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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-05-04 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 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. The meeting was live streamed. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, asked to modify the agenda to exclude board action items #3 and 4 to do more research on each of them. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Kim Wertz provided public comment and invited the Commissioners and County Administration to attend the public speaking part of the Walk the Walk event that will be held outside of the courthouse on May 20th. Ms. Wertz also has a personal plea for the Commissioners and County Administration to please influence their counterparts at the state and to pass along her concerns concerning the Supreme Court and Roe vs. Wade case. If they decide that abortion should be governed by the state, she asks that they think hard about it. She is pro- detrimental to women and to all citizens of this commonwealth or republic. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. The minutes of the April 27, 2022 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the minutes. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller asked if action item #5, quote from Entrust Limited is consistent with the IT Assessment that the Commissioners are currently reviewing. Ms. Gray responded that yes, the multifactor authenticity is one of the recommendations and it is also recommended by the insurance carrier. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon session. The Board reviewed information regarding Mental Health Month. Stacey Brookens, Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention (MH/IDD/EI) explained that everyone has been touched by a mental health component whether its family, friends or individuals in the community and the rate is growing. She continued that the rate of depression has tripled since 2019 and emergency department visits have increased by 50% c everyone heard that Naomi Judd took her life on Saturday. She explained that there is not enough staff for some programs and services that people are trying to seek. We need to decrease the stigma and get people the services they need. Bethany Peake, CEO of the Mental Health Association, thanked the Commissioners for their support and said that September was Suicide Prevention Month and the numbers since then are getting scary again. The trend is gone that people are taking their lives in their homes; instead they are dying by suicide outside their home. The CDC reported that crisis interventions have increased and youth actually have concrete plans on committing suicide. There were six youth deaths in the past four years and four were in Waynesboro. They are also seeing an increase in ages of 18- Helpline answers their phones at night and in nine months their numbers have tripled. Ms. Peake explained some of the activities they are having this month and that they are finally back in-person for the events. Chairman Keller said that all aspects of mental health are important and asked what people do if they suspect someone is looking to commit suicide. Ms. Peake responded that they need to take it seriously and establish a plan to get help for the person. Continued on page 2 They need to take every statement and comment seriously and there is support available. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked what is contributing to the increase. Ms. Peake responded that inflation and not getting their basic needs met, childcare, employment, terminally ill or long- term effects of COVID, and children out of school due to COVID who relied on the food programs were not getting the nutrition they needed. Parents are struggling and they need resources and support so they are trying to get the information in their hands to benefit them. Nikki Wilkerson from the Mental Health Association said as a parent of kids in our school She answers the phones at work and there is an increase in parents that are scared and worried and feel like they have nowhere to go. Her heart breaks for them. Some kids are really struggling with navigating middle school after COVID. Ms. Wilkerson said that everyone needs to take time to get educated on this topic and help our parents and kids. Alexandra Shatzer from the Mental Health Association is a Suicide Prevention Specialist. She said in the past 10 years there were 200 suicides in Franklin County between the ages of 14-90 but the range is dropping closer to age 14. Previous mental health diagnosis and stigma related to mental health increases it. We need to support mental health initiatives and prevention is more important and more profitable. She thanked everyone in the room that supports mental health. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2022-12 proclaiming the month of May 2022 as Mental Health Month in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Board reviewed information regarding National Police Week. Matt Fogal, District Attorney, stated that he joins the Board of Commissioners in recognizing each field represented here today. He is connected personally to each of these fields. He proudly supports the Peace Memorial Day also. They work in the justice sector and he mentioned a quote in the book community. Cori Seilhamer, Mental Health Program Specialist, said that we started the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) five years ago which includes partners from mental health, probation, 911, corrections, and law enforcement. She thanked everyone for keeping our community safe. On behalf of CIT she thanks them and honors those who have fallen and we need to take a moment to honor them. State Trooper Kelly Smith stated it is an honor to be here. She said that National Police Week is more meaningful to their department this year with the loss of two police officers in Philadelphia that were killed by a drunk driver. For police officers and their have everyone here to honor them. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2022-13 proclaiming the week of May 15-21, 2022 as National Police Week in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Board reviewed information regarding National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. Warden Bill Bechtold said he was happy to be here and represent the folks at the Jail and that they are an important part of the law enforcem function without law enforcement partners, county administration and the commissioners. Warden Bechtold stated that he thinks they are the best jail in the nation because of the staff they have at the jail. Despite two years of COVID, jail staff was asked to hold the line. They suffered several staff being out and many others had to go into units that had active COVID and that says a lot about staff at their jail. They did have one officer succumb to COVID last year and they had a memorial for him. This just shows the dangers to corrections and law COVID. The Warden introduced Correctional Officer of the Year Christopher Foot and Correctional Worker of the Year Jessica Sterner. Chairman Keller said that there were festivities at the jail yesterday and he wanted to mention how much they appreciate the folks at the jail especially during these past couple of years. They work a lot of mandated overtime, and there are those folks that work second and third shift. He is grateful for them and for them being Continued on page 3 away safety above all else. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2022-14 proclaiming the week of May 1-7, 2022 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Board recessed and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for final approval of the items that were reviewed. The Board reconvened at 2:00 p.m. There was no public comment. Chairman Keller announced on behalf of the Commissioners, expressed condolences to President Judge Meyers whose mother, Helen Meyers, passed away yesterday morning from cancer. Their hearts and thoughts go out to the President Judge and his family. The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Certificate of Substantial Completion forms from Lobar, Inc. for the general construction and electrical construction and Stouffer Mechanical Contractor for the mechanical construction and plumbing construction all for the completion of the historic courthouse construction project. The Board reviewed Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the grant agreement between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for the FY2022-2023 Radiation Emergency Response Fund (RERF) Grant in the amount of $6,585.00. This agreement has a performance period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, with the full agreement term of July 1, 2022 through July 30, 2023. This grant provides funding for the development, implementation and purchase of supplies needed for a detailed nuclear response plan for areas surrounding nuclear generation facilities. The Board reviewed Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from Entrust Limited to implement a multi-factor authentication system throughout the County at a cost of $29,942.50. This system would add a second form of authentication when users try to access County systems. The Grid ID system suggested would allow for each employee to carry a unique grid card and our Google and Windows systems would require a challenge/response question based on the card before the user can access our system. The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the County of Franklin and Gregory King dba Scissors Palace in the amount of $3,500.00 for the period of May 1, 2022 through July 1,2022 with the ability to extend for an additional 3 months. This short-term contract is for barber services to provide haircuts and beard trim for inmates housed at the Franklin County Jail. Inmates with funds will pay for services. Indigent inmates will be charged as a negative amount. The Board reviewed additional Jail matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Witmer Public Safety Group for purchase of SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) at a cost of $34,920.00 for the period of April 25, 2022 through April 30, 2037. This is a backpack device used in case of a fire. The current SCBA's end of life is 4/30/22. They are no Bids were requested with only one vendor responding. This vendor is under Co-stars. Continued on page 4 In accordance with PA Act notifications, Glace Associates, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES Permit Application being applied by Peters Township Municipal Authority for the Fort Loudon Sewage Treatment Plant on property located in Peters Township. The Board reviewed information regarding Military Appreciation Month. Justin Slep, Director of Veterans Affairs, thanked the Commissioners for doing the proclamation. He stated n honor to do it. This is an important month that also includes Armed Forces Day. Also with recognizing Memorial Day where they paid the ultimate sacrifice. He explained that yesterday they kicked off the Military Share Program where they served 89 households that covered 106 people. They now have 35 additional families signed up for the next military share day since the last cut off. His department always puts the military and their families first. Chairman Keller thanked him for his service and for what he does for veterans. He asked Mr. Slep who helped distribute the food yesterday. Mr. Slep responded that Stacy Mellott who is a REMAX realtor had her team there; employees from Lowes; Penn National e receiving their food. Chairman Keller thanked those organizations and individuals who helped yesterday. He heard that we had a better turnout than programs in other counties. Whatever efforts he used to get the word out was successful. Commissioner Flannery said that Justin does a great job and they had great teamwork and camaraderie at the event yesterday. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated he appreciates everything Justin does for us and our vets. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2022-15 proclaiming the month of May 2022 as Military Appreciation Month in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Board reviewed information regarding Harriet Lane Month. Janet Pollard, Franklin County Visitors Bureau, explained that Harriet Lane was the only first lady born in Mercersburg, PA. Her uncle, James Buchanan, adopted her after her parents passed away. She traveled with him and acted as first lady in the White House when he became president. She is asking the Commissioners to honor Harriet Lane with a proclamation because this is her birth month. 901 for the dedication of a portrait of James Buchanan. Harriet married and had two sons that both died young due to rheumatic fever. She bequeathed a generous endowment to Johns Hopkins University which established the Harriet Lane Home for Invalid Children, known today as the Johns Hopkins Gallery at the Smithsonian. Ms. Lane also left $300,000 to establish and maintain an Episcopal School for Boys in Washington, D.C. Ms. Pollard continued that Harriet also gave $100,000 in her will to establish memorials to James Buchanan that were used to purchase the land of his birthplace and erect a memorial in his honor on what today is James Buchanan Birthplace State John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2022-16 proclaiming the month of May 2022 as Harriet Lane Month in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Commissioners presented a fundraising check to Leigh Elliott from the Franklin Kenney, Human Resources Coordinator, stated that the mission of Franklin Together Reentry Coalition is to develop strong collaborative community and professional partnerships that will empower and support formerly incarcerated individuals, and their families, to become contributing members of the community. Ms. Kenney said the money raised will go to the Moving Forward Support Group and that county employees raised $570.00. She thanked the employees for their generosity. Leigh Elliott thanked everyone and this will help since they are looking to expand to Greencastle and Waynesbo Chairman Keller appreciates the work they are doing and the expansion is good news. They Continued on page 5 On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 2:35 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing potential litigation matters. Action will be required after the executive session. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to reconvene into regular session at 2:48 p.m. County Solicitor Elliott Sulcove stated that administration is recommending a settlement of two Workers Compensation claims with an employee for a total of $60,977.67. He explained that the settlement is comprised of two claims each for $30,000.00, litigation costs of $877.67 and $100.00 for additional considerations. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the settlement agreement as stated by Solicitor Sulcove. The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. with a motion by John T. Flannery; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski