HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-11 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, September 11, 2014, with
the following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. The Board attended the Prison Board meeting.
Chairman Keller presided and stated he was thinking today of the events that
happened thirteen years ago on 9/11/2001 and recalling the nearly 3,000 innocent lives
that were lost at the hands of murderers. He also is mindful and thinking about the folks
who have gone in harm's way to preserve our freedoms, fight the war on terror, and
keep us safe, both the war fighter and the first responder alike. And he thinks of our
enemies and hopes they gain an understanding of us and change their attitude of us and
as a result we will have peace and joy in this world. Commissioner Thomas stated we
will never forget that day and the world has changed dramatically since then. There are
things we can't do anymore and he hears people ask how can we bring the good old
days back? This is reality and the situation we are in. During the President's
presentation last night, he stated we are still at war and it's a different world.
Commissioner Thomas' prayers will be for those who have served us and all the current
soldiers who have been forced to go in harm's way.
Chairman Keller called the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the
Pledge of Allegiance, and proceeded with the business of the day.
Chairman Keller asked approval of the agenda to include the consideration of
three additional items. The first item is the cooperation agreement with the
Redevelopment Authority and Women In /Need which was discussed on Tuesday. John
Hart, County Administrator, explained the other two items which are an agreement and
an easement with Columbia Gas to install natural gas lines and a 1 ' easement of
county property on Franklin Farm Lane. Mr. Hart stated Columbia Gas is upgrading the
gas lines on Franklin Farm Lane so it was an opportunity to improve our lateral lines
going into county buildings. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda.
Allen Piper provided public comment and said he echoes what the Chairman said
relating to what happened 13 years ago. He hopes this never happens again. 9/11 was
a difficult time and the terrorists did a great disservice to our people but the American
people tend to bounce back. Mr. Piper said we are still the best country in the world. He
said we will see if the President of the United States will follow through with what he said
during his speech last night.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved the minutes of the September 2, 2014 and September 4, 2014
meetings.
The Board reviewed Commissioners matters. Chairman Keller expressed his
support for the agreement with WIN and the RDA. He feels confident that RDA staff and
IN's consultant, Delta Corp., will minimize as much as possible the likelihood of
ineligible expenses under the RACP grant guidelines. Commissioner Thomas said this
is a very worthwhile project and one he is glad we can support in this way. On a motion
by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the
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Cooperation Agreement between the County of Franklin and the Franklin County
Redevelopment Authority, in which the County approves the Women In Need I )
construction of a victim services facility project, and may obligate the County to
reimburse the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the expenditure of any grant funds
that may later be determined to have been ineligible expenses and not reimbursed by
Women In Need. Women In Need has been approved to receive $500,000 of
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding for the acquisition and
construction of a victim services facility for WIN.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners matters. Commissioner Thomas
asked Chief Administrator John Hart if Columbia Gas was willing to extend the gas line
further north on Franklin Farm Lane. Mr. Hart responded that Columbia is not willing to
consider that at this time. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the Line
Extension Agreement between the County of Franklin and Columbia Gas of
Pennsylvania, Inc. for Columbia Gas to extend its gas main to provide natural gas on
Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. Columbia Gas will install natural gas lines for
county facilities for a deposit of$13,523.37.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners matters. On a motion by Robert
L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman
of the Board to execute the Easement— Right of Way Agreement to grant Columbia Gas
of Pennsylvania, Inc. the right to lay pipelines together with service connections, and to
construct, operate, maintain, remove, replace, repair, and alter the size of and remove or
abandon pipelines for transporting gas on land owned by the County on Franklin Farm
Lane, Chambersburg, at a cost of$1.00 paid to the County.
The Board reviewed Elections matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the
County of Franklin and Beidel Printing House, Inc. to print, bind and deliver the ballots
for the General Election being held on November 4, 2014 at a cost of$13,375.00. This
bid was awarded on August 23, 2014.
The Board reviewed Emergency Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Hazardous
Materials Emergency Response Preparedness Report for Calendar Year 2013, showing
that Act 165 generated funds were expended according to prescribed standards within
Act 165.
The Board reviewed Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and Penn State
University for a one-day workshop/training workshop/training program on logic models for a cost of
$1,995.00. This is part of an ongoing review of various county operations to identify key
metrics for performance and implementing tools for performance measurement.
The Board reviewed additional Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Supplemental
Appropriation in the amount of$2,122,033.00, to provide budget to record the Series
2014 and Series 2014®A bond issues. These bond issues refunded the balance of the
County's 2004 bond. This is treated as a pay-off of the outstanding bond and the budget
will reflect the outgoing payment as well as the proceeds that were used for the pay-off.
No additional County funds are required.
Continued on page
The Board reviewed Human Services matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the State Food Purchase Program Expense and Data Report for
Fiscal Year 2013-2014 reporting on the different types of food South Central Community
Action Program (SCCAP) purchased for the food pantries in Franklin County. State
funds in the amount of$1589673.81 were used to purchase the food supplies.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant Agreement
between the County of Franklin and The Mercersburg Area Wellness Council to award
$40,000.00 from the Franklin County Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement Grant.
This grant was created to fund projects which enhance the quality of life and tourism
within the County. The Mercersburg Area Wellness Council's Johnston Run Streamside
Trail will add a town/suburban/rural walking path along a scenic waterway. This will
utilize the County's Act 13 fund.
The Board reviewed additional Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Renfrew Museum and Park to award
$45,900.00 from the Franklin County Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement Grant.
This grant was created to fund projects which enhance the quality of life and tourism
within the County. Renfrew Museum and Park will reconstruct a historic summer kitchen
and bake oven, to enhance the historic property's colonial life experience. This will
utilize the County's Hotel Tax fund.
The Board reviewed additional Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Grant
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Washington Township to award
$100,000.00 from the Franklin County Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement Grant.
This grant was created to fund projects which enhance the quality of life and tourism
within the County. Washington Township will add to the preservation of Monterey Pass,
the only battlefield in Franklin County. This will utilize the County's Hotel Tax fund.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS