HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-12 Commissioner MinutesTHURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, March 12, 2009, with the
following members present: Robert L. Thomas, David S. Keller and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. Chairman Thomas presided and after calling the meeting to order, and the
Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day.
On a motion by David S. Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
Allen Piper, representing the Citizens for Responsible Government, addressed
the Board of Commissioners. He was critical of Commissioner Ziobrowski's response the
previous week to Mr. Piper's comments about the County Administrator. Mr. Piper
suggested that Mr. Ziobrowski should apologize to all who were in attendance at the
previous meeting. Mr. Piper further added that he felt the Board of Commissioners
should be "more open" while conducting public business.
On a motion by David S. Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously
approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by David S. Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously
approved the minutes of March 3, 2009 and March 5, 2009 meetings.
The Board reviewed Agriculture Extension matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Subcontract
between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania State University to provide research
work for the West Nile Program at a cost not to exceed $104,418.20 for the period of
January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. Funds are provided by the PA
Department of Environmental Protection West Nile Grant.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the Renewal Questionnaire from Hartzok Insurance Agency to
process the renewal policy to provide the commercial package, CD001-20080601 for the
County.
The Board reviewed Community Services matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Application
to the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to be
submitted by the County on behalf of South Central Community Action Program
requesting $79,125.00 to be used for operational expenses of the Franklin County
Homeless Shelter for the Fiscal Year 2009/2010.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Proposal from
Kuhn's Radio Communications, LLC to provide maintenance on the Eventide Recorder
at a cost of $8,500.00 for the period of February 26, 2009 through February 25, 2010.
The Board reviewed FSNRC matters. On a motion by David S. Keller, seconded
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the Renewal License Agreement between the County of Franklin and Resource
Systems for the care tracker system and hardware services for the care tracker kiosks at
a cost of $4,656.00 for the period of January 15, 2009 through January 15, 2010.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by David S. Keller, seconded by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract between the County of
Franklin and Keystone Rural Health Center to provide services under the Jail Diversion
Grant at a maximum encumbrance amount of $25,000.00 for the period of February 1,
2009 through December 31, 2009.
The Board reviewed Mental Health matters. On a motion by David S. Keller,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 09 Budget Adjustment in
the amount of $57,732.00 for Housing & Urban Development #3 Grant.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by David S. Keller,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Housing Trust Fund
Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and Valley Community Housing
Corporation to provide an amount of $7,500.00 for the first time home owners program
and operating expenses incurred while providing low and low-mod income housing in
Franklin County to be completed by December 31, 2010.
The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by David S. Keller,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Agreement between the
County of Franklin and Madden Media for advertising in the Pennsylvania section of the
Spring 2009 Parade/Vacation Fun Getaway Guide at a cost of $3,800.00 for the period
of March 12, 2009 through June 30, 2009.
The Board reviewed additional Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Agreement
between the County of Franklin and Valley Homes & Style to provide two ads in the
Spring 2009 issue at a cost of $798.00 for the period of March 12, 2009 through May 29,
2009.
The Board reviewed additional Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Agreement
between the County of Franklin and Hagerstown Broadcasting/WJEJ for the Visitors
Bureau to participate in the "Life Begins at 50 Expo" being held at the Valley Mall on May
1, 2009 at a cost of $495.00 for the period of March 12, 2009 through May 29, 2009.
The Board reviewed additional Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Agreement
between the County of Franklin and Weider History Group for three, full-color half-page
ads in the May/June, July/August, & September/October 2009 issues of Civil War Times
at a cost of $3,200.00 for the period of March 12, 2009 through November 13, 2009.
The Board reviewed additional Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by David S.
Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Professional
Services Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Borough of Mercersburg to
sponsor four historic pamphlets at a cost not to exceed $3,550.00 for the period of
March 12, 2009 through May 1, 2009.
In accordance with PA 67, 68 and 127 Notifications, Borough of Chambersburg
notified the County of a PA Department of Environmental Protection operating permit for
the Orchard Park Generating Station located in the Borough of Chambersburg.
In accordance with PA 67, 68 and 127 Notifications, R. Apel and Associates
notified the County of a State Only Permit Application being applied by Fayetteville
Contractors, Inc. for their bituminous concrete batch plant located in Antrim Township.
Continued on page 3
Deboraha Pheil, Children and Youth Assistant Administrator, was present to
explain the activities held during April for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Will have
display tables with brochures at the Courthouse, Domestic Relations and Human
Services Building. This is to raise awareness and help prevent child abuse. Throughout
the year will be doing presentations and community events. There will also be a blue
bear campaign where employees or the community could donate $1.00 or more to be
used to pay for what tax dollars cannot. The Proclamation will acknowledge April as
Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mrs. Pheil commented that all of this could not be done
without the support of the Commissioners and is truly a team effort.
On a motion by David S. Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously
approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2009-01 proclaiming the month of April
as Child Abuse Prevention month in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation
be made a part of these minutes.
The Board recessed at 9:45 a.m. and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m.
The Board held a press conference to provide a budget update. The Board
announced that over the next week they will be conducting budget hearings to learn how
county managers, judges and elected officials propose that the County achieve
reductions in the 2009 budget since last month the Board asked them to reduce their
2009 budgets by 8%. Commissioner Thomas also announced the formation of an
Efficiency Task Force, to be headed up by Commissioner David Keller. Commissioner
Keller announced that the purpose of this task force is to plan for the future and will
conduct a comprehensive review of county services and make recommendations to
ensure those services are being provided as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Several overriding concerns are driving the need to plan for the future. State and federal
funding for mandated services and programs has been declining for years, increasing
the burden on county government to do more with less. Also, the current economic
environment is exacerbating the situation. Although the federal stimulus package may
provide a brief influx of funding to county governments, fiscal pressure on state and
federal governments is likely to result in the long run in steadily declining state and
federal funding. The Board will continue to fight for Franklin County's fair share of state
and federal funding but will have to operate under the premise that external sources of
funding will continue to decline or remain static. The objective of this initiative is to study
all county operations and make recommendations for improving productivity and
services. The Board will do this in an open and honest manner, and in strict compliance
with the letter and spirit of the Sunshine Law and the Open Records Law. The hearings
that will take place next week will lead to budget cuts this year, which in some cases will
be short-term cuts, should reduce the impact of the economic slowdown on Franklin
County citizens going forward into 2010 and 2011. The new initiative that has been
rolled out will be a comprehensive review of the way the County will do business and
result in a long-term savings and improved services that will extend well into the future.
Continued on page 4
The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 a.m. with a motion by David S. Keller;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
John A. Hart
Chief Clerk/County Administrator
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Robert L. Thomas, Chairman
David S. Keller
Robert G. Ziobrowski