HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-31 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 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.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of January 24, 2012 and January 26, 2012 meetings were read.
These will be approved Thursday, February 2, 2012.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. John Hart asked to
pull the QUnique contract to clarify some language in the contract. Commissioner
Thomas asked about the bridge being replaced and how much traffic travels on it? Mr.
Hart replied a traffic count was not conducted and he did not have this information.
Commissioner Ziobrowski believes a milk truck crosses that bridge regularly.
Commissioner Thomas asked about the progress of Twin Bridges. Mr. Hart reported the
one bridge is 90% complete with guardrail work remaining to be completed and the other
bridge is up out of the water and they are in process of pouring the deck. They are on
schedule to open in early spring. The items will be approved Thursday, February 2,
2012.
Timothy Mowen, Telecommunicator and David Donohue, DES Director was
present for Mr. Mowen to receive a Letter of Commendation from the Board for receiving
a phone call that a female had entered labor and utilizing the Emergency Medical
Dispatch protocol Mr. Mowen then helped the husband assist his wife through the
birthing process resulting in the successful delivery of the baby four minutes after
initiating the call. Law enforcement and EMS arrived to find the baby safely delivered.
Larry Booze, Telecommunicator and David Donohue, DES Director was present
for Mr. Booze to receive a Letter of Commendation from the Board for receiving a phone
call that a male had collapsed and was not breathing and utilizing the Emergency
Medical Dispatch protocol Mr. Booze instructed the caller in Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR) which was then applied to the victim. The caller was able to
successfully administer CPR, resulting in the emergency medical service responders
having a treatable rhythm when they arrived. The EMS crew utilized a defibrillator and
medication, resulting in the conversion of cardiac arrest to a normal rhythm and by the
time he arrived at the hospital the victim had returned to life.
John Hart, Chief Clerk/County Administrator provided an update to the Board on
the non-profit project. He said staff presented information to Fulton and Franklin County
Commissioners and last night the staff met with MH/ID Advisory Board Task Force. He
said staff is continuing to work on processes, policies and procedures and back office
support to include Human Resources, Fiscal and Information Services. This support will
be provided due to realizing the new entity cannot operate without support in the
beginning. Mr. Hart said the Task Force will conduct a meeting with consumers and
providers in the next two weeks in Franklin and Fulton Counties to hear comments,
questions or concerns. Mr. Hart is asking permission from the Board to obtain legal
services from Eckert Seamans who have experience in forming nonprofits along with
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developing corporate papers and by laws. This firm will also ascertain if the non-profit
qualifies as a 501c3. Mr. Hart stated as the new entity hires an executive director, fiscal
manager and human resources director it will determine if they want to continue
purchasing services from the county or migrate to their own in-house services or obtain
these services through contracts. The county is very conscience of the consumers’
needs and the goal is to make the transition to a non-profit as seamless as possible for
the consumers, to provide the best services possible for consumers and to provide back
office support to the new entity in order that business operations are maintained and
organized from the beginning. Mr. Hart advised Sheldon Schwartz, member for the Task
Force, was present and willing to offer comments. Chairman Keller said the first thing
want to move forward with is a well-defined plan that will be presented to both sets of
commissioners for approval. Mr. Hart said this is the goal and advised prior to
developing a plan, staff and Task Force members want to receive input from consumers
and providers. Second it is staff’s desire to have attorney on board and assist with the
development of a time line and documents to illustrate hiring process, back office
support, corporate and bylaws documents to establish the entity. These documents and
timeline will be presented to the Commissioners of Franklin and Fulton counties and the
various workgroups for consideration. Staff will determine costs to Franklin County as
the process proceeds. Chairman Keller requested to be included on any questions and
answers back and forth. Mr. Schwartz said he is happy to help John and moving
forward with investigation to move to non-profit but still have a lot of pieces to consider
as we move forward. He said it’s critical that try to get all issues out in front of us and
being able to estimate the time line and see where the critical items are and involving
consumers and public. He said they are still identifying the pieces phase and putting
them in order and the Task Force stands ready to assist the county. Mr. Hart asked for
general consensus of the Board to proceed with staff work and obtaining the services of
Attorney Miller from Eckert and Seamans in order to develop corporate papers and
bylaws. Chairman Keller advised Mr. Hart has consensus of the board and asked that
John keep the county solicitor in tune to what is going on. Commissioner Thomas said
we have to have legal support and is fine with this. Commissioner Ziobrowski said it’s
critically important that actively seek input from consumers and providers and doing this
in a transparent way because it’s a big decision and hope it’s a decision that is clear cut.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:19 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS