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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-03 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 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 provided public comment and said last Thursday, Dave Sciamanna gave a presentation and asked for the County to pay half the cost of a survey. Mr. Sciamanna asked the County for a $2,500 donation out of $5,000 survey that he would like to initiate. Mr. Piper said this $2,500 would be better used for mental health programs. Since the Chamber initiated this proposal they should fund it entirely and not use county funds. There are other bodies that could initiate the proposal, and the county tax payers should not be liable to fund a ridiculous study. He said the Board should not go forward with this expense and should reduce property taxes and eliminate costly ventures as this one. He could count on one hand how many times Dave Sciamanna voted no on the Chambersburg School Board when spending money. He wants the Board to spend money like their own money or the time will come that they will look back and wish they had saved. Mr. Piper said Ken Wuertenberg is an advocate by choice and Citizens for Responsible Government are also advocates. Ken Jones provided public comment and said we do not need a research group to tell us how well we are doing. What we need is get government out of the way. We have arrived as a society that looks at government to settle all our ills. We have allowed our own government to become tax suppressive. He said social services beyond all levels have exploded and cannot continue to spend; we need to teach people how to become more sufficient. Charlie Morgan provided public comment and said April is Autism Awareness Month. Kim Wertz provided public comment and read a statement. She has been in MH/ID system since 2008 and in same boat as people who have come before her and after her. The cuts that the Governor is asking for will most affect the people who use MH/ID programs, and their voice will be eliminated. The proposed cuts will affect services offered at Keystone Center whose staff is already at a bare minimum and transportation services to the center will be discontinued. These clients need this service especially from Waynesboro. She said since state hospitals have closed, a percentage of MH/MR clients are in the judicial system and without funding more prisons will be needed. She said with an intact budget funding could be used to train police and emergency services personnel on how to deal with mental health issues. She said the next part of her statement is the following questions: What is progress concerning county lobbying on Governor Corbett’s reduced budget to lessen the cuts, and what is the contingency plan if they do go through with cuts; What can the County do to help sustain people with mental health issues to help them function; How much are block grants?; the Board should use a graph or pie chart, to show what each agency stated in the grant is to receive. Continued on page 2 Ken Wuertenberg, Mental Health Association provided public comment and he wanted to comment about a recent request that he made. He said he’s an advocate by choice and in order to do work that he does in the community he needs to have current and accurate data as much as possible. He recently made a request of the County for information that was shared to several providers in the County. He said there is a number that is addressed under the Governor’s proposal and could easily say that the County provides all these programs and here is a 20% cut. He wants to educate the community about the worst case scenario. Under the Governor’s proposal the County is not obligated to continue with 10% match to continue funding. He said there is nothing that says the block grant will stay at 72% and he is assuming the block grant will prevail. Mr. Wuertenberg is requesting the Board to consider the minimal amount of Mental Health funding locally that goes out from the County. Chairman Keller wanted confirmation to Mr. Wuertenberg’s statement that there is 6 or 7 line items involved in the block grant and if the Mental Health share is one million, then he would like the million dollars to be used for Mental Health only. Mr. Wuertenberg responded that everything in block grants are worthwhile programs but seeing the level of funding going down the tubes, he has no recourse at this point. He understands there are work groups and he is not allowed in the meetings, so whatever information he can get will help him do his job. Allen Piper spoke again and asked the Board to have a podium available so when a speaker has notes and is holding a microphone it would help during speaking. The minutes of March 27, 2012 and March 29, 2012 meetings were read. These will be approved Thursday, April 5, 2012. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner Thomas asked John Hart, County Administrator to explain the change in the budget transfer for the Courthouse project. John Hart explained the budget transfer consists of additional options selected during the bid process and three change orders that were unanticipated for the Fire House. There is a fourth change order coming soon. He said the budget transfer is to include funding for Noelker and Hull which was not in the original numbers due to not knowing what their fee would be at the time since it’s based on 7.5% of the total project. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked about the Ben Franklin statue agreement and who owns Ben and why do we have to have a memorandum of understanding. He asked what’s up with Ben? John Hart advised he was reviewing insurance quotes which included insurance for Ben, we realized there was not an agreement with the chamber identifying ownership for Ben. All items will be approved Thursday, April 5, 2012. John Hart, County Administrator reported to the Board an update about Mr. Sciamanna’s request last week seeking funding for the Indicators Project, and the Chairman referred staff to review the proposal. Mr. Hart met with staff and there is merit to the proposal especially with grant writing, statistical information is key, and when going for state or federal funding this information would be helpful. He said right now the county stands alone when identifying concerns in the community and if all involved can focus their efforts on community issues it will result in a better product. The county needs to be sure county staff is at the table to determine the quality indicators. He also will propose to the Chamber to have a representative from the school districts. Staff does feel it would be a benefit to enter into this venture. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he understands the criticism of the County participating in this on an intrinsic level like a feel good thing but from a cost benefit value it is clear it would help with grant writing. He said this is a good proposal and will be cost effective in the long run. Commissioner Thomas said the proposal may indicate that this County is underfunded in many areas and if this helps to make the case to get rightful amount of funding then it’s a good Continued on page 3 investment. Chairman Keller echoes his associate’s comments, and as said last week in area of human services and courts, crimes, and corrections, there is potential to measure whether being affected to identify some areas and this expenditure is reasonable in terms of feedback and will assist us in making sound financial decisions. The Board approved to direct staff to work with the Chamber to start the agreement process for consideration at a later date. Bernice Crouse, Franklin County Library System Executive Director and staff met with the Board to update them on their annual report, and she reported that library use has increased dramatically in the last year. She said next week they will release their annual appeal letters to the community seeking funding. Ms. Crouse provided the list of events for Franklin County Public Library Week. She thanked the Board for their support, and with the State cutting funding every year they are grateful that the Board has stood behind the library system. The Board reviewed information regarding Franklin County Public Library Week. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2012-02 proclaiming the week of April 8 – 14, 2012 as Franklin County Public Library Week and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHEREAS: Franklin County public libraries offer 21'century services that go far beyond lending books; they are community centers of information,technology and learning that provide educational and economic opportunities for all residents of Franklin County;and embrace new technologies,promote good health and financial growth,are civic and social centers;and WHEREAS: The libraries of Franklin County provide essential basic literacy opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds by providing free access to:books,periodicals and reference materials, qualified staff,Story times and the Book Buggy for preschoolers,the Bookmobile for outlying areas of the county,and reading enrichment programs such as Kindly Canines and book discussion groups;and WHEREAS: Public libraries embrace information literacy by providing current technology and online resources through computer stations and laptops,free access to the internet,downloadable audio and e-books,online databases,group and one-on-one computer training,and skilled reference staff;and WHEREAS: Public libraries play an important role in health literacy by helping Franklin County residents manage their own and their family's well-being;providing Family Place centers and workshops, Preschoolers in Motion @a Your Library and partnering with local healthcare providers and agencies to promote living longer,more productive lives;and WHEREAS: Franklin County libraries assist residents with financial literacy by offering ways to become more informed consumers,and by guiding individuals,businesses and organizations to contribute to the economic vitality of their community;by offering classes on money management,retirement planning,and holding annual events that contribute to innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development of the area in which they live;and WHEREAS: Local public libraries are places that provide opportunities for growth in civic and social literacy; patrons are offered knowledge and skills needed to improve their lives,to participate and effectively contribute to their community,government,society,and to connect with one another;through numerous community partnerships,as well as workshops that address personal interest topics, English as a second language and citizenship classes,all enabling people to interact with one another and contribute locally;and WHEREAS: Franklin County tax dollars are indispensible for providing library services to all. Library usage, both within the library walls and via the internet,continues to outgrow available funding. The patrons'ability to use library services is as essential now more than ever. Every dollar raised through government funding and private donations will continue to be stretched as far as possible to continue to provide the important library services that community members rely on daily. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: We,the Commissioners of the County of Franklin,do hereby proclaim the week of April 8 to April 14,2012 as FRANKLIN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY WEEK,in recognition of the loyal public library staff members,to commend them for their dedication to provide zest century library services. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,We have hereunto set our hands and caused the seal of Franklin County to be affixed this 3� day of April zoiz. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ' David S. Keller,Chairman Robert L.Thomas /�� Robert G.ZiobFq ki