HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-19 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, March 19, 2015, 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.
Jay Lightfoot provided public comment and asked why the audience can't ask
questions when someone is giving a presentation.
Allen Piper provided public comment and asked for more explanation on board
action item #5, grant with PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency and if they have a
strategic planning facilitator to fill that capacity. Mr. Piper also asked if CCAP takes any
positions at the federal level.
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 March 10, 2015 and March 12, 2015
meetings.
Chairman Keller asked John Hart, County Administrator, to respond to Mr.
Piper's question during public comment. Mr. Hart responded that there is a facilitator
from Lancaster County and the purpose of the project is to look at all resources in the
county for reentry services. There are well over 90% of inmates that return to the
community. He explained there are a number of community organizations that provide
services to people when they are released from Jail. The hope is to pull various
interested parties in the community together and develop an overall plan to partner
together.
The Board reviewed Aging Office matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the Food & Beverage License to the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture for the Mont Alto Senior Center at a cost of$82.00. It is a state regulation to
have a food and beverage license renewed annually. There is no increase from last
year and it is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging Block Grant.
The Board reviewed Children and Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the updated
contract listing for all contracts and addendums for Fiscal Year 201402015 for the
Children and Youth department. Contract listing is maintained for proper accounting of
all contacts to include vendor name and address, type(s) of service provided and rate(s)
charged for services.
Continued on page 2
The Board reviewed Grants/CJAB matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziorowski; unanimously approved the grant application to
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to apply for a grant in the amount
of$10,000.00 for the Re-entry Strategic Planning Project that will address the needs of
Franklin County's Criminal Justice Planners in developing a comprehensive effort
towards promoting successful reentry into the community. The County will contract with
an experienced strategic planning facilitator who has conducted similar activities.
The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded
by Robert G. Ziorowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and Pearson VIDE to allow the
jail to continue as a certified GED testing site. Term is February 20, 2015 through
February 2 , 2016, there is no cost associated with this contract.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 66 and 127 notifications, RHS Engineering, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NDPES
Permit application being applied by Mercersburg Academy for discharges of stormwater
from construction activities for building remodel and addition with proposed parking and
additional harscaes for the Alumni House on property located in the Borough of
ercersburg.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 66 and 127 notifications, Valley Quarries, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of
Air Quality Permit application being applied to relocate a portable, diesel powered
screen from the Shippensburg Plant to the Fayetteville Plant.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Shelly &Witter, Inc.
notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NDPES
Permit application being applied by Kent A. Saunders for discharges of stormwater from
construction activities for land development plan for proposed restaurant/banquet facility
at Saunerosa Park on property located in Mercersburg.
In accordance with PA Acts 67, 66 and 127 notifications, Compliance
Management International notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection Permit application being applied by American Stair and
Cabinetry for their wood furniture manufacturing operation on property located in
Chamersur .
Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director, met with the Board to review the 2015 expense
and revenue budget performance through January, 2015. Ms. Beckner advised that the
County changed the employees' health insurance which was aided by a contribution for
employees that was recorded in January. Due to this there is a variance but as the year
passes, the budget will come back in line. She said payroll taxes are due on the first of
the year; in addition, there are dues from maintenance agreements and frontloade
expenses which creates a variance for several departments but this also will level out as
the year progresses. She said general fund expenses are at 6.7% of budgeted
expenses compared to 3.5% in January of 2014. Ms. Beckner said revenues are 1.6%
collected of general fund revenue budget compared to 1.1% in January, 2014. Ms.
eckner reported that the revenue from property taxes collected are related to
supplements or tax claim payments since the tax bills were just recently mailed to
property owners. Ms. Beckner reported that the overall budget performance is tracking
as projected.
Continued on page 3
The Board held a discussion on the Public Safety Training Center funding
request. Chairman Keller said PSTC board president Bill Dubbs was here a couple of
weeks ago requesting additional funding for this year. They are asking for$22,442.00
which is significantly higher than in the past and is based on the need for significant
updates and improvements to the facility. Chairman Keller feels this request is justified
but he is not ready to commit to this level of funding on an annual basis. Commissioner
Thomas concurs and since fire departments are largely driven by volunteer services and
EMS is more of a paid program, there is huge training required. He said training at the
Public Safety Training Center is critical and the county's residents would not be well
served with lack of funding. It's a municipal responsibility for fire and EMS but at the
same time, the County could do a small part and would be doing the right thing.
Chairman Keller said it is not just a fire training center but a Public Safety Training
Center and it should be noted that law enforcement has been making use of the facility
and he would like to see further development of the facility for other uses besides fire
training. He further stated there is a great need by local fire training and it's important to
be able to support the Center for local fire and EMS trainings. Also to further note, there
is a need for the Center to be used for the business community and offer hazardous
material and fire related training. The use of the facility for the business community may
even help the facility financially going forward. Commissioner Ziobrowski agreed with
Chairman Keller and Commissioner Thomas's statements. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the request of
$22,442.70 with the understanding the request will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Chairman Keller announced the Commissioners will be attending the CCAP
Conference next Tuesday so the meeting will be held in the afternoon.
Commissioner Thomas asked to answer Mr. Pipers question during public
comment concerning CCAP. He stated that CCAP has two representatives on National
Association of Counties (NACO) Board whose focus is on national issues but on
occasion CCAP does review some national issues but most are state issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS