HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-15 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, August 15, 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.
Chairman Keller asked to include Chairman’s time and explained two additions to
the board action list that were not on Tuesday’s listing. 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. Wyrick’s question about future
projections of expenses with general fund contributions from the County going forward
regarding the nursing home. The Fiscal Department reported to him there are no dollar
amounts going forward regarding nursing home expenditures. He said over the last 10
years the County has contributed over $250,000 annually to sustain the operations and
capital expenditures which is a good guide going forward. Chairman Keller said this is
contingent upon certain revenues coming in like the pay for performance and
intergovernmental transfer funds from Federal and State but there is no guarantee those
funds would continue to come to the County to sustain the nursing home. He said the
nursing home is 40 years old and will continue to require capital improvements which
has been a reason for the County to invest dollars in the past and expectations are this
would continue going forward.
Allen Piper provided public comment and asked if there will be any more public
hearings on the sale of the nursing home? He asked before and would like the
Chairman to answer this question.
Chairman Keller responded that he has answered Mr. Piper’s question before
and there has been more opportunity for the public to question the board or raise
concerns. There has also been additional public comments by email, phone and on the
street. There are no further public hearings planned for the purpose of discussing the
possible sale of the nursing home but the Board encourages folks to come in and share
their points of view during public comment period during public meetings.
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 August 8, 2013 meetings.
The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Certification
Statement of the Children and Youth Program to PA Department of Public Welfare. This
4th quarter report in the amount of $8,592,192.00 is submitted to the State for
reimbursement for expenses incurred for the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30,
2013.
The Board reviewed Commissioners’ Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Antenna Lease
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Chambersburg Area School District for
the District to install and maintain a two-way radio repeater and associated equipment
on the tower located at Clark’s Knob in order to facilitate communications among school
bus contractors with the District. This agreement is at a cost of $1.00 per year plus cost
of utility service for the period of August 15, 2013 through August 14, 2018.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Drug & Alcohol matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Amendment with
Pyramid Healthcare to increase Single County Authority outpatient services by
$2,800.00, which is reimbursed by RIPP, Department of D&A programs and HS Block
Grant Funding.
The Board reviewed 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 contract between the County of Franklin and VerStanding
Broadcasting (WAYZ) to provide advertising and remote broadcasting to promote the
Emergency Services Annual Open House on September 14, 2013 at a cost of $900.00
for the period of September 9, 2013 through September 14, 2013.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $183,850.00 to reflect the
increase in funding received from PEMA through Wireless budget for FY13/14.
The Board reviewed Human Service Administration matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the contract
between the County of Franklin and Contact Helpline to provide after-hours phone
coverage for the County’s Information and Referral line. All Franklin County residents
and anyone calling ‘211’ in the Franklin County region benefit from this service. The cost
is $5,500.00, covered by Human Service Development Fund, and is for the period of
July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the renewal agreement between the County of Franklin and Lancaster Plumbing
and Heating on state contract for HVAC equipment preventative maintenance for the
period of August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014 at a cost of $21,925.00. There is no cost
increase from last year.
The Board reviewed Nursing Home matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the transfer agreement between the County of Franklin and Summit
Health to assure continuity of care and treatment of Summit Health (including
Chambersburg and Waynesboro Hospitals)patients to the nursing home and from the
nursing home to Summit Health, and will continue until terminated by either party.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the contract addendum
#1 to the contract between the County of Franklin and E.E. Mills and Son for Franklin
County Commissioners Complex exterior painting project. This addendum is to extend
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the completion date to September 20, 2013. This bid was awarded by the
Commissioners on August 1, 2013.
The Board reviewed Transportation matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the tentative Medical
Assistance Transportation Program allocation for FY 2013-2014 for $671,649.00, based
on analysis of FY 2013-2014 budget projection.
Continued on page 3
The Board reviewed Transportation matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the final Fiscal Year
2012-2013 Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) Expenditure Report in
the amount of $638,221.00. This amount is reimbursed by 53% State funding and 47%
Federal funding.
In accordance with PA Acts 14 notifications, Dennis E. Black Engineering Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Permit
application being applied for sanitary sewer extension project sediment control plan,
located in Southampton Township.
In accordance with PA Act 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Dennis E. Black
Engineering Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection GP-5 Waterway Obstruction & Encroachment General Permit application
being applied for the upgrade of the Locust Street Drainage area sewer system, located
in Southampton Township.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2013 expense
and revenue budget performance through June. Ms. Beckner advised most
departments are under budget except for six areas where most variances relate to a
one-time expense or debt service. She said general fund expenses are at 47.7% of
budgeted expenses through June. She said revenue is consistent when compared to
the overall budget at 80% collected of general fund revenue. Property tax collected is at
86.7% of billings which is higher than the five year average.
The Board held a general discussion to discuss Visitors Bureau Reorganization.
Chairman Keller gave the history of how this process started. Last week John Hart,
County Administrator presented the workgroup recommendations along with the support
of Janet Pollard, Visitors Bureau Director to establish the Visitors Bureau as a nonprofit.
Visitor Bureau would retain 80% of the Hotel Tax, the Treasurer would receive the 2%
administrative fee and the County would provide the financial resources to sort out all
legal costs in making the transition. Chairman Keller said reserves would be split 50/50
with the County and the County would honor the balance of the agreement to support
Totem Pole which is $10,000 a year for three years. There is also $10,000 annually for
the Historical Society that the County would continue to honor out of county share of
hotel tax dollars. The workgroup has expressed desire to make the transition January 1,
2014. Chairman Keller said he is fine with what has been presented and appreciates the
work completed by the workgroup. The County would still be involved with hotel tax
dollars and he recommends that a Commissioner serve on the new entity of Board of
Directors and the other members will be appointed by Board of Commissioners as well.
Chairman Keller volunteered to be appointed to the Board of Directors. He would like to
add he is supportive of moving forward but in the past as with MH/ID nonprofit and sale
of Nursing Home the County has expressed that the employees be treated fair and
receive fair benefits and a compensation package. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he
agrees with everything, with one minor correction on the commitment to the Historical
Society that it is a year to year basis. Chairman Keller said that with investing hotel tax
dollars into tourism infrastructure projects he would ask for John Hart to provide
guidance but what he has in mind without defining too narrowly is to include investments
in facilities, and events that are historical, cultural or recreational but not limited to these.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to direct staff to move forward in working with the workgroup to develop
corporate papers, bylaws and move forward with making the Visitors Bureau a nonprofit
agency. Chairman Keller thanked everyone involved and looking forward to moving
forward.
Continued on page 4
The Board also held general discussion on bond refinancing. Chairman Keller
said last week the Board was presented with recommendations from Public Financial
Management, Inc. (PFM) which are the County’s bond consultants. The Bond from 2004
is callable and can be refinanced next fall. PFM presented three options: 1) do nothing
and leave 28.45 M bond issue as is and refinance next year; option 2) refinance
everything now; and option 3) refinance 10M now and the rest next year. Chairman
Keller said the fundamental question is what will happen with interest rates and asked
Dave Secor, Treasurer who is present his perspective on it. Dave Secor said the
increase in federal rates are predicated on two things: 1) quantitative easing and 2) US
Central Bank purchasing federal bonds, indicated they would ease amount and the
unemployment rate would decrease down to 6.5%, the 10 year treasuries increased 91
basis points. Can wait and see how critical the feds will be in increasing rates. There is
a 57% probability of increase by end of 2014 of upwards of 100 basis points. Mr. Seco
said when do we refinance knowing rates will not go lower, they will go higher. His
inclination would be to refinance the bond in an expedited manner. Chairman Keller said
he also spoke to CS MCKee who are fixed income managers for the county’s retirement
fund and they said rates are going up this year or next year gradually and if any major
events that would cause a gradual increase overtime the Federal Government would
step in to do things to smooth it out which is consistent with what Mr. Secor says. There
is an expectation that rates will continue to increase. Commissioner Ziobrowski agrees
with our Treasurer and Chairman Keller. It will cost to do nothing because do anticipate
interest rates to increase. He looks at proposals in front of him as the goldie locks and
three bears, if do nothing it’s too soft and if it rises by next year it’s too cold. PFM has a
proposal just right and it’s to refinance 10M of it, hedging our bets and expect interest
rates to go up but not dramatically. Most prudent is the just right share and middle of
ground and conservative path to go when comes to tax payers money, conservative is
the way to go. Chairman Keller said there would be significant savings if do nothing but
if do go up will only save few hundred thousand dollars, can achieve at least as much if
do goldie locks approach. The prudent thing to do is take option 3 and take a motion to
move forward. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller;
unanimously approved to direct staff to work with PFM.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to enter an executive session at 10:23 a.m. this date for the purpose of the
Board to review nursing home proposals. The Board reconvened into regular session at
12:20 p.m.
Commissioner Thomas joined the meeting by conference call during the
executive session.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to move forward with the possible sale of the nursing home
process based on review of information provided by Susquehanna Group Advisors in
executive session and consistent with the county’s vision for appropriate treatment of
employees and residents of the nursing home, the Board shortened the proposals to
include the following firms: Transitions Healthcare, LLC; Complete HealthCare
Resources, LLC; Nationwide Health Services, LLC; Mid-Atlantic Health Care
Acquisitions, LLC. Chairman Keller said these four firms compare more favorably to
skilled nursing in Pennsylvania and acceptance of the Board’s terms which include
commitment to the employees and residents in terms of quality of care and Franklin
County residents who are Medicaid Day Eligible and price was also weighed in decision.
The plan is to have the Board participate in conference calls to interview the four firms
early next week.
Continued on page 5
The meeting was adjourned at 12:22 p.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS