Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-05 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, May 5, 2021, with the following members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery 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. The meeting was livestreamed. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Kim Wertz provided public comment and wanted to say that she had the chance to tour this building a month ago and it was better than what Carrie Gray explained to her several years ago when she showed her all the materials that were going to be put in lding and she hopes it filled all their requirements. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. The minutes of the April 28, 2021 meeting were reviewed. These will be decided upon in the afternoon approval session. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon approval session. The Board reviewed information regarding Mental Health Month. Stacey Brookens, MH/IDD/EI Administrator joined virtually and provided a few statistics on how the COVID-19 Pandemic has created an increase in mental health issues in school age children, pre-teens, teens and adults due to virtual learning, isolation, feeling helpless and losing loved ones due to COVID. Ms. Brookens said that individuals need support and that we need to work on destigmatizing mental illness and let families and friends know they can reach out either to the Mental Health Department, National Suicide Prevention Hotline or Crisis Intervention for help. Cori Seilhamer, Program Specialist in Mental Health said that with all the mental health issues we need to take care of each other every day. She is offering yard signs to everyone to put in their yards to get the message out. Erin Nye, Deputy Administrator in MH/IDD/EI thanked Cori and Stacey for the statistics and information they shared. She also thanked all the Mental Health staff for all their hard work in the department and the providers who help people that are in need of their services. Dr. Sheri Morgan from the Mental Health Association thanked the the statistics mentioned show there is a need, but how do we take those statistics and apply them to our county. COVID has played a big part as the statistics show but the funding. She said we need to think about policy changes and influencing legislators to think about releasing some of the restrictions and expanding the time frames to spend the dollars. She continued that she would hate to be here in September and send money back while having an increased need for it. Chairman Keller said the theme this explained there is a link on the website for the National Alliance of Mental Illness that has different tools that can be used that includes screenings that can be done and meditation methods that anyone can use. Bethany Peak, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association mentioned some of the events this year including a virtual st show, and 21 annual Walk the Walk, all to be held this month. Kim Wertz said the Continued on page 2 Community Support Program (CSP) will be distributing posters to businesses in the area focusing on stigma. They are trying to get the word out that if they need help it's available. Chairman Keller said that help is available and mental health issues are not a sin and recovery is possible. Larissa Jacobsen mentioned the green ribbons on parking meters are for Mental Health month. She also mentioned that stigma is a huge barrier for some individuals to ask for help. Another barrier is when people have had enough are access issues because it can take months to get in to see a psychiatrist or a provider. She asked if we are looking at ways to attract other providers to the area. Maybe providers can work together to get people quicker access to services. Chairman Keller thanked her for raising the issue, he asked Carrie to team up with Stacey Brookens, Stacie Horvath and Missy Reisinger at TMCA so they can look into it. He thanked her for bringing it to their attention. Ms. Wertz explained that the Mental Health Association provides a way that those with mental health issues go out into the County done in recovery. They can let people know there is help out there. Commissioner Flannery said just to listen to Stacey Brookens talk about the statistics, on a personal very challenging so the least the Board can do is show their appreciation for all the great work they do. Commissioner Ziobrowski said these challenges will never go away so we need to deal with them as best we can. He is proud of our staff and all the providers for doing all they can. COVID will remain a challenge so we must remain vigilant. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2021-09 for the purpose of proclaiming the month of May as Mental Health Month and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Board reviewed information regarding National Correctional Officers and Employees Week. Warden Bill Bechtold and several staff from the Jail were present to receive the proclama group of Americans has a more difficult or less publicly visible job then the brave men and women that work at the Franklin County Jail receive no notoriety and they hit COVID head on. He said we have the best jail in Pennsylvania. He thanked the Commissioners for having this proclamation and recognizing all the workers. It would not be possible to do the job they do without the support of the Commissioners and Administration. He in attendance since there are a good amount of individuals that get put in jail who have mental health issues. Commissioner Flannery said that, as the Warden said, out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania, Franklin County is the best-run jail in the state and he appreciates that. He looks forward to the warden doing this for the next ten years. Every officer he has met has great things to say about the jail. He appreciates all that the officers and workers do. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that yesterday they honored Officer Holtz and Deputy Warden Michelle Weller for being presented with workers of the remember and one to forget. Chairman Keller said that his colleagues hit the nail on the head. He defies any county to say they have the best team; the Boa enough. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2021-10 for the purpose of proclaiming the week of May 2 to May 8, 2021 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The Board recessed and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for final approval of the items that were reviewed. The Board reconvened at 2:00 p.m. Continued on page 3 There was no public comment. On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the minutes of the April 28, 2021 meeting. Carrie Gray asked to approve the Sage agreement on the condition of approval by the solicitor. She said there were two issues that came up since the meeting this morning. The first issue relates to wage rates and the second is to split out the two projects for the judicial center and historic courthouse which Sage is requesting we apply the 10% retainage separately for each building. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute Change Order #GC-078 from Lobar, Inc. to paint the four stoops/ramps in the basement two in judges parking B019 and two in sally port B065 safety yellow at the Judicial Center Project for an additional cost of $1,287.45. n a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute Change Order #GC-079 from Lobar, Inc. to install johnsonite wheel traffic flooring transitions between carpet and ceramic tile at all floors per owner's request at the Judicial Center Project for an additional cost of $1,913.05. The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Letter of Engagement between the County and Korn Ferry to provide required actuarial services related to the County's retiree health plan (OPEB) at a cost of $14,000.00. The valuation is required on a biennial schedule with roll-forward calculations on the alternating years. The information is included in the County's audited financial statements, as well as determining if the plan needs additional funding. The same firm is engaged to provide actuarial services for the employees' pension plan, creating efficiencies and economies of scale. The Board reviewed Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the agreement between the County and Sage Technology for the installation, equipment, training, and support of Audio Visual Systems for Court Operations in the new Judicial Center at a cost of $891,542.24 along with a 5 year extended support cost of $88,326.72 that is billed annually at $17,665.35. The Board reviewed additional Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Tyler Technologies for the Planned Annual Continuing Education (PACE) program a subscription based service designed to support clients who are committed to maximizing their Tyler software through education and adoption of enhancements delivered as part of regularly scheduled releases at a cost of $13,785.00. The PACE program offers ongoing education to train staff on new features and functions as they become available, ensuring our staff is operating at peak efficiency and the Tyler solution continues to meet the evolving needs of the County. A primary goal for these resources is to assist with the upcoming upgrade to the Tyler MUNIS. The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Intergovernmental agreement between the County and County of Fulton to house Fulton County Offenders into the Franklin County Jail both male and female adults over the age of (18) eighteen at a cost of $75.00 per day, per inmate. The Franklin County Jail is PREA certified and abides by Continued on page 4 all PA Title 37 regulations. Franklin County reserves the right to accept or reject any offender at our discretion. All medical expenses accrued will be solely the responsibility of The County of Fulton. The agreement is authorized April 27, 2021 through December 31, 2021 with the option to extend. The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the agreement between the County and Ehrlich Pest Control to provide preventative maintenance for pest control at the new Administration Building at a cost of $60.00 on a quarterly basis, effective May 1, 2021. The Board reviewed Tax Services matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to accept a bid made by Patricia Wilson in the amount of $250.00 on the repository sale of a mobile home on Cumberland Circle in St. Thomas Township. The Board met with Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director and the Controller Harold Wissinger for Salary Board matters. Also in attendance was Christina Unger, Drug & Alcohol Administrator and Minnie Goshorn, Assistant Administrator for Children & Youth. The meeting was adjourned at 2:16 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery. Carrie E. Gray County Administrator/Chief Clerk FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski