HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-04 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, December 4, 2014, 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.
Commissioner Ziorowski is not in attendance today. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Chairman Keller recognized Senator Richard Alloway who is present for the meeting
today.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment that he would like each item explained on
the board action listing so he can ask questions on the money that is being spent.
Allen Piper provided public comment that it is good to see Senator Alloway in the
meeting today. Mr. Piper would like more information on board action item 2,
concerning bridge 54. Mr. Piper also has concerns about the Hamilton Township Sewer
Authority project in Old Kensington Heights. He thanks anyone that did try to help these
people who cannot afford this cost.
Jim Wyrick provided public comment and expressed concern about the federal
government continuing to spend more than it receives in revenue. He thanked the
Board for its efforts to control spending.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved the minutes of the November 25, 2014 meeting.
Chairman Keller commented on board action item # , Hamilton Township
Municipal Authority Grant and expressed his appreciation to Senator Alloway. He said it
is another example of what can be accomplished when local officials work together with
state officials.
Senator Richard Alloway said it was nice to witness this in action. He thanked
staff and Sharon Purnell at Hamilton Township Municipal Authority for helping to get the
grant money for these folks. Even though funds are tight at the state, he was able to get
$80,000 even though he asked for$200,000. Senator Alloway said they are not done
looking for money as he is hopeful in the new year to find more money for the
homeowners. Commissioner Thomas said he appreciates that Senator Alloway thanked
county staff. This expenditure would have been considered for Community
Development Block Grant funds but Phil Taruino and Sam Thrush suggested using
these grant funds so CD G funds can be used to help other communities. Senator
Alloway also thanked Allen Piper for his kind comments and mentioned that Mr. Piper is
right that infrastructure is important in our country and needs taken care of. Chairman
Keller thanked staff for their efforts and working with the senator's office. He said this
grant freed up funds for other sewer projects along Calimer Drive in Washington
Township and Skyline Drive in Letterkenny Township.
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Chairman Keller asked John Hart, County Administrator, to clarify the bridge
agreement that Mr. Piper mentioned during public comment. Mr. Hart explained the
original agreement was $400,000 for preliminary engineering, final design, moving
utilities and right of way agreements. He said $700,000 was set aside for construction
costs. This was not a mistake ® it is ennOT's process. Chairman Keller said whoever
wrote the headline for the Public Opinion article did not understand the article.
Commissioner Thomas said this project is not using any county dollars and it
demonstrates the relationship we have with Penn OT through the Metropolitan Planning
Organization ( PO) who saw the need and were able to come up with the resources.
He appreciates Mr. Tarquino and Sherri Clayton from Planning in making this a reality.
This is a good project which is using federal dollars mostly and some state dollars.
Chairman Keller said there was no mistake; the construction costs were intentionally not
included in the original agreement.
The Board reviewed Children &'(oath matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Supplemental
Appropriation in the amount of$536,791.00 to record additional Act 143 and Title IV®E
funding received as a result of increased referrals, intakes and placements during 2014
and to record the corresponding expenses.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Letter of Amendment
and Resolution 2014®21 to Federal-Aid Bridge Project Reimbursement Agreement No.
039391 (effective date September 17, 2012) for Bridge 54 to increase project costs from
$414,000.00 to $1,139,000.00. All other terms and conditions of the original agreement
will remain in full force and effect.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Pass Through Grant agreement
between the County of Franklin and Pennsylvania Department of Community and
Economic Development to utilize funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, in the amount of$35,000.00. These funds will be used towards lateral
assistance for new customers of Hamilton Township Municipal Authority; allowing low to
moderate income families to apply for up to $17,000.00 for the purchase of a grinder
pump and other related costs of connecting to the Municipal Authority's service. Grant
period is November 13, 2014 through November 1 , 2019.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the quote from Aqua
Power Pros to steam clean the brick and grout at the Courthouse Annex building main
entrance along Lincoln Way East at a cost of$405.00 for the period of December 1,
2014 through December 31, 2014.
The Board met with the Human Resources Director, the Controller, Area Agency
on Aging Director and Human Services Administrator for Salary Board and Personnel
matters.
The Board reviewed Personnel matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the revised job description for the
Aging Care Manager Supervisor 2 position description in the Aging Office.
Carrie Gray, Assistant County Administrator, and the Grant Review Committee
consisting of Rick Wynn, Human Services Administrator, Sherri Goertz, Community
Member and H/lD Advocate, and Shalom Black, Grants Manager, were present to
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provide their recommendations on the Human Services Enhancement Grants. Ms. Gray
explained how the County made grants available to local human service agencies for up
to $50,000 grants. There was a maximum of$300,000 to distribute. She explained that
the Committee scored each proposal individually and then met as a group and
compared their scoring. She said there were a lot of great proposals and it was great to
read all the good work going on in our community. The following is the committee's
recommendations: $40,000 to Women in Need to cover construction costs of their
shelter and advocacy center; $30,500 to United Way for their Stepping Forward
Program; $50,000 to Healthy Communities Partnership for the Student Assistant
Program and development of the Healthy U Curriculum; $50,000 to South Central
Community Action Program (SCCAP) to help support their Gleaning Program and their
Circles of Support program; $25,000 to Over the Rainbow/Children's Advocacy Center
that will serve children who are victims of sexual abuse; $40,000 to Waynesboro Human
Services to repair their building and continue their Ready Set Work program; $20,000 to
Alternative Behavior Consultants to be used for a fire escape so they can use their third
floor to enhance their family engagement activities; $20,000 to Building Our Pride In
Ch ambers burg (BOPIC) to build their garden curriculum and Multi-Cultural Youth
Leadership Training program; $12,500 to New Hope Recovery Ranch to repair a roof on
a home where they house people who are experiencing homelessness and mental
health or behavioral issues; $10,000 to Branch Creek/Messiah Lifeways, who runs the
Shippensburg Senior Activity Center to be used for building repairs; and $2,000 to
Contact Helpline who is the provider of 211 services to upgrade two computers for the
information and referral program. Ms. Gray explained the timeframe is to have the
Board approve the recommendations next Thursday and award the contracts in January
2015 so the projects could start in March 2015. The awardees will have to report back
on their projects within the 12 month grant period. Chairman Keller said he appreciates
all the work the committee has completed.
Commissioner Thomas commented favorably on the recommended programs.
He noted the biblical history of gleaning, and asked who was doing the actual gleaning in
SCAAP's program. Ms. Gray said the gleaning is done largely by volunteers.
Chairman Keller said he is glad that some of the programs recommended for
funding have proven successful in helping former jail inmates get their lives back on
track.
The Board agreed to the timeframe of awarding next week which will give
Commissioner Ziobrowski time to review since he is absent today and will also allow
time to receive feedback from the community before next Thursday.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:01 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS