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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-15 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 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, and the Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Bernie Washabaugh, II provided public comment. His company has been working to assist Commissioners in this process for the site for new courthouse. As result of CGL recommendation got to thinking that believe came up with an alternate solution/option that hopes commissioners would consider. As result of purchasing properties, could have court house built on first block of main street. Looked at lack of disruptions to court, security setback, parking garage and the commitment to downtown Chambersburg. Would like to request to show Commissioners his proposal. Would like to show visual affects and understands making a decision on Thursday but with the size of this project would like more time. Commissioner Keller responded that asked CGL to look at article in paper and hopes for an analysis from them soon. Asked for more information. Mr. Washabaugh referenced Public Opinion and location would involve property where CADC owns so would have to discuss with them about acquiring that property and small portion that overlays King Street Church property for parking garage. With their pending construction of sanctuary could partner with them on parking garage. Willing to assist with facility acquisition and negotiations for these properties. Would be sufficient ability to set back off road and separate the rear of building for parking garage. Thinks can be built in that part with zoning. Meets requirements and beyond for sites that he’s seen particularly the Jennings property. Square footage can occur and the disruptions of the court would be minimal. In addition, would be benefit of public parking in downtown Chambersburg. Within 3 minute walk anyone can find a parking space. Commissioner Keller asked if cost of parking garage was added. Mr. Washabaugh responded that cost was $15,000-18,000 per space which totals 3.1 Million and believes the garage can be built efficiently. Considered utilization of green space at Chambers Park and significant investment of attorney offices and title people that have built within proximity to court house. Realize not at top of list but thinks it’s a consideration. Lastly and icing on cake would still have backfill of Harmon’s and AMS building for this project. Commissioner Keller asked if Sally Port is in the construction? Mr. Washabaugh responded that detail could be easily addressed, not his expertise but plenty of access to site from back. Feels this issue can be resolved. John Hart asked if there is remodeling in proposal like at AMS building? Mr. Washabaugh responded that remodeling is not in this cost in order to keep apples to apples only cost of building not renovation costs and not in either proposal. Mr. Hart asked if this addresses next 20 years expansion? Mr. Washabaugh responded that in his opinion the County would be covered in terms of expansion. Would have to be consideration for that in Jennings site also. His company likes to look long term but don’t know what the Court system will look like in that time frame. What Continued on page 2 are our possibilities for expansion? All that square footage is right there as opposed to having two campuses would be a lot more flexibility when in same location. Could talk to Elks Club about their property. Truly is a legitimate option and could be best option to consider. Mr. Washabaugh’s last comment if Commissioners would see it as appropriate, he would be happy to do a more detailed presentation and bring in pictures and drawings to further show that option. Commissioner Keller asked what is level of commitment of CADC property? Mr. Washabaugh responded that talked to Mr. Sciamanna and feels confident could make it work, CADC Board would have to approve. Would have to go thru this same process rd when acquiring any of these properties. Tries to limit 3 party involvement. Feels confident that can determine quickly if something they will approve. $200,000-400,000 in that area but has no idea how much costs. John Hart asked about pre-construction: what is 1.2 M? Mr. Washabaugh responded that would include demolition, environmental costs, land development. John Hart asked about 1.5 M for Jennings site? Mr. Washabaugh responded that Jennings site will be more involved preconstruction wise which will be more costly than downtown option. John Hart asked if this is based on general information? Mr. Washabaugh does not just sit around and guess at it, truly analyzes costs and supports any of these suggestions that he makes. John Hart asked about offsite improvements. Mr. Washabaugh believes will be significant traffic signalization with regards to Jennings property, that area of town is difficult as part of land development process. There will be requirements to offsite improvements and his opinion there will be significant costs regarding this. John Hart responded that this site has challenges building around buildings at the main street site. If take Jennings site, can demo whole site. Will bids come in higher if build downtown because have to build around buildings? Will this be more cost per square foot than at Jennings? Mr. Washabaugh responded that was something considered but believes in end from experience of building in tight locations, still have to work within confines of property. Possible would be more challenges downtown but believes that costs would not be significant. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked how many stories would building be? Mr. Washabaugh responded that five levels, borough zoning is 75 ft. high requirement which is six stories. Can be done and done efficiently. John Hart said back to construction costs, five stories, elevators based on his numbers its same cost with this site and to build with security and elevators versus a two story building. Mr. Washabaugh responded that always taught that going up is cheaper and if adding a separate stop in elevator system, once have elevator there that is main costs but if adding more floors would not increase the costs. Add that at the Jennings site, foundation costs would be greater because the building would have a bigger footprint, felt that those two would offset each other. Commissioner Keller asked what was extent of conversation with King Street Church? Mr. Washabaugh responded that did make an attempt to discuss with them and got out of it that willing to discuss with him. Continued on page 3 Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if CADC property used for Courthouse and King St. expands sanctuary building as planned, it would close off two alleys. Asked how would egress and access work? Mr. Washabaugh responded that have not been able to get with CGL to analyze this. There is an access beside Wogan’s that could be used but not sure who owns this property. Would be four accesses to him and until determine how that traffic access would occur, don’t know for sure. Commissioner Ziobrowski said two of the accesses would be closed according to his plan so would only be two left, would there be one way in and one way out or two way traffic in both. Mr. Washabaugh responded that would be three and if church owns the one access would be better. Asked if there has been any consideration of accesses to property on Grant Street. Have we determined how many would be there? John Hart asked if garage being built, construction areas, how will there be no disruptions to court as Washabaugh claims? Mr. Washabaugh responded that options that utilize existing court buildings, always assumed that was the main focus, can suggest that any deal they decide will not be perfect and this site will require some unique considerations but can be overcome. Will not add any costs to project if any will be minor. High school has been operating as kids go to school and hospital project also. They are building onto a functioning operating building. John Hart asked about parking garage and did the church include any of their daily schedules. Mr. Washabaugh responded that not specifically, County would have to look at scheduling and conflicts and work it through. Honestly don’t need a garage because there is significant parking downtown. In comparison apples to apples will not have on street parking at Jennings either because was told would park at Sheetz property. That’s why propose parking garage, could go to five stories instead of three stories. Would be easier to add another deck on parking garage instead of adding onto another building. John Hart asked if he calculated maintenance to parking garage? Mr. Washabaugh responded that no on maintenance in either scenario. Mr. Hart asked if Mr. Washabaugh will be available by email? Mr. Washabaugh responded yes. John Hart said that not aware of any contact with staff or CGL since last meeting. Mr. Washabaugh responded that he is accustomed to having more of a dialogue when spending this amount of money, would have met several times with CGL and staff if able. John Hart said that CGL will do a very thorough review and can take this information and look at this, trying to get apples to apples. Mr. Washabaugh said that any considerations for any site looking at that these are conceptual proposals, until have designs and go through process will not completely know what will have and how much it will cost. Now at a point where it’s just philosophy. Confident can be built at Jennings or five other places. Referred to Sally Port but said until you get into design or land process doesn’t know the costs of any of this. Commissioner Thomas said that this process was laid out clearly by Public Opinion on Sunday and this goes back many years and has been clearly a public process. Where have all these ideas been? Opportunity to discuss them would have been two years ago and befuddled how none of this came up before. Continued on page 4 Mr. Washabaugh responded that in his defense that when he knew that CGL was undertaking the study and suggested a site he said he wanted to have a conversation with them and was told will get back to you and took it that not at that point yet. Wasn’t until Fall of 2009 that report came out, was only a five month process. In wildest dream, didn’t even consider that someone would suggest moving courthouse out of downtown. Heard this and had to get involved and will continue until see process through. Issue is focusing on what is best facility, location and cost that the County can achieve. Spends most time trying to get projects done as fast as possible. This facility has been here since 1793 why does it have to be fast track that can’t analyze all the options, doesn’t see what would hurt to spend more time. York County formed a blue ribbon committee early in the process to come up with conceivable locations and then gave them to consultant who analyzed them, then presented options to the Commissioners. Can’t see why hurts to look at them. Almost at a point where it’s philosophy and what are we trying to achieve from a community standpoint?If ends up at end of day at Jennings property then so be it. Only request is that we allow appropriate consideration of all options. Commissioner Keller responded that there have been a lot of questions from the board today about Mr. Washabaugh’s proposal but that there is no question of Mr. Washabaugh’s integrity. He added that Mr. Washabaugh put a lot of time and effort into this and on behalf of board said he appreciates it very much. Allen Piper, President of Citizens for Responsible Government, provided public comment that spoke a week ago and has comments that come to mind. Don’t have a dog in this fight but doing best job trying to represent the people. Read in Public Opinion that court’s workload has tripled in past couple years. Has population tripled since 1980? Simple question and wants simple answer. Seems to be serious crime in Franklin County; maybe try to solve this issue before building a facility. Asked Chairman when will vote on courthouse expansion project, will it take place on Thursday? Commissioner Keller responded that since Mr. Washabaugh was given more than five minutes he would hate to shortchange Mr. Piper. Mr. Piper agrees with Mr. Washabaugh that don’t need to rush this and hopefully everything works out for betterment of everyone. Commissioner Keller responded that decision timeline is set for 9:30 on Thursday and if this changes will keep public informed. Encouraged everyone to stay tuned to county website or call main number for plans on the day’s agenda. The minutes of June 8, 2010 and June 10, 2010 meetings were read. th Commissioner Keller asked for additional time to review June 8 minutes due to a lot of public comments. Once reviewed these will be approved Thursday, June 17, 2010. The Board reviewed Agreements and Contracts. These will be approved Thursday, June 15, 2010. The Board reviewed Mental Retardation Department matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the Notice to Proceed and Agreement between the County of Franklin and 2 B Accessibility for MR Custom Ceiling Track for MR Client living in the community bid for a bid amount of $12,687.79. Continued on page 5 On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to appoint Nick Riccone as the Fiscal representative on the Information Services Steering Committee to replace Becky Greenawalt. John Hart, Chief Clerk/County Administrator, informed the Board of the following items: Archive project is moving full speed ahead and hoping Stu and staff will be moving into their permanent quarters in next few weeks; electricity at Letterkenny has been fluctuating and County is talking to General Authority about it. The Board met with the County Solicitor to review related matters. The meeting was adjourned at 10:14 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS