HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-29 Commissioner MinutesTUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2019
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, October 29, 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 G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the October 22, 2019 and October 24, 2019 meetings were
reviewed. These will be decided upon on Thursday, October 31, 2019.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller said
the County Solicitor is requesting approval of three settlements of tax appeals that have
been in litigation for some time. He reviewed them and he feels he can support the
recommendation from the Solicitor. Commissioner Thomas wanted to point out that
these settlements have been approved by the school districts and municipalities and he
is in concurrence to approve the settlements. Chairman Keller said he is excited about
board action #5, a grant with PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to
connect seniors with kids. He continued that this is occurring informally throughout the
county now but he is glad to see some funding coming from PCCD. Commissioner
Thomas said this is good for seniors and kids; it's a win -win. Glenda Helman, Director of
Grants Management, said that one aspect of the grant is that seniors will come together
with the parents to discuss the children and work together; this can change the lives of
the little ones. The following items were approved today while the remaining items will
be approved Thursday, October 31, 2019.
The Board reviewed Tax Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the settlement of
the appeal of Jerr-Dan Corporation tax assessment appeal, No. 2018-4854. The
property is located at 1080 Hykes Road, Greencastle, and Franklin County,
Pennsylvania. The original assessment is $307,500. New assessment will be $246,000
in 2019 and $222,000 in 2020.
The Board reviewed additional Tax Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the settlement of
the appeal of Sassan E. Shaool and Adam E. Shaool tax assessment appeal, No. 2012-
4705. The property is located at 222-228 S. Fayette Street, Shippensburg, Franklin
County, Pennsylvania. The original assessment is $487,930. New assessment will
be $442,890.
The Board reviewed additional Tax Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the settlement of
the appeal of Mansoor E. Shaool, Janet E. Shaool, Sassan E. Shaool, and Adam E.
Shaool tax assessment appeal, No. 2012-4706. The property is located at 200-300 S.
Fayette Street, Shippensburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The original assessment
is $501,610.00. New assessment will be $210,900.00.
Craig Newcomer, Executive Director of Maranatha Ministries, and Bernadette
Bowman, from House of Hope, provided a presentation on a request to receive funds
from the Housing Trust Fund for the House of Hope. Mr. Newcomer explained that
House of Hope is supported by Maranatha Ministries but it has its own Board of
Directors. They are a 501 c3 and there is no financial support from Maranatha. He
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continued that House of Hope is run by Bernadette Bowman who is very focused on
helping females who are addicted. Ms. Bowman explained that House of Hope will be a
safe and warm environment. They do allow medically assisted treatment and she is
trained in moral reconation therapy and as a recovery coach. She said there is a better
way and prison is not the way. She said she ran Esther's House with no budget but she
had a lot of success. She went out on her own so she could do it her way. She has
reached out to Adams County Probation and Franklin County Probation and has
provided opportunities for court ordered community service for participants. She said
this is a community project. She is told she couldn't do that but she has done it. She
has been without a paycheck and has put time, money and effort into this program.
Commissioner Thomas said her passion is appreciated and it's obvious what her
mission is since she was going without a paycheck. Mr. Newcomer said they are asking
for $10,000 to be allocated toward a sprinkler system. He said in 2014 the code
changed and a sprinkler system is now required, which has put a stop to the project until
it is added. Mr. Newcomer showed the Board before and after pictures of a residential
house that was donated by Tammi Hennessy. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked what
the capacity of the women that can be served and how long they can stay there. Ms.
Bowman responded the capacity is 12 women and the length of stay is 90 days but she
has been known to keep them longer if they need it. Mr. Newcomer explained that next
year they are working towards a foundation to have for -profit companies hire and train
individuals within all Maranatha programs. Commissioner Ziobrowski recommended he
contact Workforce Investment Board or SCPA Works and he would be willing to help
coordinate his requests with them. Chairman Keller asked Planning Office for guidance
on this request. He knows we have given funds to Noah's House and the folks in
Waynesboro but he asked Mr. Thomas for a recommendation. Steve Thomas, Planning
Director, responded that Mr. Newcomer has provided information that was needed
including the long term lease information that he requested. He said that Planning is
supportive of this project especially since there is a need for this type of housing in our
area. He said this project would fit within the scope of the Housing Trust Fund.
Commissioner Thomas asked if this is acceptable housing for Probation and the
response was yes. He continued that this is important since housing is an issue when
being released from the Jail and is keeping people in jail because they have no housing
plan. He said the female population has been growing faster than the male population.
If they could lower the jail population it would be huge. Chairman Keller asked if the
dollars are allocated in the near future, would the sprinkler project move forward
immediately. Tony Bowman responded that the sprinkler project can be wrapped up in a
couple of weeks. Commissioner Thomas asked about the $400 deposit from each
participant that is a requirement to be in the program and how they can pay this if they
just get out of jail. Mr. Newcomer said they give them time to get the money. He
continued that they have to have a job first and then all the money goes for fines and
court costs first, then the occupational stay fee and the rest goes into a savings for them.
He said typically someone can leave the program with a huge savings. Commissioner
Thomas wishes them well and hopes this has a long and lasting impact. He said that job
training is a huge part of the success of the program. Mr. Newcomer said his hope is
that there are no barriers for these people. Chairman Keller said the consensus is to
move forward and Planning will develop and the agreement will be approved at a later
date.
Charles Martin, Human Resources Generalist, and members of the STAR
(Special Thanks and Recognition Committee) were present to award Ms. Makenzie
Cleary as the Employee of the Month for October. Ms. Cleary has been employed with
Franklin County since March of 2019. She currently serves as a Telecom municator I
with the Department of Emergency Services (D.E.S.). The selection for the October
2019 Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee. There were a
total of twenty-nine nominations. The STAR nomination form asks what recent event or
occurrence made you select Makenzie and the answers stated: "On July 15, 2019, the 9-
1-1 Center received a call for a person suffering an allergic reaction, which was caused
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by a swarming bee attack. The call was answered by Makenzie Cleary. Ambulance 9-9
was dispatched to the Mercersburg location. While 9-9 was responding, the call was
quickly upgraded to a cardiac arrest as the patient had lost pulses and had snoring
respirations. Makenzie had talked the patient's wife (9-1-1 caller) through procedures for
an allergic reaction including making sure Benadryl was given by the caller. As soon as
the caller had advised she believed the patient was in cardiac arrest, Makenzie provided
CPR instructions. When the ambulance arrived on scene, they found the patient's wife
performing effective CPR due to the instructions given by Makenzie with supervision
from her trainer, Telecom municator Barbara Harshman. After the arrival of Ambulance
9-9 on scene as well as ALS intervention, they were able to get pulses back and the
patient was alert and talking by the time they reached Meritus Medical Center.
According to the crew on Ambulance 9-9, they, as well as the Medic 209 staff and the
patient's wife all agree that the wonderful job by Makenzie with supervision from her
trainer made a tremendous impact on the positive outcome for this patient. Ms. Cleary
was nominated by D.E.S. for a Clinical Save Award from the Emergency Health Services
Federation which she has been awarded. Although she has only been employed by the
Department of Emergency Services since March of 2019, she is proving herself to be a
valuable member of our team." Ms. Cleary's outstanding characteristics are attributes
that have not gone unnoticed by her peers. The nomination form describes her as being
a dedicated, caring, team player, with a desire to learn. We are grateful to Ms. Makenzie
Cleary as she exudes a high standard of customer service, excellence, and respect to
the employees and residents of Franklin County. Ms. Cleary said she loves her job,
when she comes into work she does her best and she has an incredible team. She
continued that she has great supervisors that celebrate their successes. Chairman
Keller welcomed her back and it's gratifying to have an employee that has only been
here a few months that is being recognized today. This reflects well on her whole team
from top to bottom. Commissioner Thomas said that Ms. Cleary mentions her team
which is important for training that here is a relatively new employee saving a life. He
was an EMT years ago and it's important to have effective training, that presentation
where the young wife and husband were here during the award ceremony a few weeks
ago, and were talking about a spouse doing CPR on her husband. It is not an easy thing
to do. He continued that you never know when these opportunities will come about; no
one knows when it's their time to step up. He congratulated her and the STAR
Committee. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he has nothing further to add but he's proud
to be on the same overall team with Ms. Cleary.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
David S. Keller, Chairman
Robert L. Thomas
Robert G. Ziobrowski