weapons and ammo, six hats, three cell phones, three radios
and one computer.
The Board reviewed Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance matters. On a motion by
Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved
Amendment Number 1 to the Agreement approved on July 1, 2010 between the County
of Franklin and Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance for staffing reimbursement to the
County. This Amendment will include reimbursement for one Administrative Assistant II
position and to increase the amount of $223.232.00 to $245,902.48 through the
Department of Public Welfare Healthchoices Agreement. All other terms and conditions
of the original agreement will remain in full force and effect.
In accordance with PA Act 14 notification, Buchart Horn, Inc. notified the County
of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General NPDES Permit
being applied by Guilford Water Authority to extend the current permit for remaining work
to be covered for a well house over existing wells BT-1 and BT-2 located in Guilford
Township.
Phil Tarquino, Planning Director, and Dan Wolfe, Planner, met with the Board to
give recommendations for the Housing Trust Fund Program. Seven applicants applied
for the program. The County received $107,896.10 from the transfer of deeds in 2010
and had $12,270.93 remaining from 2009 funds. The Franklin County ordinance states
that the County can use 15% for administrative funding. Mr. Tarquino provided the
Board with the following recommendations: $10,000.00 for Valley Community Housing
for match funding for senior citizen rental units that are to be built in Waynesboro if
funding is approved by Housing Urban Development (HUD) and Department of
Community Economic Development; $25,000.00 for Franklin County Housing Assistance
Programs for future programs; $20,000.00 for Franklin County Human Services to match
funding for a HUD grant to help mentally challenged people with temporary living
quarters; $1,000.00 each to Maranatha for temporary housing for low-mod income and
lifestyle training; Elm Street Program for continued assistance with Chambersburg Elm
Street Program; and Chambersburg Project to run a one-week summer housing
rehabilitation program; $46,082.61 to South Central Community Action Program
(SCCAP) for housing rehabilitation; If these recommendations are approved
$104,082.61 would be allocated. Mr. Tarquino also recommended that $10,000.00 of
the HOME recaptured funds be distributed to Interfaith Housing. The Board gave
consent to proceed and will take official action of the Contracts at a later date.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:14 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review Personnel matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at
10:44 a.m. No action will be required after executive session.
Continued on page 4
The meeting was adjourned at 10:49 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS