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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-11 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, September 11, 2012, with the following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and before taking a Moment of Silence said the events of 9/11 are on the minds of the Board, and they will be attending several events today for those who died that day and for ones who are fighting for our freedom and to keep us safe. The Board also attended the 9/11 memorial service that was held Sunday at the 9/11 Memorial located in Letterkenny. After calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance proceeded with the business of the day. Chairman Keller asked to include an additional name to the resolution to appoint members on the Southcentral Workforce Investment Board. The Board would like to consider Keith Yohn, Director of the Career and Technology Center to the resolution. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda. Public comment was received from Kurt Williams from Salzmann and Hughes representing MATRIX who is here to answer any questions during the discussion on the LERTA that is on the agenda. The minutes of September 4, 2012 and September 6, 2012 meetings were reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, September 11, 2012. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The items will be approved Thursday, September 13, 2012. The Board reviewed appointments to the South Central Workforce Investment Board. On a motion by, seconded by; unanimously approved the resolution to appoint Andrew Williford and Keith Yohn for the term of September 30, 2012 through September 30, 2015. The Board deliberated on the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Program (LERTA) for Antrim Township where there was a presentation on August 23, 2012 before the Board. Commissioner Ziobrowski said in the past it is clear that Franklin County has been in favor of economic development and the Board of Commissioners have cooperated with townships, municipalities and school districts in establishing LERTA zones. They have also supported the Keystone Zone at Letterkenny and the Franklin County Area Development Corporation in creating a Redevelopment Authority, but he is not in favor of supporting this LERTA zone. This may be a good move in Antrim Township and the school district, but this is not a good move for Franklin County. Commissioner Thomas said Commissioner Ziobrowski took the words out of his mouth as he had concerns last week, and nothing has changed those concerns. He cannot endorse this. He researched this and all across Pennsylvania not all municipalities have agreed, and endorsements are not uncommon from all jurisdictions. Chairman Keller said he echoes his colleague’s comments due to the zone being too expansive. LERTA is for development and although the presenters made a compelling case to expand LERTA to include green zones, he feels the use is for development only. He believes the zone is too broadly defined and would have been content to just target the immediate concerns of World Kitchen, so he is not comfortable moving forward. He has a great deal of respect for Antrim Township, the school board and Mike Ross along with the other gentlemen who presented to the Board, but he is not comfortable with moving forward. Continued on page 2 The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin County Assessment Appeal Board. The Board received five applications and Chairman Keller said he felt all applicants were very qualified and had good references as well. He is recommending Tom Donohue because of his years of experience in the appraisal business and he should also be considered as the Chairman of the Assessment Board. He is also recommending Phil Pitzer who has background in farming and agriculture which would also be helpful to the Board, and Jack Benhart who has served on the Planning Commission along with other commissions. Commissioner Thomas said he fully concurs with those three as they are all good people and he asked that the other applicants be kept on a list in case they may be needed in the future. He only questioned how the Chairman is to get appointed. John Hart responded that he will research how the Chairman gets appointed. Commissioner Ziobrowski concurs as well and his understanding is the Assessment Appeal Board term will coincide with the Commissioners’ terms. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to appoint Tom Donohue, Phil Pitzer and Jack Benhart to the Franklin County Assessment Appeal Board for a term to end on December 31, 2015. The Board recessed at 10:08 a.m. and will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Thomas Fire Hall for the nonprofit presentation. Chairman David Keller and Commissioner Rodney McCray, Fulton County Commissioner, opened the meeting on behalf of Franklin and Fulton County Board of Commissioners and welcomed everyone to the Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) Nonprofit Update Presentation. Richard Shoap, Chairman of the MH/ID Advisory Board welcomed everyone to respond and question what they will see today. He also informed the audience that there are three public presentations planned on thth September 27 at the Human Services Building from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; October 5 th at the EA room in Fulton County from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; and October 10 at the Administration Annex from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. John Hart, Chief Clerk, told the audience that this will be an open and transparent process and the information presented here will be posted on Franklin County’s website along with Fulton County’s website. County offices stand ready if a decision is made to enter into an agreement with a nonprofit entity and provide back office support so that the nonprofit is on firm footing from day one. John Hart provided the presentation on corporate papers. The following questions were asked: Q) How many members will be appointed to the Board of Directors? A) Nine however the number will be determined by the Boards of Commissioners. Q) The Board of Directors will be unpaid, but will the staff be paid? A) Yes. Q) How many board members from Fulton and how many from Franklin? A) This is silent in the bylaws and will be the call of both Boards of Commissioners. Q) Clarify balance of power between the Commissioners and the Board of Directors. A) Attempting to have one commissioner from each county on the board. Q) Understanding the statute, the State or Commonwealth has vested the power to manage MH/ID with the Administrator, so how does this tie into the plan? A) Power rest with the Administrator who will be employed by the nonprofit. The nonprofit Directors will manage the Administrator as long as in the MH/ID act is followed in conducting business. Continue on page 3 Richard Wynn, Human Services Administrator provided the presentation on the Health Impact Assessment. The following questions were asked: Q) What are the demographics of Mercer and Lycoming/Clinton Counties? A) Mercer has a population of 225,000 and is a fourth class county. Lycoming/Clinton is also close to Franklin County and they have the same type of managed care entity. Q) Did Mr. Wynn ask any of the beneficiaries for their results? A) No, not sure the counties would share names of their clients. Q) When could a study be done? A) Once a decision is made could contract with someone to get it done. Q) Does the CBHMP have the resources to help with this study? A) Mr. Wynn talked to the Director but they are mostly Medicaid. Q) Since there is some data available can this be generated for the Advisory Board in a short time? A) Have about half the data that could provide to them. Lisa Thomas, Human Resource Officer provided the presentation on the Human Resources proposal. The following questions were asked: Q) Mr. Wynn mentioned in Mercer County that bonuses were given to employees. At what point could the Board of Directors put in these enhancements? A) It would the choice of the Board of Directors. Q) Anyone who is vested would not lose their current retirement but going forward plan would be in the context of a 401K. Correct? A) Anyone in the County plan can pull their funds or leave them there but if go to a nonprofit entity the assumption is that nonprofit would match up to 5% in the 401K. Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director provided the presentation on the Cost Benefit Analysis. The following questions were asked: Q) How is it that the new entity can save $312,000 in personnel costs? A) There will be savings in benefits including healthcare and retirement and Post Employment Healthcare. Q) What back office support will be provided by the County? A) Assumption is that the County will provide back office support with bricks and mortar or overhead including IS, Human Resources and Fiscal unless the Board of Directors determines to adjust this arrangement. Contracts will be entered into to provide these services to start. Some costs will not be incurred by the nonprofit such as County Administration costs, Controller’s Office and Treasurers Office wages. The County has bidding requirements and the county code to abide by, but the nonprofit/private business doesn’t have to follow these guidelines which will save money. The Board of Directors can make the decision to provide their own people or move to a different location but they have the County’s back office support if they choose to. Q) The savings of $491,000 was mentioned. Will this savings be put into services and programs? A) Correct, savings would add additional dollars for the nonprofit to operate services. Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director also provided the presentation on privatizing case management. The following questions were asked: Q) Short term, would be increased costs to the County but until the County adjusts, will have some short term expenses in either situation. A) That is accurate. Q) Wanted clarification on savings of $312,000 and this proposal of $27,000, confused on what the difference is. A) The $27,000 savings is only privatizing case management staff not administration staff. Richard Wynn, Human Services Administration, provided the presentation on pros and cons separating the administration and case management functions. The following questions were asked: Q) What was done to reach out to providers for this information? A) An RFI was done to reach out to the providers and a lot of information was provided to them, and recieved good responses from other agencies. Q) Advisory Board currently reviews the providers. Would this be ongoing? A) Yes, this is a requirement by the State. Q) One of the pros was separating administration and case management if go nonprofit. Would they have the opportunity to contract out case management? A) They can privatize part of their operation if they choose to in the future. Continued on page 4 Mr. Hart provided the dates for the public meetings for consumers and providers th to offer comments: September 27 at the Human Services Building from 11:00 a.m. – th 1:00 p.m.; October 5 at the EA room in Fulton County from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; and th October 10 at the Administration Annex from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He mentioned the proposed timeline to transfer the new entity would be January 1, 2013 however both Boards of Commissioners need to deliberate and come to a final decision concerning forming a nonprofit. The floor was opened up for public comments, the following questions or comments were asked: Charlie Morgan said there is nothing for us without us. Kim Wertz asked if they could let the nonprofit run for a five year period and then come back and see how they are doing and if proved to be a failure could go back to status quo? Mr. Hart responded that the County will measure services ongoing and will not wait for five years. Ken Jones asked for clarification on the $491,000 savings and if the savings will be used by the County for their costs. Mr. Hart said forming a nonprofit will result in revenue shortfalls for the county. This short fall will result in adjustments of county operations and will eventually be negated. Sherri Morgan asked for clarification of the CEO and the president of the Board if they would be volunteers. Mr. Hart responded the Board of Directors will be a volunteer but the Administrator/Executive Director will be a paid position. Ms. Morgan asked for more clarification and Chairman Keller responded that the Executive Director will be the paid administration to oversee the day to day operations of the nonprofit. Ms. Morgan asked who will pay the bills. Mr. Hart responded the president of the Board of Directors, Secretary of the Board once the Board of Directors is established. MH/ID Administrator will be hired and paid to run the program. Ms. Morgan is concerned there seems to be a lot of fiscal responsibility for a volunteer position. She also asked since the nonprofit would be accountable for delivery of service, if a client gets injured would the nonprofit be responsible or the County? Mr. Hart responded the nonprofit would be responsible. Ms. Morgan asked what documents do the nonprofit need to show what they are spending since the nonprofit is going to have to come up with extra funds because every year funding goes down from the State and there are waiting lists. Mr. Hart responded the money will come to the County and then will go to the nonprofit. Ms. Morgan said the nonprofit will not have enough money to operate and she asked if this change is for all of Human Services. Mr. Hart said no, the papers are set up for MH/ID/EI and the intent is not to roll up all of Human Services, but if the nonprofit wants to provide other services they can do so. Becki Johnson asked about the composition of the Board of Directors and if there would be customer representation on the Board as well. Mr. Hart will pass this on to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. Complement of the Board could be developed if decide to move forward. Deb Thomas asked when the entity takes over would a new director be assigned? Mr. Hart said all positions will be posted and everyone currently employed will have a chance for an interview. Once the nonprofit is formed, the first thing they need to do is hire an administrator. Kim Wertz asked if the hiring process is going to be county employees only or will they put out in the media? Mr. Hart responded the positions will be posted internally and externally and all County employees are guaranteed an interview but the County will not infringe on the new entity’s right to hire. Employees are encouraged to apply. Continued on page 5 John Hart said if receive consensus from both Boards of Commissioners then the next step is to firm up the public meetings and go on the road to receive public comments. He asked for the assistance of Advisory Task Force to hold the meetings. Chairman Keller asked if there is consensus to refer this to the Advisory Board. Commissioner Ziobrowski sees nothing to prevent us from moving forward. Fulton County Commissioners concurred. Sheldon Schwartz accepted the challenge and he said they reinstated the Task Force, but he requests paper copies of the presentations at the public meetings since not everyone has a computer. Mr. Schwartz asked if Mr. Wynn’s health assessment questions can be ready for the meetings, and Mr. Wynn responded he will have the current information available. The meeting was adjourned at 3:53 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS