HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-09 Commissioner Minutes
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020
The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, December 9, 2020, with
the following members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery 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.
Chairman Keller said the Board was asked to include a discussion regarding a
public statement to urge citizens to wear their masks. Carrie Gray, County
Administrator, stated that Franklin County has seen a severe increase in the number of
cases and an increased positivity rate that exceeds the rate of the state. A number of
groups are working on educating the public since there is additional impact on the
healthcare system. Chairman Keller responded that it would be appropriate to add a
discussion on the agenda in the afternoon session regarding a COVID related resolution.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to adopt the amended agenda.
There was no public comment.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
The minutes of the December 2, 2020 meeting were reviewed. These will be
decided upon in the afternoon approval session.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. John Hart, Project
Manager explained that change order #42 from Lobar Inc. for the Judicial Center project
is to provide a divider wall at the marriage license counter in the Clerk of Courts office
that will allow two customers at a time and include a credit card reader. They are very
busy and decided that they needed two stations. The items will be approved in the
afternoon approval session.
Ms. Gray explained that Ms. Bloyer has been working with the Controller and her
staff as a result of a recent salary board meeting directing staff to research options for
acknowledging workers not included when they approved the supplemental
compensation for employees who were excluded from the Family First Coronavirus
Response Act (FFCRA). Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, recommends up to
2 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) in 2021 for those employees who did not receive the
bonus but worked at least 90 days during the pandemic. . This would include all non-
exempt and exempt employees. She continued that currently part-time and casual
employees do not receive PTO but they also worked during this pandemic. She
recommends they receive up to 8 hours of PTO if they worked at least 90 days from
March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Any employee hired from October 15,
2020 through December 31, 2020 will receive 7.5 hours or 8 hours depending on their
workweek status and any part-time and casual employees hired from October 15, 2020
through December 31, 2020 will receive 4 hours. This benefit is for the employees that
provided services during the pandemic. They would like to thank them in 2021 and this
would help them decompress and take some much needed time off. Chairman Keller
asked how many days of PTO are we awarding total and what is the budget impact?
Ms. Gray responded it would be for approximately 340 employees and the budget
impact is $108,364.28. Commissioner Ziobrowski suggests in regard to parity those that
received the cash bonus should also get 1 day of PTO. Ms. Gray responded that they
can head in that direction but this was in response to employees feeling that there was a
segment of the population that felt left out when the supplemental compensation was
Continued on page 2
approved and they were still working. Commissioner Flannery said that he is not
opposed to this action however he had a meeting with his restaurant staff this morning
and his manager said that Governor Wolf may shut down the private sector again so she
asked what do they get with them struggling to make ends meet and that there is nothing
e sector right now. The county is
guaranteed revenue but the private businesses are not. We need to take that into
consideration when our tax paying base will say the county is getting paid but the private
hing. Chairman Keller said there is no
action which awarded some supplemental pay for folks who are on the front lines of this
pandemic and dealing with people face to face on a daily basis, he does think this
request is appropriate and their task as commissioners is to continue doing what we can
to avoid and limit the spread and keep taxes where they are as long as we can so as to
not put any more stress on businesses and
suggestion to give employees who received the bonus an extra day off. Maybe staff can
think about it over lunch and answer the question on the true impact of the general fund
budget. He assumes the true general impact would be those receiving part-time or
casual that normally do not receive PTO and if days off would trigger someone else to
work overtime. The discussion will continue during the afternoon session of the meeting.
The Board recessed and will reconvene at 1:00 p.m. for final approval of the
items that were reviewed.
The Board reconvened at 1:00 p.m.
There was no public comment.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved the minutes of the December 2, 2020 meeting.
The Board reviewed Aging Office matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Four-Year Area Plan on
Aging that is a directive of Pennsylvania Department of Aging that sets forth strategic
plans and goals of the agency for the years 2020-2024. This plan discusses five
overarching goals with numerous objectives and strategies to be implemented by
Franklin County Area Agency on Aging for the benefit of Franklin County residents 60
and above.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the amendment to
service agreement dated October 28, 2020 between the County of Franklin and
Automated Logic Contracting Services, Inc. to change the effective date to January 1,
2021. All other terms of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the addendum to the Lease Agreement dated July 6,
2020 between the County of Franklin and Capitol Theatre to extend the lease through
April 30, 2021. This lease is to provide additional space for judicial hearings, meetings
and sales in compliance with applicable public health guidelines. All other terms of the
Lease Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute Change Order #42 from Lobar, Inc. to provide an
additional divider wall, with the same finish as the original divider at the Clerk of Courts
Public Research counter for an increased cost of $3,242.46.
Continued on page 3
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the contract between the County of Franklin and Department of
Public Safety Training and Certification of Bucks County Community College to provide
a maximum of 200 hours of onsite, non-certification, training courses at Franklin County
Public Safety Training Center for the calendar year of 2021, at a cost of $1,200.00.
Provides DES and local responders with national and state level fire, rescue, and
emergency medical and hazardous materials training. Students are responsible for
required manuals; DES provides required equipment, expendable items and the
classroom for hands-on sessions.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the agreement between the
County of Franklin and Over the Rainbow CAC to pay for Franklin County forensic
interviews performed by the Over the Rainbow CAC that are not covered by other
funding sources. This agreement is at the cost of $110,436.00 for the period of January
1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
The Board reviewed additional Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the subgrant
agreement between the County of Franklin and Over the Rainbow CAC to cover the cost
of wages and benefits for a Mental Health Coordinator position for an amount of
$97,848.00 for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. This is a pass through
agreement to pass State grant funds to Over the Rainbow CAC.
The Board reviewed additional Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the subgrant
agreement between the County of Franklin and Over the Rainbow CAC to cover the cost
of wages and benefits for a part-time administrative support position for an amount of
$61,218.00 for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. This is a pass through
agreement to pass State grant funds to Over the Rainbow CAC.
The Board reviewed Human Services Administration matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the
Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $17,343.00 to increase the budget for
Human Service Administration to provide additional personnel costs due to a reallocation
of time/purpose. There is no impact to the General fund.
The Board reviewed Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the quote
from AccessIT Group for renewal of firewall support in the amount of $58,380.00. The
firewalls provide endpoint security to protect against breach of data over the internet. It
provides features such as web filtering, geo-blocking, rule-based access, home vpn-
access, and intruder prevention.
The Board reviewed Planning Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Notice to
Proceed for contract no. 2 between the County of Franklin and William Orr and Sons for
the guide rail improvements in the 2020 Bridge Maintenance Program for a contract
amount of $49,194.50.
The Board reviewed additional Planning Office matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the motion to
approve the reimbursement agreement between the County of Franklin and
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acting through PennDOT for the 2021-2025 NBIS
Inspection Program for a total reimbursement of $988,105.46.
Continued on page 4
The Board reviewed additional Planning Office matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the motion to
approve the agreement between the County of Franklin and Herbert, Rowland and
Grubic, Inc. for the 2021-2025 NBIS Inspection of Franklin County Bridges for a
maximum encumbrance of $1,235,131.83.
The Board reviewed Procurement matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the proposal from
Canon Financial Solutions, Inc. for an addition of four multi-function devices to our
existing 48 month equipment lease for a monthly lease amount of $1,010.00 for the
period of December 9, 2020 through May 1, 2023. This will be effective for the remaining
30 months. It also provides for some accessories for a few existing machines and adds
the new ones to the managed print service.
The Board reviewed Risk Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the proposal from Diversified Storage Solutions for the purchase
and installation of 2-drawer security gun lockers in the lobbies of the MDJ offices at a
cost of $4,900.56. The gun lockers are needed to eliminate the potential handling of
firearms by County staff and to offer a secure means of storage while the public
members who carry firearms are attending court sessions. The gun lockers are being
purchased through the Worker Compensation safety and security contingency funds.
The Board reviewed additional Risk Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the proposal from VOTI Detection for the purchase of
three X-Ray machines and three walk-through magnetometers for the security stations
at the Administration Building and Judicial Center at a cost of $142,120.77. The
Administration Building units (1 of each) are being ordered and installed as quickly as
possible. The Judicial Center units (2 of each) will be installed closer to building
substantial completion. These units are being purchased through the GSA schedule
under the terms and protections afforded the Federal government. VOTI has given
Franklin County a $1,000 discount off GSA pricing for each X-Ray machine, due to the
multi-unit purchase.
The Board reviewed additional Risk Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the proposal from Hagerstown Paint & Glass, Inc. for
installation of ballistic window film for Magisterial District Judges Manns, Eyer and Niklas
offices at a cost of $5,794.00. The film will prevent glass from shattering and flying into
the room in the event of ballistic impact or other significant blow to glass. Film was on
the AOPC security enhancement list. This work has been approved by the AOPC and is
being reimbursed with AOPC grant funds.
The Board reviewed additional Risk Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the proposal from Hagerstown Paint & Glass, Inc. for
installation of Ballistic window film for Magisterial District Judges Rock, Shockey,
Cunningham offices at a cost of $10,532.00. Security film is on the AOPC enhancement
list and prevents glass from shattering into a room, upon impact of a bullet or other
significant damage. Interior and exterior windows are being covered. The AOPC grant
paid for a portion of this project, the remaining windows, per the attached proposal, are
being addressed through the County's 2020 Workers' Compensation Contingency funds,
which have been set aside for security projects.
Continued on page 5
The Board reviewed additional Risk Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from NAC Divisions for the installation of
proximity readers, electronic access devices, and press to release/exit buttons for doors
going from the MDJ lobby areas into the courtrooms at a cost of $9,491.60. This is a
security priority for the AOPC and is being reimbursed by AOPC grant funds.
The Board reviewed additional Risk Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from NAC Divisions for the installation of
duress buttons in lieu of the existing portable buttons in the MDJ offices at a cost of
$7,905.88. AOPC has made panic notification a priority under the current security
initiative. The stationary buttons are more reliable and provide a better description of the
location where the alarm was activated. The project/initiative is AOPC funded.
The Board reviewed additional Risk Management matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from NAC Divisions for the installation of a
press to release button from the courtroom to the lobby of the MDJ Office in
Waynesboro in the amount of $464.10. The project is being reimbursed by the AOPC as
part of their 2020 security initiative.
In accordance with PA Act notifications, TeamAg, Inc. notified the County of a
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General Renewal NPDES
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Permit being applied by Drew Johnson
Farm for an existing operation on property located in Fannett Township.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Renewal
General NPDES Permit NOI being applied for facilities on property located in Guilford
Township.
In accordance with PA Act notifications, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau
of Air Quality General Permit being applied to modify an air contamination source at the
Mt. Cydonia Plant #1 facility on property located in Greene Township.
Carrie Gray, County Administrator explained that Kim Eaton, Director of Reentry
and Clinical Quality Assurance and Glenda Helman, Grants Manager processed the
interested applications for the COVID Relief Grant Award for Tourism and this was the
first effort that our in-house staff completed this task. Ms. Eaton explained that there
were 12 entities that applied for tourism grants that included hotels, camping, theatres,
recommending 8 organizations receive the funds. The grant requests ranged from
$1,700 to $1M and the total requested from all 12 requests was just over $2.6M. The
total award amount they are recommending is $267,993.85. The four applicants that
they are not recommending had received funds from other CARES grants or another
source so they do not qualify for this grant. Any money received from other sources was
deducted from their requests. Chairman Keller wanted to mention that these grants are
not to be confused with the Tourism & Quality of Life grants that the Commissioners
have given out in the past. These funds are from the COVID County Relief Grant. The
consensus of the Board is to move forward with the recommendations provided and
processing the contracts to the awardees.
Continued on page 6
John Thierwechter, Assistant County Administrator, explained the COVID Relief
Grants for municipalities was reviewed by Jake Crider, Director of Emergency Services
and Steve Thomas, Planning Director. They had 7 applications that ranged from $1,289
to $896,000. The municipalities they are recommending are the Boroughs of
Chambersburg, Mercersburg and Waynesboro and the Townships of Fannett, Greene
and Quincy. Mr. Thierwechter said that Montgomery Township requested funding but
what they requested was not an eligible expense within the guidelines. Ms. Gray said
that the County will be an eligible recipient as well and the County still has the
broadband grants to award next week. The consensus of the Board is to move forward
with the recommendations provided and processing the contracts to the awardees.
The Board discussed the mask resolution. Ms. Gray explained that the
consideration of a mask wearing resolution is a goal to encourage the community to
mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in order to help healthcare workers and to stay healthy
and limit the spread. Chairman Keller asked Alice Elia, President of the Borough of
Chambersburg, who participated remotely, about any conversation of a resolution at the
Borough. Ms. Elia responded that they will be discussing it at their meeting on Monday,
th
December 14 but they were hoping to join with other entities like Wellspan or other
municipalities to make a public statement and show support for healthcare workers. She
would like to make a statement to encourage masking and take the recommended
precautions. Commissioner Flannery thinks that we need a statement in reference to
general mitigation efforts not just masking but to include social distancing, washing
hands and using sanitizer, staying away from large gatherings and to encourage people
to stay vigilant. Just putting out
came out with an order regarding masking. He would like to see a statement come out
with other common sense mitigation efforts we recommend people follow. We are not in
a position to mandate mask wearing or social distancing outside our properties, but we
can encourage people to stay vigilant and to practice social distancing, hand washing,
hand sanitizing and limiting social gatherings. He asked how Commissioners would feel
about coordinating with the Borough and other municipalities on that approach.
Commissioner Ziobrowski responded that time is of the essence; he sat on a conference
call with Wellspan yesterday so the sooner we make a statement the better. He is not in
favor of waiting till the other municipalities meet. We should go ahead and share the
information we have and move forward. He would suggest adding the other mitigation
efforts to the resolution. He continued that Franklin County is 10% higher in cumulative
cases per 100,000 in Pennsylvania and we are higher in deaths since we averaged 2
deaths per day in the last 2 weeks. The surge has hit and time is of the essence, he is
in favor of a resolution and adding the items that Commissioner Flannery mentioned and
to share it with the municipalities. Chairman Keller suggested recessing for the
Retirement Board meeting then reconvening after the Retirement Board Meeting to
consider a revised resolution that Ms. Gray can draft. Commissioner Flannery said he is
not against mask wearing in certain situations. It can help, but he wants to point out
being in the private sector he has seen more people wearing masks in Franklin County
and the numbers are still -win to this pandemic, but encouraging
hand washing, sanitization and limiting social gatherings will help. Commissioner
Ziobrowski said while he is supportive of the Borough of Chambersburg wanting to do a
joint statement, he suggests approving a resolution and sharing it with the municipalities.
approved.
Continued on page 7
Ms. Gray said that Tiffany and her team have additional information regarding the impact
to the general fund for the 2 days of COVID PTO. Of the total previously
mentioned$108,000, $82,500 would be the impact to the general fund. - $80,000 is
already budgeted and will be paid in annual salaries. For part-time and casual the
impact would cost approximately $2,000 of unplanned expense since they do not
typically receive PTO. Chairman Keller asked what the ripple effect would be if the time
off results in overtime. Ms. Gray responded that there is a certain staffing ratio that
anticipates time off now and staff does not anticipate one or two days off will affect that
ratio. Chairman Keller said typically the Jail and 911 are the ones that have overtime to
keep their services going. Ms. Gray noted that she and Ms. Bloyer are waiting to hear
about any FFCRA extensions before making any further recommendations to the board
regarding staff impact due to COVID in 2021. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the recommendations for COVID
Paid Time Off (PTO) in 2021 based on the information provided by the Human
Resources Director.
The Board recessed and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for the Retirement Board
meeting.
The Board held a Retirement Board meeting.
Lee Martin, Marquette Associates Managing Director, met with the Board to
provide a report of the Franklin County Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Fund.
The Commissioners meeting reconvened at 3:05 p.m. for further review of the
resolution that was drafted by Ms. Gray on supporting mitigation efforts and encouraging
citizens to be vigilant during the pandemic. Chairman Keller appreciates the efforts of
staff to develop this resolution on a tight timeframe and what Ms. Gray provided captures
the purpose to encourage citizens to flatten the curve and limit the spread of the virus.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved Resolution #2020-15 to encourage citizens and visitors of the County to
voluntarily comply with COVID-mitigating measures in order to reduce the surge in
COVID-19 cases and that the attached resolution will be made a part of these minutes.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:06 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
____________________________________
David S. Keller, Chairman
____________________________________
John T. Flannery
___________________________________
Robert G. Ziobrowski
RESOLUTION 2020 - 15
A RESOLUTION OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, FRANKLIN COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, ENCOURAGING CITIZENS AND VISITORS OF THE COUNTY TO VOLUNTARILY COMPLY
WITH COVID-MITIGATING MEASURES IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE SURGE IN COVID-19 CASES AND
LIMIT THE IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ON FRANKLIN COUNTY RESIDENTS AND ITS
HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS.
WHEREAS, President Donald J. Trump issued a Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency
Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak on March 13, 2020 pursuant to Sections
201 and 301 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. §1602, et seq.) and consistent with Section 1135
of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 1320b-5), finding and proclaiming that the COVID-19
outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency, beginning March 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Governor Tom Wolf issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, proclaiming the
existence of a disaster emergency across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a result of the spread of
coronavirus or COVID-19 on March 6, 2020, pursuant to Section 7301(c) of the Emergency Management
Services Code, 35 Pa. C.S. § 7101, et seq., and renewed for a period of ninety days on June 3, 2020 and
August 31, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners issued an Emergency Declaration, proclaiming the
existence of a disaster emergency across the County of Franklin, due to the coronavirus pandemic, on
March 17, 2020; and
WHEREAS, evaluated and
released studies demonstrating measures that can be taken by the public to reduce the spread of
COVID-19, including proper hand-washing, hand-sanitizing, cleaning frequently touched surfaces
regularly, and mask-wearing. The CDC also recommends limiting large gatherings and social distancing of
at least six feet between individuals; and
WHEREAS, Franklin County is experiencing a surge in positive COVID-19 cases and deaths; and
WHEREAS, healthcare systems, including local hospitals, are near or at their maximum capacity
and caring for a large percentage of COVID-positive patients, and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners desires to further encourage residents
and visitors to help our community lower the substantial community spread of COVID-19 in Franklin
County, thereby relieving the strain on our healthcare workers and healthcare centers
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the County of Franklin, as follows:
SECTION 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated by reference thereto.
SECTION 2.
to, the County to be vigilant in their efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, to include proper hand-
washing, using hand-sanitizer, cleaning frequently touched surfaces regularly, wearing masks,
maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet, limiting large gatherings, and staying home when sick.
SECTION 3. The County further encourages businesses and organizations located within the
County to undertake the same COVID-19 spread-mitigating measures and to urge patrons and
customers of said businesses and organizations to do the same.
SECTION 4. The County further urges all employees, personnel, and staff of the County to
voluntarily comply with these same efforts in order to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19.
SECTION 5. This Resolution shall be effective immediately this __9th___ day of December, 2020.
FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
_____________________________________________
David S. Keller, Chairman
_____________________________________________
John T. Flannery, Commissioner
_____________________________________________
Robert G. Ziobrowski, Commissioner
CERTIFICATION
ATTEST FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
__________________________________ _____________________________________________
David S. Keller, Chairman
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk _____________________________________________
John T. Flannery, Commissioner
_____________________________________________
Robert G. Ziobrowski, Commissioner