HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-30 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, July 30, 2013, with the
following members present: David S. Keller 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 David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
Kim Wertz provided public comment and asked if the public will be able to
comment after Jay Wenger’s presentation today? Chairman Keller responded that the
Board is expecting an update on the RFP process but depending on Mr. Wenger’s
presentation the Board may allow public comment if its warranted.
The minutes of July 23, 2013 and July 25, 2013 meetings were reviewed. These
will be approved Thursday, August 1, 2013.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
asked John Hart, County Administrator to explain further items 1, 2, and 3. Mr. Hart
explained item #1 is paperwork that needs completed by the Board for additional funding
from Emergency Solutions Grant. This is to recognize additional revenues and
additional expenses on the book and is internal book keeping. Item #2 refers to Human
Services Block Grant, and when Mr. Wynn came in he discussed additional funding
being moved and the committee recommended and approved $5,000 to Housing
Assistance Program and paperwork to move from appropriate fund to appropriate
expenditure line item. Item #3 is additional funding from Emergency Solutions Grant for
SCCAP to receive additional funding for additional services so clients don’t become
homeless.
The following item was approved today and the remainder items will be
approved Thursday, August 1, 2013.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Notice of Intent to
Award and Notice of Award to E.E. Mills & Son Painting, LLC for the Franklin County
Commissioner Complex Exterior Painting Project bid for a bid amount of $24,500.00.
This bid was awarded by the Board of Commissioners on July 25, 2013.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to enter an executive session at 9:43 a.m. this date for the purpose to review
Pending Litigation - Keystone Rural Health v. Franklin County Board of Assessment and
real estate matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at 10:57 a.m. No action
was required after executive session.
Jay Wenger, Consultant with Susquehanna Group Advisors provided an update
to the Board on the Sale of the Falling Spring Nursing Home project. He said as of 5:00
PM yesterday he received fifteen executed confidentiality agreements to provide due
diligence documents to the vendors. The nursing home has hosted four site visits and
there are two more this week and one more next week. Mr. Wenger explained where
some of the firms are from. He said one appeal of the home is the size and cost of
capital will increase in future. There is still an overall favorable outlook to provide
elderly care. He said they will have to determine if the interested vendors are
reasonable buyers and have not said no to anyone due to their business model or
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reputation yet. He is giving everyone an opportunity at this point. Mr. Wenger said the
staff has been delightful to work with and they are answering a lot of questions so he
wanted to publicly acknowledge them. He said there have been significant questions
from all fifteen vendors. Susquehanna Group has set up a website where the vendors
can get due diligence information. Any questions that come in are posted on the website
and all interested parties are notified. John Hart wanted to commend our staff because
there are some unique questions coming in that need answered and staff is providing
the information. Mr. Wenger said the process is going well and he expects at least eight
proposals, but doesn’t think all fifteen will submit proposals. The RFP deadline is August
th
12. Commissioner Ziobrowski said one question that keeps coming up from the public
is Day One Medicaid Eligible. He asked a Lancaster County Commissioner who sold
their nursing home and he was befuddled by the question and he has never had a call
as he presumed Day One Eligible has been getting in to the home. He visited the
nursing home recently and everything seemed to be going well. Commissioner
Ziobrowski said the question keeps coming up so he asked if Mr. Wenger could share
with them again, why a business model does not preclude denying people Day 1
eligibility. Mr. Wenger responded that it’s their business, they understand their model,
have efficiencies. One issue is longer term and how many more years can they still
operate a nursing home with Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement. Nobody is looking that
will turn pyramids upside down. First day admissions are not an issue. Everyone
coming in recognizes what the market is. With case mix index (CMI) profit and nonprofit
organizations could have a higher CMI where the County is capped. They can increase
CMI and benefit from it but when County increases CMI they cannot benefit from it.
Chairman Keller opened the floor for public comments:
Sherri Morgan said if there is a problem the commissioners will hear first if there
is but these are the most vulnerable people and are least likely to contact them. An Act
was developed because clients were afraid to bring up issues to nursing home
administration because they would be asked to leave the home. She cautions the Board
because if they are not hearing from residents it’s because the residents are afraid to
come forward. She has 700 signatures and once gets to 1,000 signatures they will start
doing rallies. The reason the Board doesn’t hear from the elderly is because they don’t
use internet and are afraid to come forward.
Jim Wyrick asked if there have been any estimations or projections of 3-5 years
costs going forward if the nursing home is not sold. He also asked if the exited
management company has formed a committee. Chairman Keller said the management
of QUnique has signed a confidentiality agreement and has shown interest in purchasing
the nursing home. He will get back to Mr. Wyrick on his question if there have been
estimates going forward.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:21 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS