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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-12-13 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, December 13, 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 Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Valarie Jordan from Fayetteville provided public comment and brought her husband with her today. She said this is unusual what she is going to tell them today but she had a 45 minute th conversation today with a gentleman that was at the capitol building on January 6and she knows that he has issues. He said the strangest things to her. She read the statement she put on Facebook about the conversation she had with him. He said he would defend this nation if it r war but he took to war on DC that day. She was in awe of what he said. Ms. Jordan said we all should start understanding that there are The Board met with Deputy Controller Etta Rotz for Prison Board matters. 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 6, 2023 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the minutes. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon session. The Board reviewed Personnel matters. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, said the Chief Deputy Coroner position did not have the job description in a modern format because the job description to make sure we have something in a current format that reflects the current duties. She continued that the Director of Community Connections and the Grants and CJAB Coordinator are revisions from previous iterations so there is a version that has the changes tracked but at a high level the Grants and CJAB Coordinator job description was revised to make clear that the supervisor is the Grants Management Director and also to lessen the amount of working experience in grant writing to two years of relevant work experience when previously we had it listed as four. There are also changes reflected since we have a Communications Coordinator in position now so some of the tasks will work in collaboration with that position. Ms. Gray continued that the Director of Community Connections job description was revised to include current duties, most namely the fact that the position will no longer work directly with Children & Youth as far as a quality improvement and quality assurance aspect. Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the position descriptions for Director of Community Connections in Community Connections and Grants and CJAB Coordinator in the Grants Department. Continued on page 2 This is the date for the Board to approve the 2024 Budget. Teresa Beckner, Chief Financial Officer, stated that in the 21 days that the budget has been on the counter and available for public inspection they are not aware of anything coming to their attention that would require revisions under county code that would change the resolutions that need approval today. Chairman Keller said they are considering three resolutions today and presented the 2024 Franklin County budget resolutions for adoption as follows: On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the following resolution adopting the 2024 budget: RESOLUTION #2023-24 WHEREAS, the 2024 Franklin County Budget has been prepared in accordance with the County Code Act of August 9, 1955 (P.L. 323, No. 130) as amended. WHEREAS, the 2024 Franklin County Proposed Budget was approved on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 and was made available for public inspection for at least 20 days. WHEREAS, the Proposed Budget and date set for the final action on the budget has been made a matter of public notice. WHEREAS, the Adopted Budget does not have increased expenditures of more than ten (10) per centum in the aggregate or more than twenty-five (25) per centum in any function over the proposed budget as made available for public inspection. WHEREAS, the Adopted Budget reflects as nearly as possible the estimated revenues and expenditures for the year 2024. BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED, and is hereby resolved and enacted by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Franklin, PA, to adopt the 2024 Budget as presented this date. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved that the following Resolution be adopted fixing the millage rate for real estate taxes for the year 2024 and the specific sums established to be required for the specific purposes of County Government; hereinafter, set forth during the current fiscal year: RESOLUTION #2023-25 BE IT RESOLVED AND ENACTED, and is hereby resolved and enacted by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Franklin, PA. SECTION 1 - That a tax be set and the same is hereby levied on all real property within Franklin County subject to taxation for the County purposes for the fiscal year 2024 as follows: Tax rate for general purposes, the sum of twenty-five (25) mills of each dollar assessed valuation with an additional four and one tenth (4.1) mills for the purposes of retirement of County debt services. SECTION 2 - That for the expenses of the County for the fiscal year 2024 the following amounts are hereby appropriated from the revenue available for the fiscal year for the specific purposes, which amount are fully itemized in the County budget. SECTION 3 - That any Resolution, or part of a Resolution, conflicting with this Resolution be and the same is hereby repealed in so far as the same affects this Resolution. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the following Resolution imposing a total of one and three tenths (1.3) mills of real estate taxes for the purpose of the County Library in voting districts that have approved imposition of such tax by referendum and as authorized under the laws of the Commonwealth of PA in those voting districts. Continued on page 3 RESOLUTION #2023-26 BE IT RESOLVED, that a tax at the total rate of one and three tenths (1.3) mills on each dollar of assessed valuation for the fiscal year 2024 for the County Library purposes, shall be and the same is hereby imposed upon all taxable real estate in Franklin County as heretofore authorized by the voters of the various voting districts and as authorized under the laws of the Commonwealth of PA. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 11:22 a.m. for the purpose of reviewing a real estate matter. Ms. Gray stated that there will be action required after the executive session. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to reconvene into regular session at 11:48 a.m. Following the executive session the Chairman stated that the Solicitor has a proposed Agreement of Sale for some properties in downtown Chambersburg. He turned it over to Solicitor Elliott Sulcove. Solicitor Sulcove said before them today is an Agreement of Sale for two parcels in the Borough of Chambersburg with three tax identification numbers. These are parcels located at instrument #2019-024065 and #2017-002505 currently owned by the Shook Home. Before them the Agreement of Sale proposes sale of those properties from Shook Home to the County for a total amount of $1,000,000 plus settlement costs with a $5,000 deposit upon execution of the Agreement of Sale with the balance due at settlement. The terms of this agreement said the acquisition of these three properties will give us full control of the block consisting of the former Elks building which is now what we refer to as the Elks parking lot. This will give the county additional flexibility in addressing future operational needs. He is fully in support of it and welcomes a motion to execute the agreements. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Agreement of Sale documents as presented by the Solicitor. 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 Aging Office matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to approve the proposal from Vector Media Holding Corp for advertising on the side of rabbittransit buses for twenty-four (24) weeks in the amount of $2,940.00 for 14 side panel advertisements to be created and installed. The second document is for the amount of $11,849.88 for the cost for advertising from January 15, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Payments will be divided over the contract period. The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the agreement of lease between the County of Franklin and Pleasant Hall Volunteer Fire Company for lease of office space consisting of approximately 1,700 square feet located at the Pleasant Hall Volunteer Fire Company for the Magisterial District Judge of the 39th Judicial District at a cost of $2,554.21 plus $25.00 per month for trash removal for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 and shall automatically renew for two (2) additional one year terms. The rent shall increase three (3%) each year for the length of the term. Continued on page 4 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 approve Change Order #013 from Lobar, Inc. for the Franklin County Courthouse Annex Renovation Project general construction to delete casework locks for a credit of $8,000.00. The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the proposal from Baxter Environmental Group, Inc. for removal and disposal of asbestos containing paneling and furring strips from the Courthouse Annex to allow renovations to continue at a cost of $749.00. The Board reviewed Community Connections matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the agreement between the County of Franklin and Keystone Health to provide Keystone Health psychiatric and counseling services for CARE participants until Medical Assistance is active. The county is the payor of last resort. This agreement is for the amount of $15,000.00 for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The Board reviewed additional Community Connections matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the lease agreement between the County of Franklin and 80 S. Main, LLC for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program (Shelter Plus Care) that covers the total rent plus any landlord covered utilities for their program participants at a cost of $9,750.00 for the period of December 1, 2023 through December 1, 2024. The County holds the Lease with the landlord and the program participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for utilities that are not included in the lease/rent. The rent and utilities cannot equal more than 30% of the program ear. Participants are linked with Supportive Services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. The Board reviewed additional Community Connections matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the lease agreement between the County of Franklin and Washington Square Apartments for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program (SHP HUD I/II PA0182) that covers the total rent plus any landlord covered utilities for their program participants at a cost of $8,164.00 for the period of December 1, 2023 through December 1, 2024. The County holds the Lease with the landlord and the program participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for utilities that are not included in the lease/rent. The rent and utilities cannot equal more than Supportive Services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to approve the 2022 agreements between the County of Franklin, PA Department of Agriculture for the sale and purchase of agricultural conservation easements to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in perpetuity for Wayne and Jackie Diehl for the purchase price of $133,513.91 and Dennis and Barbara Peckman for the purchase price of $ 177,649.28. In accordance with PA Act notifications, TeamAg, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES renewal permit being applied by Junk-Inn Farms, LLC for a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) on property located in Metal Township. In accordance with PA Act notifications, AET Agricultural Consulting notified the County of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES renewal permits being applied for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) by the following: Ag Ventures, LLC Longacre Farm located in Fannett Township; Lawayne Ebersol located in Greene Township; Three D Farms, LLC located in Greene Township. Continued on page 5 In accordance with PA Act notifications, Scotch Hill Solutions notified the County of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES renewal permits being applied for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) by the following: Hissong Farmstead, Inc. located in Montgomery Township and Mercer Vu Farms, Inc. located in Montgomery Township. dress down fundraiser that was held in December. Keri Kenney, Human Resources Coordinator, said that we wanted todo this a little bit early since it is the holidays and we wanted the funds to be given to Children & Youth in time for the holidays. This month they decided to support Children & Youth families to make holiday meal baskets and we raised $725 for the cause which was great because it was a shorter time frame this month. We also had a few people in departments decide to adopt a family in need as well. This month was the highest number of stickers sold which she was surprised about. We normally sell 125-135 sticker sets but we sold 144 this month. There were 24 different departments that participated. As we wrap up the year she wanted to thank everyone who supports the causes every month and she wanted to mention a fun fact that we sold over 1,500 stickersets this year which is up from 1,100 last year and we hope to continue to do this every month in 2024 and keep the increased Youth Services, here to accept the funds and she wanted to thank her and her staff for all they do to help families in Franklin County. Chairman Keller thanked Keri for another successful campaign and a personal note of thanks from him for making this such a great initiative for the past coupl but she was a little hesitant at first because they are not allowed to have an account with money. For Thanksgiving they have a Presbyterian church that donates holiday baskets to their more families in need so she thought it would be a good idea to do the gift food baskets to make a meal for the families. They started working with the families and will split the costs up per meal. She is excited that we can help. Commissioner Flannery said that Minnie does a phenomenal job and he is onthe Children & Youth Advisory Board so he sits in the meetings we could do so much more. He thanked Keri and all the staff. We are so giving as a county ork she does. Minnie said forward to it as well. He said his fellow commissioners have said everything that can be said. But he thanked her for all she does and to Keri for all the programs. He thought he could get Flannery has set the standard for no ties so he hopes they forgive him for not wearing a tie. The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 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