HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-31 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, May 31, 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.
Chairman Keller asked to include addition of general discussion after new
business due to an item Commissioner Ziobrowski would like to discuss. On a motion
by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to
adopt the amended agenda.
Allen Piper provided public comment and thanked the Board for sending him an
email to answer his question about him receiving a written copy of the minutes that he
has asked about a couple of times before. He is still requesting a copy of the minutes
and he will pay for the copies. Some people do not have access to the minutes on line.
Chairman Keller responded that if anyone wants a copy of the minutes they are to see
the ladies out front and will be charged 25 cents per page.
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 May 22, 2012 and May 24, 2012 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 #1 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 June 5,
2012 through September 18, 2015, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed
$337.67 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 #2 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 June 5,
2012 through June 4, 2017, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $337.67 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 #3 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 June 5,
2012 through June 4, 2017, in addition a one-time payment not to exceed $337.67 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 Nursing Home matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the
County of Franklin and Comcast to provide business class internet connection
specifically for GraneRx Pharmacy that needs to be HIPAA safe at a cost of $1,462.80
annually. This line is to insure the security of the data and is needed to be in place in
the medication room.
The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from SAGE
Technology Solutions to provide courtroom #1 with videoconferencing capabilities to
provide remote witness testimony at a cost of $71,993.00. PA Commission on Crime
and Delinquency (PCCD) CJAB Initiatives Grant will pay 75% of the total cost. Three
quotes were received and this was the lowest qualified quote. This Company is on Co-
Stars State contract listing.
The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman to
execute the contract renewal between the County of Franklin and Capital BlueCross to
administer Group Preferred Provider Benefit, Group Medicare Complementary
Coverage, Prescription Drug Benefit, Group BlueCross Vision, for the period of January
1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
The Board reviewed Information Systems matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman to
execute the proposal from CTI Networks to renew the County’s internet service
agreement for an additional five years at a cost of $1,250.00 per month. This proposal
will double the internet bandwidth from 10MB to 20MB while slightly reducing the cost.
The Board reviewed Prothonotary matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the 2012 Supplemental
Appropriation to transfer $5,700.00 in technology funds to purchase nine Dell computers
for the Prothonotary’s Office. There is no additional cost to the County.
The Board reviewed Visitors Bureau matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the revised By-Laws of the
Franklin County Visitors Bureau. The original by-laws were approved on December 29,
2005.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer &
Associates notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NDPES Permit application being applied by Accent Developers, LLC for
Paradise Estates, and construction of residential development on property located in
Antrim Township.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, R. Lee Royer &
Associates notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection NDPES Permit application being applied by Accent Developers, LLC for
Spring Run Estates, and construction of residential development on property located in
Washington Township.
Continued on page 3
Commissioner Ziobrowski read a statement about his concern with the
Commissioners serving as the Assessment Appeals Board. He is a Certified Real
Estate Appraiser and have always been concerned about potential conflicts of interest.
And while he has never accepted assessment appeal appraisal assignments, there have
been times when appellants have used his appraisals as the basis for an appeal. He has
always recused himself not only from those hearings, but also from hearings involving
any property he has appraised in the past. His concern now is another potential conflict
of interest. As a taxing entity they are responsible to the taxpayers to provide needed
services at the lowest possible tax rate. As the Board of Assessment and Revision of
Taxes, they are in a quasi-judicial capacity to determine fair market value of a property
when its assessment is appealed. At the very least, it strikes him that there is the
appearance of an inherent conflict of interest. Commissioner Ziobrowski is a member of
the Assessment and Taxation committee of CCAP, and attends every breakout session
at CCAP conferences dealing with assessment. He has discussed their role on the
appeals board with other commissioners and with experts who have presented at
conference, and has been advised that they should not maintain these dual roles. The
Commissioners should appoint an independent board of assessment appeals. This is
thth
the practice of every other 4 class or larger county in Pennsylvania and several 5
class counties as well. Generally it is a volunteer board of county residents of good
reputation who are paid a nominal sum – much like the Election Board serves and is
paid when commissioners are on the ballot and cannot serve as the Election Board.
Chairman Keller responded that Commissioner Ziobrowski’s points are well taken and it
does present issues with respect to conflicts. He will refer this request to the County
Solicitor to take a look at the law, follow-up on some research that Commissioner
Ziobrowski has done and have her report back to the Board.
Commissioner Thomas wanted to report that officials from Federal Emergency
Management Agency were in Franklin County yesterday and met with municipal and
county officials to initiate the discovery process for the Conococheague-Opequon
Watershed under the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning Program (Risk MAP) to
discuss whether a Risk MAP project is needed in our watershed. He found the
discovery meeting informational and the presenters did a very good job. There will be
additional meetings in the future.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS