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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-05 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010 The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, August 5, 2010, with the following members present: David S. Keller and Robert G. Ziobrowski. 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 G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Alan Piper provided public comment about the EIT is down to 7.5% and it was not anticipated to increase. He also was disturbed about the unemployment still being at 9%. He feels we should be between 4%-5%. Mr. Piper would like to recommend a Blue Ribbon Committee be pulled together from various citizens, business people and county employees to evaluate the necessity of building a courthouse. He volunteered himself to sit on this committee. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the minutes of July 27, 2010 and July 29, 2010 meetings. The Board reviewed DES matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Counties of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York to release information relative to the Commonwealth Right-to-Know laws by these counties of the South Central Task Force. This memorandum is to define how to handle Right to Know requests in the future. The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Amendment to the Contract between the County of Franklin and Canteen Correctional Services to include a .011% cost of living increase. Rates are based on population, effective June 1, 2010. The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Professional Services Agreement between the County of Franklin and Cecelia Serino dba Serino Design Studio to provide 45 hours of design services including consultation, concept review and development, graphic arts/desktop publishing and computer illustration and 16 hours of editing, revisions, database updating, typography, pre-press proof output at a cost not to exceed $3,965.00 for the period of July 29, 2010 through August 20, 2010. The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Professional Services Agreement between the County of Franklin and Hagerstown Broadcasting/WJEJ for FCVB to sponsor news on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through December 31, 2010 with an opening and closing billboard as well as either two 30-second commercials or one 60-second commercial at a cost of $2,044.00 for the period of August 5, 2010 through December 31, 2010. Continued on Page 2 The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Professional Services Agreement between the County of Franklin and Michael Levick to portray Benjamin Franklin at festivals and events throughout Franklin County at a cost of $1,050.00 for the period of August 5, 2010 through December 31, 2010. In accordance with PA Act 14 notification, Bennett Angle notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit being applied to install a bridge over Welshrun GP #11 located in Montgomery Township. The Board met with the Human Resource Director, the Controller, Warden John Wetzel and Rick Wynn, Director of Human Services for Salary Board and Personnel matters. David S. Keller wanted the minutes to reflect that the Board had signed paperwork for DES CERT expenses in the amount of $3,243.96. Commissioner Keller approved payment of the expenses last week via an e-mail to the Controller’s office, which the board authorized him to do prospectively on Thursday, July 29, 2010, in public session. Commissioner Keller was authorized to approved expenses less than or equal to $4,000.00, and the actual expenses were within that range. The Board met with John Aguirre, Human Resources Director who asked that the current open position for Assistant Director/EMA Coordinator be changed to Assistant Director/ Assistant EMA Coordinator. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the change. The Board met with Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director who provided an update on the expenses and revenues through June 2010 and updated the Board on the audit and the preparation of the information packets to be sent out for the 2011 county budget. Commissioner Keller announced that the Board will be in CCAP next week and no public meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2010. The meeting was recessed at 10:36 a.m. and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. The Board reconvened at 2:00 p.m. to interview Noelker and Hull for the architect and engineer contract for the court facilities project. Chairman Keller presided and after introductions of the Board, called the meeting to order and proceeded with the interview of Noelker and Hull. Mike Hull, President of Noelker and Hull introduced the whole team that was brought as he felt it was important for all members to be there for introductions and questions. Mike started with how Noelker and Hull would approach this project. Noelker and Hull is very team oriented, and has integrity; they are very focused on the community. They want to look at the site selection very programmatically and analytically. Will listen to all parties to include staff, courts, and constitutents. Tom Potts, from Silling Associates commended Carter Goble Lee (CGL) on their Programming Document. He feels they can determine very quickly the foot print based on the document. Site selection can be done quickly with 50 foot set backs and other issues that will need to be thought through very logically and from a function stand point. All of the site selection will go in tandem with the traffic study and other studies that may need to happen. Continued on page 2 Mr. Hull said this is a very complex decision and needs to be looked at in many different aspects. Noelker and Hull needs to look at this from many different viewpoints. Any citizen would want you to look at this from cost and the best building for the community. Mike remarked they have worked with all of the local contractors and that is a plus. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked Tom Potts to give some examples of courthouses they have worked on. Mr. Potts gave several examples and said they design courthouses for the community and they are very passionate about what they do. Commissioner Thomas feels that Noelker and Hull understands the complexities of the project, the integrity, and the importance of the site. Mr. Hall feels they are up to the challenge of this project. Commissioner Keller asked for guidance or experience they have with stakeholders, when they are developing a project of this type. What has worked well in the past? Mike Hull answered that they like to engage everyone in the beginning and listen to what people want and then establish goals and criteria, so there is no back tracking on decisions. They also would like to accelerate the process. Commissioner Keller asked about technology. Tom Potts said there are three pieces: Courtroom - Programming session for courtrooms, Security –Electronic, programming, questioning, designing, Data or Communications – What network requirements are. Courthouse records – made electronic through programming. Bob Stang from H.F. Lenz Company said working on Bucks county courthouse – Audio Visual Needs – Have consultants to work with on various IT functions, needs to be very integrated. Jody Driggs feels the courtroom needs to be the perfect room. How the room is set up with lighting, visual line, etc. all issues need to be considered equally to have a perfect room for the Judges. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked about renovation verses build new, would like some reasons why one is better than the other. Mike Hull and Tom Potts said that if you renovate the existing courthouse annex instead of building new there will be issues as far as how you make use of the space, how you add rooms and how do you blend it together for circulation. You have organizational issues that create problems right off the bat. Trying to engage security and be efficient in moving people would be another significant challenge. Bob Stano said HVAC is an issue with security. After 9/11 no air intakes are at street level, they are up high. Also, holding cells are contained. It may be more cost efficient to redesign the annex to be an office building. Commissioner Thomas asked about the Sally Port in the basement. Gary Brennan said you would need a study to see what we are dealing with to put in a basement. Limestone is an issue as it can be pinnacle based on the erosion over the years. There are springs and other issues that are in the area that will need to be looked at. Continued on page 3 Commissioner Thomas asked about ADA issues with the current location, specifically would all new locations need to be ADA accessible? Mike Hull said they try to incorporate all ADA accessibilities in the beginning. Would like to have ramps built in so they are not using lifts, because the mechanics wear out. Would recommend being fully ADA compliant. Tom Potts recommends to program the courtrooms early with a mock up using plywood. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked about communications. Mike Hull said the simpler the better, the first thing to be done, is to sit with John Hart and develop a time line and who is in charge of what. Face to face communications is the best and consistent communication so everyone is on the same page. Mike feels that the closeness and the tightness of the team will be a benefit. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked what can Noelker & Hull do to help the County save money? Mike Hull said will monitor the cost, quality of the space, what is the space to be built. They will be working with cost all along the way through the project. The construction follows the oil prices. If we can build now, we will do well in the community with jobs, and the cost is 20% less. This will be a great value to the community. Commissioner Thomas asked to hear from Gannet Fleming. Garry Brennan felt that his firm will be doing traffic studies simultaneously for each site. Wants to make sure the Borough and PennDot will be looked at so nothing is left out. Ron Stehman said that 1.0 acre of supports 150 parking spaces; 500 spaces would require 3.5 acres. Commissioner Keller asked how the approach to parking differs for a court facility compared to a business. Ronald Stehman said it is different parking for the judges and sheriffs, than the employees and the public. Parking for the Judges and Sheriffs is easier in a parking garage; otherwise, you will need to use a chain link fence and razor wire. Commissioner Keller asked has there been special parking for visitors, families, and victims? Tom Potts said one location in DC had separate parking, for Judges and Sheriffs, the others were parking in an unsecured lot. Commissioner Keller asked about building based on green principles. Robert Stano said this will affect site selection, as they use very advanced software that can check the energy consumption at each location. This can be modeled on the computer to show what location is the best choice. LEED certification requires you to do certain things. It looks at lighting, geothermal, and other issues; operational cost is lowered with LEED certification. Glass is another issue that can help with energy consumption. Mike Hall said five professionals are LEED Certified at Noelker and Hull. Many clients feel energy efficiency is important. N&H can consult with utility companies to see if there are any specials going on. Continued on page 4 Commissioner Keller asked about the timeline. Mike Hall and Tom Potts responded together Spring (June 1) of 2013 would be completion date. This date is based on bidding in August 2011, having a contractor on board November 2011 and they will gear up with drawings and materials so when the weather breaks in 2012 they hit the ground running. One option is to have the contractor to have the frame set by 2011 so 2012 they could build the building if this timeline can be tightened up. The site selection needs to be made by the end of the year. The sooner the site is determined would reduce the schedule. Commissioner Keller asked why the county should hire Noelker and Hull? Mike Hall answered, because N&H would do right by the community in an open- minded scientific way. The client comes first and Noelker & Hull is here to support the community. Any question asked of Noelker & Hull, they will run down. They feel this project is about the future and they want to make sure the decision made will be for the future of Franklin County. They understand there will be controversy along the way. Mike has been hearing in the community that people just want the Board to do the right thing. Noelker & Hall is very committed and thankful to have this opportunity for the project. Commissioner Keller invited public comment. Barbara Lahr said she appreciates the Board for letting the public participate in the interview. Commissioner Ziobrowski would like to have a contract with Noelker & Hull, but if they are not able to work one out, any of the five short listed firms can do the job. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved county administration to move forward in working with Noelker & Hull and Carter Goble Lee to begin this process. John Hart will meet with Noelker & Hull and develop a scope of work and then go back to the board for review and once reviewed then begin negotiating for cost. The meeting was adjourned at 3:39 p.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS