HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-21 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, March 21, 2013, 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.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment and asked the Board when they are going
to have the front doors painted because they are nasty. Chairman Keller responded that
he personally looked at the doors and they didn’t seem to be that nasty but at some
point they will need a coat of paint but not necessary at this time.
Allen Piper provided public comment and asked what the service and how the
cost is determined for item #3 the contract for attorney services with Mr. Kaminski for an
amount of $11,866 which seems like an odd number. Also he asked about item #6 to
provide chaplain services at the Jail which is a good thing but it’s for $15,000. How often
are these services performed and how is the cost determined for these two items? Mr.
Piper would appreciate a response.
Ken Jones provided public comment about how there is a lot of talk right now
about the Final 4. His Final 4 are: should celebrate that our president is on his final
four; should look at national debt, is this going to be the final 4 for this nation as we know
it. How can Government be so lame and mismanaged, since they are betting on
basketball games instead of taking care of things.
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 David S. Keller; unanimously
approved the minutes of March 12, 2013 and March 13, 2013 meetings.
Commissioner Thomas wanted to respond about the chaplain agreement for the
Jail and how Franklin County has provided this service for many years, and it is a
requirement to provide this service at the Jail. This is our share of the mutual
agreement. Commissioner Thomas is very satisfied with this service and can’t hire a
pastor for $15,000 a year as much of the cost is picked up by the outside community and
churches and he knows that the pastor works more than 40 hours a week. Chairman
Keller asked John Hart, County Administrator to explain the solicitor services in question
during public comment. Mr. Hart said solicitor service increases are calculated based on
CPI which increased 2% in 2012. Calculating wages utilizing the CPI is why the amount
is an odd number. This contract is for Controller services. The average rate for all
elected officials solicitors is $70 an hour. Chairman Keller said the contracts come to
the Board after staff has reviewed and the contracts vary from each elected official
depending on service being provided. Commissioner Thomas said that every row
officer is required to have a solicitor but some don’t require a whole lot of services.
Commissioner Ziobrowski wanted to respond to Mr. Jones and he is sorry that
Mr. Jones is bearish on America but he is bullish. Commissioner Ziobrowski said energy
costs are declining. He expects a lot more jobs coming back to America, stock market is
at record highs and the local economy is going to boom. In his opinion, nationally the
economy will grow out of its present malaise. He said he is sorry Mr. Jones does not
share that opinion.
Continued on page 2
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2012 expense
and revenue budget performance through January. Ms. Beckner advised most
departments are under budget except for a few where most variances relate to a one
time large expense or debt service. She said general fund expenses are at 7.3% of
budgeted expenses through January and revenue are consistent when compared to the
overall budget at 2.1% collected of general fund revenue. Property tax bills just went out
at beginning of the month. Ms. Beckner said year-end numbers are being finalized and
will start the financial statement soon with auditors starting end of April or beginning of
May. She will have 2012 final numbers at her April report to the Board.
The Board reviewed Aging matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Food & Beverage License to the PA Department of
Agriculture/Commonwealth of PA for the Mont Alto Senior Activity Center at a cost of
$82.00 for the period of April 4, 2013 through April 3, 2014. Since the Mont Alto Senior
Activity Center serves meals to seniors it is a law to have a food and beverage license
that needs renewed annually.
The Board reviewed Aging matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 2013 Supplemental
Appropriation in the amount of $53,115.00 to transfer unspent funds from 2012 into
calendar year 2013 and to increase the corresponding expenses.
The Board reviewed Controller matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and William F. Kaminski to provide contracted attorney services at a
cost of $11,866.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31,
2013.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Mutual Aid
Agreement to provide reciprocal emergency assistance between Franklin County and
Juniata County to include equipment, telephone exchange, and staffing to assist with
emergency response activities effective March 21, 2013 and shall continue until thirty
(30) days written notice by either party.
The Board reviewed Grants matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the amendment to the
contract dated March 12, 2009 between the County of Franklin and Keystone Health to
provide Behavioral Outpatient services, to reflect the updated rate sheet from Keystone.
All other terms and conditions of the original agreement will remain in full force and
effect.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the renewal contract between the
County of Franklin and United Churches of the Chambersburg Area to provide chaplain
services to inmates at the Jail for the period of January 2013 through December 2013 at
a cost of $15,000.00, which was the same cost as last year.
The Board reviewed Prothonotary matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved contract between the County
of Franklin and Barbara Townsend to provide contracted attorney services at a cost of
$1,812.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
Continued on page 3
The Board reviewed Transportation matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the amendment to the
Proposal from Rohrer Bus Services to purchase a wheelchair transportation van to
replace vehicle lift #3. This amendment is to add an enhanced lift with higher weight
capacity, a new camera system and a converted natural gas conversion prep kit at a
total cost of $60,308.00 to be paid for by Penn Dot’s 2012-2013 Capital Grant. This
company is on State contract pricing.
The Board reviewed Treasurer matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and Clinton T. Barkdoll to provide contracted attorney services at a
cost of $1,608.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31,
2013.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, TeamAg notified the
County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General NPDES
Permit application being applied by New Hope Sow Farm for a proposed Sow Facility
Expansion on property located in Fannett Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, York Refrigeration
(Frick)/Johnson Controls, Inc. has notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection Air Quality Program State Only Operating Permit application
being applied on property located in Borough of Waynesboro.
Chairman Keller asked that there be a general discussion to discuss Visitors
Bureau matters on the agenda. He had mentioned to the Board at the end of last year
that he visited some counties to explore and research the way other counties promote
tourism. As a result there was one idea in particular that he thought was worthwhile to
pursue. In January he meet with Visitor Bureau Advisory Board and Janet Pollard,
Visitors Bureau Director to ask them to consider how they might redirect hotel tax dollars
which is spent on marketing, and to look at whether task some of these dollars on
historical aspects in the county. They seemed willing to give that idea some
consideration. At the same time the Advisory Board expressed interested in establishing
the Visitors Bureau as a nonprofit agency. Chairman Keller continued that in his travels
most Visitor Bureaus are nonprofit agencies, the Advisory Board knew this as well and
are invested in historical aspects so they would like to reestablish the Visitors Bureau as
a nonprofit agency. Chairman Keller said he would like to ask the Board today their
consensus to direct staff, have meetings with Director of the Visitor’s Bureau and
members of Advisory Board with intent they establish a small work group to come back
to the Board of Commissioners as soon as possible with their thoughts and
recommendations. He welcomed any comments or questions from his colleagues.
Commissioner Thomas gave some history of past Visitors Bureau’s and mentioned there
are reasons to have in house and reasons not to have in house. He is open to the
concept with closer review. Chairman Keller suggests directing Mr. Hart to bring
stakeholders together if he deems appropriate to have someone under him bring them
together. There needs to be someone else to help facilitate. Commissioner Ziobrowski
applauded the chairman for reaching out to other counties to learn how their Visitors
Bureaus operate. He noted that counties he is familiar with take very different
approaches. He is open to change and developing our own best practices. Mr. Hart
reiterated that he will pull Janet Pollard and a small work group, staff, and review with
legal counsel. He asked that Chairman Keller share with him who he visited with that
way if someone doing business as nonprofit he could reach out to their group also.
Commissioner Thomas said that maybe check with Janet about a State agency to see if
have programs that work the best. He said no one has made a decision to pull out at
this point so may
Continued on page 4
not need to develop corporate papers at this point. Chairman Keller responded that he
visited Summerset, Beaver, Blair and Butler counties but wouldn’t hurt to look at other
counties beyond what he looked at. Mr. Hart said he may check with other counties that
have formed nonprofits and request their business plans that could work for Franklin
County.
The Board recessed and will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. as Election Board for
casting of lots. Commissioner Thomas will not be present for the Casting of Lots.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS