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Home My WebLink About2011-04-12 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2011 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, April, 2011, with the following members present: David S. Keller and Robert L. Thomas. 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 L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Ziobrowski is under the weather and will not be attending the meeting today. There was no public comment. Commissioner Keller responded to questions from public comment on Thursday, April 7, 2011, regarding the board’s letter of support for The Conservation Fund’s request for federal funding to conserve the Eagle Rock tract of forest land in Guilford Township adjacent to Michaux State Forest. In response to the question regarding the board’s motivation for asking for the funding, Commissioner Keller explained that the county is not requesting the funding, the county is simply expressing support for The Conservation Fund’s request to the U.S. Forestry Service. Commissioner Keller added that the board’s purpose in supporting the request for funding was described in the support letter, which is attached as made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Keller further clarified that the request for funds would be a 2012 federal fiscal year appropriation, not 2011 as it was suggested at public comment last week. Regarding the question as to why the tract is described as a buffer, Commissioner Keller responded that the board did not describe it as such. Jim Hook, reporter for The Public Opinion, spoke up to clarify that the buffer description was provided by local Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources personnel. In response to the question as to why Franklin County is asking for funding when the federal government has a deficit, Commissioner Keller responded that the federal government needs to balance its budget, reduce spending, and reduce the national debt, and the board supports current efforts to do so, just as the board has balanced the county budget, reduced expenses, and reduced the county’s debt. Commissioner Keller added that conservation of natural resources is an important element of the county’s comprehensive plan, and given the opportunity to support requests for funding for high ranked projects like Eagle Rock, the board will do so. Commissioner Keller continued by saying that it is part of the board’s job to ensure adequate and appropriate state and federal funding for Franklin County. While it is up to our federal legislators and the president to best decide how to allocate the nation’s limited resources, the board believes that conservation of our natural resources is a worthwhile use of the nation’s limited resources. Commissioner Keller concluded his remarks by encouraging Franklin County’s federal legislators and the president to continue to allocate funding for the purpose of conservation within the confines of a balanced budget. Continued on page 2 The minutes of April 5, 2011 and April 7, 2011 meetings were read. These will be approved Thursday, April 14, 2011. The Board reviewed Agreements and Contracts. The Board approved three agreements today. The remaining items will be approved Thursday, April 14, 2011. The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Subsidized Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children with special needs for payment in the amount of $40.00/day for the period of April 13, 2011 through August 5, 2014, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $78.50 to cover non- recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation program. The Board reviewed additional Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Subsidized Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children with special needs for payment in the amount of $29.00/day for the period of April 13, 2011 through April 12, 2016, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $182.50 to cover non-recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation program. The Board reviewed District Attorney matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Agreement between the County of Franklin and the U.S. Department of Justice for the County to participate in the Federal Equitable Sharing program to allow the District Attorney’s office to receive a share of federally forfeited funds from criminal cases that are prosecuted federally during the year 2010. These monies received are restricted by federal statute to be spent for law enforcement purposes only. The Board reviewed Proclamation 2011-02 to declare National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Franklin County. David Donohue, DES Director, Bryan Stevenson, EOC Communications Coordinator, Stanley Baker, and Jessica McAtee, Telecommunicators, were present to receive the Proclamation. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation # 2011-02 proclaiming the week of April 11 – April 16, 2011 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Board met with the County Solicitor who asked to go into an executive session. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:22 a.m. this date for the purpose to review potential litigation matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at 11:14 a.m. Continued on page 3 The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Proclamation #2011- 02 National Public Safety Telecommunications Week April 10-16,2011 WHEREAS, emergencies can occur at anytime that require police, fire or emergency medical services; WHEREAS, when an emergency occurs the prompt response ofpolice officers, firefighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; WHEREAS, the safety of our police officers and firefighters is dependant upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services Communications Center; WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers, firefighters, and Emergency Medical Services responders by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and insuring their safety; WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators of the Franklin County Department of Emergency Services Communications Center have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients; WHEREAS, each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year; WHEREAS, Be It Resolved that the Franklin County Commission declares the week of April 10 through 16, 2011 to be National Public -Safety Telecommunications Week in Franklin County, in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our city and citizens safe. In Witness Whereof, We have hereunto set our hand and have caused the seal of Franklin County to be fixed this 12` day of April, 2011 FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS David S. keller, Chairman Robert L. Thomas Robert G. Ziobrowski COMMISSIONERS IN Cp Franklin County Commissioners Office Robert L. Thomas, Chairman Court House David S. Keller I . 1 Robert G. Ziobrowski 4 North Main Street Chambersburg, PA 17201 -2211 CHIEF CLERK/COUNTY commissioners @franklinco.pa.net ADMINISTRATOR •* �. John A. Hart 4L ; Telecommunication Device for Deaf (717) 264 -8474 J� i�a �."�* (717) 261 -3810 COUNTY SOLICITOR �N5yI VAS Mary Beth Shank April 5, 2011 The Honorable Robert P. Casey 393 Russell Senate Office Building U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Casey: As the Congress develops the Fiscal Year 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill; we are writing to express our support for full funding of the President's $1.5 million budget request for the Eagle Rock Forest Legacy Project in Franklin County. Last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DNCR) solicited Forest Legacy applications from landowners throughout the state. The landowner of the 1,100 acre Eagle Rock tract is interested in selling the land to the state and sought to have the project evaluated by a statewide committee. The committee recommended this project to the U.S. Forest Service as the top project in the state. The USFS commissioned a national panel that ranked the Eagle Rock parcel as the 17 highest priority. The property contains excellent wildlife habitat for a diverse group of species, including a species of special concern, the Northern Bat and an endangered plant species, the Oakes' Pondweed. Popular game species such as deer, grouse and turkey can be found on the property. Adjacent to the 85,000+ acre Michaux State Forest, the property would be managed as a working forest. Full funding for this project will protect critical habitat, provide recreational opportunities, and create jobs. We are in support of this project as it meets the goals and objectives of the current Franklin County Comprehensive Plan regarding the protection of valuable natural resources. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Sincerely, "? David S. Keller, Chairman Franklin County Commissioners c: file DSK /slc COMMISSIONERS IUNIV Cp Franklin County Commissioners Office Robert L. Thomas, Chairman Court House David S. Keller I, Robert G. Ziobrowski M 14 North Main Street Chambersburg, PA 17201 -2211 CHIEF CLERKICOUNTY ' ADMINISTRATOR commissioners @franklinco.pa.net John A. Hart " .' Telecommunication Device for Deaf (717) 264 -8474 1784 „•' COUNTY SOLICITOR LVAA (717) 261 -3810 Mary Beth Shank April 5, 2011 The Honorable Bill Shuster 204 Cannon House Office Building U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Shuster: As the Congress develops the Fiscal Year 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill; we are writing to express our support for full funding of the President's $1.5 million budget request for the Eagle Rock Forest Legacy Project in Franklin County. Last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DNCR) solicited Forest Legacy applications from landowners throughout the state. The landowner of the 1,100 acre Eagle Rock tract is interested in selling the land to the state and sought to have the project evaluated by a statewide committee. The committee recommended this project to the U.S. Forest Service as the top project in the state. The USFS commissioned a national panel that ranked the Eagle Rock parcel as the 17th highest priority. The property contains excellent wildlife habitat for a diverse group of species, including a species of special concern, the Northern Bat and an endangered plant species, the Oakes' Pondweed. Popular game species such as deer, grouse and turkey can be found on the property. Adjacent to the 85,000+ acre Michaux State Forest, the property would be managed as a working forest. Full funding for this project will protect critical habitat, provide recreational opportunities, and create jobs. We are in support of this project as it meets the goals and objectives of the current Franklin County Comprehensive Plan regarding the protection of valuable natural resources. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Sincerely, a,2 David S. Keller, Chairman Franklin County Commissioners c: file DSK /slc COMMISSIONERS ,�tl Cp Franklin County Commissioners Office Robert L. Thomas, Chairman 4 �?� Court House David S. Keller l� + 1 Robert G. Ziobrowski 4 North Main Street * ; Chambersburg, PA 17201 -2211 CHIEF CLERK/COUNTY * : commissioners @franklinco.pa.net ADMINISTRATOR John A. Hart 4L *' Telecommunication Device for Deaf (717) 264 -8474 i�sa „ ** COUNTY SOLICITOR �NSYI,VAt (717) 261 -3810 Mary Beth Shank April 5, 2011 The Honorable Pat Toomey B -40B Dirksen Senate Office Building U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Toomey: As the Congress develops the Fiscal Year 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill; we are writing to express our support for full funding of the President's $1.5 million budget request for the Eagle Rock Forest Legacy Project in Franklin County. Last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DNCR) solicited Forest Legacy applications from landowners throughout the state. The landowner of the 1,100 acre Eagle Rock tract is interested in selling the land to the state and sought to have the project evaluated by a statewide committee. The committee recommended this project to the U.S. Forest Service as the top project in the state. The USFS commissioned a national panel that ranked the Eagle Rock parcel as the 17th highest priority. The property contains excellent wildlife habitat for a diverse group of species, including a species of special concern, the Northern Bat and an endangered plant species, the Oakes' Pondweed. Popular game species such as deer, grouse and turkey can be found on the property. Adjacent to the 85,000+ acre Michaux State Forest, the property would be managed as a working forest. Full funding for this project will protect critical habitat, provide recreational opportunities, and create jobs. We are in support of this project as it meets the goals and objectives of the current Franklin County Comprehensive Plan regarding the protection of valuable natural resources. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Sincerely, David S. Keller, Chairman Franklin County Commissioners c: file DSK /slc