HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-18 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, December 13, 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 L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment and wanted to congratulate the
commissioners on wasting the taxpayer's money. He feels it's a waste of money to
spend $50,000 on gym memberships at the YMCA.
Jinn Wyrick provided public comment and asked if there was any federal grant
monies available to the county in 2013 for upgrading 911 services. Mr. Wyrick stated he
was surprised that the budget went through as proposed. He said there seems to be a
lot of needs but are at a time whenever more demanding expenditures are on the side of
government and decreasing revenues coming into the government. He asked if the
Board factors into the mix estimated revenue growth when looking at the budget.
Allen Piper provided public comment and stated there is a serious time in the
United States with a multi-trillion deficit and a very serious time at the state level. He
thanked the Board for no tax increase but he did see they are dipping into the reserves,
which is a concern to him. Mr. Piper referenced the salary increases given to
administration and managers since 2012 and now employees are being given a 2.5%
increase and elected officials is 1.7% which is the CPI index. He said the food pantries
are going belly up and people are having a hard time putting food on the table but yet he
sees the Commissioners are spending money on wellness programs and walking, biking
trails. He has told there for years to watch their spending and he thanks the Board for
the Christmas gift of no tax increase but not for some of their practices that they bestow
on the backs of taxpayers.
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 L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of the December 9, 2014 and December 11, 2014
meetings.
Commissioner Thomas asked John Hart, County Administrator, to explain the
YMCA membership. Mr. Hart explained that the County has not decided on paying for
memberships. The $60,000 is for a wellness coordinator. We are hoping to model the
Volvo program, which have reduced their health insurance by 25% so we are hoping to
lower our health insurance costs going forward. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that
some people that attend the meeting have a caveman philosophy which stands for
citizens against virtually everything and they will be against everything the county does.
He stated he looks at it as an investment, not as an expenditure. Mr. Hart informed the
Board that the YMCA contract needs a page corrected to delete that the County is
paying for memberships so he asked the board to approve the contract but hold off on
signing it until the page gets corrected. Chairman Keller also wanted to respond to a
comment during public comment about walking and biking trails. He stated that Act 13,
Marcella Shale and hotel tax dollars cannot be used for general fund dollars or salaries
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and benefits. Act 13 dollars can only be used for open spaces or other conservation
type activities including biking/hiking/walking trails. Hotel dollars have to be used for
promotion of tourism. Chairman Keller said it's written into legislation and that the point
has been made numerous times that these funds cannot be used to backfill the general
fund or give to food banks and to be criticized for making places safer for children
walking on Route 16 or someone wanting to walk to parks instead of jumping into their
car is frustrating. The Board has made this clear numerous times. Commissioner
Thomas said he doesn't understand why we have two meetings when we are rehashing
items we already discussed on Tuesday. Commissioner Ziorowski said he doesn't
mind the audience asking questions and if they ask it again next week they will answer
the questions. Commissioner Thomas said most counties only have one meeting a
week; it just seems sometimes we are just spinning our wheels. Chairman Keller asked
Mr. Hart if we have received Federal dollars for the support contract from Motorola. Mr.
Hart responded that we have bought radios for fire and police departments with grant
money but there is not grant money available for ongoing maintenance of equipment.
Chairman Keller responded that the Board does consider future revenue growth when
considering the budget to answer Mr. yrick's question.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziorowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the Engineering agreement between the County of Franklin and
C.C. Davidson for construction phase engineering services for the replacement of
Franklin County Bridge 54, at a cost not to exceed $407,323.37.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by
Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziorowski; unanimously approved the Lease
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Jeffrey and Phoebe Conner for the lease
of office space to conduct Coroner business located at 1497 Loudon Road,
Chambersburg at a cost of$275.00 per month for the period of January 1, 2015 through
December 31, 2015.
The Board reviewed Court Administration matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziorowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the Contract between the County of Franklin and Jury Systems,
Inc. to provide maintenance, update and/or changes to the current jury software system
for the period of January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, in the amount of
$3,044.00.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziorowski; unanimously approved the Service
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Motorola Solutions, Inc. to provide
support and maintenance of the County's radio system including system security,
Federal Security requirement compliance, and software/hardware updates. These
upgrades will allow for increased technical support, access to expansion products and
maintain interoeraility with other county systems. Agreement is for the period of
February 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019, at a cost of$4,227,340.25. Costs are
covered 100% by Wireline Funding. This company is on state contract pricing.
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The Board reviewed Human Resources 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 for professional wellness services between the
County of Franklin and Chambersburg YMCA, for a full-time Health Coordinator, to
revamp the Wellness Initiative for County Employees. The Coordinator's focus will be to
improve the health of the county workforce working in conjunction with our benefit
vendor. Benefits will include reduced Y memberships, metrics measurement, certificates
for physical activities, and health screenings, at a cost of$60,000.00 for the period of
January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. This approval is contingent when proper
paperwork is received from the YMCA.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Quote from Dagnostino Electric
Services, Inc. (DES) in the amount$13,092.00 ($3,273.00 per unit) for four Polycom
video conferencing units, including three year maintenance coverage. Company is on
Co-stars state contract. Quotes were requested, this was the lowest qualified quote.
The Board reviewed additional Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Renewal contract
between the County of Franklin and Franklin County Jail Ministry for chaplain services
through the United Churches of the Chambersburg Area for the period of January 1,
2015 through December 31, 2015 at a cost of$18,000.00.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement
between the County of Franklin and Capitol Theatre and Franklin County to award
$25,000.00 from the Franklin County Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement Grant.
This grant was created to fund projects which enhance the quality of life and tourism
within the County. The project will reconstruct the Capitol Theatre marquee. This will
utilize the County's Hotel Tax fund.
The Board reviewed Purchasing matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Renewal agreement
between the County of Franklin and Thomson Reuters to provide printed legal reference
books for research and legal backup to be used by the courts and county offices
including, Judges, District Justices, Court Administration, Court Reporters, Central
Court, District Attorney, Public Defender, and Children &Youth, Sheriff, Clerk of Courts,
Divorce Master, Domestic Relations, Planning, Commissioners, and Prothonotary. This
agreement is for a total amount of$98,508.00 for the period of January 1, 2015 through
December 31, 2017.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer&
Associates, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NPDES Permit application being applied by D.L. George and Sons, Inc. for a
storage lot, located in Washington Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer&
Associates, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection PDES Permit application being applied by Woodcrest Estates for a
residential development, located in Washington Township.
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In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, ASC Group, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General
Permit 11 application being applied by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources for the redecking of Keefer Road over Conodoguinet Bridge, located
in Letterkenny Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Manitowoc notified the
County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Air Quality Program
application being applied for surface coating sources to comply with the Pennsylvania
Air Pollution Control Act.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer&
Associates, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NPDES Permit application being applied by White Properties for a residential
subdivision, located in Washington Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Dennis E. Black
Engineering, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NPDES Permit application being applied by Mark and Kathleen Yarish for the
construction of a barn, manure pit and gravel access drive, located in Metal Township.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2014 expense
and revenue budget performance through October, 2014. Ms. Beckner advised most
departments are under budget except for a few where most variances relate to one-time
or front loaded expenses. She said general fund expenses are at 30.9% of budgeted
expenses compared to 79.7% in October of 2013. Ms. Beckner said revenues are
96.0% collected of general fund revenue budget compared to 94% in October of 2013.
Ms. Beckner reported that the County has collected 94.5% of property
taxes billed, compared to 94% collected through October in 2013. The average
collections through October for the past five years is 93.3%.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the board to introduce the logic model
presentations. She explained the logic model was first introduced in late 2012 as part of
the development of the 2013 budget. Ms. Beckner provided a refresher to the Board on
what is a logic model and why use a logic model. She explained the first pilot group that
presented their logic models in June of 2014 consisted of Adult Probation, the 911
Center, the Jail and Information Technology Services. The second phase participants
are Human Resources, Property Management, Agency on Aging and Integrated
Transportation. The following managers presented their logic model presentations:
Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director; Steve Rock, Property Management Director;
Traci Kline, Area Agency on Aging Director; and Odessa Trinkle, Integrated
Transportation Services Director. Mr. Hart said there were two main themes that came
out of these presentations —training which results in corporate knowledge and customer
service. With increase knowledge and better skill sets for employees we can do better
job of serving our customers.
Chairman Keller said these presentations were very interesting and he is glad to
hear that logic models are expanding and he looks forward to an update as we move
forward on how the logic models are going. He thanked the managers for putting
together the presentations.
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The Board attended a Retirement Board meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS