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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-14 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011 The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, July 14, 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. Ken Jones from Chambersburg provided public comment about the presentation held at Tuesday’s meeting from ladies from Mercersburg. He said to be fair they have raised $30,000 and just requiring from the County $7,500, but should the county be in the business of supporting local feel good projects? Mr. Jones said where does County Government end and Local Government begin and when do we say enough and start to hold elected officials responsible. He said if we continue to spend at current level this will be last generation. Allen Piper, President of Citizens for Responsible Government also provided public comment and stated he concurs with Mr. Jones that the Mercersburg project is a pet project. He is representing CRG and as president opposes this venture and money could be spent more wisely. He also said , heard at different times, that according to the Commissioners, County is financially solvent however when he sees there is excess in budget and have money and are solvent he asked if the Board has ever considered reducing the mill rate instead of spending on pet projects especially since some people are having money or health problems. Mr. Piper also emphasized the need for a PA system and concerned that participants are not being able to hear Commissioners doing the public business. Mr. Piper does not want the public left out of hearing what the County is doing and asks again, the Board to consider a PA system and insist that they do that. Mr. Piper said he will move a chair right in front of them if can’t hear. Ken Jones provided additional public comment as a follow-up and said when his friend Allen Piper was talking about Elderly’s money the label is our money not government money and should be taken as needed for programs not for everything. 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 minutes of July 5, 2011 and July 7, 2011 meetings. The Board reviewed Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Renewal Agreement between the County of Franklin and Chambersburg Area School District for the School-Based Probation Program. The school district agrees to provide $53,200.00 for the 2011-2012 school year. Franklin County will carry liability insurance for its employees and the program. The term of agreement is August 29, 2011 through June 8, 2012, and is contingent on availability of funds. The Board reviewed additional Children & Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Renewal Agreement between the County of Franklin and Tuscarora School District for the School- Based Probation Program. The school district agrees to provide $7,868.00 for the 2011- 2012 school year. Franklin County will carry liability insurance for its employees and the program. The term of agreement is September 6, 2011 through June 8, 2012, and is contingent on availability of funds. Continued on page 2 The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Proposal from C.S. Davidson, Inc. to provide construction phase engineering services for the relocation/replacement of Bridge 27 and widening of Bridge 28 at a cost of $70,700.00. These engineering services include: Preconstruction conference, shop drawing review, project meetings, foundation bearing capacity, inspection, contract administration and final inspection. This cost is covered by Liquid Fuels funds. The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Agreement of Lease for Payment of Rent between the County of Franklin and Warren Township for lease of Tower Site located at 11645 Little Cove Road, Mercersburg, PA 17236 consisting of 120 foot self- supporting tower, 8 foot by 19 foot shelter, fencing, generator and propane tanks and Warren Township Polling Place located at 11367 Little Cove Road, Mercersburg, PA. 17236. The County agrees to pay a onetime payment of $9,000.00 due at signing and term is for a period of twenty (20) years beginning on July 30, 2011 and terminating on July 30, 2031. The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract between the County of Franklin and HazMat IQ to provide excellence in first responder hazardous materials training in making safe and timely risk-based decisions. The total cost is $5,950.00, with a Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning grant covering $4,760.00. The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania on Display for the distribution of the Franklin County Visitors Guide at interstate rest areas and turnpike plazas at a cost of $3,600.00 for six months of distribution for the period of July 2011 through December 2011. The cost is covered from hotel room tax revenue. In accordance with PA Act 14, 67, 68, and 127 notifications, CET Engineering Services notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality Management Part II permit application, a General NPDES permit, PA Water Obstruction and Encroachment permit, and US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit application being applied by Washington Township Municipal Authority for wastewater conveyance system upgrades on property in Washington Township. In accordance with PA Act 14, 67, 68, and 127 notifications, Curfman and Zullinger notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General NPDES permit renewal for the Chadwick Estates site located along Walter Avenue in Greencastle Borough for single family residential dwellings site grading. The Board tabled a discussion from Tuesday on the Montgomery Peters Mercersburg Connection (MPMC) request. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to take item off table to discuss. Mayor James Zeger from Mercersburg spoke in support of the MPMC request and that part of the long range plan is to preserve beauty in the County. Mayor Zeger said the committee has been working on this for two years and is committed to seeing it through. He said this project is for the people of Montgomery Township, Mercersburg Borough and Peters Township which serves a lot of people and will help a lot of people. Judy Chambers from Mercersburg also spoke in support of the project and wanted to remind the Board that this is about health and wellness, economic development and ways that ecotourism could help the area. The Board discussed further and Chairman Continued on page 3 Keller reminded the Board there were three questions that needed answered: Should the Board pass a resolution to support the initiative; should the Board appoint a representative to the steering committee; and should the Board support the venture financially? Commissioner Thomas spoke and agrees with everything the Mayor and Ms. Chambers said and what was said previously but there needs to be a process and a plan in place that can rank and support requests for next year’s budget. Commissioner Ziobrowski agreed with Commissioner Thomas and said they should have a process and have a fund allocated for multi-municipal projects. Chairman Keller said the consensus of the Board is that since this has not been budgeted it would be more prudent to discuss during the 2012 budget process with the premise that the Board will only consider supporting financially if staff can work with the Board to develop a program that can be constrained by a budget number so that the Board would have the wear withal to not support every pet project requested. After a comment and question and answer period with those in attendance the Board was in agreement to pass a resolution to show County support of the project and will appoint a representative at a later date to the committee as opposed to a commissioner serving. Chairman Keller read Resolution #2011-09. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved Resolution #2011-09 to support the Montgomery, Peters, Mercersburg Connectivity and that the attached resolution be made a part of these minutes. John Hart, Chief Clerk/County Administrator provided a presentation on Franklin thth County moving from a 5 Class County to a 4 Class County. The County received notice from the Governor’s Office that due to the 2010 census Franklin County will move th to a 4 class county effective January 1, 2012. House Bill 1549, Act 55 is left to interpretation but may require county to separate the Recorder of Deeds and Register and Recorder. This possible separation of office will occur in four years if approved. Mr. th Hart informed the Board the only change with moving to a 4 class county is for candidates running for a County wide office would have to receive 250 signatures instead of 100 signatures. Mr. Hart said there is no action required by the Board today, however the certification received from the Governor’s Office will need to be recorded in the Register of Deeds Office. The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -09 FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MONTGOMERY, PETERS, MERCERSBURG CONNECTIVITY. WHEREAS, The Franklin County Board of Commissioners wishes to proclaim its support for the vision of the Montgomery, Peters, Mercersburg Connectivity (MPMC). The MPMC is a group of community leaders representing local governments, schools, banks, businesses, and churches whose goal is to inspire our community to live well and to have a healthier lifestyle. An outreach of the Mercersburg Area Council on Wellness, MPMC's purpose is to develop walkability and bikeability in the Mercersburg area. One of MPMC's visions is to create safe walking and biking paths that connect neighborhoods, schools, parks, business districts and other residential, historical and recreational opportunities. WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan for Franklin County (1999) states the plan's objective to guide development, land use, economic progress and the preservation of the quality of life in Franklin County. The plan specifically states the goals of promoting intermunicipal cooperation, and safe bike and pedestrian travel; WHEREAS, the Greenways & Open Spaces Plan for Franklin County was adopted by Franklin County and made a part of the Comprehensive Plan for Franklin County in 2007; the purpose of the Greenways & Open Spaces Plan is to preserve and enhance Franklin County's character and quality of life, with the specific objectives of providing recreational opportunities for county residents through preservation and connection of existing open spaces, and the development of trails to connect population centers and points of interest in Franklin County, as well as to provide alternative, environmentally - friendly transportation options ; WHEREAS, the vision of the Montgomery, Peters, Mercersburg Connectivity is an idea meeting the purposes, goals, and objectives stated within the Franklin County Comprehensive Plan and the Franklin County Greenways & Open Spaces Plan; NOW THEREFORE, The Franklin County Board of Commissioners offers this resolution supporting and encouraging the MPMC in pursuing this healthy endeavor for the betterment of Franklin County. DULY PRESENTED AND ADOPTED, by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Franklin County, Pennsylvania at the public meeting held this 14` day of July, 2011. ATTEST: FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 7 Joterk/County art David S. Keller, Chairman Administrator Robert L. Thomas Robert G. Ziobr ki