HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-25 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, June 25, 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.
Ken Jones provided public comment and questioned item #2 Susquehanna
Group Agreement that he reviewed the minutes of one of the public meetings and the
consultant stated that the high end would be 10 and low end would be 6 minus the 2 for
county debt. He assumes the Board will go with the 6 bid. Mr. Jones also questioned
item #5, BOPIC Contract to translate documents into Spanish. He thought there was a
responsibility to learn English in this country.
Chairman Keller clarified that the fee for the Susquehanna Group agreement will
be 3.25% not 3.5% as listed on the board action list.
Commissioner Thomas said he appreciates everyone’s support and his journey
is still going on and he is still what would be called “scheduled” but lots of things can
happen to change the schedule. He will know Thursday what the firm schedule is and
he is praying for a firm schedule at that time. Commissioner Thomas said he supports
the agreement that’s on the board action list with Susquehanna Group. It’s a fair
agreement and it’s been reviewed and considered by staff and is consistent with what
other counties get. Jay Wenger is a very professional individual.
Commissioner Thomas left the meeting room at 9:39 a.m.
Kim Wertz asked if she to assume that the sale of the County Nursing Home is
imminent. Chairman Keller responded that the consultant and the Board have said it will
be a five to six month process and will determine who is qualified and who is not. The
Board will not sell the home tomorrow or in next couple weeks and they will give serious
consideration into a sales agreement. Commissioner Ziobrowski said there are three
conditions that need to be met. They are day one Medicaid eligible, residents will be
treated better or same as they are now and employees will be treated fairly. This is
worthy of consideration but these three conditions are critical. Chairman Keller said
those three criteria is what he was referring to.
Allen Piper said there is a lot of concern in the community about the sale of the
Nursing Home. He would like to know if there are going to be any more public meetings.
He is encouraging the Board to have more meetings so that people are fully aware of the
pros and cons. The Nursing Home has been around for a long, long time. There should
be no fast tracking and he hopes within the five months that the Board does confer with
the people of Franklin County. Chairman Keller responded that over the next 5-6
months, there will be several meetings that the Commissioners and the public will
receive updates on process, what’s occurring and major milestones. Mr. Piper
responded that he hopes they are publicized to the local media.
Ken Jones said the Commissioners don’t think about all things that could go
wrong. If they do find a buyer that is acceptable to the County, how long will buyer
maintain ownership before they can turn around and sell it to someone else?
Continued on page 2
Allen Piper said he read the article in Public Opinion recently that the County
Solicitor eluded relating to different classes of townships when it comes to importance of
a referendum. He is concerned about remark from Ms. Shank that when certain
counties have a referendum related to this. One County under Matthew Major’s article
had a referendum on the sale of their nursing home but it was a class three township.
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Chairman Keller said it was reported that 3 class counties can do referendums of what
is mentioned but Northampton County is a third class county. He said counties that are
permitted to do a referendum of that nature are home rule counties and third class cities
can also do referendum of this nature.
Jay Lightfoot asked if the Board does find a buyer are they going to sell it to
Quincy, Waynesboro or any certain company. Chairman Keller said the community will
be well aware of the short list of prospective buyers before county narrows it down any
further. A sale will not occur followed by public announcement.
Chairman Keller wanted to address the question from Mr. Jones about a buyer
turning around and selling the nursing home. The Board shares this concern of a
company turning it around and selling it or good quality of care. The Board will only
consider interest from prospective buyers who desire to be in the skilled nursing
business for a long time with the commitment of the three criteria that was talked about.
The minutes of June 18, 2013 and June 20, 2013 meetings were reviewed.
These will be approved Thursday, June 27, 2013.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
pointed out that the fee for the Susquehanna Group agreement is 3.25% not 3.5%.
Commissioner Ziobrowski asked Mr. Hart if the fee is a typical fee for this type of
service. John Hart, County Administrator responded that Adams County paid 3.5% and
this is in range for this type of work and Mr. Wenger was willing to lower our fee to
3.25%. Some fees are based on size of the nursing home and the price can be higher
for a larger facility or a lower fee for a smaller facility. The items will be approved
Thursday, June 27, 2013.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS