HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-16 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, August 16, 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, a Moment
of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day.
Chairman Keller asked to include general discussion following approval of the
minutes to review some highlights from last week’s CCAP conference. On a motion by
Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt
the amended agenda.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment and wanted to report there is a bump on
the bridge going west where the blacktop does not meet the bridge. The Board asked
for clarification on which bridge and Mr. Lightfoot responded Twin Bridges.
Ken Jones from Chambersburg provided public comments and in response to
Mr. Amsley’s presentation on Tuesday, he wants to know where does parental rights
end and state’s rights begin? Mr. Jones read a statement and asked how can we take
tax money to spend on mandates but can’t teach the ten commandments.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of August 9, 2012 meeting.
Chairman Keller wanted to include general discussion so the Board could give
the highlights from last week’s CCAP conference. Commissioner Thomas said CCAP is
an association of Pennsylvania counties and each member county pays a small amount
of dues to keep CCAP going. They are guided by a Board of Directors that he is on and
just got re-elected to last week. He mentioned the following sessions he attended:
Awards banquet where Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel won the Friend of
Government Award; met with state and other county elected officials and administrators;
attended the MATP session which is a requirement of counties to take people on
medical assistance to their appointments, the Deputy Secretary was present and he is
committed to helping counties carry out their required duties; attended the Technology
Committee where the Unified Case Management system was discussed to unify the data
collected from various offices which will help the Department of Corrections who want
more information about inmates. Chairman Keller attended the block grant session and
understood that counties will be selected who are ready, willing and able to execute the
block grant process. He also attended a session on court cases which was an excellent
review by the CCAP attorney and has sent this information to the county solicitor to see
if any of the court cases are relevant to us. Commissioner Ziobrowski explained that
when the Board goes to CCAP they try to attend different breakout sessions and spread
themselves out. He mostly attended assessment, taxation and real estate issues
sessions and he came away smarter then before.
Chairman Keller asked John Hart, Chief Clerk to explain the addition to the board
actions today to purchase furniture for the Jr. Fire Company and Courthouse
renovations. Mr. Hart responded the furniture is on state contract pricing but however
three quotes were obtained in order to get the best pricing. The lowest quote came from
Impact and its HON furniture which is good quality furniture. The Purchasing
Department and Courts conducted a thorough review and they are reusing all suitable
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furniture and the new furniture will improve some workspaces. This purchase includes
furniture for the judge’s chambers, work areas, the modified hearing room/court room
and court administration. Chairman Keller asked if this is consistent with what expense
was anticipated. Mr. Hart responded this is less than what was anticipated. On a
motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved
the quote from Impact Office to purchase furniture for the Courthouse and Firehouse
renovations at a cost of $31,439.39. Three quotes were received and this was the
lowest qualified quote.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and PA Department
of Transportation for C.S. Davidson to perform preliminary engineering and final design
of Bridge #116, Horse Road Bridge for a total Phase I and II Engineering cost of
$264,246.26.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved Supplemental appropriation
to provide budget for making purchases and paying vendors who will aid in continuing
and enhancing the Pyramid model of the 2012-2013 Positive Behavior Support Grant in
the amount of $7,547.00, which is 100% state reimbursable with no county match.
The Board reviewed Human Services Administration matters. On a motion by
Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Final
Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) Report in
the amount of $837,793.00. This amount is reimbursed by 53% State funding and 47%
Federal funding.
The Board reviewed Information Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement
between the County of Franklin and Adobe Echosign, on State Contract, for a cloud-
based service that will allow electronic signatures on county documents, reducing delays
in approvals and reduction in paper usage and toner, for the period of August 7, 2012
through August 6, 2013 with renewals at a cost of $3,600.00, funded 100% by the
General Fund.
The Board reviewed MH/ID/EI matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the updated 2011-2012
contract listings for Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities, and Early Intervention.
The Board reviewed TMCA matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the renewal Administrative
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance
(TMCA) to provide needed Human Resources, Benefits, Payroll, etc. to TMCA staff and
the operations for the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015 at a cost of
$76,750.00, to be reimbursed by TMCA, which provides medical services to persons
eligible for Medical Assistance.
Chairman Keller said staff has informed him that they have prepared an
application for the Block Grant process and a letter has been drafted to be included with
the application. He would like to be on record that the Board is on board and supportive
of applying for the block grant funds. The County has a solid Human Services structure
in place and has a good track record. It is good to move forward and we can be
successful in implementing it. Commissioner Thomas strongly agrees and is ready,
willing and able and able is the key word that Department of Public Welfare is looking
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for. He said money has to stay in a certain level and we may have a program that
doesn’t need as much but then have another program that needs more so we can use it
where we need it most. Commissioner Ziobrowski is supportive of the application to
achieve block grant status but hesitates to oversell the idea because it is a test or pilot
program. But he feels strongly about protecting the rights of individuals in the programs
as there is a reason for the protections.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS