HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-18 Commissioner MinutesTHURSDAY, JULY 18, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, July 18, 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.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment that the Board makes his group use the
microphone but they don't always make other people use the microphone who are in the
back when they mouth off.
Ken Jones provided public comment and said no one was allowed to comment
on Tuesday after John Hart's presentation about the sewer line project in Greencastle.
He said it is necessary to have public input and a second comment period at the end of
the meeting. This is a government of the people for the people and the Board needs to
remember they serve them.
Jim Wyrick provided public comment and said he spent time with Commissioner
Thomas yesterday at the hospital and he wanted Mr. Wyrick to pass along he is still full
of hope, keeping stiff upper lift and hoping for the best. Mr. Wyrick read a statement
about the issues of our nation.
Allen Piper provided public comment about how things didn't go well at
Tuesday's board meeting. He disagrees for the need of a five minute allowance for
public comment and he wanted to do a rebuttal but Mr. Keller cut him off. He said if the
board is spending the people's money the audience should have an opportunity to know
how they are going about doing it and that includes deliberation. Mr. Piper asked about
item #6 — Visitors Bureau contract for mounted and dismounted calvary for the burning
of Chambersburg and why this can't be funded by private entities instead of being paid
by the County.
Chairman Keller asked Mr. Piper why he should be allowed to go ten or fifteen
minutes while everyone else only has five minutes. In fairness to everyone if he allows
him 10 minutes or more then everyone would be allowed ten minutes. Five minutes is a
reasonable amount of time to provide comments and it's consistent with other
government entities. Chairman Keller said Mr. Piper was not cut off and he disagrees
with the way he characterized Tuesday's meeting. He thanks everyone for their
comments even when they are critical of them or when doesn't pertain to county
business. He typically doesn't cut people off but there has to be a limit and the policy is
in best interest of everyone so one person does not dominate the whole time.
Chairman Keller responded about the Visitors Bureau contract that it is being
paid out of hotel tax dollars. Mr. Piper said that was not stated in the paragraph. He
was disgusted that he wasn't able to do a rebuttal on Tuesday but he doesn't have a
problem with the time limit.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved the minutes of July 9, 2013 and July 11, 2013 meetings.
Continued on page 2
Chairman Keller mentioned an addition to the board action listing that was
discussed at Tuesday's meeting. The agreement with Antrim Township for the sewer
project at the Greencastle Senior Activity Center. John Hart, County Administrator, said
the estimated costs are $116,000 for the County and $72,350 for Antrim Township which
includes engineering costs. The County has the right to reject the bids if they come in
unsatisfactory. Commissioner Ziobrowski said nothing is changed from Tuesday to
today about this project so there was an opportunity for Mr. Jones to comment on this
issue. There is nothing personal about this, his opinion on when people are allowed to
speak has not changed since he was on the school board. He does not look at meetings
as an interactive process, it's a business meeting and not to engage in repartee with the
audience. He agrees with Commissioner Keller and he hopes they don't take it personal
that he disagrees with having discussions back and forth or comments at end of
meetings.
The Board reviewed Adult Probation matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Subgrant Award Notice ( #2013- IP -SI- 24516) from Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the Franklin County Intermediate
Punishment Project Grant for a grant amount of $55,000.00 for the period of July 1, 2013
through June 30, 2014.
The Board reviewed Commissioners' Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the agreement
between the County of Franklin and Antrim Township to provide public sewer service to
the Antrim Township Municipal Building and the Greencastle Senior Activity Center.
Antrim Township and Franklin County will be responsible for estimated costs as outlined
on Appendix A. Contract term is July 18, 2013 through December 2014.
The Board reviewed Drug & Alcohol matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Subgrant Award Notice ( #2013- IP -SD- 24518) from Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the Franklin County Drug and Alcohol RIP
Program Grant for a grant amount of $220,661.00 for the period of July 1, 2013 through
June 30, 2014.
The Board reviewed Elections matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Certification of County
Maintenance of Effort for the HAVA II Financial Assistance for the reporting period of
January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013. To qualify for HAVA grant funds, the County
must certify twice a year, maintaining an expenditure level not less than the level
maintained by the County for the 2000 fiscal year. For the first six months of 2013, the
County has expended $195,445.03 while spending $218,984.00 for the entire 2000 fiscal
year.
The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the contract between
the County of Franklin and David Shuey to provide mounted and dismounted cavalry for
the Burning of Chambersburg on July 20th at a cost not to exceed $3,560.00 for the
period of July 16, 2013 through July 22, 2013.
In accordance with PA Act 14 notification Buchart Horn, Inc. notified the County
of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Water Quality Management
application being applied for to divert sewage flow from the Shanks Church Road
Service area to the existing Williamsburg Interceptor, located in Antrim Township.
Continued on page 3
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications Columbia Gas
Transmission LLC notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NPDES Permit application being applied for equipment upgrades at the
Greencastle Compressor Station, located in Montgomery Township.
The Board reviewed information regarding the 1491h Commemoration of the
Burning of Chambersburg and the 1501h Anniversary of the Gettysburg Campaign. On a
motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to
sign Franklin County Proclamation #2013 -14 proclaiming the 1491h Commemoration of
the Burning of Chambersburg and the 1501h Anniversary of the Gettysburg Campaign
and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2013 expense
and revenue budget performance through May. Ms. Beckner advised most
departments are under budget except for seven areas where most variances relate to a
one -time expense or debt service. She said general fund expenses are at 40% of
budgeted expenses through May. She said revenue is consistent when compared to
the overall budget at 74.9% collected of general fund revenue. Property tax collected is
at 85.5% of billings which is higher than the five year average.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION #2013 -14
149th COMMEMORATION OF THE BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG AND
THE 150TH OF THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
WHEREAS Franklin County was raided and invaded three times during the American Civil War
WHEREAS the first invasion was perpetrated in October 1862 when General JEB Stuart raided
Mercersburg and Chambersburg, taking horses, supplies, and hostages from both communities and
destroying rail and telegraph lines and burning the Cumberland Valley Railroad shops in
Chambersburg.
WHEREAS Franklin County was invaded a second time in June 1863 when Confederate troops
crossed the Mason Dixon Line into Pennsylvania. During this invasion, on June 22, 1863, near
Greencastle, Corporal William Rihl was fatally ambushed, becoming the first Union soldier killed on
Pennsylvania soil . In late June 1863, nearly 70,000 Confederate soldiers, led by General Robert E.
Lee, camped in and around the county seat of Chambersburg, and on June 27, 1863, Lee met
General A.P. Hill on the Diamond of Chambersburg, where he decided to move Confederate troops
east toward Gettysburg. In the late hours of July 4 and the early hours of July 5, 1863, Franklin
County was the site of the second largest battle fought on Pennsylvania soil - -the Battle of Monterey
Pass. It engaged 10,000 Union and Confederate troops, retreating from the Battle of Gettysburg and
was fought in the mountains east of Waynesboro at Blue Ridge Summit. The second invasion of
Franklin County in 1863 tallied twenty military actions.
WHEREAS a year later, Franklin County's seat of justice, Chambersburg, was the site of the third and
most devastating invasion of Franklin County where General John McCausland by order of General
Jubal Early demanded payment of $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in Yankee currency and when the
ransom was not met, Chambersburg was set afire on July 30, 1864, leaving half the residents
homeless and the core of town in ruins.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the County of Franklin asserts the strength, effort, and
determination of Franklin County's Civil War citizens as an inspiration to all and proclaims the
commemoration of the Ransoming, Burning, and Rebirth of Chambersburg as a tribute to their
courage, strength, and perseverance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have hereunto set our hand and seal of Franklin County to be fixed
this 181h day of July, 2013.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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77. eller, Chairman
,
Robert L. Thomas
Robert G. Wowski