HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-19 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, November 19, 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 G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Sheri Morgan provided public comment and asked if the January National Point-
in-Time Counts on Homelessness will be discussed during the Homelessness
presentation today?
Kim Wertz provided public comment and asked if board action #2, PEMA grant is
to be used for management personnel or emergency services personnel to include fire
and EMS to help in situations like the event that occurred this past weekend in the
Midwest.
James Wyrick provided public comment about the 150th anniversary of the
Gettysburg Address. Mr. Wyrick read a statement on the history of President Lincoln's
speech in Gettysburg. He wants everyone to look back on President Lincoln's efforts
and look beyond their own needs and wants and work for the greater good.
The minutes of November 12, 2013 and November 14, 2013 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, November 21, 2013.
Chairman Keller responded to Ms. Wertz question concerning board action item
#2 that the trainings are for the Citizen Corps volunteers. Chairman Keller asked John
Hart, County Administrator to explain board action item #3, supplemental appropriation
for Emergency Services and Central Booking. Mr. Hart explained this supplemental
appropriation is to make adjustments to the budget for gifts and donations received for
central booking. The PA Sheriff Association secured grants for fingerprinting equipment
to use in central booking center. We took advantage of the grants to set up live scan to
do fingerprinting in the courthouse. The second part of the appropriation is for items
donated to Emergency Services including a decon trailer and software to upgrade the
Emergency Services communications. This is needed to show revenue and expense.
Mr. Hart explained board action item #6 is a three year contract for purchasing electric
on Franklin Farm Lane through First Energy Solutions. The price will move to 5.95 cents
per kilowatt hours from 6.02 cents per kilowatt hours which will be a savings to the
county. Chairman Keller asked Rick Wynn, Human Services Administrator to explain
further board action item #4 Human Services Block Grant report to the State. Mr. Wynn
explained the report is an annual report required for block grant funds to show where
moved the money. There was no cost center that moved more than 20%. The county
was 3% underspent in each category so can reconsider these funds in the new year for
other needs.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The following item
was approved today and the remainder items will be approved Thursday, November 21,
2013.
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The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the contract
between the County of Franklin and FirstEnergy Solutions Corporation to supply the
county electrical services at the most competitive rate for the period January 1, 2014
through December 31, 2016.
Richard Wynn, Human Services Administrator; Jennifer Johnson, Mental Health
Housing Program Specialist; and Amanda Black, Program Specialist met with the Board
to provide a presentation on homelessness in Franklin County. Ms. Johnson explained
that our homeless population is more rural homelessness where she showed pictures of
a homeless man's tent in a wooded area outside of the borough. Ms. Johnson explained
the following shelters in the area: New Hope Shelter is a faith based shelter that takes
families and can receive up to 45 people with average stay of 93 days. The persons can
be granted extensions if actively working on their goal plans. The unduplicated number
of persons served in 2012 was 118. Franklin County Shelter take families and have 8
rooms with 18 bed capacity with average stay of 27 days and also will grant extensions if
the folks are doing what they are required to do. Unduplicated folks in 2012 were 139.
Women In Need Victim Services Shelter take in women and children who are victims of
domestic violence. They have 15 beds and the average length of stay is 25-30 days.
Cold Weather Shelter is a faith based organization and is in operation from December 6
through April 5th and take in mostly men, a few women but no children. Length of stay is
contingent upon volunteering and they have a 20 bed capacity. Ms. Johnson explained
the Point-in-Time Counts where they inventory homeless folks in the community which is
a requirement to receive Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds. This is
completed by staff and volunteers and they do not ask name, birthdate, or social security
number. These counts are more successful if have help from a volunteer that
experienced homelessness themselves to build a trust with the homeless population.
Ms. Johnson gathers the surveys and puts everything together to forward to the State.
Ms. Johnson explained some of the past events that have happened in the past year to
educate the homeless population on services available to them. Ms. Johnson explained
the HUD grant funding the county receives and the Franklin County Housing Task Force
meetings are on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 3:00 PM in the Human Services
building.
Commissioner Thomas asked what drives homelessness and Ms. Johnson
responded that part is a lack of affordable housing, unless they can get into subsidized
housing, an entire check can be taken up by rent and utility bills. But some folks that's
their choice and they have learned to adapt to be homeless. Some have undiagnosed
mental health issues and co-occurring substance abuse issues also. Chairman Keller
asked if folks are getting the help needed, getting back to work, food and lives back on
track. Ms. Johnson responded that she enters this information when reporting to PA
DCED and folks are getting back on track. Commissioner Thomas said Chambersburg
and Waynesboro Shelters are relatively short stays and asked if most people are
chronic. Ms. Johnson responded that she suspects that the shelters get the non-chronic
folks and they are financially driven. She said last January there were four persons
living in cars. Commissioner Ziobrowski said some adults make choices but their
children have no options, he asked if she reaches out to school districts. Ms. Johnson
said every school district has a homeless liaison and they have access to tap into
funding for children who are considered homeless. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked
about Greencastle and Mercersburg areas and where this homeless population goes.
Ms. Johnson said she sends out notice to local law enforcements and these areas there
could be more tent sites or sneaking into places for shelter. Chairman Keller said the
county took advantage of block grant funds to reallocate dollars not spent and put
toward homeless programs. Mr. Wynn explained the Human Services Block Grant
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Committee has moved $58,000 money toward homeless programs since the program
kept getting cut each year. The Board thanked Rick, Jen and Amanda for the
presentation and asked that the Board be updated in a few months. Kim Wertz who is
on the Human Service Block Grant Committee said the committee made sure there were
no programs that were going to be hurt by moving the funds.
The Board reviewed information regarding the Franklin County Hunger and
Homelessness Week . On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L.
Thomas; unanimously approved the to sign Franklin County Proclamation #
proclaiming the week of November 16—24, 2013 as Hunger and Homelessness Week
in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes.
Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor met with the Board to ask approval of
Resolution #2013-13 to appoint the inaugural directors of the Franklin County Visitors
Bureau and authorizing future appointments by regular board action. Ms. Shank
explained the members are a Commissioner, Chamber members, members at large,
mission and business and education. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded
by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved Resolution #2013-13 and that the attached
resolution be made a part of these minutes.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:41 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS