HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-21 Commissioner Minutes
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022
The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 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 live streamed.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
The minutes of the September 14, 2022 meeting were reviewed. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the minutes.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The items will be decided
upon in the afternoon session.
The Board reviewed Procurement matters and conducted a bid opening for a used
minivan
second attempt for a bid for a used vehicle since the first bid was unresponsive as no bids were
received at that time. Harold Wissinger, Controller, presented one bid to the Board. The
following bidder submitted a bid: Forrester Lincoln from Chambersburg, PA bid a total amount
of $30,471.00. Ms. Gray suggested allowing staff and the Coroner to review the bid to make
sure it is responsive in respect to the specifications and requirements. The Board can
award/reject next Wednesday after their review. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to award/reject the bid on Wednesday,
September 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
The Board held a general discussion regarding the Register and Recorder retirement.
Chairman Keller stated that the Register and Recorder has announced her retirement effective
at the end of the month and the Board asked staff to provide a recommendation on how to
proceed. Ms. Gray
stages to the appointment. She stated that first and foremost the goal is to increase the
likelihood of continuing operations with high-quality customer service. The Board, as the
Election Board, can assign someone as an interim in the position for an interim time. This is
separate
Register and Recorder is recommending her First Deputy who has been in that role for 15 to 17
years and she has worked in other roles throughout the county for even longer. Staff is
recommending appointing the Chief Deputy as the interim Register and Recorder until a letter
can be drafted to be sent to the Governor recommending she be appointed to fill the position
until the end of the election term. Commissioner Ziobrowski said the Board has to send a letter
to the Governor and then this has to be approved by the Pennsylvania Senate and there could
be a time lag during which we would have to have an interim director. Ms. Gray responded that
that it could take one week to six months for a decision. Commissioner Ziobrowski is
that decision until the Election Board meets at the appropriate time to discuss that.
Commissioner Flannery asked if there is limitation of duties as being appointed as the interim to
the full appointment. Ms. Gray responded that there are no limitations on the customer service
aspect but there may be limitations with the authority vested to an independent elected official in
Continued on page 2
the matters of the hiring, firing and discipline from a personnel standpoint. But, as far as the
forward facing work of processing wills and recording deeds, the interim position would enable
that customer service to remain consistent through that process. Commissioner Ziobrowski
asked what the salary would be for an interim position. Chairman Keller responded that he
assumes it would be paid the same as the elected official. Carrie said that the pay grade policy
does not include a provision for this particular case since the election official is not assigned a
pay grade so she is seeking clarification and she should have that information in a day or two.
Commissioner Ziobrowski said that he has no objection to her getting the pay. Chairman Keller
said he is inclined to recommend to the Election Board to support her appointment to the
Governor and the Senate that she complete the balance of the Register & Recorder term
because of continuity and her knowledge and it would be for a short period of time since the
election is next year. An Election Board will be scheduled in the near future.
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.
There was no public comment.
The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the quote from Apple Nissan for the
purchase of a 2022 Nissan Altima sedan that is necessary for the transportation of Children &
Youth Services staff and clients at a cost of $26,294.00. This vehicle purchase was approved in
the FY 22-23 state Needs Based Budget. This company is on the Costars contract listing.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the application and agreement to the PA Department of State for allocation in
the amount of $12,353.22 as reimbursement for expenditures occurring between March 16,
2022 and September 30, 2023, and preferably for expenditures related to the 2022 elections.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Professional Services
agreement between the County of Franklin and three+one to provide cashVest liquidity analysis
h in
the marketplace and short-term cash management at a cost of $37,250.00.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the HVAC maintenance contract between the County of Franklin and Stouffer
Mechanical Contractor to provide preventative maintenance inspection and cleaning per the
equipment list at a cost of $11,108.00 to be performed in the Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the proposal from Triad Engineering, Inc. to remove one 8,000-gallon
underground storage tank from the Courthouse Annex at 157 Lincoln Way East for an estimated
amount of $32,800.00.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by
John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Letter of Agreement between the County of
Financial Statement and Single audits for 2022 through 2025. This agreement is for the
following years: 2022 for an amount of $109,149.00; 2023 for an amount of $109,149.00; 2024
for an amount of $111,332.00 and 2025 for an amount of $113,559.00.
Continued on page 3
The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the proposal from Aetna Life Insurance
Company for plan year 2023 renewal of health/prescription coverage for County retirees age 65
and older that are eligible under the County's Post Employment Healthcare Policy. Rates per
member per month have slightly increased by about 3.8%. No changes are being proposed to
the plan design. Cost to the County is based on retiree eligibility criteria for each member and
varies slightly from month to month.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by
John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the agreement between the County of Franklin and
County of Allegheny to house Juvenile inmates for Franklin County at Allegheny County Jail at a
rate per inmate, per day of $127.70 for the period of August 12, 2022 through August 31, 2023,
juvenile inmates as their own by providing housing, security, meals and services comparable to
services at the Franklin County Jail. Franklin County will be responsible for all transportation
requirements and all housing costs associated with housing a Juvenile.
The Board reviewed additional Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute
the addendum to the agreement between the County of Franklin and Global Tel*Link d/b/a
ViaPath Technologies to provide an upgrade to the current intelligence software within ViaPath.
This service is being paid by commissions from GTL/ViaPath Technologies so there is no cost
to the County. Data is collected with the OMSe system linking inmates together to alert us of
important information for investigational purposes. All other terms and conditions of the original
agreement will remain in full force and effect.
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 quote from Jennings Chevrolet-Buick-GMC, Inc. for purchase of a 2023
van to replace an existing vehicle with excess of 200,000 miles and increasing repair costs and
dependability. The quote is for an amount of $43,367.00. Two quotes were received and this
was the lowest qualified quote. This is a correction to the action that was approved on
September 7, 2022.
The Board reviewed additional 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 of Franklin and Water Treatment by
Design, LLC to provide hydronic DX water loop systems treatment for the following locations:
272 North 2nd Street, 2 North Main Street and 14 North Main Street, Chambersburg PA. The
total amount is $3,200.00 for the period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. The
treatment incorporates chemicals used to balance the hydronic water loop passing through all
floors of each building to control Ph levels, provide rust corrosion and oxidation inhibitors and
perform diagnosis and monitoring of treated water systems.
The Board reviewed Risk 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 of Franklin and Autoclear, LLC for preventative
maintenance on five (5) of the county's x-ray machines at a cost of $19,000.00 for the period of
September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023. This contract would also cover the machines for
repairs that need to be made.
Mark Orndorf, Solicitor, met with the Board to ask for approval to enter into settlement
agreements and the authority to sign two stipulations. Chairman Keller stated that these
appeals were discussed recently during an executive session with the Board. Attorney Orndorf
said the first agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation tax appeal Franklin County Docket
No. 2016-4178. This agreement concerns a Public Utility Realty Tax Act (PURTA) property
and intermodal transportation facility located at 612 Antrim Commons Drive, Greencastle, PA.
Continued on page 4
The agreement is in three parts. The first part would classify tax parcel 01-0A27.-008.-PU-0000
tax status from PURTA to exempt from local and PURTA taxes. The second part of the
stipulation would decrease the assessed value for parcel #01-0A28.-008.-0000 and would
decrease the assessment for local taxation to $870,360 and would exempt from both PURTA
and local property taxes the assessed value of $288,490 and the remaining parcel subject to the
appeal would be withdrawn. He is requesting the Board pass a motion granting him the
authority to execute the stipulation as presented. Attorney Orndorf provided more information
on the property for the Board. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T.
Flannery; unanimously approved for the Solicitor to authorize the stipulation on their behalf.
The second agreement is the fourth addendum to the voluntary pilot agreement with
Lutheran Social Services Franklin County Docket No. Misc. CC-348. This is the fourth
addendum to a pilot agreement originally set forth and agreed to by the County, the
Chambersburg Area School District and the local taxing authority back in 1999 in regards to the
payment of taxes in lieu of formal local property taxes. The original agreement imposes a 75%
payment of what the local taxes would be without the agreement and it also sets forth certain
terms and conditions without regard to new improvements made to the parcel and how to deal
with those and property tax bills. This action is to extend the existing agreement for a period of
five years. He is requesting the Board pass a motion granting him the authority to execute the
stipulation as presented. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if there was an opinion from the
school districts on either of these cases. Attorney Orndorff responded that for Norfolk Southern
there was no intervention on behalf of the school district on that case. For the Lutheran Social
Services there was a conflict of interest that was perceived between the Chambersburg School
District and their existing solicitor. The solicitor indicated to him that he believed that the school
district was going to be on board with whatever the county decided. They did not state an
opinion at this point. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved for the Solicitor to authorize the stipulation on their behalf.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to enter an executive session at 2:24 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing real estate
matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to reconvene into regular session at 2:42 p.m. No action was required after the
executive session.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:43 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