HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-11 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, December 11, 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.
Chairman Keller requested to include Chairman time to the agenda. On a motion
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to
adopt the amended agenda.
Chairman Keller wanted to address a question from Mr. Jones about the budget
and difference in the ending reserves for 2012 and 2013. In 2012 the County is ending
with $14,376,100 in general fund reserves and according to the budget for 2013 will end
with $13,262,000 in general fund reserves which represents a decrease of 1.1M. The
decrease represents increased tax revenue of approximately $900,000 offset by
allocation of general fund reserves of approximately $1.9M.
James Wyrick provided public comment and asked if the County will realize a
savings or still be able to trim the three positions that Teresa Beckner mentioned during
her presentation concerning the MH/ID/IE nonprofit.
Kim Wertz from Chambersburg provided public comment and wanted to address
Mr. Piper’s comments about the budget increase. She is glad she lives in Franklin
County who is only requesting a .5 mill increase rather than Cumberland County who is
requesting 12% increase. Ms. Wertz also wanted to mention that there is an 8M deficit
for the turnpike which is due to giving people freebies to travel the turnpike for nothing so
Auditor General Jack Wagner is looking into this. Is there anyway the Commissioners
could get that money for roads and bridges to fix here in the county since Mr. Wagner is
going to try to get some of this money back.
Ken Jones from Chambersburg provided public comment and wants the Board to
know that he stands in opposition to tax increases of any kind. Only people that are
saying tax increase is fine are people who either can afford it or don’t own property. Tax
increases being levied on property owners is unfair.
Kim Wertz wanted to reply to Mr. Jones comment that there are people that rent
and the landlords pass the property tax increase to the tenants. Services cost money
and those services are greatly needed which is what some of that money goes for.
Allen Piper provided public comment and is concerned with what he read about
the quality of life in Franklin County which the Franklin County Government was involved
with. Violent crime is down but DUI arrests are up, his point is we do have a serious
problem with crime in Franklin County which he expressed to the Board last Thursday.
Mr. Piper would also like to know how deeply the County is involved with in the
Mercersburg, Peters Connectivity Trail. He said there is a lot of opposition to this project
and a petition is floating around the area related to this project.
The minutes of December 4, 2012 and December 6, 2012 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, December 13, 2012.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Thomas asked about the automatic doors at the old courthouse. John Hart responded
that this is for door at the new ramp on front of the courthouse. Commissioner Thomas
also asked about the #2 item for depositories and asked how close this was reviewed
because Graystone Bank is still included but they merged with Susquehanna Bank. Mr.
Hart responded that this was reviewed with the Treasurer and his response was even if
they merge they may continue to do business under the same name. Chairman Keller
recommended keeping resolution as presented. The following item was approved today
and the remainder items will be approved Thursday, December 13, 2012.
The Board reviewed Information Service matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the terms and conditions to be placed with the Agreement between
the County of Franklin and SADA Systems, Inc. to move from Novell Groupwise email
system to a hosted solution provided by Google. Original agreement was approved on
November 18, 2012.
The Board reviewed Commissioners’ Office matters and conducted a bid opening
for leasing of farm real estate. The following bidders submitted bids: John E. Ocker for
$976 per month; Linford B. Eberly for $1,506 per month; Thomas E. Shatzer for $745.82
per month; Windy Knoll Farm Partnership for $1,232 per month; Twinn M Farms, LLC for
$1,111 per month; Bradley L. Eberley for $650 per month; Hawbaker Farms, LLC for
$1,501.15 per month; Greenvillage Farms. LLLC for $1,252 per month; Clearview
Farm/Derwood Martin for $1,757 per month; Steven E. Kauffman for $460 per month;
and Maple Lane Farms for $1,100 per month. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to award to Clearview
Farms/Derwood Martin for a total bid of $1,757.00 per month. This was the highest bid
received.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters and conducted a bid
opening for Magisterial District Judges/M&T Bank Building Custodial services. Cook’s
Cleaning Service submitted a bid and bid the following: M.D.J. Cunningham at $298 per
month; M.D.J. Pentz at $271 per month; M.D.J. Rock at $298 per month; M.D.J. Eyer at
$239 per month; and M&T Bank building at $590 per month. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to award to Cook’s
Cleaning Service for a total bid of $1,696.00 per month. This was the only bid received.
Chairman Keller announced that staff is to report today on contracting case
management services for MH/ID/EI. John Hart, Chief Clerk/County Administrator
responded that last week the Board of Commissioners reviewed findings of the MH/ID/EI
Task Force in which they did not recommend the nonprofit initiative however advised the
Board they would support outsourcing case workers. Commissioners advised staff this
was their desire and Fulton County also took action confirming the same decision. The
Board charged Human Services staff to review proposals which were received during
the nonprofit initiative. Staff performed a preliminary review of proposals and identified
two top proposers. These two organizations were interviewed on Monday. Mr. Hart is
requesting to go into an executive session since this concerns personnel and contract
negotiations with the top vendor and how staff recommends moving forward with
contract.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:23 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review personnel and contract negotiations matters. The Board reconvened
into regular session at 10:53 a.m.
Continued on page 3
Chairman Keller said that based on discussions in executive session the Board
asked Clair Hornberger, MH/ID/EI Director, to make a recommendation to the Board.
Ms. Hornberger explained that an interview team interviewed both providers and they
were impressed with the outcome of both interviews and made a selection at the end of
the day to go with Service Access Management (SAM) and to begin the negotiation
process. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to direct staff to enter into contract negotiations with SAM and
keep the door open with the other provider until a contract is approved.
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 1:05 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS