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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-30 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 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. Chairman Keller asked John Hart, County Administrator to introduce the new employee in the Commissioners’ Office. Mr. Hart welcomed Kim Mills as the new Secretary to the Commissioners’ Office staff. Kim Wertz provided public comment about her concern that she spoke to them about last Tuesday. She did talk to the Housing Coordinator this morning and she said they are forming a plan. She is concerned that all they have done is talked to the third floor tenant who is disregarding HUD regulations. Ms. Wertz discovered that several neighbors are living in fear because of what this person is bringing into the building. She said because of her mental health diagnosis she cannot purchase a fire arm. Ms. Wertz read about the Bloods and Crips going at it in Hagerstown and she asked what can be done to keep these two gangs from getting even a toehold in this county. When she lived in California those two groups signed a truce so she thinks they are not fighting anymore. The minutes of April 23, 2013 and April 25, 2013 meetings were reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, May 2, 2013. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner Thomas asked Mr. Hart to explain further board action item #3, Supplemental Transfer for Human Services Programs. Mr. Hart explained that we have done this in the past, moving money from 2012/2013 budget not spent to 2013 county budget to correlate transfer of funds. This is to appropriate into the County’s calendar budget year 2013. Commissioner Thomas was still not understanding the action and he stated he is not questioning the validity just the process. Commissioner Thomas said he is happy to assist the Home Delivered Meals volunteers since they spend a lot more than this on gas. Commissioners Keller and Ziobrowski agreed and know that the volunteers do appreciate receiving these gift cards from Sheetz. All items will be approved Thursday, May 2, 2013. The Board reviewed information regarding May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Barry Munch from Mental Health Association was present and announced the following events going on in th May at the Mental Health Association: Wellness Conference on May 10; Art Show at the ththth Chambersburg Mall on May 17 through 19; Walk the Walk on May 24. Mr. Munch said this year’s focus is titled “Positive Emotions” because they want to focus on positive emotions for their clients. Cori Seilhamer, Program Specialist from Mental Health was present and announced that as part of getting mental health recognized in the community local police officers were trained in Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) so that police officers will be better trained for mental health issues. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to sign Franklin County Proclamation #2013-06 proclaiming the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes. Mike Ross, Franklin County Area Development Corporation (FCADC), and Michael Alderman with Liberty Property Trust were present to discuss a LERTA for Shippensburg. Shippensburg School District recently adopted a LERTA for their area. Mr. Ross said they are here in partnership with Liberty Property Trust located on Old Liberty Road in Southampton Township. This is a major development project and the site has been designated for LERTA. Southampton Township Continued on page 2 Supervisors and Shippensburg School District took action couple weeks ago. LERTA is essential due to current prospects looking at this area. Mr. Ross said this could have a significant impact on capital investment and from a job standpoint. Michael Alderman said they bought the property in Southampton Township six years ago and over the last few years they have worked with prospective companies for several configurations. Mr. Alderman said this time they have an active interest from a large international company. This company is down to two sites one is our site but he doesn’t know the other site. He said they started to redesign the site in December and it is a single building with 1.8M square feet, with loading on both sides that looks like a warehouse on a secure campus. It has been a good team effort in getting the project this far. The company is looking for a large range of incentives. Mr. Alderman showed a map of LERTA sites in PA and he provided the LERTA background. He said the company has a deadline so they need to make a decision soon. Mike Ross said the projected jobs are 963 jobs, and it will be one of the largest distribution centers in the County. The family sustain wage rate will be $15-20 an hour. Expectation is they will draw the local labor bid for jobs from Carlisle to Hagerstown would be the prime area they will attract. Timeline to fill jobs is summer of 2014. Commissioner Ziobrowski said the construction of 1.8M square feet could be looking at 100M investment. Mr. Alderman responded that 70-90M is the range not including the equipment. Southampton Township created a larger LERTA but the School District limited the space. Mike Ross said they are referring to the liberty property site that the School District passed. Commissioner Thomas asked if it’s reasonable to build a building in less than a year. Mr. Alderman responded that they have contractors that they have a lot of confidence in, and yes it is an aggressive schedule. They will make sure they are on schedule and on time with the project. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he had some reservations, but could not turn his back on 1,000 jobs. He appreciated the presentation, and was better informed now. He recognized a decision about a LERTA might have to be made quickly, but he was not prepared to make a decision today. He thought it required a hearing. Mr. Hart responded that this was on the agenda but he will check with the Solicitor on how long needed to provide notice. The paperwork will need drafted and reviewed by Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor. Chairman Keller said they are not quite ready to consider action at this point, this does represent a significant opportunity for residents of Franklin County and the greater region and would happen in a quick timeline. He would like to reserve judgment for a day in the near future. Chairman Keller opened the floor for questions from the public. Jay Lightfoot asked how much water will this site use. Mr. Alderman said this has been vetted through the water authority but they will not be a major user as they will be listed as a domestic user. Ken Jones asked if the 900 jobs is a gross number or net number. He said when someone comes in they take jobs away from other warehouses in the area. He said the older facilities tend to lose some jobs in other facilities. Mike Ross said it’s a net number and other area employees may be impacted but they would still fill their positions so everyone will stay at their current levels. Kim Wertz said she has reservations about putting another warehouse distribution in the area, she is from Carlisle so she knows the employment and tax revenues this would generate. Her concern is environmental, Carlisle area has the worst air in the state and does not want that to occur here. Is there any other purpose that site can be used for and still maintain tax base and high level of employment? Alderman said it has been designated as an industrial zone so use may best be addressed at the planning level since this is more of an economic question. They are building what the Township has approved the area for. Ms. Wertz asked if there will be plans put in that trucks that go in and out that they don’t sit there and idle since this causes pollutants in the air. Mr. Alderman said he doesn’t believe this will have anything like that at this building that is basically for truck stops where they idle overnight to sleep. Mike Ross said FCADC has a long standing relationship with Liberty and are comfortable with their commitment for quality and they blend into the community and are compliant. Mr. Alderman said their buildings they have built have achieved LEED silver status, it’s a corporate mission to build buildings sensitive to the community and are US green building certified and star certified. Ms. Wertz said their answers satisfied her. Continued on page 3 The meeting was adjourned at 10:34 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION #2013- 06 MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH WHEREAS,mental health is essential to everyone's overall physical health and emotional well- being;and WHEREAS,mental illness will strike one in five adults and children in a given year regardless of age,gender,race,ethnicity, religion or economic status;and WHEREAS,people who have mental illness can recover and lead full,productive lives;and WHEREAS,an estimated two-thirds of adults and young people with mental health disorders are not receiving the help they need;and WHEREAS,the cost of untreated and mistreated mental illness and addictive disorders to American businesses,governments and families has grown to$113 billion annually;and WHEREAS,appropriate mental health care,developed in concert with consumer preferences and needs,with support from community agencies affirms community integration as the goal of Franklin County and WHEREAS,the Mental Health Association and its national partners observe Mental Health Month every May to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and illness. THEREFORE,We, the Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May 2013 Mental Health Month in Franklin County. As the County Commissioners,we also call upon the citizens, government agencies,public and private institutions,businesses and schools in Franklin County to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illnesses. IN WITNESS WHEREOF,We have hereunto set our hand and seal of Franklin County to be fixed this 30th day of April, 2013. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS David S. eller, Chairman wy A '. Robert L.Thomas Robert G.Zjb owski