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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-26 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2011 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, April 26, 2011, with the following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas 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 Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Allen Piper, Citizens for Responsible Government provided public comment and asked about his request he made last week relating to the renovations of courthouse complexes and asked if he would be provided a copy of the studies that will be presented today. Commissioner Keller responded that once the documents are made a public record they will be available to him. Mr. Piper would also like any future proposals sent to him. Dan Pellicano also provided public comment and asked if the studies will be available to everyone? John Hart advised the information will be posted on the County’s website. Schematic drawings may be difficult to post due to their size. Reproduction of paper copies would be available on request, but due to size the cost may be substantial. The minutes of April 19, 2011 and April 21, 2011 meetings were read. A clarification is needed on the minutes of April 19, 2011. Once clarified, the minutes will be approved Thursday, April 28, 2011. The Board reviewed Agreements and Contracts. These will be approved Thursday, April 28, 2011. Loretta McClure, Risk Manager and the Environmental Conservation Steering Committee provided a presentation on the County Environmental Conservation Program. The programs goals are: 1) reducing the County’s ecological footprint, 2) conserving the County’s environmental resources, 3) reducing energy-related costs, and 4) establishing a program that will benefit both County operations and Communities now and well into the future. The Environmental Conservation Program will be led by the Steering Committee made up of representatives from County-related agriculture and environmental resources, as well as representatives from County operations. Objectives of the Environmental Conservation Program are to: 1) Identify existing successful conservation efforts within the County and it’s Communities, 2) Share the benefits of these successes with Franklin County Communities, 3) Facilitate environmental conservation through education, activities, and events, 4) Establish incentives and recognition for successful programs utilizing ingenuity, creativity, simplicity and ease of implementation, and 5) Provide a forum in which the environmental conservation efforts of the County and Communities can be shared. John Hart noted the savings the County has realized with the implementation of a purchasing program in 2008 for the purchase of general office supplies. Toner costs have decreased by $40,000 and general supplies costs have decreased $128,000 since the start of this program. There has been a reduction in needed storage space with the shredding over 22,000 lbs. of paper. Electric consumption has been reduced over a two year period by 430,000 KW hours for a savings of $150,000. Natural gas consumption has been reduced by 12,000 cubic feet for a savings of $8,000 – $9,000.Mr. Hart said savings are important but reducing ecological footprint is important as well. Ms. McClure asked the Board to sign a proclamation. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved Proclamation #2011-06, for the Continued on page 2 purpose of adopting the Franklin County Environmental Conservation Program, to assist in meeting these challenges through Education, Resource Sharing, and Program Development anticipating a Positive Return on the Environment and Investment and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. Sherri Clayton, Senior Planner met with the Board to inform them of the Earth Day events being held this weekend at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro. There will be a paper shredding event along with electronic recycling this year that will be no cost to the County or residents. Rochelle Barvincheck, Planner explained the activities going on that day including a yard sale, stream cleanup, environmental exhibiters, food stands and all proceeds will benefit Renfrew Park. Ms. Clayton asked the Board to approve a proclamation. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved Proclamation #2011-05 for the purpose of proclaiming the Month of April as Earth Awareness Month in Franklin County and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. Stuart Christenson from Noelker and Hull met with the Board to provide recommendations for facilities modifications. Mr. Christenson provided his recommendations on the Harmon’s Building, Chambersburg Trust Building, Junior Firehouse, Courthouse Annex and Old Courthouse as per the details in the attached document. John Hart asked the Board to review the plans and provide comments back to staff who will forward them to Mr. Christenson. Mr. Christenson also provided a project cost based on the plans presented with a low estimate of $1,704,080 to a high estimate of $2,118,880. These costs include the demolition of the Rahauser and Harmon buildings. Commissioner Ziobrowski recommended allowing a public comment period next week where the public can provide comments and input. Commissioner Keller asked that the documents be posted on the county’s website for public view and directed staff to allow ½ hour on the agenda for public questions or comments on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. The Board will also deliberate at that meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 12:18 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Franklin County Judicial Center Narrative of Proposed Work April 26, 2011 Old Courthouse Entry Proposed work at the Old Courthouse is limited to improvements at the main entry to allow secure public access. The public will enter and exit thru the existing front doors. A new security checkpoint will be located inside the existing lobby. The existing interior set of double doors adjacent to the public stair will be relocated to provide additional room for circulation and to provide public access to the passenger elevator. A new exterior ramp running parallel to the Lincoln Way side of the Courthouse and entering at the existing window opening on the south end of the front lobby will provide access for the disabled. The abandoned sidewalk access stairs leading to the Courthouse basement will be demolished and replaced with new concrete sidewalk to minimize the intrusion of the new ramp on circulation around the Courthouse. Sheriff — First Floor of Annex A new sally port entry is proposed for the Sheriff's Department. This addition on the north side of the Annex, allows the delivery of detainees to the Courthouse thru an enclosed and secure structure. Once inside the sally port, access to the Sheriff's Department is provided by an oversized door placed in an existing window opening. Interior expansion of the department includes a new holding cell, an accessible toilet and additional storage space. The sally port addition will require abandoning the majority of the parking spaces on the north face of the Annex, but the proposed demolition of the county owned row house to the east of the Annex will provide an equal number of replacement parking spaces. Courtroom and Judge's Chambers — Second Floor of Annex Work on this floor of the Annex will provide a new Courtroom and adjacent Judge's Chambers. Conversion of an existing Hearing Room and an adjacent workroom will provide space for the new Courtroom. Demolition of the workroom allows adequate space for a new elevated Judge's Bench and adjacent Witness Box. Additional furniture and appointments will provide accommodations for non -jury court functions and a small public gallery. Behind the new Courtroom the space currently occupied by several existing offices will be converted to a new Judge's Chambers, and will contain in addition to the Judge's office space, a small preparation area, private restroom and adjacent secretarial office. Jury Assembly Room and Court Administration Suite Renovations to the existing Jury Assembly Room include a new acoustical operable partition, an additional entry door, and a formal Judge's Bench. These additions will allow use of the current space as two separate court venues and formalize its function as a hearing room. The adjacent office suite for the Court Administrator will be expanded into the public lobby to provide additional office space. Junior Firehouse The proposed renovations in the Courthouse Annex will require the displacement of the Divorce and Juvenile Hearing Masters department. Renovations to the Junior Firehouse will provide the necessary accommodations for the relocated department. Each floor will contain a hearing room, adjacent conference rooms and public restrooms. The first floor will house the main security station and adjacent public waiting room. The second floor provides the required staff office space. A small holding room for Juvenile offenders is located just inside the rear entry. Public access will be restricted to the hearing rooms and adjacent conference rooms. The building will be fully accessible with the construction of a new stair tower and elevator at the front of the building.