HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-21 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, August 21, 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, a Moment
of Silence, 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.
James Wyrick provided public comment and noticed the actions are numbered
and thanked the Board for following up on their request.
Ken Jones provided public comment and also wanted to thank the Board for the
actions being numbered.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment and thanked Chairman Keller for
information on the patient at the Nursing Home. He was asked to relay a message to
the Board from guests who were in the guest room. They are complaining about the
home not having enough help. Mr. Lightfoot stated there are ones that really work
themselves to death while some don’t care.
The minutes of August 14, 2012 and August 16, 2012 meetings were reviewed.
These will be approved Thursday, August 23, 2012.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Thomas asked for a full presentation of the Verizon Contract to see if his questions will
get answered. John Hart, Chief Clerk, said that Brenda Covert, Purchasing Director and
Sean Crager, Chief Information Officer were here to answer technical questions. Every
couple of years the County reviews cell plans. One item that staff looks at is coverage
and the Sprint/Nextel models currently have issues with coverage. Recommendation is
to go with Verizon and the County will continue with the same compliment of phones it
has now. With this proposal costs are within dollars per month of the existing contract
and will include smart phones with many more features. Currently blackberrys have
issues with opening attachments. Mr. Hart said staff will be able to access the County’s
groupwise system with the new phones and open attachments. Commissioner Thomas
asked how they determined best coverage. Mr. Crager said Verizon has the top tier for
coverage and will have a 4 gigabytes network whereas Sprint does not have the 4 gig
network. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he has Verizon and there are very few places
that he doesn’t have coverage with Verizon. Brenda Covert said the buckets of minutes
have been lowered so this has helped to lower the costs and the mobile to mobile will be
the same. Commissioner Thomas said smartphones data has increased efficiency
dramatically and has improved connectivity for staff and Commissioners. He is satisfied
with this information. Commissioner Thomas asked for more information on the
conduit being dug at the Courthouse. Mr. Hart responded that when conduit was
opened during construction activities it was found to be full and there is no more room to
run additional data lines. Sean Crager proposed to drill horizontal over the same path of
current conduit and put in a 4 inch conduit. Mr. Crager said that now is the time to do
this with everything torn up. He said it’s a neat process and suggests the Board watch it.
All items will be approved Thursday, August 23, 2012.
Continued on page 2
Jessica McAtee, DES Supervisor; Michael McAtee, Emergency Operations
Center Training and Operations Officer; Sarah Goetz, Emergency Operations Center
GIS Coordinator; and David Donohue, DES Director were present for Ms. McAtee, Mr.
McAtee, Ms. Goetz, Bryan Stevenson, Gary Himes, Kelly Knepper and Meghan O’Brien
to receive a Letter of Commendation from the Board for exceptional customer service at
the Shippensburg Fair from July 23 through 28, 2012. In short order they prepared
themselves and assisted with preparing Mobile Command and Communications Unit 28
for this extended operation. During the week of activities over 900 citizens received
educational materials; 9 exercises were conducted; provided situational awareness to
fair leadership; and exercised command and communications authority in assisting with
over 35 emergency incidents, including missing persons, weather and medical incidents
which included one mass injury incident that taxed local resources. Their actions were
directly responsible for bringing this event to a successful conclusion and reflect
dedication, pride and professionalism which reflect favorably upon themselves and the
Franklin County Department of Emergency Services.
The Board recessed until 1:30 p.m.
The Board held a Franklin County Retirement Board meeting.
Michael Shone, Peirce Park Group President, met with the Board to provide a
report of the Franklin County Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Fund.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS