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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-01 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst, John T. Flannery, and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Horst presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. On a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. The meeting was recessed at 10:01 a.m. for the Public Hearing: Proposed Amendment to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) regarding Data Centers. Planning Director Quentin Clapper presented the proposed amendment to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) related to data centers. He explained t standards it would establish. Commissioners and residents discussed the need for reasonable restrictions, the legal inability to ban data centers outright, and the importance of maintaining municipal authority. Mr. Clapper explained that the Franklin County Planning Commission served as an advisory body under the Municipalities Planning Code. Its responsibilities included promoting landuse policies aligned with the comprehensive plan and community vision, as well as reviewing subdivision ordinances introduced by the Commissioners. The presentation clarified that subdivision ordinances set minimum requirements for land division and improvement but could not prohibit lawful land uses or impose moratoriums, consistent with Pennsylvania Supreme Court rulings and related case law. It was noted that utility providers determined service availability and that certain regulatory matters fell outside county jurisdiction. Mr. Clapper emphasized that the amendment did not legalize any unlawful uses, approve specific data center projects, or provide incentives. Instead, it offered a model ordinance for municipalities, established safeguards should local ordinances lapse, and introduced development standards, such as setbacks, closedloop water systems, and buffering requirements, to mitigate potential impacts. Commissioner Horst wanted to address rumors about welcoming data centers, emphasizing that the amendment is intended to regulate and restrict data centers if they come, not promote them, and reiterated the legal requirement to allow all lawful uses under the Municipalities Planning Code. Because of that, the county needs a framework in place to control, limit, and manage data centers if an applicant ever tries to bring one here. The amendment is designed to do exactly that by restricting where they can go, set standards for noise, water use, energy, and environmental impact and prevent unchecked or inappropriate development. Communications Director Sheena Baker stated that the county had received 79 public comments about data centers as of this morning. None of the commenters supported data WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst, John T. Flannery, and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Horst presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. On a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. The meeting was recessed at 10:01 a.m. for the Public Hearing: Proposed Amendment to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) regarding Data Centers. Planning Director Quentin Clapper presented the proposed amendment to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) related to data centers. He explained t standards it would establish. Commissioners and residents discussed the need for reasonable restrictions, the legal inability to ban data centers outright, and the importance of maintaining municipal authority. Mr. Clapper explained that the Franklin County Planning Commission served as an advisory body under the Municipalities Planning Code. Its responsibilities included promoting landuse policies aligned with the comprehensive plan and community vision, as well as reviewing subdivision ordinances introduced by the Commissioners. The presentation clarified that subdivision ordinances set minimum requirements for land division and improvement but could not prohibit lawful land uses or impose moratoriums, consistent with Pennsylvania Supreme Court rulings and related case law. It was noted that utility providers determined service availability and that certain regulatory matters fell outside county jurisdiction. Mr. Clapper emphasized that the amendment did not legalize any unlawful uses, approve specific data center projects, or provide incentives. Instead, it offered a model ordinance for municipalities, established safeguards should local ordinances lapse, and introduced development standards, such as setbacks, closedloop water systems, and buffering requirements, to mitigate potential impacts. Commissioner Horst wanted to address rumors about welcoming data centers, emphasizing that the amendment is intended to regulate and restrict data centers if they come, not promote them, and reiterated the legal requirement to allow all lawful uses under the Municipalities Planning Code. Because of that, the county needs a framework in place to control, limit, and manage data centers if an applicant ever tries to bring one here. The amendment is designed to do exactly that by restricting where they can go, set standards for noise, water use, energy, and environmental impact and prevent unchecked or inappropriate development. Communications Director Sheena Baker stated that the county had received 79 public comments about data centers as of this morning. None of the commenters supported data centers and many raised concerns about environment, agriculture, health, just voting no to data centers. Kim Wertz spoke in favor of Data Centers as long as they follow federal and state EPA itizens of Franklin County. The following spoke against Data Centers and voiced concerns about environmental, agricultural, health, and economic impacts of data centers, with the majority expressing opposition and raising questions about water use, electricity costs, job creation, and the adequacy of proposed restrictions. Bill Hagen Jillian Culler Jennifer Clark Hannah Cyr Valerie Jordan Natasha DiStasio Daniel McCleary Patrick Crider Karen Herman Deborah Nitterhouse Matthew Culler Harry Rotz Herb Dolaway Pam Bartle Andrew Aliferis Karen Rehnquist Linda Thomason Mike Kelley The public hearing was adjourned at 11:13 a.m. on a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery. Commissioner Horst called the commissioners meeting back to order. all valid and worth considering. He explained that the idea of a 1,000foot setback came from a meeting with a Loudoun County, Virginia commissioner, who told them that if he could change one thing, he would have required 1,000foot setbacks. Loudoun County already had around 250 data centers, so he felt that advice carried weight. He also revisited his earlier comments about solar requirements. He clarified that he did not oppose solar energy itself but believed that requiring a mega data center to source 25% of its power from solar would demand 700 to 1,000 acres of farmland, which created a difficult tradeoff. He noted that some viewed such , but he questioned whether that was a risk the county wanted to take. He also referenced a comment that large corporations might not care about fines, pointing out that a company had recently purchased farmland in Loudoun County for $6 million per acre. He concluded by asking where the middle ground might be on this issue and emphasized that he was simply sharing his opinion. Commissioner Flannery said he understood the concerns being raised. He noted that while he believed solar energy was beneficial, many people in the community strongly disliked it and had previously voiced frustration about the number of solar panels being installed. He pointed out that the county had heard similar complaints about warehouses and other development. He emphasized that the county commissioners did not create or enforce zoning laws and urged residents to attend their municipal and township meetings, where zoning decisions were actually made. He explained that the county invested significant money each year in farmland preservation long been a priority. He reflected that the county once had a beautiful landscape, and while some areas still did, others had changed, especially along the I81 corridor. He said he understood the concerns about solar requirements being misinterpreted and clarified that the intent was not to invite more solar development, but rather to avoid pushing solar installations onto farmland. He acknowledged that solar could coexist with certain types of farming, such as grazing animals. He agreed that warehouses should have solar panels on their roofs and again encouraged residents to engage with their municipal governments. He closed by thanking everyone for their comments and said he did not disagree with most of what had been expressed. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he was far better informed than he had been 90 minutes earlier and thanked everyone who had participated, including his fellow commissioners. He noted that he respectfully disagreed on certain aspects of solar energy, though he did not believe solar was the central issue at hand. He added that the commissioners still had much to learn and acknowledged that the chairman had already scheduled an evening meeting to continue the discussion. Commissioner Horst stated that there will be an evening meeting on April 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. During Public Comment, Valerie Jordan wanted to address ICE. She argued that equipment and partnerships were only effective if they were actively used. She noted that on March 19, Sheriff Sites announced on Facebook that one individual had been itive had been caught since the memorandum of agreement was signed in March 2025. Ms. Jordan said she enough hiring or apprehensions, which she believed were connected. She stated that the county should have held a public hearing when the ICE agreement was created so Sheriff Sites could have explained how the partnership would work and what it would cost. She asked the commissioners to post the memorandum of agreement on the county website so taxpayers could read it, explaining that she had to search online to find it herself. Ms. Jordan also commented on budget changes, noting that the county received less federal funding in 2026 but more state funding, which helped offset the loss. On a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda to include: Minutes from March 25, 2026. Vouchers in the amount of $448,533.30. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Planeteria Media for DocAccess software that will bring all existing and future PDFs on the county's website into ADA compliance at a cost of $3,000.00 per year. A two-year contract of April 1, 2026 until March 31, 2028, is required and the cost will be locked in for the duration of the contract. This will be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Planeteria Media for AutoADA software to perform a quarterly audit and remediation of content on the county's website to ensure it meets ADA compliance at a cost of $3,200.00 per year. This will be paid by the General Fund. Lease Agreement between the County of Franklin and 80 South Main LLC for the HUD Permanent Supportive Housing Lease Program that covers a participant's total rent plus any landlord-covered utilities at a cost of $11,050.00 for the period of April 1, 2026, through April 1, 2027. The County holds the Lease with the landlord and the participant subleases from the County. Program participants are responsible for a portion of their rent and all utilities that are not included in the lease. Rent and utilities cannot exceed 30% of their adjusted gross income. Participants are linked with Supportive Services and case management to assist them with maintaining permanent stable housing. This will be paid from the HUD grant. Authorization for the Director of Planning to correct language in Appendix D Section 10. Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payments of Agreement with PA DCED for the Emergency Solutions Grant. Revised for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Early Intervention Annual Report of Income and Expenditures. Total fiscal year 2023-2024 state and federal revenue was $1,500,594.00 and expenditures were $1,651,885.00. County Share, paid with General Funds, was $151,291.00. Unspent revenue of $939.00 will be returned to the state when the report is reconciled and certified. Application to Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the Violence Delinquency Prevention Program (VDPP) on behalf of First Start Partnerships for Children and Families. This will be a pass-through grant in the amount of $250,000.00 to develop and improve direct working partnerships between state/county agencies and local stakeholders to identify innovative community-based strategies and evidence-based practices to prevent justice systems involvement in youth. First Start delivers prevention during the earliest developmental years, when the foundation of lifelong social and behavioral health is established. Their programs are designed and implemented using a trauma-informed, data-driven approach that identifies emerging needs and intervenes before difficulties escalate. There is no match required with this grant. The County of Franklin is requesting $112,327.00 to continue and support Medication- Assisted Treatment (MAT) services at the Franklin County Jail through the cost of FDA- dical provider, PrimeCare Medical, Inc. This funding will ensure continued access to evidence-based treatment for incarcerated individuals with opioid and alcohol use disorders during incarceration and as they prepare for release into the community. There is no match required with this grant. Agreement between the County of Franklin and ICC Community Development Solutions for the annual renewal for Laserfiche licensing. Laserfiche is our content management solution, providing electronic document storage as well as electronic workflows and eForms at a cost of $121,744.25. This will be paid by an allocation across all operations. About 65% is estimated to be paid by the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Vates America Corp for a virtual environment to be used for our web facing servers. This replaces a free version of VMWare that we had been using. With the Broadcom purchase of VMWare, the version is no longer free or supported and this XCP-ng product is a cost-effective alternative. Our web facing services include Laserfiche, MUNIS Employee Self Service, DNS, GIS, Tax, Pension, and others. All software and data associated with this purchase will exist on-premises and be controlled by the County at a cost of $2,000.00. This will be paid by an allocation across all operations. About 65% is estimated to be paid by the General Fund. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. County Administrator Carrie Gray provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer presented the Employee of the Month for March. The Franklin County Commissioners, on behalf of the STAR (Special Thanks And Recognition) Committee proudly presents the Employee of the Month award to Ms. Donna Glover. Ms. Glover has been employed with Franklin County since July of 2025. She currently serves as a Custodial Worker in the Custodial department. The selection for March 2026 Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee. There were 21 nominations, six of which were for Donna. Ms. Bloyer read the nomination forms which are attached to these minutes. Ms. Glover thanked her supervisor, Kim Hoffman, for guiding her in her custodial work and for trusting the entire team to perform their duties with minimal supervision. She also expressed appreciation to everyone who recognized her efforts and trusted her to keep the county buildings up to standard. She ended by saying she would continue doing her best. Commissioner Horst said they agreed with everything her peers had expressed and wanted to he would seek her out because her contagious smile always improved his mood. Commissioner Horst thanked her for that and encouraged her to keep up the great work, noting that her strong attention to detail and pride in her job were clearly visible. Commissioner Flannery said that first impressions made a big difference, and Ms. Glover consistently created a strong one for everyone entering the building. Although they had not formally met, he said his first impression of her had been extremely positive. He noted that she had been with the county since July 2025 and expressed hope that she would remain much longer. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he was very proud of the building and was pleased that so many people had attended the hearing, hoping they had taken the opportunity to walk around and use the facilities. He added that he was equally proud of how well the building was maintained and thanked her for keeping it in excellent condition. The Commissioners presented a check to ARC Assistant Director Wendy Buckwalter for the employee dress down fundraiser that was held in March. Keri Kenney, HR Coordinator, said we raised $700.00 from a total of 138 employees from 21 different departments. Ms. Buckwalter speaking on behalf of the Arc of Franklin and Fulton Counties alongside her colleagues Katie Dillman and Lisa Grimes, expressed sincere gratitude to the county commissioners and everyone who participated in the Dress Down Day fundraiser. She said their generosity reflected the heart of the community. The donation, she explained, would help fund social events for individuals with developmental disabilities, giving them opportunities to connect, build friendships, enjoy shared activities, and experience a true sense of belonging and Commissioner Horst said he repeated the same message every month because it remained true: the county had generous employees, and their organization, as they did such meaningful work for the community. He expressed appreciation for everything they did and thanked them. Commissioner Flannery thanked Ms. Kenney for her work and again acknowledged the generosity of county employees. He said that working in the a great deal of patience. He expressed deep appreciation for their contributions to the community and said that the pride people took in Franklin County was evident in the room that day. Commissioner Ziobrowski Ms. Gray introduced Planning Director Quentin Clapper and Senior Planner Colleen Tidd to make Housing Trust Fund Recommendations for the Chambersburg Project for Housing Trust Fund allocation in the amount of $5,000.00 for completed home repairs accomplished during their July 2026 work camp; Habitat for Humanity Housing Trust Funds allocation for the amount of $100,000.00 ($50,000.00 per year for 2026 and 2027) to support the development of EdenView in Hamilton Township; and Luminest is asking for Housing Trust Fund allocation in the amount of $100,000.00 ($50,000.00 per year for 2026 and 2027) contingent on DCED's approval of Luminest's HOME-ARP grant application. Voting as a block, on a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the recommendations. Ms. Gray introduced Director Minnie Goshorn and Program Specialist Matthew Foschia to represent the Children and Youth Department in order to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends and topics of interest. Their presentation was made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Horst thanked the group for the work they did and said he appreciated their service to the community. He admitted he could not do their job himself because he was too soft when it came to children, and he acknowledged how difficult the work could be. He said the county was grateful to have them as part of the team, looking out for children, and he praised them for doing an excellent job.Commissioner Flannery said that serving on the Advisory Board had been very enlightening and that he had learned a great deal. He praised the department for doing a phenomenal job despite being understaffed and overworked, noting that this had been the case since he began attending their advisory meetings. He commended them for consistently achieving strong results on state audits. He went on to explain that one of the appropriate placements for children. Suitable facilities had become fewer and farther away, and the costs continued to rise. As a result, when children needed to be removed from their homes, locating a placement had become increasingly difficult, sometimes requiring temporary stays in hotels. He asked Ms. Goshorn to speak briefly about that issue. Ms. Goshorn explained that Children and Youth struggled with provider availability because many providers were facing their own staffing shortages. She added that new requirements for higher liability insurance had created additional challenges for them. She said the department tried to keep children as close to home as possible, which was why they invested heavily in preventive services to avoid placements when they could. However, when placements were necessary, providers could demand higher rates because they were often the only available options. She noted that this led to extensive negotiation during budget and contract periods as the department worked to secure the best possible rates and the most essential services for the children. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that when it came to child abuse, even a single case was too many. He noted, however, that he was encouraged to see some of the broader numbers trending downward and efforts. He encouraged them to continue their good work. Commissioner Horst read Proclamation #2026-07 for the purpose of proclaiming April Child Abuse Prevention Month which has been made a part of these minutes. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. The meeting was adjourned at 12:08 p.m. on a motion by Robert Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ Dean A. Horst, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski *May be assistedby Copilot FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Dean A. Horst, Chairman STAR COMMITTEE John T. Flannery Special Thanks And Recognition Committee Robert G. Ziobrowski Tiffany Bloyer, HR Director 272 North Second Street ~ Chambersburg, PA 17201 Telephone (717) 261-3150 Fax (717) 261-3156 April 1, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners, on behalf of the STAR Committee (Special Thanks And Recognition) proudly presents the Employee of the Month award to Donna Glover. Ms. Glover has been employed with Franklin County since July of 2025. She currently serves as a Custodial Worker intheCustodialdepartment. The selection for March2026Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee. There were twenty-one nominations, six of which were for Donna. The STAR nomination form asks what recent event(s) or occurrence(s) made you select Donna and the answer stated: Donna Glover is incredibly deserving of receiving the Employee of the Month award. She embodies all the characteristics of an exemplary employee and consistently goes above and beyond her role. One of Donna's most admirable qualities is her contagious positivity. I have never seen Donna have a bad day. As she diligently works to clean and maintain the Admin Building, she ALWAYS has a smile on her face. That does not go unnoticed. Her cheerful attitude creates a welcoming environment for everyone who enters the building, -employees, guests to the building, taxpayers, and it truly makes a difference in the workplace. For example, Donna Glover is a hard worker and takes much pride in keeping this building looking new. She often goes above and beyond to ensure that windows are spot free, floors are clean, bathrooms sparkle and trash is picked up. I have heard the public comment several times on how clean our building is. The other week, while in conversation with Donna, she made mention how she likes to be sure the main entrance of the building is made to look good along with the main entrances of each suite. She stated that first impressions matter and she wants guests to have a good first impression of this building. She truly cares about her work and the County’s first impression. Additionally, her work ethic and reliability are unmatched. We never have to worry about whether things will be done because she takes ownership of her responsibilities and performs them with excellence every single day. She takes pride in her work, and it shows in the quality of the environment she helps create. Donna’s positive attitude and willingness to help others creates a ripple effect that boosts morale. She sets an excellent example of dedication and kindness, which are qualities that will get you far no matter where you are. I personally find her approach a reminder of how small gestures can make a big difference. Further, Donna not only truly cares for the building she is assigned to, but also her coworkers. She is able to connect with everyone and will check in to make sure you’re doing okay while efficiently completing her daily tasks. The county has a wonderful employee and honoring her for her work and demeanor would be a great testament to who she is. Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (717) 264-8474 Telephone: (717) 261-3150 Fax: (717) 261-3156 Website: www.franklincountypa.gov FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Dean A. Horst, Chairman STAR COMMITTEE John T. Flannery Special Thanks And Recognition Committee Robert G. Ziobrowski Tiffany Bloyer, HR Director 272 North Second Street ~ Chambersburg, PA 17201 Telephone (717) 261-3150 Fax (717) 261-3156 Ms. Glover’s outstanding characteristics are attributes that have not gone unnoticed by her peers. Those who work alongside Donna used numerous positive words to describe her. This included positivity, professionalism, reliability, dedication, kindness, hard work, pride, integrity, caring, and detailed orientation. We are so grateful to Ms. Glover as she exudes a high standard of knowledge, leadership and excellence to the employees and residents of Franklin County. Sincerely, The STAR Committee TLB/EN cc: Personnel File; Admin Officer Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (717) 264-8474 Telephone: (717) 261-3150 Fax: (717) 261-3156 Website: www.franklincountypa.gov