HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-14 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, November 14, 2013, with the
following members present: David S. Keller and Robert G. Ziobrowski. The Board
attended a Prison Board meeting at the Jail. 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.
Chairman Keller announced that Commissioner Thomas is attending a training
related to Metropolitan Planning Organization which is the county's transportation
management entity so he will not be joining the meeting today. The agenda will also
need to be amended to remove solicitor time to next Tuesday's meeting due to the
Solicitor not in attendance today. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by
David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment that he would like to see the board cut
back on spending. There are a lot of people broke and going for loans that they can't
pay back.
Allen Piper provided public comment concerning item #2, proposal from
Community Resources. He asked the following questions: Why can't they as
commissioners conduct this study? What other criminal justice data is being considered
in this study? Where are Prison Board and Warden on this matter? Mr. Piper said this
is just another $11,000 study being placed on the backs of tax payers. The Prison
Board and the Warden should conduct this. He has a problem with the spending. The
board needs to start cutting costs instead of adding costs.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved the minutes of November 7, 2013 meeting.
Chairman Keller responded to Allen Piper's questions during public comment
concerning board agenda item #2. He does not feel there is expertise among the
Commissioners or Prison Board to fully and adequately conduct this type of study. The
Prison Board discussed this a few months ago and the board members were unanimous
and felt this was something they wanted to gauge a consultant to help with. Tax payers
would be better served for the county to reach out to an expert to give their professional
expertise. Chairman Keller asked Carrie Gray to address Allen Piper's third question
and she read the scope of work from the agreement and what services the consultant
will provide. Ms. Gray said the expertise the consultant brings is one thing but being
able to work with the data is an invaluable element to the calibration. We have
experience with working with one jail where this consultant has worked with a lot of jails
in PA.
Commissioner Ziobrowski addressed Mr. Piper's question. He pointed out that
millions of dollars of county funds are allocated to the jail each year, and a reduction in
inmate population could result in significant savings. Studying how to reduce inmate
population is cost-effective. He suggested we assume for the sake of argument that
county employees are all working to full potential. Removing from their job assignments
to do an independent study would require back-filling their positions with other
employees. The county does not employ a brain-trust to study such problems. It is far
more efficient to contract out this type of work to experts in the field.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Children and Youth matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the 4th Quarter Report
to the Department of Public Welfare showing total revenue and expenditures for July 1,
2013 through September 30, 2013 in the amount of$2,083,567.00.
The Board reviewed Commissioners matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the proposal from
Community Resource Services, Inc. to conduct a Jail Population Study to collect and
analyze Franklin County Jail and other criminal justice data in order to identify prime
factors influencing jail population and explore the impact of potential changes that could
safely reduce future demands for jail beds. Contract period is November 14, 2013
through April 13, 2014 at a cost not to exceed $11,400.00.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Supplemental
Appropriation to reflect the awarding of FEMA Grant "Assistance of Firefighters Grant
Program" for FY13/14 in the amount of$13,089.00, for the purchase and installation of
smoke detectors in Franklin County residences. No additional county funds are
required.
The Board reviewed Grants Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the amendment to the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Security Technology grant (year
2), to extend project completion date to June 30, 2014 and reallocate funds to purchase
communications and equipment for the security guard station as well as replacing the
fire alarm location system at the jail and radios for correctional officers.
The Board reviewed MH/ID/EI matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Joinder Agreement between
the County of Franklin and County of Fulton to establish a joint Mental Health/Intellectual
Disabilities and Drug &Alcohol Program for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30,
2014.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the renewal agreement between Franklin County and Emerson
Network Power, Leibert Services to provide Critical Systems Support for uninterrupted
power service (UPS) for DES/9-1-1 Building 426 and the 9-1-1 backup center in the
Courthouse basement for the period of January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 at a
cost of$12,899.00.
The Board reviewed Register and Recorder matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and IMR Limited, to
provide on-site technical service to migrate two LANDEX servers off of the current
outdated hardware to the new Virtual Environment as well as two copies of Microsoft
Windows Server 2012 software, at a one-time cost of$3,848.00 paid by the Register
and Recorder's automation fund. Company is on State Contract.
The Board held an awards presentation for EMS Responders for "Tropical Storm
Sandy" commendations. Doug Bitner, West Shore Emergency Management Services
was present to explain the team was sent to New Jersey to respond to the needs in that
community due to Tropical Storm Sandy. The three from Franklin County that went were
himself, Karen Smith and Richard Wertman. The volunteers manned emergency
Continued on page 3
shelters, emergency rescue missions, worked in clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals
that were broken down. Susan Dutko, Director of System Preparedness for Emergency
Health Services Federation was present and explained that the State of Pennsylvania
sent a lot of responders that backfilled 911 calls, manned shelters, and provided search
and rescue efforts. It was very stressful and took them away from their day to day jobs
and away from their families into areas that were less than ideal. They provided time of
comfort and care for people in that area. She is proud of all EMS providers and wanted
to honor them so she provided them with a pin and thanked them for their service.
Commissioner Ziobrowski asked if the responders get paid. Ms. Dutko explained there
is no guarantee for payment but if the federal government declares an emergency they
can submit and get reimbursed for mileage and costs of personnel. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved Letters of
Recognition for Karen Smith, Doug Bitner and Richard Wertman
The Board held a discussion on the consideration of Competitive Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) requests. Chairman Keller explained the Board held
a public hearing last week. Phil Tarquino, Planning Director and Sam Thrush, Planner
reviewed the applications with the board and recommended that all applications be sent
to DCED for consideration. Last week Chairman Keller asked to postpone the formal
proposal till today to give the public more time to provide comments. He said the Board
has had no comments or personal contacts through emails or phone calls. He asked if
Planning has received any feedback and Mr. Tarquino responded they have not
received any additional comment. Mr. Tarquino said Commissioner Thomas asked how
much money was available last week and Mr. Tarquino said there is 4.9M available for
rural counties. The maximum any applicant can receive is $500,000. Chairman Keller
said his feelings have not changed about merit of the projects, recognizing that all
projects may not get approved. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by
David S. Keller; unanimously approved to forward all applications to PA Department of
Community and Economic Development (DCED) for consideration. Commissioner
Ziobrowski asked if the state would approve partial grants. Mr. Tarquino responded that
some projects do exceed the $500,000 so the applicants may have to pay part of the
project. All applicants can apply for entitlement money if they don't get approved.
Chairman Keller thanked the Planning Office for helping these projects get more money,
as this was brought up during the entitlement hearing and with providing Housing Trust
Fund money recently given to Greencastle Borough for sidewalk repairs and
replacement and Peters Township for grinder pump replacements.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS