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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-02 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, January 2, 2020, 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. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was no public comment. 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 the December 26, 2019 meeting. The Board reviewed Fiscal/Procurement matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and TeamLMI Hiring Services to provide hiring consulting services to be used in filling the Director of Procurement position at a cost of $1,485.00 per month. 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 agreement between the County of Franklin and LexisNexis to provide inmates the ability to do legal research, which is mandated by the state, at a cost of $19,368.00 for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021. This agreement will also include on-line legal services for inmate tablets. The Board reviewed Register and Recorder matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Software Support Agreement between the County of Franklin and Optical Storage Solutions for maintenance, updates and support of LANDEX software and Oracle Database Management software installed and used by various Franklin County offices for the period of February 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021, at a cost of $36,860.00. The Board reviewed Tax Claim Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to accept bids on the repository list made by; Anna Kehoe and Jack Wetzel in the amount of $100.00 to purchase a mobile home located on Black Gap Road, Fayetteville, PA. The Board reviewed additional Tax Claim matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 2019 Exonerations of taxes on mobile homes that were abandoned, destroyed or moved out of the County. These same parcels will be exonerated for the 2019 County and County Library taxes in 2020 after the 2019 returns are processed by the Tax Claim Bureau. Continued on page 2 The Board reviewed additional Tax Claim matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to accept bids on the repository list made by Toney Robbins in the amount of $100.00 to purchase a mobile home, located in Fannettsburg. In accordance with PA Act notifications, Gannett Fleming notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Chapter 105/Section 404 General Permit 11 being applied by PennDOT District 8 for the replacement of a state owned bridge over Rocky Mountain Creek, located in Greene Township. Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, and members of the STAR (Special Thanks and Recognition Committee) presented the December Employee of the Month award to Ms. Hannah Crean. Ms. Crean has been employed with Franklin County since July of 2016. She currently serves as Caseworker II-Ongoing for Children and Youth Services. The December 2019 Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee. There were a total of 13 nominations. The STAR nomination form asks what recent event or occurrence made you select Hannah and the answers stated, -do attitude, several children were able to return home to their families. Additionally, Hannah also worked diligently to make it possible for a parent, who was being deported, to see their child for the final time. She did not have to do it, she could have just let both the parent and the child continue on without any kind of closure, but Hannah knew it was the right thing to do. Hannah has persevered through the harsh realities of being a Children and Youth Caseworker. Despite the harsh nature of her career, Hannah continues to be a bright ray of sunshine and press on with a positive mindset, towards the job and towards the families. She is HIGHLY invested in the success of everyone around her. She often volunteers to take on tough cases. Hannah has never refused to help anyone. She often takes up the helm and guides others through their own obstacles, despite whatever she may be facing herself. She goes above and beyond for her families and gives each of them 150%. Hannah sees beyond what is on the surface and encourages everyone who comes into contact with her. There is never a question as to whether or not she truly cares, - Hannah works tirelessly to advocate not only for the children on her caseload but also for the parents. She is a true and fierce advocate for families and for reunification. She cheers on parents and encourages them in their darkest days. Through her never-ending support, she recently helped a mother fight for herself and achieve sobriety, freedom from an abusive relationship, and the independence to support her kids on her own ultimately resulting in reunification of the family. These children are very bonded to mom and it was the best possible outcome. Hannah never nomination form for Ms. Crean, written by yet another co- have been on board with Children and Youth, Hannah has been extremely helpful and welcoming. Whenever Hannah has an opportunity to take me out into the field, she does. During these trips, I pick her brain about paperwork and also some random questions. She always answers to the best of her knowledge and if she doesn't know the answer she will find it out. Hannah is an extremely valuable employee who truly are attributes that have not gone unnoticed by her peers. The nomination form describes her as being an advocate who is very knowledgeable and empathetic. We are grateful to Ms. Hannah Crean as she exudes a high standard of customer service, excellence, and respect to the employees and residents of Franklin County. Chairman Keller asked Ms. Crean for any comments. Ms. Cream said she feels very supported in what she does, and has a great community and family that supports her. Chairman Continued on page 3 Keller said that he has often said that Children & Youth Case Workers job is one of the most difficult in the County. He mentioned how Commissioner Thomas rode along with case workers in the past and saw what some kids have to deal with and that Ms. Crean sees this on a daily basis. He said the Board is grateful to her for all she does. Commissioner Thomas said Children & Youth has been a passion of his ever since he first was elected into office. He continued that in1996 he sat down with a few case workers and they challenged him to ride along with them and he mentioned how some homes are not expecting you and he had never seen situations before that some children are in. He continued that if we could intervene sooner in a lot of families lives it wou is thrilled that this award is going to Children & Youth and he is proud of her and thanked her for all she does. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that she obviously has empathy and compassion as is highlighted in the nomination forms that were read and he thanked her. Chairman Keller invited Commissioner Thomas to say a few last words before going to press time since this is his last meeting as a Commissioner. He turned it over to Commissioner Thomas by saying the County has accomplished a tremendous amount in the last 24 years he has been in office and he needs to be recognized for these accomplishments. Commissioner Thomas told the audience that meetings are just a smidgen of the true role of a commissioner. He was an advocate for young children and many people in the community knows this. Over those years there have been many accomplishments and a lot that he is proud of. However, one program he is not proud of and where he may have since turned more liberal was in 1996/1997 when a pay to stay program was started at the Jail. It was put in place with the hope of reducing recidivism. Today he feels it was not a good thing because so many of these people are in j more burden on them and their families when they get out of jail. He commented after his primary win in 1995, he was invited to attend the final sermon by Pastor Dino it included a paper handout of those 25 lessons. He recalled he had never forgotten those 25 lessons and when cleaning out his office he found the document. Holding up the list he continued that there are so many things on the list that everyone should follow. One pertains to him that things change and changes are a necessary part of life but just the same this transition has been a struggle for him. With Children & Youth staff in the meeting room Commissioner Thomas said that children are a blessing from the s time has come, but he plans to continue to be an advocate for children. He informed First Start Partnerships (formerly Head Start program) and the P3 Program in Waynesboro that he will stay engaged. He has also been an advocate for the mentally ill and commented that we need to get smarter about how we deal with these issues. The judicial system needs to be reformed. He went with a team to Washington, D.C. a couple weeks ago to discuss Criminal Justice Reform. He pointed out that incarceration affects the whole family, program through the Department of Justice that helps those incarcerated to better He continued that we years he has tried to make a difference and he will do his best to continue. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, said on behalf of staff she thanked him for his service and appreciates his passion, compassion and advocacy, and said that everyone will miss him greatly. Commissioner Ziobrowski thanked Commissioner Thomas for his service and noted he will have more freedom now and a new avenue to continue public service. Continued on page 4 The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski