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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-16 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2013 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, July 16, 2013, with the following members present: David S. Keller 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 Chairman’s time prior to public comment. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda. Chairman Keller wanted to respond to Mr. Piper’s comment last week asking for additional public comment time at end of the meetings. The Board is satisfied with public comment at the beginning of the meeting and it’s in accordance with the PA Sunshine Act. This is an open and transparent process. Ken Jones provided public comment that the audience should have been able to comment about Jay Wenger’s discussion last week about the sale of the Nursing Home. He asked what kind of enforcement will be written into the agreement about Medicaid patients not being put out. He asked about those that need to find a placement over 10 years, will they have a chance to get in. Allen Piper provided public comment that he agrees with Mr. Jone’s remarks. He is aware of the PA Sunshine Act but it is written very vaguely and not a lot defined in it. It mandates that all official actions and deliberation happen in the meetings are open to the public. Since the Board is spending the people’s money there should be public comment at the end of the meeting to discuss anything on the agenda that day. Kim Wertz provided public comment and is in agreement with Mr. Jones and Mr. Piper’s comments. She said some things seem to be decided ahead of time like the sale of the nursing home seems to already be in the works. Will there be a lot of county residents left out in the cold in the next 10-15 years. She said they need to have a comment at end of the meeting. Ken Jones wanted to remind the Board that they did make the statement that the sale of the nursing home will not be fast tracked but rumor has it that there is already a sale in the works. When looking down the road there may be a lot of poor people left at home alone or won’t have a place to go. Commissioner Ziobrowski responded that he is in full agreement with Chairman Keller to have public comment at beginning of the meeting and if he was still president of the school board he would not have allowed it at end of meeting. Any comments can be made at the next business meeting. He has not found any evidence that other counties have public comment at end of meetings, some don’t even have public comment on their agenda. The board gives public ample opportunity to speak and appreciates the fact that they do speak. Jay Lightfoot provided public comment that Borough Council let them ask questions on each item on the agenda. They can’t comment or disagree here and the board goes through it like a funnel. If don’t know what’s on the agenda how do they know what to ask. Continued on page 2 Chairman Keller responded that the agenda is available on the County’s website the day prior to a meeting so there is opportunity to review the agenda prior to the meeting. The minutes of July 9, 2013 and July 11, 2013 meetings were reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, July 18, 2013. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The following items were approved today and the remainder items will be approved Thursday, July 11, 2013. The Board reviewed Adult Probation matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Grant-In-Aid Continuing Program to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for the State Offender Supervision Fund Agreement services requesting an amount of $1,149,892.00 for fiscal year 2013-2014. This program is to help fund the Adult Probation Department. The Board reviewed Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and Priority Dispatch Consultants to provide a 2 day, 4 hour class on a training course titled “Active Assailant Incidents – the Telecommunicator’s Role” at a cost not to exceed $4,500.00 or $99.00 per employee. This course is a more comprehensive look at the Telecommunicator’s role in active assailant incidents than traditional courses. John Hart, County Administrator provided an update to the Board on the Greencastle Senior Activity Center Sewer Project. Antrim Township is working on connecting the Antrim Township Building and Senior Activity Center on Antrim Church Road to the sewer line. Antrim Township is performing a building improvement project and it is their desire to hook on to the sewer authority system. Mr. Hart said our sewer system has failed so we will connect to the sewer line with 2” line to pump back into main line on route 16. The County and Antrim Township are splitting costs for the common line to route 16. The County will pay 100% of the cost from the Antrim Township connection. Each party is responsible for their own lot costs. The bid will be developed by Antrim Township and we will share engineering costs 50/50 except we will pay 100% on county property. The County’s costs are approximately $116,000 and Townships is approximately $72,350. Mr. Hart said the costs will be paid out of Aging funds and money from this year’s budget. Mr. Hart also mentioned in the state budget there is a grant program for Aging that the County can apply for a grant to help pay for this. An agreement will be provided by the township for the board to sign on Thursday. Brenda Covert, Purchasing Director provided a presentation on MuniciBid, Online Government Auction. MuniciBid has been in existence since 2006 and now serves over 600 agencies in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Maine. To sell on MuniciBid have to be a local, county, or state government agency but it also includes fire, police, school districts, colleges, public service departments, and authorities. One requirement is have to advertise in one local paper within 10 days prior to end of auction. The bidder pays an 8% fee and there is no cost to the County. Board action is required and we have to notify the winner. There is no agreement that needs approved, but the Board would have to review the bids, take action and award/reject the bids. John Hart said the County Code permits auctions, in the past have participated with townships on an annual basis and even have had an auctioneer come in to sell items. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he will ask Council of Governance (COG) if they are familiar with MuniciBid and also to inform them that municipalities may be able to use this as well. This may result in higher bids. Chairman Keller opened the floor to receive public comments and questions. Continued on page 3 Ken Jones said he has wondered a number of times why we haven’t done this before. But his comment is that he stopped going to auctions because they put a buyer premium on the costs. It would make more sense to have the County pay the 8% to get more bidders. Chairman Keller said he sees no reason to not move forward but will have to monitor to see if getting good results. Mr. Hart said the County will pick some vehicles first time through, and then have some odds and ends, like courthouse steps or weights and measures equipment, for right bidder they may have a value. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved staff to move forward and utilize municibid. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS