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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-29 Commissioner Minutes WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2023 The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, November 29, 2023, 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 November 22, 2023 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. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked for more information on the Gass House. What is the Gass House, why are we improving it and what is it being used for? Carrie Gray, County Administrator, explained that the Gass House is a stone structure on Franklin Farm Lane located in front of the Agricultural Heritage building. It runs parallel to Franklin Farm Lane and is named after Patrick Gass and his family. He was a soldier and a carpenter who was part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. composed of two buildings. One is the home where Patrick Gass was born and where his family lived that was built in 1760. The second structure was added onto after the county purchased it in 1808. When finalized in 1811 the addition was twice as big as the original lding to care for individuals who were invalid and aging who were not able to care for themselves. It eventually became the nursing home. Ms. Gray continued that in the fall of 2022 we applied for a Regional Assistance Capital Program Grant (RACP) through the state and in December the county was awarded $500,000 with a required match that was provided through a resolution by the Board for our $1 million project to renovate those buildings. The Patrick Gass House portion would be restored to the The newer 1811 portion is tentatively identified as office space for county operations. Upon further inspection we needed to have some structural evaluation done by a structural architect and engineer. This is the contract before them today to engage Newcomer and Associates to help us understand and finalize some specific construction costs in order to move forward with a definitive plan for what the restoration and reconstruction costs would include. Depending on what we learn through the exploratory phase we may need to refine and phase the construction costs. It may be more costly than what we had anticipated originally. Ms. Gray continued that we talked to Grants Management Solutions (GMS), who is helping us with the RACP grant process about phasing it and performing the Gass House portion first and then identifying phase 2 which is the 1811 portion at a later date to look for more funding if we need to. This contract would be a pivotal piece in helping us identify how to phase the project and in what order to tackle the renovations. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked where the funding for the Newcomer proposal is coming from. Ms. Gray responded that it would be the local portion of the match for the match for the engineer costs. Commissioner Ziobrowski recalls a couple years ago some folks from the historical society found some old coins that we had on display here for a period of Commissioner Ziobrowski said to cut to the chase there is no general funds involved at this Continued on page 2 point? Ms. Gray responded that its funds have already been allocated for the grant purpose. Chairman Keller said they are General Funds, the construction would come from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant but the other $500,000 match is coming from the County so the $13,000 is coming out of that funding. Commissioner Flannery asked for the square footage of those buildings. Ms. Gray resp will finalize that number. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked for an overview of the various pass through grants we are supporting which are board action items 1, 4, 5 and 6. Glenda Helman, Director of Grants, explained that these are funds from the Local Share Account and there are no General Funds or any other county funds involved in these grants. These funds come from horse breeders and casinos. We are a pass through; it has to be a municipality or Area Development Corporation that can apply for these grants on behalf of the organizations. We have a contract with DCED who is administering these grants for local share accounts and then we contract with the organizations that receive the funding. Commissioner Ziobrowski said we they are competitive grants? Ms. Helman said they are competitive grants and last year the county submitted nine grants and were awarded funds for five of them. One of those five was for the new K9 unit for our K9. The county gets the 2% administration fee that is available since we are administering the grant. She mentioned that a couple of the organizations are asking for the 2% fee but those funds are for the grantee and since we are submitting the application we are the grantee. She did mention that Fiscal is a little concerned about the tracking of the paperwork of that fee. Chairman Keller said just to be clear we are not being asked to endorse DCED to decide which ones are worthy to receive the funds. Ms. Gray found out that the two- story Patrick Gass house, including the addition, is 3,860 square feet. The items will be decided upon in the afternoon session. 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 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 Newcomer Associates to provide a structural evaluation of the existing structural conditions at the Patrick Gass/Almshouse building at a cost of $13,000.00. The Board reviewed Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Franklin County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which sets guidelines to manage a disaster in an effective and timely manner and establishes a single, comprehensive framework for the management of major emergencies and disasters within Franklin County. The EOP is activated on an as-needed basis and is designed to be used for all types of emergencies. The Board reviewed additional Grants 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 to the Department of Community and Economic Development requesting a Local box truck and have it wrapped with the Little Daisy's logo, and purchase storage bins to be placed in the truck in order to haul smaller items. This amount also includes a 2% administrative fee for the Grantee's administration of the grant. Continued on page 3 The Board reviewed additional Grants 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 to the Department of Community and Economic Development requesting a Local Share Grant in the amount of $931,286.85 for the Chambersburg Saddle Club. This request is for improvements to the Club's facilities including: Lighting and proper footing material that will address safety concerns for both horses and riders; installation of aluminum bleachers that will eliminate safety concerns for seating to watch events and incorporate handicap-accessible seating; the clubhouse will be handicap-accessible, will increase efficiency of space, and provide indoor public restrooms which comply with ADA standards. This amount also includes a 2% administrative fee for the Grantee's administration of the grant. The Board reviewed additional Grants 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 to the Department of Community and Economic Development requesting a Local Share Grant in the amount of $649,564.81 for Lurgan Township. Funds are to be used for restoration of Otterbein Church Road in Lurgan Township. This amount also includes a 2% administrative fee for the Grantee's administration of the grant. The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute medical insurance at a cost of $666,160.00 for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Stop loss insurance (also known as excess insurance) is a product that provides protection against catastrophic or unpredictable losses related to claim expenses with our health insurance since we are a self-funded administration platform. The cost of this insurance is built into the cost of our medical insurance premiums. 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 United Churches of the Chambersburg Area Franklin County Jail Ministries to provide Chaplain services for the inmates at the Franklin County Jail at a cost of $25,000.00 for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; approved the application to the Department of Community and Economic Development requesting a Local Share Grant in the amount of $138,676.00 for Luminest. Funds are being requested for lead abatement and renovation of 2 units at 72 West Queen Street. These units are owned by Luminest and rent for under Fair Market Rent. This amount also includes a 2% administrative fee for the Grantee's administration of the grant. Chairman Keller abstained from voting due to a conflict of interest. The Franklin County Commissioners and Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director on behalf of the STAR (Special Thanks and Recognition Committee) were present to award Ms. Amanda Keith as the Employee of the Month for November. Ms. Keith has worked at Franklin County since July of 2022. She currently serves as the Aging Care Supervisor. The selection for the November 2023 Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee. There were a total of nine nominations, four of which were for her. Ms. Bloyer read the nomination form which is attached and made a part of these minutes. Ms. Keith thanked everyone. Chairman Keller thanked her and thanked her for coming back and he understands why employees move on to other successes from time to time bu come back. He was glad she did and he thanked her for all she does. Commissioner Flannery thanked her. He heard a couple things and one was team leader. That team atmosphere always holds true to success on any level and when he hears it and it seems that anytime we he appreciates her leadership and he thanked her for everything she does. Commissioner Ziobrowski said us seniors can be a handful so we appreciate everything she does on behalf of the county and on behalf of that very vulnerable population. Continued on page 4 The meeting was adjourned at 2:11 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