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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-28 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011 The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, April 28, 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 L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. ST The Board observed a moment of silence for Sgt. 1 Class Benjamin F. Bitner, a native of Greencastle, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on April 23, 2011. Bill Landis from Mercersburg provided public comment and mentioned that he received more information from the Public Opinion concerning the Courthouse renovations and assumes the articles are accurate. Only items on website are the floor plans so is concerned that only communication seems to be with Public Opinion. Mr. Landis would like more information on deficiencies of the Chambersburg Trust building. Mr. Landis also is concerned that the ½ hour of public comment will not be enough time. Commissioner Keller responded that the ½ hour was suggested by Commissioner Ziobrowski and if there is more interest from the public beyond the ½ hour the Board would accommodate. It was further mentioned that there is a narrative and cost plans now on the website that was added Wednesday afternoon. Dan Pellicano also provided public comment and suggested that the Board consider a separate meeting to consider the renovations. Considering all the interest it may be worthwhile to have a separate meeting. Ken Jones provided public comment and supports Mr. Landis and Mr. Pellicano and that a public forum may be of interest and the boardroom may be too crowded so should have a meeting outside of this room. Jim Wyrick provided public comment and also is concerned about comments already mentioned but applauds the effort of the Commissioners for having a forum for discussion on this matter. Public wants more clear and open government but Mr. Wyrick is concerned that there seems to be a general ignorance from part of the community on some issues. Mr. Wyrick said that he got the impression from Tuesday’s meeting that Board is still in a fact finding mode. The Board advised that this is correct and a final decision on the scope of the remodeling project has not been made. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the amended minutes of April 19, 2011 and April 21, 2011 meetings. The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Subsidized Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children with special needs for payment in the amount of $22.50/day for the period of April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2016 in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $0 to cover non-recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation program. Continued on page 2 The Board reviewed additional Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Subsidized Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children with special needs for payment in the amount of $22.50/day for the period of April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2016 in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $0 to cover non-recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation program. The Board reviewed additional Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Subsidized Adoption Assistance Agreement on behalf of the Franklin County Children and Youth Department to provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to be used for adoptive children with special needs for payment in the amount of $35.00/day for the period of May 4, 2011 through December 1, 2015 in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $378.50 to cover non-recurring adoption expenses. The different needs of the child determine the cost per month. The County is reimbursed through the Federal Financial Participation program. The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the County to receive $6,618.00 in grant funds from the Radiation Emergency Response Fund to be used for financial assistance to designated risk and support counties of areas surrounding nuclear power plants to assist in development of detailed fixed nuclear emergency response plan. This Grant agreement is for the period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Quote from Rodata to purchase and install three video conferencing units at the Franklin County Jail to complete the video conferencing project, allowing for one video conferencing unit at the Franklin County Courthouse at a cost of $33,003.16. This cost is being covered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency CJAB Initiatives Grant. This company is on the Co-Stars 3 State Contract pricing. The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Form from Capital BlueCross to allow Capital BlueCross to disclose Protected Health Information as requested/eligible to receive for plan administrative purposes to Human Resources individuals. This is needed to be able to have Capital BlueCross release more details regarding healthcare coverage and claims to the County. The Board reviewed Planning and Mental Health/Mental Retardation matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement to provide Housing Trust Fund money to Franklin County Human Services Division in the amount of $20,000.00 to be used for matching funds for two Housing and Urban Development Grants that provide the residents of Franklin County with permanent housing to chronically homeless mentally ill individuals. This agreement is for the period of April 28, 2011 through December 31, 2012. The Planning Department met with the Board on March 31, 2011 who provided recommendations on Housing Trust Fund at which time the Board agreed with their recommendations. Continued on page 3 The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement between the County of Franklin and Borough of Chambersburg to provide Housing Trust Fund money in the amount of $1,000.00 to be used as matching funds for housing rehabilitation in the Elm Street area. This agreement is for the period of April 21, 2011 through December 31, 2012. The Planning Department met with the Board on March 31, 2011 who provided recommendations on Housing Trust Fund at which time the Board agreed with their recommendations. The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Quote from Landmark Elevators, Inc. to install a key switch in the elevator operating panel in the M&T Building to prevent public access to basement level at a cost of $600.00. The Board reviewed Tax Claim matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Letter of Agreement between the County of Franklin and Cumberland Valley Settlement Services to provide current owner searches for properties listed for 2011 judicial sale at a cost of $50.00 per owner search not to exceed twenty-five searches. In accordance with PA Act 14 notification, PPL Services Corp. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Air Quality Plan approval application for the installation and operation of four caterpillar G3520C engines to combust landfill gas generated from the IESI Blue Ridge landfill for purpose of generating useable energy on property located in Greene Township. The Board reviewed Property Management matters. Steve Rock, Property Management Director was present to provide his recommendation of Poole Anderson Construction. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to award the bid for the FSNRC Window Replacement Project to Poole Anderson Construction, LLC for a total bid price of $369,990.00. Out of the three bids received this proposal is the lowest responsible bidder. The Board reviewed Sheriff Office matters and conducted a bid opening for the Sale of Seven Sheriff Portable Radios. The following bidder submitted a bid: Kelly Knepper from Chambersburg bid $50.00 per radio for a total of $350.00. John Hart would like to review the bid further due to having substantial interest prior to putting out the bid and reach out why didn’t get more bids. The Board will award/reject the bid on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 9:40 a.m. The Board reviewed Property Management matters. This was the advertised date to receive bids for the Human Service Building Air Conditioning Repair Project. No bids were received. According to County Code since this is the second time that no bids were received the County is able to negotiate a purchase. The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin/Fulton County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board to appoint Lindsey Waters and Stanley Barrett to serve for a term of May 1, 2011 through May 1, 2014. More clarification is needed on where Mr. Barrett works since he lives in Cumberland County. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to table this action till the next meeting to verify Mr. Barrett’s work or resident status. Continued on page 4 Assistant Ben Rice, Communications Coordinator, Bryan Stevenson, 911 Communications Coordinator and Sarah Goetz, GIS Coordinator met with the Board to provide an update on the Emergency Services Radio Project. David Donohue, DES Director was not present due to assisting in Juniata County with storm damage. Mr. Rice explained the advantages of the new system: improves radio coverage from ¾ of county to 100%; improves voice clarity and reduces background sounds; integrates current technology such as GIS; is expandable as new technology becomes available; and has improved interoperability. Mr. Rice performed a radio test in Shippensburg and Mercersburg to show clarity of the system. Mr. Stevenson advised that in the past only mobile radio transmissions were audible in the Mercersburg area. Commissioner Keller thanked everyone involved and it was a lot of follow-up and attention to detail. There was urgency to getting this done right the first time. The Board agrees that emergency responders need best tools available for safety of citizens. The Board reviewed Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to deny the assessment appeal of Franklin County Tax Parcel #0A06-068A of Matthew & Kara Riegsecker. The Board reviewed Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved that the premises of Franklin County Tax Parcel #0Q07F-116 of Oliver Homes Inc. having the assessment of $23,920.00 shall have the lawful assessment of $20,300.00 for the tax year 2011 and all future tax years. The Board reviewed Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to deny the assessment appeal of Franklin County Tax Parcel #23-Q-5-108 of Washco Avalon Townhomes, LLC. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS