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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-28 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 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. Jay Lightfoot provided public comment and asked the Board to explain each item on the board action listing so the audience can ask questions. The minutes of the October 21, 2014 and October 23, 2014 meetings were reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, October 31, 2014. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Traci Kline, Area Agency on Aging Director, and Sandra Lutz, Senior Center Director, was present to explain board action item #2, the supplemental appropriation for Tuscarora Senior Center renovations. Ms. Lutz explained the County received a grant for$88,491.00 to be used for upgrades to the Tuscarora Senior Center. These funds will be used to transition the center to an enrichment center for older adults to continue regular scheduled activities during the day as well as evening activities for younger seniors that can't attend the center during the day. The upgrades will include the following: a state of the art exercise room; upgrading the sitting area with books and other resources; upgrades in the kitchen; remodel two restrooms; will transfer part of the office area to a craft area and include storage units to lock up items. Chairman Keller thanked Secretary Duke for his recent visits to Franklin County and how he has spoken highly of services and programs Franklin County provides. He has allocated funds to us to continue to work and keep our services up to date. Chairman Keller thanked Secretary Duke and Governor Corbett for their support. Commissioner Thomas asked for more explanation on board action #3, Davis Bacon policy. John Hart, County Administrator, explained this new policy is needed due to the County receiving federal funds. Any project over$20,000 and for which we are receiving federal funds while completing property improvements or projects in which pass through funds are coming from the State and Federal government, we need to be in compliance with this policy and work with Purchasing and the Fiscal department. All items will be approved Thursday, October 31, 2014. Representatives from the YMCA and Volvo were present to provide information on collaboration with the YMCA and the County on the County's 2015 Wellness Program. Carla Christian, YMCA Director, introduced YMCA and Volvo staff who was present for the presentation. Kristen Tullo provided statistics on obesity in America and gave more information for the collaboration and how it will help the County's wellness program. She said the proper wellness program will prevent diseases like heart disease which is much more expensive than investing in a proper wellness program. Alan Smith from the Waynesboro YMCA explained the mission of the YMCA is youth development, healthy living, social responsibility and social innovator. He said the Y's focus is on family, spirit, mind and body and the Y welcomes everyone in their communities. Chuck Wood from Volvo said Volvo is here today to share their experience and how they started out with a national vendor that provided a passive approach to wellness. He said this was a disaster and didn't work. They went to a more active approach with the YMCA who gets involved with employees with nutrition, health fairs, and exercise. Volvo pays for entrance fees to walk and 5K/10K events for employees and family members. Continued on page 2 They found out there were unintended benefits where employees bonded and were doing active activities together outside of work. Mr. Wood said their employees got healthier and more fit. He suggests the County partner with the YMCA on this wellness program. He said Shippensburg Volvo's insurance costs have decreased by 20-25% more then other Volvo operations in the United States. He said people may question paying for YMCA memberships but it is a drop in the bucket compared to medical claims like a heart bypass operation. Commissioner Thomas asked how they know if employees are using the memberships? Mr. Woods said they collect data since the YMCA scans members as they enter facilities. He suggested letting employees know they have skin in the game so they will use the YMCA membership. Ms. Christian said the YMCA is challenging their employees to live their cause and walk the walk. She said they do a healthy potluck and take walks after lunch. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if the YMCA monitors how many times an employee enters the Y in a month? Ms. Christian said the YMCA tracks visit histories and when there are outside activities they take attendance. Employees will have access to all the YMCA's in our area; this will also include other gym memberships as well. Chairman Keller thanked the YMCA and Volvo for the information today. John Hart, County Administrator, said the County's experience rate this year with major medical claims have gone through the roof. We need to change the culture since medical costs are a major cost to the county. Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, said the YMCA program is phenomenal. She said Human Resources surveyed employees last year and they asked for help with gym memberships and more time to do healthy things. She said they have reviewed trends and five years ago the carrot and stick program worked but not anymore. We need to listen to the employees. She said the opportunity is huge and she thinks the employees will endorse this program. There are a lot of employees interested in wellness. Ms. Bloyer said she received an agreement today that have competitive rates that she will present to the Board for approval at a future date. Mr. Hart said the agreement will be added to a board action listing and the necessary people will be back in to discuss the agreement further so the Board has a full understanding and can ask questions at that time. Chairman Keller stated he likes the culture of wellness, and this sounds like an opportunity to measure results. If we have the opportunity to measure with the Y, that would be helpful. This would give the county an opportunity to set a good example since obesity is a national epidemic. If we can do something to help improve the health of employees, this would be the bottom line for tax payers and will set a good example with the rest of the county. He said the potential is really great. Commissioner Thomas said lifestyle change is what they are talking about. It's a matter of educating. Rachel Weaver, Healthy Living Coordinator with Volvo, was present to explain how she works full time at Volvo and actively deals hands on with the employees. She said having a coordinator on site that's not an employee is helpful. They do a lot of activities. Volvo has a wellness committee with an employee from every department on it and they all work together. The Board thanked everyone for the information and for attending the meeting today. The Board reviewed information regarding Head Start Awareness Month. Cynthia Ash, Head Start Executive Director, and Elaine Snider, Head Start Fiscal Manager, was present to receive the proclamation. Ms. Ash said that in 2015, the Head Start program will be 50 years old in Franklin County. The growth in her 10 years with the program went from 279 children in 2004 to 504 children this year. Commissioner Thomas said he is on the Board of Head Start and Head Start is not just for the kids, but also for the parents. They have seen many parents pull themselves out of poverty. They are breaking the poverty cycle. He said United Way is spearheading the effort with Pre- K education. Amy Hicks from United Way was present to explain their partnership with Head Start and how the curriculum is evidence based. There is a partnership of fifty organizations that impact learning at Head Start. Dave Sciammana from the Chambersburg Chamber was present and said he will provide an article on statistics to the Board where it followed kids who had early childhood intervention and how its impact was significant. Commissioner Thomas asked Ms. Ash to explain Head Start funding. Continued on page 3 Ms. Ash said when the program started it was all federal funding, with a 20% local match. But recently Pennsylvania has begun funding Head Start Pre®K programs, a collaboration with local school districts. She said FCHS currently has 26 classrooms and a home base program. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2014-12 proclaiming the month of October as Head Start Awareness Month and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION #2014 - 12 Head Start Awareness Month Whereas, the Franklin County Head Start Program has served Franklin County by providing services to low income families and children since 1965; Whereas, the program began by providing opportunities and services to preschoolers ages 3 to 5 and has now grown to include services to many pregnant women, infants and toddlers; Whereas,the Head Start program also provides educational opportunities to low income children in order to increase school readiness skills. Parents are taught the importance of school readiness, how to help their child grow and learn and they are also encouraged to complete family goals; Whereas, Franklin County Head Start collaborates with many local human services programs,working together to serve the low income community. Each child receives vision, hearing, speech, height and weight screenings within 45 days of entry into the program so that any areas of concern that may impede learning and growth can be addressed in a timely manner; Whereas,transportation, while not guaranteed, is offered to most of the children served by the program, including infants and toddlers; Whereas, Franklin County Head Start has grown to provide services to over 400 preschool children and families in all five school districts of Franklin County. Now,therefore, We,the Franklin County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim October 2014 as Head Start Awareness Month and recognize the important service that Head Start provides to the community. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,We have hereunto set our hand and seal of Franklin County to be fixed this 28th day of October, 2014. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS D S. Keller,Chairman � R f � Robe Thomas Robert G. Ziobrp5 i