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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-29 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, October 29, 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. Chairman Keller explained there is a request to amend the agenda for today's meeting. The first item is a request to appoint Mike Ross to the South Central Workforce Investment Board. John Hart, County Administrator, explained the one item is a Housing and Urban Development grant for thirty apartments. We received notification from HUD that we are approved for the grant and the agreement needs approved today due to the short submission timeline. The other item he explained is an emergency resolution to repair the phone system in Magisterial District Judge Plum's office to keep operations going. The phone system is not operating and due to its age, repair parts are not available. He said a patch was provided to have one phone line in the office so it needs to be repaired as soon as possible. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the amended 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. Chairman Keller announced that since Tuesday is Election Day, there will be no board meeting. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the minutes of the October 20, 2015 and October 22, 2015 meetings. The Board reviewed an appointment to the South Central Workforce Investment Board. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved to appoint Mike Ross for a term of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2019 to the South Central Workforce Investment Board. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved Emergency Resolution #2015-08 for the repair of the telephone system at Magisterial District Judge Plum's office. The Board reviewed Grants/Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the grant application to Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive renewal funding to continue providing housing and case management services for individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness. The grant request will total $261,407.00, with a match provided by the Housing Trust Fund and in-kind supportive services from MH/ID. This grant is for the period of August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017. Continued on page 2 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 and Beverage License to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for the Waynesboro Senior Activity 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 Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute agreement between the County of Franklin and Rapid Financial Solutions to create a debit card system that would be used for released inmates receiving their remaining funds. This new service would eliminate the need to give released inmates a Franklin County issued check, eliminates check cashing, eliminates mail transit, and eliminates lost checks. This agreement is for the period of November 1, 2015 through December 31, 2020. The Board reviewed additional Jail matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Stanley Convergent Security Solutions for the integrated security system software for the jail security at a cost of$27,675.00 for the period of October 31, 2015 through December 31, 2020. The current security system is the original system that started operation in April Of 2006 and it runs 24/7, 365 days a year and is in need of replacement. This is a proprietary system. The Board reviewed Register and Recorder matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the quote from Infocon Corporation to produce microfilm from the scanned images in the Landex Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills system at an estimated fee of$.03 per frame and $25.00 per roll, plus shipping and handling. The Board reviewed Tax Services matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the contract between the County of Franklin and Government Software Services for printing and bulk mailing of homestead/farmstead applications that are required each year. This contract is at an estimated cost of$4,825.00due to postage which is estimated at$3,000 and included in the quote. Bids were requested for this service and three companies responded. Government Software Services was the lowest qualified quote. In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands General Permit application being applied for repair of water obstructions or encroachments on property located in Greene Township. In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, William A. Brindle Associates, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES Permit application being applied by Franklin County Housing Authority, Mt. Vernon Terrace for site improvements located in Borough of Waynesboro. In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, William A. Brindle Associates, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES Permit application being applied by Thomas Wayne Kelskey for a land development for a residential dwelling located in Antrim Township. Continued on page 3 In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, William A. Brindle Associates, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection NPDES Permit application being applied by Scott Kikadden for a land development for a chicken house located in Lurgan Township. In accordance with PA Acts 67, 68 and 127 notifications, AJ Pellets, Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Permit application being applied to accept wood waste materials that are not recyclable and use this material as boiler fuel on property located in Antrim Township. Phil Tarquino, Planning Director, and Sam Thrush, Planner, were present to conduct a public hearing for the 2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications to review recommendations and submit a proposed budget to the Board. Mr. Tarquino explained they held a public meeting on Tuesday and presented the applications for the 2015 CDBG funds. He said there also was a public meeting Tuesday evening but no public attended that meeting. Mr. Tarquino said staff has discussed availability of the funds with all the applicants since Tuesday's meeting and came up with some recommendations. Mr. Thrush provided the following recommendations: $90,000.00 to Indian Lake to be used towards the phase 5 water treatment project; $57,000.00 to Letterkenny Township to be used towards lateral assistance for residents in the Skyline Drive project area; $55,000.00 to Borough of Greencastle to be used for installation of curb ramps along Williamson Avenue; $26,450.00 to Homes for America to be used towards exterior lighting and ADA sidewalk/curb ramp improvements; $20,000.000 to South Central Community Action Program to be used towards the Gleaning program. Mr. Thrush explained the Planning Office is recommending Quincy Township's application to the competitive application in February since they seem to be a good candidate for that grant. The last application is from Downtown Greencastle, Inc., and they will look at other funds from the state, non- profit or local grants, that may be better for this project. Mr. Thrush said the remaining funds in the amount of$54,537.84 will be used for administration purposes. Commissioner Thomas said he applauds staff for their efforts in communicating with all applicants and providing the recommendations which he is in agreement with. Chairman Keller said he finds no issues with the recommendations and thanked them for doing due diligence in communicating with everyone. He is glad the County is able to support several projects around the County. Chairman Keller opened the floor for public comments. Supervisor Gunder from Quincy Township asked what the timeline and distribution of funds will be for the competitive grant. Mr. Thrush responded that the competitive funding is distributed faster than the entitlement funding. Chairman Keller said last winter the board approved the competitive applications and the money was received in the summer. CDBG non-competitive funding takes a year to receive the funds. Kim Wertz stated the $90,000.00 for Indian Lake Camp seems low, and asked if they plan on getting matching grants. Mr. Thrush explained that these funds will be added to their other allocations they have received since 2010. The total budget for the water treatment plant is $200,000 - $300,000, so this is just a piece of it. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the tentative 2015 Community Development Block Grant Budget and approved the proper advertising of the budget. John Hart, County Administrator, provided an update on the State budget impasse to the Board. Mr. Hart said he updated the Board a month ago on the state not passing the budget and since then nothing has changed. He said we are still in the same situation. He said the county is continuing to pay all human service contracts, personnel costs and general operating expenses at an amount of$1.5 million a month. His sources tell him there is no movement on the state budget. He is recommending to keep doing what we have been doing. He explained the County has $13,900,000 Continued on page 4 available in the General Fund. It requires $5.2 million per month of the general funds to run all operations; which includes the $1.5 million for human services. With this expenditure rate and no State reimbursement the County has 95 days of General Fund reserves. If the State budget impasse continues past 95 days staff is recommending utilizing Fund 40, which is a capital projects fund and Fund 41, which is an equipment and reserve fund. These funds will add another 52 days of funding onto the 95 reserve days. He explained Fund 40 would require a resolution to be passed by the Board to use the funds and Fund 41 will require a motion. Mr. Hart also explained that staff is looking into a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN). Not knowing how long the state budget impasse will continue, a decision would need to be made to determine the total amount of the loan. The County could borrow a maximum of$35 million as the County can't borrow more than what we generate in taxes. The Board would also need to determine if we should do an RFI with local banks. This document would require several weeks to develop. Also, fiscal paperwork would need to be completed for submission to PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). He explained further that the process to obtain a TAN would require four to eight weeks preparation time if the Board decides to solicit an RFI. Mr. Hart summarized the process: the Board needs to decide when to start the process for the TAN, how much we will borrow, decide if we are issuing an RFI, and staff would then develop fiscal paperwork for submission to PA DCED. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he would like to wait for another month to start the TAN process. He doesn't feel it will be worth staff time to start the process now. Commissioner Thomas said he disagrees and it wouldn't hurt to start the ball rolling. Mr. Hart will discuss with Ms. Beckner how much staff time would be involved with starting the TAN process. Chairman Keller said he recommends continuing doing what we are already doing, start looking at reallocating some reserves from the two funds and if necessary, start the process for the TAN. Mr. Hart complemented the Board's leadership as Franklin County has been able to maintain a healthy General Fund reserve. We never know when an emergency will arise and require the expenditure of these funds. Chairman Keller responded that the real credit goes to staff and Mr. Hart since they manage the day to day operations. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas; seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski. FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS