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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-13 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2010 The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, May 13, 2010, with the following members present: David S. Keller and Robert L. Thomas. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, and the Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Bernie Washabaugh, II provided public comment regarding the facilities expansion. He commented that everyone here is in support of commissioners’ efforts. Important thing he wants is a thorough review of all proposals in front of commissioners and staff and wants to follow process through and assist where possible. His company submitted proposal seven weeks ago and is anxious about having opportunity to have dialogue between Carter Goble Lee (CGL) and staff. He asked if he will have opportunity and when to discuss the process with CGL and County staff. He also asked if a decision has been made on the direction the Commissioners and staff want to go. Commissioner Keller responded that he appreciates Mr. Washabaugh’s input and interest and added that no decision had been made and that Government moves slowly. Commissioner Keller said that Chief Administrator John Hart has been keeping the Board up to date on emails back and forth between Mr. Washabaugh and Mr. Hart. Mr. Washabaugh, II commented that he has not received a response in terms of comment either good, bad or indifferent and his company has spent a significant amount of effort on where the County is and what it wants. He believes he understands the situation extremely well and would like to have face to face dialogue. Commissioner Keller responded that the Board is tentatively scheduled for May 27 for Administration and CGL to present their evaluation of Washabaugh’s proposal and others that were offered. Once the Board gets this feedback from Mr. Hart and Consultants, then the Commissioners will have to weigh this feedback. As far as direction, it is safe to say there were several points raised on March 25 that had an impact on guidance given to staff and CGL, in particular on consideration of downtown area. The Board was interested in having consultants consider that. Co-locating offices adjacent to each other has been a goal of the county for years and bringing operations together that work together. Board is aware of this project on impact of the downtown. The best answer regarding request for dialogue is that the Board will have to wait and th see what advice is received on 27 and how the board feels about moving forward. It th will be up to the Board if it wants to have dialogue face to face. A decision on the 27 is not likely and the Board will need time to think about it. Mr. Washabaugh, II asked if the Board was close to a decision. Commissioner Keller responded that no decision has been made, that the Board will get feedback from Administration and CGL, and then will have at least one public session where the board deliberates on this. Mr. Washabaugh, II commented that he has more information that will be beneficial to the County. He submitted answers to questions, but said he has heard nothing about having dialogue and certainly there are different ways this puzzle can fit together. Bernard L. Washabaugh, Sr., asked what job the consultants were doing and what other proposals were being considered? Commissioner Keller responded that Continued on page 2 th there were several folks on March 25 and some since that time who suggested other ideas but no public proposals to the level that Bernie Washabaugh, II did. Bernard Washabaugh, Sr., asked if the Commissioners have a plan yet like a roadmap or made a decision that they want to build just a courthouse or more? th Commissioner Keller responded that as a result of public comment on March 25 the Commissioners directed staff to consider all the county’s facilities needs and to make a decision in that context. Mr. Washabaugh asked if they will give cost of project? Commissioner Keller responded will give us what makes sense on an operational standpoint and what makes sense and collocation will be theme. Paul Cullinane commented that he is very encouraged to hear serious discussions of bringing outlying functions downtown. There is public and private support that the county can take advantage of, and a lot of private/personal investment that could help this process to arrive at a decision for downtown and county. Several economic sessions brought everyone from this block together. The goal was to learn everyone’s needs and vision and to achieve an outcome that will be beneficial. There is great willingness on the part of the private sector and public sector like the Borough of Chambersburg to do whatever it can to help make this decision and he hopes it’s the decision is not being made in isolation. A lot is to be gained by private and public partnership and not doing any of this in isolation. He understands there is pressure on the judicial side to meet their needs. Word on the street is that a decision has already been made and he is concerned about that. He said the savings that Bernie is projecting are 3 or 4 times what County has already saved. The County needs to get an architect to table as soon as possible. Bill McLaughlin, President of Chambersburg Borough Council commented that the County should look at bringing any resources available to the table that can sit down as group between County and borough leadership and how the different alternatives will work at improving the Borough of Chambersburg. Mayor Lagiovane seconded these comments. The Board’s decision will shape the future of Chambersburg and whatever is done this needs to be taken into account. Mr. Sid Palmer commented that he is here because Paul Cullinane called him and asked him to be here. Thought the Commissioners had already decided that it was going to have people investigate. What the board has to say he’s glad to hear. He is not representing Bernie or Paul but wanted to share input he has received since attending the last meeting. He had three attorneys come to him saying that the judges are bringing tremendous pressure to bear on the Commissioners about this. He said the Board has the responsibility of elected officials and will have to look back on the decisions they make. He thinks the Board will do what they think is right. Commissioner Thomas agrees with what everyone said and knows this is a big decision and will last for a long time and Board is conscious of this. He added that the Board needs to look at things comprehensively. The Board has a clear responsibility not just to the courts but to the people of the county to do this right. This is what will drive their decision. Someone will not be happy and you can’t please everyone all the time. CGL is looking at this and will be presenting back to us. When looking at options of jail, it made sense to go to Letterkenny which planned for expansion and he hopes the Board will plan for expansion in the future because there is a need to plan for extra judges which could be seven down the road and the County needs to be prepared for this. This approach will help future tax payers and future Commissioners. Continued on page 3 Commissioner Keller added that Commissioner Thomas drew analogies to Jail project but that the nature of the decision is different because the Jail was not downtown and did not have an economic impact to downtown. This decision will have a real impact to the downtown. Mayor Lagiovane responded that a decision based on seven judges will bankrupt the county. County should instead plan for possible changes to laws that reduces the need for judges. There will be a point somewhere in the future that the County will not be able to afford seven judges. Mr. Washabaugh, II asked how the consultants’ findings will be presented on the th 27. Commissioner Keller responded that the Board will hear their presentation and possibly ask for clarifications of things. Board will have to think about it and probably schedule a follow-up public session to further clarify things and will talk about if it agrees with the recommendations. The Board is anxious to move forward with this. Mr. Washabaugh, II commented that he’s not seeing an opportunity to help with this recommendation and feels handicapped by not having any contact. If he had any type of dialogue it would be a tremendous benefit to county to have this exchange but he is not seeing this happen. Commissioner Keller will talk to John Hart and the Consultants and will keep in touch. Mr. Washabaugh, II responded that a dialogue was expected as a result of the last meeting. Mr. Cullinane thought that this was discussed at the last meeting, that this dialogue would happen. Mr. Washabaugh, II responded that this is the first time in any project that he has been involved in that all communication has been by email and not face to face and that there is a gap between what he has provided thus far and what he can further provide. Commissioner Keller responded that the points made were well taken and that he will follow-up. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to amend the agenda to move Salary Board up on the agenda. The Board met with the Human Resources Associate and the Controller who participated by conference call for Salary Board matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the minutes of May 4, 2010 and May 6, 2010 meetings. The Board reviewed Visitor Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert L. to award the bid for Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved 100,000 copies of the Visitors Guide to The Printed Image for a total bid price of $50,305.00. This proposal was the only bid received. The Board reviewed Aging matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Quote from Johnnies Restaurant & Hotel Services for center meals program supplies at a cost of $12,781.68 being paid from the ARRA Grant. This company is on the Costars Commercial Grade Foodservice Equipment State Contract. Continued on page 4 The Board reviewed Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Quote from InfoCon for printing Tax Claim green cards at a cost of $23,745.00. Three quotes were received and this was the lowest qualified quote. The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Certification Statement to Office of Children Youth and Families for the period of July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010. The Board reviewed Commissioners matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Quotation from Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission for use of facilities at Clark’s Knob for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission to reimburse the County at a cost of $1059.00 for the period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 and $1,090.00 for the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Agreement will be signed at a later date. The Board reviewed FSNRC matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Agreement between the County of Franklin and Resource Systems for license and software support for the Care Tracker System at a cost of $3,722.67 for the period of January 15, 2010 through January 15, 2011. The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Letter of Agreement between the County of Franklin and Capital BlueCross to delay one of the many options of the new Health Care Reform Changes, coverage of adult children up to age 26. County already offers coverage for full time students up to age 25. The Board reviewed Information Services matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Quote from Dell for PC and laptop upgrades/orders for Fiscal Department at a cost of $4,106.20. This company is on the Costars 03 state contract. The Board reviewed additional Information Services matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Agreement between the County of Franklin and Franklin County Area Development Corporation to partner in creating a GIS mapping system. FCADC will reimburse the County up to $60,000.00 for the purchase and installation of ESRI hardware and software to operate the Enterprise GIS system to be completed by July 30, 2010. The Board reviewed MH/MR matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the HUD LOCCS Voice Response Access Authorization for Eduardo Franchi, Fiscal Consultant to have access for the Special Need Assistance Program and Shelter Plus Care. The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to provide grant money to cover costs associated with developing and administering the transportation program for Franklin County in coordination with PennDOT for a grant amount of $140,152.00 for the period of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Continued on page 5 The Board reviewed Transportation matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Letter from Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to adjust the County’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) Allocation for Fiscal Year 2009-2010 to $853,119.00. The Department is basing the adjustment on analysis of County submitted allocation increase documentation. In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Martin and Martin, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General NPDES Permit being applied by Whitetail Golf Resort – Clubhouse Facility for demolition of existing clubhouse and construction of a new facility on property located in Montgomery Township. In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Century Engineering notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality Management Permit being applied by Franklin County General Authority for wastewater treatment plan upgrades on property located in Greene Township. In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer & Associates notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General NPDES Permit being applied by Paradise Estates for a residential subdivision located in Antrim Township. The meeting was adjourned at 10:54 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller. John A. Hart Chief Clerk/County Administrator FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ David S. Keller, Chairman _____________________________________ Robert L. Thomas