HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-12 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, September 12, 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 an addition to the board action listing that
relates to a contract to engage a consultant to help the Courts to streamline and improve
court operations. Carrie Gray, Assistant County Administrator explained the contract
further and answered questions from the Board. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the amended
agenda.
Chairman Keller answered two questions from Ms. Morgan from a previous
meeting. Her first question about what criteria the board used for the nursing home
finalists were: nursing home analysis, based on ability to provide same or better quality
of care, telephone interviews, care provided and he referred everyone to minutes from
8/27 where board spoke about reasons for making decisions at that time. He said based
on discussion on quality of care during interviews, transition from prior ownerships,
treating employees fairly, investing in the facility, high interest of retaining staff was all
important. Chairman Keller felt there was consensus of the board on these items. He
said Commissioner Thomas also stated that the finalists had spoken to the importance
of being close to the community, the residents, and the staff. Ms. Morgan’s other
question was what criteria will be used to choose the finalist and he responded it would
be this same list used to get the two finalists in addition to staff and commissioner
impressions from visits to facilities owned and operated by Transitions and Mid-Atlantic.
Chairman Keller also addressed Mr. Piper’s question last week about how
Commissioner Thomas was involved in political process relating to the county during his
absence. Commissioner Keller said that Thomas has participated in some meetings and
executive sessions by telephone concerning the possible sale of the nursing home and
Chairman Keller and staff coordinated Commissioner Thomas’ participation in those
meetings.
Sheri Morgan provided public comment about her concern of item #3 on the
board action list. She asked why the County can’t use existing staff to provide this
service. She said in the past the Board tried to figure out how to streamline other
departments and didn’t use outsiders to see how to do Human Service departments
better or to do health assessments. She also noticed that the Nursing Home is listed
under Human Services on the County’s website but Rick Wynn has never attended any
of the discussions involving the Nursing Home. Ms. Morgan said the Board doesn’t look
at alternatives and just looks at selling or privatizing but when it comes to other things
like the Visitors Bureau or the Jail they have a different process. She said it would be
nice to have the same process evenly through all departments.
Allen Piper provided public comment and agrees with Sheri Morgan relating to
item #3. When bring in outside entities and hire someone they see everything going up
and nothing going down. He hears about all these efficiencies but the county’s costs
continue to rise. He asked if we have people in the County that are experts that could
do this job well if not better.
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Ken Jones said he agrees with Sheri Morgan’s point but he believes that the
county hires consultants so that if a bad decision is made the county can blame the
consultants.
James Wyrick said he was watching the events and memorials yesterday for the
anniversary of 9/11 and it brought back some memories. He remembered Republicans
and Democrats coming together and praying together and there was unifying around the
President. Things are different today. According to the Homeland Security he could be
a terrorist according to their description of a terrorist. Mr. Wyrick said the Sunshine
Laws are to bring openness to government but he sees this as a smoke screen. Even if
the sunshine law is violated there is no penalty and this is in all levels of government.
He sees America as a weaker country today than on 9/11. He continues to pray for the
Board every day and openly applauds them on many aspects but if we don’t adhere to
the principles of the Lord we will diminish and lose the freedoms we enjoy.
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 G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; approved the
minutes of September 3, 2013 and September 5, 2013 meetings. Commissioner
Thomas abstained from the vote, because he was not present at last week’s meetings.
Commissioner Thomas wanted to comment about item #3, contract with Justice
Management Institute (JMI). He said when they were looking at building a jail it took a
lot of time and even got negative press and comments about process but in order to put
together all principles of the criminal justice system and to bring everyone together and
decide how big or do nothing the county had to bring an outside specialist in to help.
They even had good people on inside like former warden John Wetzel but in those days
it was right to call someone from outside because have to have a specialist. He said
what they are doing here is getting a specialist to reduce costs to the tax payer. This
whole program has been discussed at CJAB for years. They even have the support of
the Judges and District Attorney and everyone in the courts is on board. If had not done
this with the Jail it would have cost 60 – 70 million to build the jail.
Commissioner Thomas asked Carrie Gray, Assistant County Administrator, who
JMI is. Ms. Gray explained the service they provide and who will be involved along with
their qualifications and their extensive experience with criminal justice issues.
Chairman Keller said the contract with JMI will partly address an issue raised by
studies the county had done a few years ago when it was considering the construction of
a new judicial center. One or both of the studies by Carter Goble Lee and the National
Center for State Courts observed that approximately 50% of activity that occurs in
Franklin County court-related offices involves the filing and handling of documents. His
expectation is that the consultants will recommend ways to improve the filing and
handling of documents, information sharinghopes this will hone in on other potential
improvements.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Agency (PEMA) to provide a grant from the Hazardous Materials Response Fund Grant
in the amount of $36,199.00 to be used for the hazardous materials program to include
training, equipment, material and other supplies needed, as well as partial
reimbursement of the Hazardous Material Specialist salary. This grant agreement is for
Fiscal Year 2013/14.
Continued on page 3
The Board reviewed Grants matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and the Justice Management Institute (JMI) to provide business
process analysis to offer solutions to streamline and improve automated and manual
systems and processes. After analyzing business processes for court-related
departments JMI will recommend modified business processes to improve efficiency and
functionality to make a major, positive impact on service delivery. The cost of this
contract is $165,015.00 with $46,675.00 being covered by the PA Commission on Crime
and Delinquency – CJAB Initiatives 2010 grant. The term of this contract is September
12, 2013 through March 30, 2013.
The Board reviewed Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by
Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the contract between the County of Franklin and
Adams Electric Cooperative, Inc. to exchange geospatial datasets in an effort to expand
the Geographic Information System data inventory.
The Board reviewed additional Information Technology Services matters. On a
motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved
Agreement with Here Global B.V. for the acquisition of the Franklin County road
centerline geospatial dataset by Here Global B.V., in the amount of $200.00.
In accordance with PA Act 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer &
Associates notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NPDES Permit being applied by D.L. George & Sons to develop of a parking
area, located in the Borough of Waynesboro.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS