HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-09 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, December 9, 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.
Chairman Keller requested to amend the agenda to include general discussion
following presentations to discuss the Human Service Enhancement Grants. On a
motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved
to adopt the amended agenda.
Jim Wyrick provided public comment about the presentation last week on the
Human Services Enhancement Grants to give $300,000 for human service projects. He
mentioned the one project was the Gleaning Program. Mr. Wyrick gave statistics on
how much food is wasted in the United States so he feels this is a good program and he
applauds it. He also researched the Circle Program for those struggling to get out of
poverty and off welfare programs. Mr. Wyrick gave statistics on how much a family
would need to make an hour just to have the basics and get off welfare. He said our
government created this work versus welfare issue. He said we have seen the social
unrest on TV these past couple weeks, and the government was never intended to be a
replacement for families. Mr. Wyrick said some of these projects mentioned last week
have merit but it seems we are a dog chasing its tail.
The minutes of the December 2, 2014 and December 4, 2014 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, December 11, 2014.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
asked for more explanation on board action item #4, revised Franklin County Pay Policy.
John Hart, County Administrator, said the policy needed modified to conform with the
union contracts. Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, explained the policy
needed to reflect the union following our pay structure. All items will be approved
Thursday, December 11, 2014.
The Board reviewed Property Management matters and conducted a bid opening
for Franklin Farm Lane Gas Service Line Installation. The following bidders submitted a
bid: Carl E. Frantz, Inc. from Biglerville bid the amount of$46,600.00; Stouffer
Mechanical Contractor from Chambersburg bid the amount of$30,900.00. On a motion
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to
forward the bids received to the Property Management Director, the County Solicitor and
the Purchasing Agent for their review. The Board will award or reject the bids on
Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 9:40 p.m.
Phil Tarquino, Planning Director, was present to provide recommendations on
the Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement Grants. Mr. Tarquino explained this is
round two of the grant that allocates funds in the amount of$225,000.00 from hotel tax
funds and $125,000.00 from Act 13/Marcellus Shale. He said this grant was advertised
in the paper, on the county's website and distributed to appropriate parties. The County
received nine applications with two being carry overs from the first round. He said the
review committee met and ranked and scored the recommendations. The following are
the committee recommendations: Conococheague Institute for a color biking and driving
map of French & Indian War Sites in Southwest Franklin County for$3,000; Franklin
County Historical Society for improvements to the 1818 Franklin County Jail for
$45,500.00; Washington Township for purchase of 116 acres at the site of Battle of
Monterey Pass for$115,000.00; Borough of Waynesboro to construct a community
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walking trail from East Fourth Street to Renfrew Park for$94,644.00; and The Nature
Conservancy to purchase the Eagle Rock tract in Greene Township for$91,876.
Chairman Keller asked Mr. Tarquino if the Conococheague Institute requested any
funding from the Visitors Bureau. Mr. Tarquino said the committee suggested contacting
the Visitors Bureau to see if they could do the editing for the brochure so he will follow
up to see what the Visitors Bureau can do. He said this is the second time they have
filed an application and they don't have much money and if approved this time they
would be done with the project. Mr. Tarquino explained that in our guidelines most
emphasis is for capital type projects but there is some leeway to do things that are not
necessarily capital projects. Mr. Hart said in their grant application TPA does distribute
maps and promotes the French and Indian War. There was the thought to work with
TPA to edit and publish the maps, and distribute them. This will complement the efforts
of TPA. There are a lot of people that follow the forts in our area and the French and
Indian War. Commissioner Thomas said we have great history in Franklin County so
this is significant to him. Mr. Tarquino said he will follow up and report back to the
board. Chairman Keller asked about the timeline for board action on this agenda item.
Mr. Hart said there is time scheduled on December 16, 2014 at 9:45 AM to award these
projects. Chairman Keller said the Board will look for input from the community between
now and next Tuesday.
Steve Nevada, Mental Health/intellectual Disabilities Director, and Cori
Seilhamer, Mental Health Program Specialist, were present to provide an update on the
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). Mr. Nevada introduced Cori Seilhamer who was
recognized by the PA Association of County Administrators as a Most Valuable Player
and one item that was highlighted was her success with the CIT program. She has
secured funding for this program and uses a very small amount of dollars for training.
He explained how she has put the County ahead of the curve. Mr. Nevada explained
how there is a State workgroup that has been developed and the goal is to help improve
crisis response. Ms. Seilhamer explained the CIT as a community partnership with law
enforcement, first responders, mental health professionals, individuals with mental
illness and their families. She said the goal is safety and to help folks with mental illness
stay out of the criminal system. The CIT uses the Memphis model of CIT police training
which includes 40 hours of training in one week where they learn medications and their
side effects, active listening skills, mental health signs and symptoms, tour of local
mental health facilities, use of verbal de-escalation techniques and improved police
tactics using safe restraint techniques that result in reduced use of force. She said
heading into the future she is to schedule the next training in 2015 and provide a
reunion/refresher course; getting sponsors; and connecting community systems. She
explained other goals are working with Shippensburg University to assist in data
collection; gathering data from 911 dispatch; and to gather data from local police. Mr.
Nevada said another goal is to get all law enforcement engaged in this. Chairman Keller
asked what a successful intervention looks like or types of behavior or things they can
now recognize as a mental health issue. Ms. Seilhamer provided some examples of
situations that have happened recently in our area. Commissioner Thomas said there is
a stigma to mental health illness but this program is to get these people help instead of
going through the criminal justice system. He is very impressed with what they are
doing and the progress being made and it's very understandable how Ms. Seilhamer got
the award she received. Commissioner Ziobrowski said the major focus is to get people
help they need and keep them out of the judicial system. The de-escalation techniques
might have made a difference in Ferguson and New York. Instead of spending lots of
money on cameras for officers, everyone should be trained in these techniques.
Chairman Keller thanked Mr. Nevada and Ms. Seilhamer for their work.
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Chairman Keller requested a general discussion to discuss Human Service
Enhancement Grants. He asked Carrie Gray, Assistant County Administrator, to be here
since he is asking to include one applicant to the list of grantees that was presented last
Thursday. He explained the Keystone Health Infant and Toddler Cavities Prevention
and Senior Care that was submitted. Carrie said they requested funding for children 2®5
years old as well as classroom visits for tooth decay prevention program and includes
parents and expands the program to senior citizens in the elderly community on oral
health hygiene and denture care. She explained the second component is to address
the waiting list that has over 1,000 people on the list. Chairman Keller said he thinks the
committee did a great job with their recommendations but in looking at other
applications, this jumped off the page to him and he would like to support Keystone's
program. He said this program dovetails nicely with other early childhood programs the
county has partnered with and also has something to offer to seniors who are on low
incomes. He asked the Board's consideration to include Keystone and carve out
$20,000 from the $300,000 to give to Keystone. Commissioner Thomas asked if this
would be enough to do what they want to do. Ms. Gray said Keystone will probably have
to look at funding levels and scale back the program accordingly. Commissioner
Thomas said Head Start requires physical and dental visits and some children have
never seen a dentist and some of them needed to see a dentist very badly. He said if
this program would've been available, some of these horrendous situations wouldn't
exist. If this helps them, this is something that is important to Head Start. Ms. Gray will
meet with the program director to see what this amount of funding will do and how much
it will help and report back to the Board.
The Board held a Franklin County Retirement Board meeting.
Michael Shone, Peirce Park Group President, met with the Board to provide a
report of the Franklin County Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Fund.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
unanimously approved to revise the Investment Policy to include 5% in real estate using
a qualified investor like Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing. The investment into real
estate would be allowed by revising the OPEB investment policy to reduce the bond
portion by the appropriate amount.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:03 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS