Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-08 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013 The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, October 8, 2013, with the following members present: David S. Keller and Robert L. Thomas. 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 L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda. Kim Wertz provided public comment and wanted to publicly apologize for the speech she presented three weeks ago. She said it was done in an undignified manner. Ms. Wertz asked how many companies the County contracts with for fire suppression and fire alarms. Is it possible to find one company that does everything? Ms. Wertz asked why the County is not purchasing laptops instead of desktop computers since they are cheaper. Ms. Wertz also asked why the County is contracting with NAC for card readers and why can’t this be linked to the computer system or security cameras. Chairman Keller responded the Board will respond to her questions in a timely manner. The minutes of October 1, 2013 and October 3, 2013 meetings were reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, October 10, 2013. The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller asked John Hart, County Administrator to explain the fire suppression systems contract. Mr. Hart explained the County has different systems in different buildings. Property Management has gone out and solicited quotes in the past but different vendors provide different pricing. The items will be approved Thursday, October 10, 2013. The Board reviewed Day Reporting Center and Adult Probation matters and conducted a bid opening for Suboxone Medication for Franklin County Adult Probation Offenders. This is the second bid for this product. The following bidder submitted a bid: Chambers Apothecary, Chambersburg, PA bid the following: 2 mg film for a bid of $8.00; 4 mg film for a bid of $9.70; 8 mg film $9.73; 12 mg film for a bid of $19.00. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to forward the bids received to the Day Reporting Director, Chief Probation Officer, the County Solicitor and the Purchasing Agent for their review. The Board will award or reject the bids on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 2:15 p.m. Chairman Keller announced that on Thursday, October 10, 2013 the meeting has been moved to 2:00 PM due to the Board attending the Agriculture Preservation Ceremony being conducted in Mercersburg. The Board held a public hearing/presentation on the Antrim Township Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) request. Mike Ross, President of Franklin County Area Development Corporation (FCADC) and Pat Coggins, ATAPCO were present. Mr. Ross is asking the Board to reconsider participating in the Antrim Township LERTA. There are several projects that are looking at the I-81 corridor and the LERTA benefit is very important to the decision making process. He said Antrim Township and Greencastle School District have approved this area for LERTA. He explained there is a $50 Million project with 800,000 square feet building that has short listed Antrim Commons as a site. The project can have a total capital investment upwards of $150 million. Pat Coggins reemphasized that Antrim Commons is on the short list along with two other sites and he submitted a final proposal last Friday to them Continued on page 2 and was told there could be a decision made this week but he couldn’t market it as having county participation. He said the user is Nordstrom that has been mentioned in the paper lately. He said that by the time the County votes on the LERTA a decision could already be made by Nordstrom but he would like the board to still consider this site as a LERTA to bring in other potential projects. Chairman Keller said when the Board was considering Southampton Township they were showed the regional impact and what the benefit to all the people of Franklin County and beyond was and also concentrated on jobs. Mr. Coggins said trend is moving toward big internet and e- fulfillment centers. Mr. Ross said when Alta moved in who has a distribution center at the Chambers 5 Park they were to employ 300-400 people but they are now renovating to put in an e-fulfillment center and this will increase employment next year. He would like to sell his site to say the County is behind them. Chairman Keller asked when the facility will be up and running? Mr. Coggins responded breaking ground would be March 2014 and the facility would be open in January 2015. Commissioner Thomas said his greatest concern is there are improvements being made in the County in a lot of places and it always affects employment. It either retains jobs or creates new jobs. He is having a hard time understanding this but he feels it’s more of a local decision. Chairman Keller asked if Nordstrom is comfortable that Franklin County residents will get these jobs. Mike Ross responded that Nordstrom has spoken to other businesses in the area about employment. They are confident the labor pool is available to them and the vast majority of the workforce will come from Franklin County but may overlap from Maryland and West Virginia also. Commissioner Thomas said there has been no discussion ahead of this public hearing and he is not prepared to make a decision today plus a decision should involve all three Board members. The Board will discuss the Antrim Township LERTA again on Thursday when Commissioner Ziobrowski will be present. Chairman Keller opened the floor for public comments. Kim Wertz asked if there would be any environmental impact on Antrim Township or the County. Mr. Coggins responded there will be no adverse environmental impact, could not get it approved if that was the case. Ms. Wertz asked if Mr. Coggins’ company would consider putting in outlet stores in the County. Mr. Coggins responded that his company does not develop outlet centers but the outlets need a huge trade area and with Hagerstown and Gettysburg having outlets it would not be feasible in this area to have outlets also. The meeting was adjourned at 10:46 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by David S. Keller. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS