HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-19 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, December 19, 2017, 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.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the December 12, 2017 and December 14, 2017 meetings were
reviewed. These will be decided upon on Thursday, December 21, 2017.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The following item
was approved today while the remaining items will be approved Thursday, December
21, 2017.
The Board reviewed Information Technology Services/Archives. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the quote
from Southern Computer Warehouse for the purchase of three replacement scanners for
the Archives Department at a cost of $15,685.71. The current scanners are over five
years old and have reached their end of life. Company is on state contract.
Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor, met with the Board to discuss the Dynamic
System Resiliency (DSR) Inter-county radio system. Ms. Shank said that Franklin
County has been working through Department of Emergency Services with Adams and
Dauphin Counties to develop a consolidation communication system. She explained
further this is a regional digital operability radio system to provide voice and data
services for three counties and related activities. Ms. Shank said there are major
advantages to engaging in this system as it will be a cost savings. She explained there
will be a contract with Motorola for a lease. She said the system will provide a second
layer of backup in communications that will allow a seamless transition. There will be
two redundant sites where the second system will take over if the other site goes down.
She said additional counties could join into this system also. She is working on
governance documents to determine how the three counties will develop policy and
agree on operation of the system. Ms. Shank commented that Dauphin will serve as
fiduciary who will enter into an agreement with Motorola to lock in rates and an initial
savings of $100,000. She explained that solicitors are finalizing a resolution that each
county will enter into and all three counties will have the same verbiage. Ms. Shank
said that Thursday there will be a resolution that provides for one-third of cost share of
the project and allow Dauphin County to enter into an agreement with Motorola. John
Thierwechter, Emergency Services Director, explained further that the main benefit of
this regional system is a cost saving of $1.2 M over seven years to the County. He said
it’s fully redundant; we have two core systems so if one fails so the other will pick it up.
He said the third benefit is it will always run the most current version of software, which
we have not always done. And finally, end users will not know this happens and there
will be no procedural changes at the 911 center. Chairman Keller asked if the
agreement meant Dauphin would provide the updates or ifwe would still be responsible
at the county level for part of those upgrades. Mr. Thierwechter said Motorola will
provide the upgrades and it will be county wide. Ms. Shank responded that each county
will have fair representation, and any fiscal expenditures will be approved by all three
counties through an executive committee and a technological committee. Commissioner
Ziobrowski asked if there were any opportunities to interface with end users for their
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input. Mr. Thierwechter responded that he has talked to Fire Chiefs, Police Chiefs and
the Alliance and there have been no negative comments. He said if we didn’t tell them
they wouldn’t know it. Commissioner Thomas said that this is the backbone of the radio
system and asked how will that change the look of the 911 center. Bryan Stevenson
responded that the equipment will be reduced, since there is equipment at DES that will
no longer be needed. Chairman Keller asked if they know of other counties who have
gone through this. Mr. Stevenson responded that there are counties in Western PA that
are doing exactly what we are doing and using Motorola’s platform and sharing other
systems as well. He is hoping there are other counties that will join us as well.
Commissioner Thomas asked if there are any incentives coming from the State to go
this route. Mr. Theirwechter said PEMA does provide grants, and we applied but did not
get it. DES indicated that the current plan is the direction PEMA want counties to go and
we could be considered for a future grant. Chairman Keller said we are hitting the
ground running and have a history of working with Adams with the task force. He
continued that the Commissioners have interacted with those counties frequently and if
DES has a good feeling about this and the platform, he feels good moving forward. Mr.
Thierwechter said we have a good working relationship with both counties so they feel
good moving forward. Ms. Shank said she will return on Thursday with a proposed
resolution. She said this needs done now due to savings on interest and a cost saving
bonus with Motorola. The Board is fully supportive of moving forward.
Elizabeth Heller and Andrew Melius from Fayetteville Fire Department were
present to receive a check and a certificate from The University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center for a Community Leadership Award. Ms. Heller informed the Board and those in
attendance that there is a tremendous issue in the community with lack of volunteers.
She has stepped up the outreach program and provides CPR classes at local
elementary schools for fourth and fifth graders to get them interested in the community
and to let them know they can make a difference. She explained that Shawn Corwell,
Greene Township Supervisor, wrote a recommendation for Fayetteville Fire Department
to receive a $2,500 award for teaching CPR to children and other community events
including car seat checks. She explained that this grant will allow them to buy more
CPR equipment and buy more car seats to give out to families that need them. Ms.
Heller thanked Mr. Corwell and Greene Township for all they do for the fire company.
Chairman Keller said he is glad to put them on the agenda today and to keep the Board
informed of all they do for the community. He commented it is great how they are
continuing the outreach in the community. He thanked them on behalf of the Board.
Mr. Corwell thanked the Commissioners for having them on the agenda today. He
mentioned the following stats for Fayetteville Fire Department: in 2016 they responded
to 2,632 emergency calls; 7,000 additional nonemergency transports; trained 497
students in CPR; and they check car seats all the time. He said staff does a great job
and they are a trained facility for paramedics and EMT’s. They are the only training
institute in Franklin County. This is vital for companies here because if not for
Fayetteville, they would have to go to Buck’s County or Harrisburg and the trainings
would be more expensive. Mr. Corwell said this is a huge undertaking and Fayetteville
has taken the lead in this. He said he supports and appreciates all the services that
Fayetteville Fire Department provides and so do the other Greene Township
Supervisors. Mr. Corwell wanted to mention that due to shortages in EMS workers and
volunteers, the Emergency Services Alliance is sending out an RFP to companies to do
a study to find out why and to seek grants and funding. Lisa Duffey, from the University
of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Hanover, presented a check to Fayetteville Fire
Department. UPMC felt it was important to honor first responders so they requested
applications and from Shawn Corwell’s letter she is humbled by it all, the dedication and
commitment of volunteers and the staff. It is her pleasure to present the check and a
certificate to recognize Fayetteville for their efforts.
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The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS