HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-23 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, January 23, 2014, 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 L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid. John Hart, County
Administrator suggested signing vouchers electronically instead of Controller's Office
staff presenting them in person in a public meeting. Chairman Keller responded the
Board approves of this but communication needs to be sent to the Controller and that
the Board would continue taking official action to approve the vouchers.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of January 14, 2014 and January 16, 2014 meetings.
The Board reviewed Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Acceptance and
Authorization of Additions and Exoneration to the Tax Collectors of Franklin County for
the years 2012 and 2013, in order that the Tax Collectors listed may close their 2012
and 2013 County and County Library Duplicates entitled "Board of Assessment—
Summary Report" dated January 15, 2014.
The Board reviewed additional Assessment matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to certify the
amount of County and County Library Taxes on real estate and mobile homes in the
various political subdivisions of the County and the name of the Tax Collectors of said
political subdivision for the year 2014.
The Board reviewed Clerk of Courts matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and David C. Wertime, Esquire to provide contracted attorney
services at a cost of$4,514.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2014 through
December 31, 2014.
The Board reviewed Coroner matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and Jan Sulcove, Esquire to provide contracted attorney services at a
cost not to exceed $115.00 per hour, with no more than 100 hours billed annually
without consent and approval by the Coroner and the Board of Commissioners for the
period of January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Election matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Certification of County
Maintenance of Effort for the HAVA II Financial Assistance for the reporting period of
July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. To qualify for HAVA grant funds, the County
must certify twice a year, maintaining an expenditure level not less than the level
maintained by the County for the 2000 fiscal year. For the last six months of 2013, the
County has expended $260,624.93 while spending $218,984.00 for the entire 2000 fiscal
year.
The Board reviewed Human Resources matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the new position
description for an Accounting Office Supervisor within the Controller's Office.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Professional Services Agreement with Parsons Brinkerhoff to
provide transportation planning services. Projects shall be related to the administration
of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), implementation of the Franklin County
Long Range Transportation Plan and the development of the Transportation
Improvement Program, as well as assist staff with specific projects required by PennDot
and Federal Highway Administration. Contract term is January 16, 2014 through
January 15, 2019 with the option to renew. 90% of service costs would be covered by
the Unified Planning Work Program through PennDot and Federal Highway
Administration.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Contract
Addendum with Chambersburg Waste Paper (dated November 20, 2012) to remove
Falling Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center from the existing contract, reducing the
annual contract expense from $15,000.000 to $5,340.00. All other terms and conditions
will remain in full force and effect.
The Board reviewed Prothonotary matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and Barbara Townsend, Esquire to provide contracted attorney
services at a cost of$1,866.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2014 through
December 31, 2014.
The Board reviewed Register& Recorder matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract
between the County of Franklin and Info Quick Solutions, Inc. to re-index deeds and
miscellaneous recordings for the years 1942-1946 to add to the Recorder's current
records management database at a cost of$1.55 per document for an estimated total of
$24,219.82 to be paid from the Recorders Improvement Fund for the period of January
23, 2014 through January 22, 2015.
The Board reviewed Sheriff matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and Redding Law Office, LLP to provide contracted attorney services
at a cost of$14,310.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2014 through December 31,
2014.
Continued on page 3
The Board reviewed Treasurer matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the
County of Franklin and Clinton T. Barkdoll, Esquire to provide contracted attorney
services at a cost of$1,656.00 per year for the period of January 1, 2014 through
December 31, 2014.
In accordance with PA Act 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Martin and Martin, Inc.,
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES
Permit renewal being applied by Commerce Park 57, a residential subdivision, located in
Hamilton Township.
In accordance with PA Act 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Red Barn Consulting,
Inc., notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Water Quality Management Permit Part II being applied by Burk-Lea Farms for the
construction of a new manure storage on the existing dairy operation, located in Greene
Township.
The Board considered a Declaration of Disaster Emergency due to the snow
storm on January 21, 2014. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Declaration of Disaster Emergency due to severe
weather and effective January 21, 2014 to direct the Franklin County Emergency
Management Coordinator to coordinate the activities of the emergency response, to take
all appropriate action needed to alleviate the effects of this disaster, to aid in the
restoration of essential public services, and to take any other emergency response
action deemed necessary to respond to this emergency.
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2013 expense
and revenue budget performance through November 2013. Ms. Beckner advised that
most departments are under budget except for a few where most variances relate to
one-time expenses. She said general fund expenses are at 86.9% of budgeted
expenses through November. The end of November is 91.7% of the calendar year, so
expenses for 2014 are still tracking under budget. Ms. Beckner reported that revenue
and tax collections revenues are consistent when compared to budget as well as prior
year performance. Ms. Beckner said revenues are consistent through November and
property taxes are at 95.5% of billing through November compared to 94% in 2012.
The Board held a public hearing/presentation on the Borough of Waynesboro
Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) request. Lloyd Hamberger,
Borough Manager and Jason Stains, Assistant Borough Manager were present to
request the Board of Commissioners approve a LERTA for the Borough of Waynesboro
and provided several examples of areas and buildings that are abandoned and/or in
need of revitalization. Some of the properties have already been revitalized so may not
qualify for the LERTA but Mr. Hamberger said that would be up to the Solicitor to decide.
The Borough of Waynesboro approved their ordinance for the LERTA last year but they
are still waiting on the Waynesboro School District to approve a LERTA. Commissioner
Ziobrowski stated that if the County approved a LERTA that may get the School District
on board as well. Mr. Hamberger said the School District is the clutch hitter and they
have the biggest stake but they have different focus than the Borough and the County.
They are under more severe fiscal constraints due to unfunded mandates and the
retirement problem that has been dumped on them from the Legislature. After further
discussion the Commissioners expressed support for a LERTA for the Borough of
Waynesboro based on their presentation but would prefer a shorter LERTA period than
10 years that the Borough approved. The Board will take this proposal under
advisement and deliberate upon a decision at a later date.
Continued on page 4
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS