HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-08 Commissioner Minutes
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, August 8, 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.
Ken Jones provided public comment and asked if County and State officials are
exempt from Obamacare since Congress announced yesterday that it would be exempt.
Chairman Ziobrowski responded that Franklin County is not exempt because the
Affordable Care Act mandates that any company with 50 or more employees is subject
to participation.
The minutes of July 30, 2013 and August 1, 2013 meetings were reviewed and
approved.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Ziobrowski asked John Hart, County Administrator to explain further the Coroner’s
request. Mr. Hart explained that the Coroner was purchasing forensic software and
hardware that will enable all of law enforcement in Franklin County to gather important
data off of any cell phone. The lab will be set up in a central location that is accessible
to all of law enforcement plus is in a secured environment. Chairman Keller asked Mr.
Hart whether the County would be contributing funding to the West Nile Virus program
and Mr. Hart explained that the County will be paying out approximately $20,000.
The following items were approved today.
The Board reviewed Coroner matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved a quote from PATCtech Digital
Forensics for the County to purchase a computer based cell phone forensics lab
including software, hardware and support to be used by the Coroner’s Office and all Law
Enforcement in Franklin County. The total cost of $19,299.00 will be paid by the
Forensic Improvement Fund. This company is a sole source vendor.
The Board reviewed Coroner matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved a Supplemental Appropriation in
the amount of $28,400.00 to use escrow funds collected for the purchase of
computer/server, cell phone forensics computer lab and lodging and training for five
people.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved a proposal from CDI
Infrastructure dba L.R. Kimball to provide preparation and filing of a petition for
reconsideration to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Licensing Services of
the termination pending status for the entire license for one call sign and eight
designated frequencies. Cost to provide this one time service is $295.00.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved a Subcontract Agreement between
the County of Franklin and Penn State University to provide services as a subcontractor
for the West Nile Virus Mosquito Surveillance and Control Program for 2013 at a cost of
$57,380.00 for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. Funds are
provided by the PA Department of Environmental Protection West Nile Grant.
The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved an Agreement between
the County of Franklin and KRONOS, Inc. to provide software maintenance on the
Kronos system. Kronos software is used to maintain employee hours for the Jail,
Nursing Home and DES with time clocks at each location. The cost of this agreement is
$13,842.75 for the period of October 26, 2013 through October 25, 2014.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved a Service Agreement between the
County of Franklin and Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection to provide inspection and
maintenance on the kitchen ansuls and kitchen hood system to maintain certifications as
well as local and state fire safety codes at a cost of $710.00 for the period of January 1,
2013 through December 31, 2014.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved a proposal from Modern Group
Power Systems to provide maintenance and inspections on the generator at the Jail at a
cost of $1,995.00 for the period of August 13, 2013 through August 12, 2014. This is
required to be in compliance with State requirements.
The Board reviewed Register and Recorder matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved an invoice from IMR to
facilitate the conversion of data from 1947 to indexing with current software system
Landex at a cost of $1,000.00.
During General Discussion, Chairman Keller stated that the Commissioners had
directed staff to put together a Tourist Promotion Agency Work Group to work on the
following: 1) Establish a different structure for TPA (Non-profit); 2) Develop a revenue
sharing plan – The 2% Admin Fee would come off the top and then the remainder would
be split 80/20 with the County’s 20% being used for tourism infrastructure; 3) Draw up
corporate papers – The County would pay to have these papers developed. The County
would also continue to pay for the financial obligations we have with 1) Totem Pole
Playhouse (3 year commitment) and 2) Kittochtinny Historical Society ($10,000/yr.). With
the reserve funds, the start up costs, capped at $40,000, would come out first with the
remainder split 50/50.
Dave Sciamanna explained how the committee spent a year researching on how
best to move forward. The Advisory Board is 100% behind this plan. He asked that the
Commissioners give a formal go ahead so that they can have the new entity up and
running by January 2014. Restructuring would allow for the TPA to be more agile and
efficient. The new entity would not fall under County Code which currently restricts their
ability to do certain things.
Janet Pollard expressed that the County has done a great job nurturing a
healthy, vigorous entity over the past several years, much like a parent-child
relationship, but now the TPA would like to grow into another phase.
Continued on page 3
John Hart explained that it is the goal to have a Board member sit on the
Advisory Committee after the restructuring. The revenue will still be collected by the
County and both entities will have to follow the tourism/hotel tax regulations. The Board
will give this matter some thought and will consider and deliberate on this during their
th
meeting next Thursday, August 15.
The Board also had a presentation by Public Financial Management, Inc.
regarding the Refunding Update on our 2004 Bonds. John Frey, Director, explained that
there is still $28.45 million outstanding that will become due in October of 2014. The
current interest rate is 4.75%. Mr. Frey explained that the Commissioners have three
options: 1) Do nothing now and currently refund 2004 Bonds in 2014 with Non-Bank
Qualified bonds. The pros of this option is that it minimizes negative arbitrage and the
cons are that there is an interest rate risk and Non BQ rates and longer call. 2) Advance
refund 2004 Bonds now with Non-Bank Qualified bonds. The pros of this option is that
we can take advantage of historically low interest rates (approx. 3.5%) and eliminate the
interest rate risk. The cons are that there would be negative arbitrage and Non BQ rates
and longer call. 3) Advance refund portion of 2004 Bonds now and currently refund
balance in 2014 with Non-BQ bonds. The pros are that we mitigate the interest rate risk,
5 Year call on BQ portion, and minimizes negative arbitrage. The cons are there is an
interest rate risk and additional costs of issuance. Option #3 is a mix between Option #1
and Option #2. Mr. Frey said they expect interest rates to rise over the next several
years. The Board will take the information under advisement and will get back to PFM in
a timely manner.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS