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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-08-22 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2019 The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, August 22, 2019, 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 for everyone to remember Bill Free who passed away last week. Chairman Keller worked with Mr. Free for many years at Sunrise and Mr. Free was a sales representative for Sunrise Computers and worked with the County during On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. There was no public comment. 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 August 13, 2019 and August 15, 2019 meetings. The Board reviewed Coroner Office matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from ty vehicle at a cost of $8,431.00. The costs will be paid from the Coroner escrow account. Request for quotes were requested and this was the lowest qualified quote. The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing (23 units) and supportive services for chronically homeless individuals living with serious mental illness. The grant application is requesting a total of $227,443.00 with a county match of $31,669.00 for the grant period of August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The Board reviewed additional Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shelter Plus Care to provide 10 units of rental assistance for chronically homeless individuals living with serious mental illness. The grant application is requesting a total of $86,568.00 with a county match of $22,106.00 for the grant period of August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The Board reviewed additional Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the grant application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the 2019 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. Funding is being requested to cover the cost of Livescan finger printing equipment and maintenance for Booking, and a request from Healthy Communities Partnership for funding for the Strengthening Families Partnership. Continued on page 2 The Board reviewed ITS matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the proposal from Morefield Communications to renew support and next business day replacement of three core network switches in the county at a cost of $3,204.00 for the period of August 29, 2019 through August 28, 2020. One is located at the Admin Annex and the other two are at the Courthouse Annex. These switches provide a backbone for county network communications. Traci Kline, Area Agency on Aging Director; Areli Macias-Torres, Aging Care Manager and Shelly Moats, Aging Care Manager were present to provide an update to the Board on the Service Coordination Program. Ms. Kline explained that the County started Service Coordination in 2012 and at that time the County decided to offer the program to make sure services are provided to our seniors. Service Coordination is provided to consumers who are at least 60 years of age, have high medical needs, very low income and choose to have long term care services in the community rather than in a nursing home. She said there are two full-time Service Coordinators and a .5 full-time supervisor with currently 90 enrollees in the program. Ms. Kline explained that since the pro the program were fully reimbursed by the Commonwealth of PA. Overall total identifiable costs are $1,032,032.44 with a loss of $158,700.66. That money could go toward other services for seniors. Traci continued that there are more changes coming in January 2020. The State is implementing Community Healthchoices so there are three Managed Care Organizations (MCO) that will contract with the State to run the program. Each ind Ms. Kline continued tha ing over the program. She said there are 48 Service Coordination entities offering services to consumers in Franklin County but we are the only one that actually has a physical presence in the county. Ms. Kline said because of the changes that are being implemented now would be a good time to disenroll from providing Service the enrollment piece. At this time Maximus provides open enrollment but they are not local. The state will be inviting bids to provide this service in the near future. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked which of the two options will serve our seniors best and Ms. Kline responded that she sees managed care companies taking over the Service Coordination program and right now is our opportunity to get into the open enrollment than Medicare sign ups and Ms. Kline responded that for Medicare we provide information but we Ms. Moats said that there is someone in their office that helps with the paperwork that is needed since there is a lot of information that needs gathered to make sure a consumer is eligible. She gets a lot of comments about how helpful that person is from the consumers. She continued that there have been seniors pass away before they even get enrolled in the program because it takes so long to get everything gathered. Commissioner Thom Keller said that this has not been a surprise since Traci has been keeping the Board apprised of the situation so he is totally supportive of us getting out of Service Coordination. He feels it was a poor decision by the Governor to contract with Maximus for eligibility determination and the number of people that have died waiting for a decision is shameful. He continued that money has never been the driving factor with continuing the service coordination program but a lot of effort has been made by managers and employees to manage expenses to keep the program going. Having the Continued on page 3 county regain the ability to do enrollment will make him happy so he supports this recommendation. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if staff can make the transition and if we will have the same full-time employees. Traci said there will be no changes in staff due to having increased work in other programs. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to disenroll from the Service Coordination Program and pursue the enrollment process through the Aging Well Program. Ms. Kline explained the next steps which includes sending notices to each participant, the Department and the other providers. The State requirement is at least a 30 day notice. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:10 a.m. this date for the purpose to review real estate matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at 11:43 a.m. No action was required after executive session. The meeting was adjourned at 11:44 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ Robert L. Thomas ____________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski