HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-26 Commissioner MinutesTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, September 26, 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.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Chairman Keller wanted to give a special welcome to guests from Greencastle -
Antrim High School. Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, explained that the
freshman are here to learn more about county operations and see the options available
to them once they graduate from high school. They are also touring the Jail, 911 Center
and the Courthouse today.
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 September 17, 2019 and September 19, 2019
meeting.
The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the FY 2018-2019
Needs -Based Plan Budget Amendment to the PA Department of Human Services to
record overages in State Share YDC and corresponding county share YDC for
institutional services. This will also record the increase received in program
income. The total increase to the budget requested is $322,880.00, final Fiscal Year
expenditures total $12,688,001.00.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the amendment to the Reimbursement Agreement between the
County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to
reimburse for the 2016-2020 Bridge Inventory and Inspection Program. This
amendment will increase the program amount to $766,240.03.
The Board reviewed Election matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the
County of Franklin and Beidel Printing House, Inc. for the printing of ballots for the
November 5, 2019 Municipal Election for a total cost of $25,769.00. This bid was
awarded by the Commissioners at their September 5, 2019 meeting.
The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the request from Waynesboro Community and Human Services
(WCHS) to move a total of $7,361 consisting of $3,825 from Homelessness Prevention
"Services" and $3,536 from Homelessness Prevention "Financial Assistance" to
Homelessness Prevention "Rental Assistance." The demand for rental assistance has
been very high this summer and as result WCHS has served more families than
anticipated needing eviction assistance. (Emergency Solutions Grant).
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The Board reviewed Planning Office matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved Resolution #2019 -14 to
execute the Major Modification to the 2015 and 2016 Program Years of the Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Remaining funding from five projects is
being reallocated to the Borough of Greencastle Curb Cuts/Ramps for a new project
amount of $178,361 and to Quincy Township Tomstown Water for a new total of
$175,527. Both are shovel -ready projects.
The Board reviewed Tax Claim Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to accept the bid on
the repository list made by; Martin L. Weller, Jr. in the amount of $106.00 to purchase a
mobile home located in St. Thomas.
In accordance with PA Act notifications, Shelly, Witter & Fox notified the County
of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES Permit Application
being applied by Stoltzfus Manufacturing, Inc. for the construction of a new 30'x120'
trough feeder painting building with driveway and drive area around the building located
in Dry Run, PA.
In accordance with PA Act notifications, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES
Permit Application being applied by Specialty Granules, LLC for production of pelletized
products using meta -volcanic rock as the base for pellet production located in
Waynesboro, PA.
In accordance with PA Act notifications, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of
Air Quality renewal permit being applied for Mt. Cydonia Sand Plant #2 located in
Greene Township.
This was the date to award/reject the plumbing bid for the Franklin County
Judicial Center — Administration Building. John Hart, Project Manager, explained that
the County is awarding bids for the administration building that is being built to house all
administrative offices. He mentioned some of the offices and their functions and that it
will be a one stop shop. He continued that the goal is to have all the court functions
together at the new courthouse being built downtown. Mr. Hart is recommending
awarding the bid for plumbing to Mann Plumbing for $384,610.00. They are the lowest
responsible bidder. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Notice of Intent to Award to Mann Plumbing for
the Franklin County Judicial Center — Administration Building that Mr. Hart
recommended. Ms. Gray stated that this motion will also authorize the County
Administrator to execute the Notice to Proceed to the lowest responsible bidder upon
satisfactory submission of required documents. Motion includes authorization for Board
or its assignee to execute all contracts and documents related to the award. The
County's facility project team will review the bidders' documents and qualifications to
assure the lowest responsible bidders are meeting all the requirements of the bid
specifications.
Thomas Reardon, Director of Habitat for Humanity, along with Maureen Spang,
Habitat Officer and Duane Bock, President of the Board were present to request funds in
the amount of $25,000 from the Housing Trust Fund. Mr. Reardon, explained that they
are working on two projects this year on Dickinson Avenue, Waynesboro and Second
Street, Chambersburg and are currently purchasing a property in Greencastle. He said
that Habitat for Humanity is about bringing people together and there is a housing
problem for a lot of people in Franklin County. He said that one issue of concern is the
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income or ability to pay for everything that is involved in owning a home. He said the
one thing that is clear is the need for more affordable housing. When they serve the
families they are creating a permanent solution by making housing affordable and
manageable. When they serve one family they are serving the entire community. He
thanked the Board for their support because of this they are able to do more. They are
working on their 36th home now. Mr. Bock told the story of the starfish on the beach and
although there are millions of people without safe and affordable housing, they are doing
a small part in our community and making a difference in people's lives. Mr. Reardon
said that Habitat for Humanity has completed close to 2 million homes nationwide.
Chairman Keller explained the Housing Trust Fund program. He said it is not
uncommon to receive a request from Habitat and he supports it and is pleased to offer
support to fulfill their mission. Commissioner Thomas asked Steve Thomas, Planning
Director, if we have enough funding to cover this and asked how much we have in the
fund. Steve Thomas responded that he did check that there were enough funds in the
account but wasn't sure of how much is in the account. Steve Nevada responded that
we have just under $195,000. Commissioner Thomas said Mother Theresa said "every
ocean started with a drip of water." He asked if they can provide more detail on how a
person qualifies and what is the long term affect to the people. Mr. Reardon said to
qualify they have to have an income that is 30-60% of average income so it is very low
income families they are serving. They have to have reasonable credit. They also look
for people who are willing to partner with them. They don't just give houses to families
they partner with them to help build or rebuild their own home. They have to provide
sweat equity and work for 350 hours. He would like to say success rate is 100% so they
do what they can to help. If homeowners are having difficulties someone works with
them and to help them succeed. They have on occasion started foreclosure
proceedings but no home has actually been foreclosed on. He continued that they
provide a 0% interest loan for the homes. Out of 45 families they serve only 5-6 have
moved out of the homes. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he had the pleasure of being at
a dedication on McKinley Street which he drives by there every day and sees the owners
sitting outside their home and he sees how proud they are to own a home. Steve
Thomas explained that the Planning Department supports this request and his office will
develop a contract for the Board's consideration. The board will approve an agreement
in the near future.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the expense and
revenue budget performance through July, 2019. Ms. Beckner advised that some areas
exceeded 7/12th of their expense budget. She explained that in some of the court -
related operations, increased activity has resulted in expense budget variances through
July that have continued from prior months. They're reviewing these in further details
with directors to determine the need for additional funding. In Children & Youth,
placements in youth forestry camps and youth detention centers are higher than
historical levels. This has created a variance in proportional spending through July for
both the program as well as the corresponding county share since both of these types of
placements carry a 40% county match. They're working with the program's fiscal staff
and director to determine additional funding requirements and anticipate having more
information in the coming weeks. She said general fund expenses are at 57.8% of
budgeted expenses through July. That compares to 53.1 % through July 2018. Ms.
Beckner said revenues are 88.4% collected of general fund revenue budget, slightly
higher than last year through July, which was 87.1 %. Ms. Beckner reported that the
largest share of the county's 2019 general fund revenue budget comes from property
taxes which show 93.5% of what was billed being collected through July. That's right on
track with last year at 93.8%. The 5-year average from 2014 through 2018 is 93.4%
collected through July. Ms. Beckner provided an update on the 2020 budget
preparation. She said the budget packets and line items have been received from all
county operations. She reported the two budget workshops that were offered was a
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huge success. They reviewed various tools that department heads could use in
developing their budgets, and showed them how to complete the budget packets and do
the Munis entry. She has received a lot of positive feedback about the workshops. She
continued that Fiscal staff are reviewing all the items submitted and she will be meeting
with county administration to review budgets and during October she will present the
information to the Board for review and direction.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:21 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review real estate matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at
11:15 a.m. No action was required after executive session.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:16 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