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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-12 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 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. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was no public comment. 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 5, 2023 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. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon session. The Board reviewed board appointments to the Franklin County Industrial Development Authority Board. Chairman Keller stated the Commissioners appreciate the members that are willing to serve. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to appoint Betsy Yumlu, John McPaul, Debby Cunningham and Chris Ardinger to the Franklin County Industrial Development Authority Board for a term of April 5, 2023 through April 4, 2026. The Board reviewed information regarding Fair Housing Month. Chairman Keller explained that each year the County is asked to consider a Fair Housing Month proclamation. It is something they are obligated to do under several Federal guidelines regarding housing commitment for housing opportunities, to encourage no discrimination and to have equal housing opportunity for everyone in Franklin County. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2023-06 proclaiming the month of April as Fair Housing Month and that the attached proclamation will be made a part of these minutes. Dr. Kim Eaton, Community Connections Division Director, provided information on the following IMPACT! Grant recipients who were present to thank the County for receiving their funds through the grant process and have a picture taken with the Commissioners: Amy Streightiff representing Center for Community Action that received $50,000 to be used for operation funding; Took Coder representing Falling Spring Trout Unlimited that received $70,000 for stream bank stabilization; Angie Wilt representing LIU12 Franklin County Literacy Council that received $50,000 to purchase educational curriculum; Matthew Bonner representing Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue that received $100,000 to purchase portable radios; Lindsay Weaver representing Fairview Elementary PTO that received $25,000 for purchase of new playground equipment. Chairman Keller invited the recipients to provide information on their programs and how they will use the IMPACT funds. Amy Streightiff thanked the Board for the opportunity of the $50,000 IMPACT Grant that will be used in partnership with First Start Partnership in the Bloom Project where they hope to encourage child care providers to attend and participate. She explained that the Early Learning Resource Center Region 6 serves seven counties and explained some of their programs. Erica Nemzek from First Start Partnership spoke and provided more information on the Bloom Professional Development Center that is a Continued on page 2 way to help childcare directors, assistant directors and their staff to increase quality care for children. They also received funds from the IMPACT Grant which they will be in at a later time to thank the Commissioners. Chairman Keller said he heard there are three jobs for every one person who wants to get back in the workforce in Franklin County and early childhood and child care is often a barrier to folks getting back into the workforce. They are glad to be supporting those folks who want to get back to work and employers who want them to come back. Early childhood in general is a wonderful and important cause. He thanked them for everything they do at the center. Took Coder explained that Trout Unlimited is a national organization and this organization, the Falling Spring Trout Unlimited, is all about stream conservation and protection of wild trout. Historically the Falling Spring is known as a gem of a trout stream which attracts people from all over. These funds will be used on the south side of the stream between Edwards Avenue and Quarry Road which has degraded over the years due to development and a lot of silt in the water which has caused the decline of the wild trout in that area. They have worked with the Alliance of the Chesapeake Bay in planting 2,600 trees to help in that stretch of the stream. This will help improve overall water enhancement and protection of the trout in the area so they really appreciate the funding. Chairman Keller said the trees help with preventing the silt problem and the shade is also important for the habitat of the fish. Mr. Coder said the trees help improve what they call the riparian buffer which is important to the enhancement of the stream. The trees they are putting in will be native to the area and they will attract birds and mayflies which are important to trout. Chairman Keller said the Falling Spring is a gem and they appreciate him taking care of it. Angela Wilt explained that LIU 12 Franklin County Literacy Council is adult education that serves adults who are in need of basic reading, writing, math, and English language acquisition skills that supports the workforce or their workforce skills in order for them to obtain or to improve their job and employment opportunities. They have been part of the money they were granted will go toward helping to implement and reestablish services in Waynesboro, Shippensburg and further out from Chambersburg into the rest of the County. One in five residents in our County suffer from low literacy issues which could be for a variety of different reasons. They want to get the word out about who they are, what they do and what they provide for the community. They also have been experiencing a large increase in need for English language services. These funds can also supplement extra hours for paid instructors to help serve more students throughout the week. That is another reason they are grateful for the grant. Chairman Keller said that they are the Commissioners of the County not just Chambersburg so they appreciate them making their presence known throughout the county in Waynesboro, Shippensburg and other areas. Matthew Bonner, Deputy Fire Chief of Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue, said that this grant was crucial for them. They have about 25 portable radios on all their apparatus plus the officers that have to respond from home for major incidents. They were able to purchase 13 radios from this grant. They will look for other be fixed if they break and parts are hard to find. He provided more information on their volunteers and staff and that they opened a substation on Pen Mar Road, in Washington Township so they are closest to the central area that they serve which has been a huge success for them. He explained their 62 fundraisers they have a year. They have a lot of things they still Chairman Keller asked what is the typical lifespan of the radios. Mr. Bonner said they received the radios back in 2010 where the County helped to purchase the radios. The FEMA route for federal grant money is very difficult to receive. So when this money came out, all the departments were very excited in hopes that this would put them a step closer to fulfilling what they need to respond to the calls to fulfill their responsibility to the community. Chairman Keller President of Fairview PTO, and her board thanked the County for the opportunity for the money they received from the grant. They are working with building principals, the school district and contractors to build a new $90,000 playground for the 625+ learners and for the community that the items they have purchased recently and what will be purchased in the future. Chairman Keller said he always said there is a special place in heaven for school board members and PTO presidents, God bless her in what she is doing. Continued on page 3 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. 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 amendment to the Agreement (signed on March 22, 2023) between the County of Franklin and Beidel Printing House, Inc. for printing of ballots. This amendment is to increase the amount by $650.00 for a total of $18,170.00 to print two-sided ballots for 8 precincts on the Republican ballots for the Municipal Primary. All other terms and conditions of the original agreement will remain in full force and effect. The Board reviewed Court Administration matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the County the Good Wolf Treatment Court for a maximum contract encumbrance of $10,350.00 for the term of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 2nd quarter Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Children and Youth quarterly income and expenditure report to the Commonwealth of PA, Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF). Expenditures for 2nd quarter totaled $3,386,977 resulting in a required County share totaling $684,420. The Board reviewed Human Services Administration matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the amendment to the contract (signed on February 8, 2023) between the County of Franklin and Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center to provide conference space and breakfast for the Human Services Training Day on April 11, 2023. This amendment is to delete 1 meeting room, add two overnight rooms for the presenter and aide and delete 50 breakfasts for an adjusted amount of $1,280.00. The Board reviewed Planning Department matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Borough of Mercersburg to establish standards for naming roadways, posting road signs and assigning numbers to all dwellings, principal buildings, businesses and industries within Franklin County. The Board reviewed Risk Management matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and Eastern Time, Inc. to provide monitoring of the fire alarm system at the new building located at 1683 Opportunity Ave., Chambersburg at a cost of $380.00 per year for the term of April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. The Board reviewed Tax Claim matters. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to exonerate past due taxes for 2020, 2021 and 2022 of a mobile home that is no longer located on the property in Metal Township. The Board reviewed information regarding Reentry Week. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, said she is glad to see everyone in the room that supports Franklin Together which is led by Chair Kim Eaton and the Facilitator from South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) Leigh Elliot. Leigh Elliot said that they have events all week long starting reentry; yesterday they hosted 42 folks online with Franklin County Adult Probation where the Continued on page 4 Chief gave a presentation on the new community supervision rules; today they have this proclamation with a special preview of something at the end; and Friday is their gathering of hope, that is being held at the Visitors Center which is the unveiling of Leadership Franklin County. Leigh introduced everyone in attendance that is in the leadership program which were the minds behind the infomercial. Leigh said that Leadership Franklin County was tasked with a project for Re-entry Week which they were not very familiar with but when they learned a little about it, they wanted them to help get their name out there and what a better way to do that than an infomercial. She continued that the creativity and the plan was all of them and she thinks they nailed it. Chairman Keller read the proclamation. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2023-07 proclaiming the week of April 10-14, 2023 as Reentry Week and that the attached proclamation will be made a part of these minutes. Dr. Kim Eaton, Community Connections Division Director, provided information on the following IMPACT! Grant recipients who were present to thank the County for receiving their funds through the grant process and have a picture taken with the Commissioners: Commander Paul Cullinane, Jr. representing Burt J. Asper American Legion Post 46 receiving $45,000 for facility improvements. Ms. Eaton wanted to add that Paul wrote three applications for this grant program and all three were granted funds so he is a wonderful asset to those organizations; Bill Kohler representing Mainstreet Waynesboro, Inc. receiving $100,000 for facility improvements; Michael Kalathas representing Costa Academy receiving $100,000 for food service training; Michael Bock representing Waynesboro Volunteer Fire Department receiving $61,000 to purchase new rescue equipment; Crystal Cosey representing Chambersburg Trojans Youth Association receiving $14,000 to purchase new sports equipment. Chairman Keller invited the recipients to provide information on their programs and how they will use the IMPACT funds. Commander Paul Cullinane, Jr. introduced his guests all from the Board of the American Legion which was formed after the end of World War I and goes back to 1919. Their post was formed in 1920 and they serve veterans throughout the community and they are called a veterans service organization. He explained the several entities that are within Post 46. They provide a place for veterans, their families and social members to come and relax and have meals. They are very proud to be a part of an organization that focuses on veterans and this community and they are part of the largest American Legion post in the Commonwealth of PA. On behalf of the officers and members they express their deepest appreciation to the Commissioners for allocating funds for their program which is a huge help. He continued that these dollars will be used to repair the front steps and railing of the building and after those repairs they will repair the wood features. These are extra dollars that will help tackle these projects. He expresses his appreciation to Dr. Eaton who has been very helpful to all of them for all she has done to proceed through this process in a correct manner. Chairman Keller thanked the gentlemen for their service to our country and the service they provide to fellow veterans through the always top notch. Bill Kohler thanked the Commissioners for having him here and thanked Dr. Eaton for her help in the process. Mainstreet Waynesboro is a nonprofit organization and their work together to help do great things. He introduced his team and continued that the project is the building at 21 E. Main Street which is a multi-million dollar redevelopment project that checks a lot of the boxes for Mainstreet. It will house their office and it will also be a source of revenue with two tenants that will hopefully be open by the end of this year or early next year. It also will check their mission as far as revitalization by fixing a blighted building. They have had a lot of community support. They will be having a groundbreaking ceremony soon and they will invite the Commissioners. Chef Andrew, speaking for Michael Kalathas, thanked the Commissioners for the donation to the program. They both are Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduates who wanted to bring the CIA to Chambersburg. This is an industry as a whole that is much needed for the hospitality industry. The money will go towards the program to help students learn to become professional chefs. Chef Andrew continued that they are not just a Continued on page 5 school they also try to shape the kids into great human beings and try to make people that have different upbringings become successful. Chairman Keller asked for information from other institutions in Franklin County that they have received support from. Chef Andrew responded that Wellspan, Quincy Village, Menno Haven, and Keystone. They work with these institutions to provide places for the students to go to shadow and possibly work at. Commissioner credits and they partner with Hagerstown Community College (HCC) where they get 15 credits to go to HCC. They start off with food safety, basic knife skills, how to handle equipment and the basics of the kitchen. Throughout the program they are teaching how to prepare items and ep work, then they work on the business aspect of things and how to run a restaurant. They will be well rounded when they get out. Michael Bock said the Waynesboro Fire Department has been in business for 143 years and was organized in 1879. There were two fire departments, the Mechanics Team Fire Engine and Hose Company and the Hook and Ladder Company and in 2010 they merged and located at 10 Virginia Ave. He continued that the money the commissioners graciously granted them will be used to purchase rescue equipment known as the Jaws of Life. After review of four different companies they picked a company last week and in approximately 14 weeks it will be in service l saving Youth Association has been given. They are the newest and biggest football and cheer organization in the County. They currently serve ages 6-13 and have those kids on seven teams. They compete in the CFA league which is the same league that has the schools in the MidPenn that play our high school. It is important to develop these kids from youth on up to build in our community at the high school level to get kids involved and to show them that success. She explained the program was developed in 2020 knowing that they needed to do something in the community that is based in the school system and they wanted to pull a Chambersburg team together. They work with the high school directly to build a mentorship, a peer program and to offer a full scope for these kids to be successful when they get to the Junior High level. They had 102 kids come out in 2021 but now have 388 players on the field in three years. They have 7 teams on the field every fall. All seven teams went to playoffs last year and they won nine of the playoff games so they are super proud of them. They have 40 local businesses that are sponsoring and donating and now the County is added as part of that support. Kids are moving on to the next level, they are playing ball but they are not just playing games they are playing with character with over 110 volunteers that are going on the field and ility, self-esteem, and believing in themselves. She and the board members are very proud and the C The meeting was adjourned at 2:57 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