HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-21 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, April, 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.
Allen Piper, President of Citizens for Responsible Government provided public
comment and had questions relating to the renovations of buildings. In March Mr.
Lightfoot asked for an update on renovations and Mr. Hart responded that studies would
be provided soon. Mr. Piper inquired as to the status of these studies and requested
that the studies be sent to him as President of CRG. Commissioner Keller advised that
Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Noelker and Hull will be providing recommendations.
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 April 12, 2011 and April 14, 2011 meetings.
The Board reviewed Aging matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract between the
Franklin County Area Agency on Aging and Franklin County Integrated Transportation
system to provide transportation services for consumers who are age 60 and above that
are unable to drive to day programs and doctor appointments at a total maximum
encumbrance of $112,680.00 for the period of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. The
Aging Block Grant covers the cost of this contract.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the Contract between the County of Franklin and Jones Fire Extinguisher, Inc.
to provide annual inspection, service and maintenance services on the Jail’s fire
extinguishers at a cost of $132.00 for the period of January 1, 2011 through December
31, 2011. This service is a requirement under State and Local codes.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement
between the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation for a grant amount of $167,652.00 to fund the Franklin County Rural
Planning Organization and Long Range Transportation Plan for the period of July 11,
2011 through June 30, 2012.
The Board reviewed additional Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Maranatha to provide Housing Trust
Fund money in the amount of $1,000.00 to be used to provide the residents of Franklin
County with transitional homeless assistance through temporary quarters and
counseling. This agreement is for the period of April 21, 2011 through December 31,
2012. The Planning Department met with the Board on March 31, 2011 who provided
recommendations on Housing Trust Fund at which time the Board agreed with their
recommendations.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Tax Services matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract between the
County of Franklin and Tom Donahue to provide unpaid taxes posting services for the
Tax Claim Bureau at a cost of $17.00 for each initial posting, $22.00 for each posting
notice of sale, $1.00 for each photograph, $9.00 for each owner-occupier-personal
nd
service handing to taxpayer in person, done at posting and $9.00 for each 2 attempt.
The period for this agreement is for January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.
In accordance with PA Acts 67 & 68 notification, Pennsylvania Game
Commission notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection Chapter 105 General Permit to replace two existing culverts with 48-inch
polyethylene pipe culverts located in Warren Township, Franklin County.
In accordance with PA Act 14 notification, Mark Burkholder notified the County of
a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection GP-6 General Permit being
applied for a stream crossing located in St. Thomas Township, Franklin County.
The Board reviewed Nursing Home matters and conducted a bid opening for
FSNRC Window Replacement. The following bidders submitted bids: HPG Windows &
Doors for a total bid of $524,308.00; Poole Anderson construction, LLC for a total bid of
$369,990.00 and Easter Window Specialists, Inc. for a total bid of $535,000.00. On a
motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved
to forward the bids received to the Director of Property Management, the County
Solicitor and the Purchasing Agent for their review. The Board will award or reject the
bids on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 9:40 a.m.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director met with the Board to discuss the following
items: Expenses and revenues for the 2011 budget through February 2011; final 2010
Budget performance report where Ms. Beckner reported a General Fund savings of
$2,410,000. These savings are due to the following: $350,000 more in property taxes
than originally budgeted; revenues for the jail were $60,000 higher than planned and
expenses were $370,000 less than budgeted; Clerk of Courts had a fee increase in 2009
which generated revenues of $110,000 higher than budgeted; received $130,000 from
PA Act 57, which reimburses counties for 65% of the wages for a full-time District
Attorney for the years 2008-2009. This reimbursement was not budgeted due to the
state not providing this reimbursement in prior years. County also received $230,000
more than budgeted from wireless fees. The county joined with other counties through
CCAP (County Commissioners’ Association of PA) for the counties general, vehicle and
liability insurance which saved approximately $100,000 from what was budgeted;
expenses of the Day Reporting Center were almost $180,000 less than budgeted;
general fund contribution to the nursing home was reduced by over $600,000 due to the
nursing home performing better than budgeted. John Hart explained this was a group
effort by the managers and employees to reduce spending and thanked everyone.
Nursing Home needs to be complemented because they did a good job by maintaining a
high case mix index which increased revenues. Mr. Hart was questioned by the Board if
the savings could be utilized towards the renovation project. He responded that based
on preliminary cost estimates the savings would be sufficient to pay for this remodeling
project. The county does not have final numbers on this project and this information will
be provided by Noelker and Hull on April 26.
Continued on page 3
The meeting was adjourned at 10:26 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS