HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-23 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 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, a Moment
of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day.
Carrie Gray, County Administrator, asked to amend the agenda to delete the
2018 CDBG Public Hearing from the agenda. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda.
Mayor Richard Starliper asked where Chief Supply is from and if the $12,464 is
for all the bullet proof vests requested. Mr. Starliper is referring to board action #1.
Chairman Keller said his question will be addressed during board action discussions.
The minutes of the October 18, 2018 meeting was reviewed. These will be
decided upon on Thursday, October 25, 2018.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
explained that the sales agreement for acquisition of Elks Lodge is on the agenda for
today. Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor, and John Hart, Project Manager, have been
instrumental in pulling this together. This is essentially to help with parking needs of the
court facility project. He continued that the price is $745,000 and part of the agreement
is once the county takes ownership after due diligence and ratification of ownership, the
Elks Lodge will rent for up to 6 months under count
that time, when the building will be demolished for parking. Carrie Gray explained that
Chief Supply is out of Charlotte, NC and said that the $12,464 is the complete costs of
the 16 vests. The following items were approved today while the remaining items will be
approved Thursday, October 25, 2018.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the agreement for purchase and sale of real estate at 168 Lincoln
Way East, Chambersburg, PA in the amount of $745,000.00.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the lease and security agreement for payment of rent
for lease of space located at 168 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA for the period of
commencing on the day of settlement and ending six months later.
The Board reviewed Commissioners matters and conducted a bid opening for the
Franklin County Judicial Center Building and Site Demolition Project. The following
bidders submitted a bid: Terra Technical bid $1,069,337 for sub-bid item No. 1 Demo
nd
of Buildings on Main Street; $61,570 for sub-bid #2 Demo of 272 North 2 St. Building;
$139,000 for sub-bid item #3 for new storm sewer for a total base bid of $1,270,807:
Neuber Environmental Services Inc. bid $1,299,320 for sub-bid item No. 1 Demo of
nd
Buildings on Main Street; $70,000 for sub-bid #2 Demo of 272 North 2 St. Building;
$180,000 for sub-bid item #3 for new storm sewer all for a total base bid of $1,549,320:
Morgan Keller Construction bid $1,215,942 for sub-bid item No. 1 Demo of Buildings
nd
on Main Street; $112,355 for sub-bid #2 Demo of 272 North 2 St. Building; $346,100
for sub-bid item #3 for new storm sewer all for a total base bid of $1,674,398: Lycoming
Supply bid $1,132,504 for sub-bid item No. 1 Demo of Buildings on Main Street;
nd
$34,262 for sub-bid #2 Demo of 272 North 2 St. Building; $102,162 for sub-bid item
#3 for new storm sewer all for a total base bid of $1,268,928. John Hart, Project
Continued on page 2
Manager, requested to include on Thur
Award due to the need to keep the project moving but if staff is not ready we will move it
to the following week. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L.
Thomas; unanimously approved to forward the bids received to the Project Manager and
the County Solicitor. The Board will do the Notice of Intent to Award on Thursday,
October 25, 2018 at 9:45 a.m.
Chairman Keller explained that this is the date for the Board to provide guidance
last Thursday. His thoughts at that time were the requests exceed the amount of
revenue coming in so we have to provide guidance on priorities and how to make ends
meet. His thoughts last week is consistent with today. Chairman Keller said we need to
take an approach similar to how we handled the 2018 budget. No tax increase for
General Fund, the 2018 budget is performing well and there are projected savings at
the budget. To the extent necessary whatever capital needs requested, utilize fund 41
that was established several years ago to purchase things like computer equipment,
other equipment and repairs on buildings since we still have over $3 M in that fund. He
continued that we have used it sparingly so he suggests tap into these funds only as
on that fund and we need to maintain a healthy balance for future needs that may come
up. Chairman Keller said the Jail and 911 Call Center made requests for some
improvements and upgrades and replacement of equipment and software. In addition,
the County may still be required to replace new election equipment estimated at
$900,000, which is a major purchase and there is no anticipation of significant funding
from the state or federal government. Commissioner Keller indicated that we need to
take a look at those three big ticket items and assign some priority to them and assess if
they all need addressed at once. He continued that Carrie Gray suggested doing an
audit for the improvements at the Jail and there is hope that it will come back with a
lower number. In terms of positions requested and overtime, we need to make public
safety a priority and use that as a guiding principle and when looking at capital requests
have that as our guiding principle as well. Commissioner Thomas said that with the
capital requests if we know we are absolutely required to purchase election equipment
f
fund 40 or 41 if needed. Commissioner Thomas indicated that we have been audited
replace the equipment now, as we already have the paper and we have a backup
system. He has an issue with this mandate from the state. There is only one company
certified at this time. Commissioner Thomas said that regarding 911 some requests
were for technology and some is a shortfall in the funding formula. He talked to
Representative Paul Schemel that he has a concern with the funding because we are
still falling short. Chairman Keller explained that the funding formula put in place was to
be temporary and it was to be temporary for 18 months but it has not been replaced with
the final f
make sure we get our 911 folks and others on the same page and solve the issue.
Commissioner Ziobrowski said that he could complain about the state government as
well but we balance our budget, our retirement is funded, we are prudent in our fiscal
behavior and moving forward he agrees with no General Fund increase. A few weeks
ago, the County had an employee recognition ceremony and the Commissioners
thanked the employees for the heavy lifting they do. He does not wish to see employees
salaries fail to keep up with the cost of living. He supports using fund 40 and 41 as
necessary to avoid a General Fund increase. Chairman Keller said to be clear when the
facility project rolled out it was planned to increase debt service by 1.5 mils to pay for
bond issue. He continued that the current millage is 2.6 mils so it would increase to 4.1
mils so the board is still anticipating that. This is dedicated solely to additional debt
service put in place. Chairman Keller said the next step is the Board will look for the
th
proposed preliminary budget on November 20 in an afternoon meeting.
Continued on page 3
The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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David S. Keller, Chairman
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Robert L. Thomas
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Robert G. Ziobrowski