HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-28 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, July 28, 2016, 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.
Chairman Keller announced that Commissioner Ziobrowski will not be in
attendance today. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
Chairman Keller said there are a few items identified on the voucher listing that
the Board needs further documentation from Controller Harold Wissinger. The Board
will defer consideration of vouchers until this documentation is received.
On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously
approved the minutes of the July 19, 2016 and July 21, 2016 meetings.
The Board reviewed Children and Youth matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the updated contract
listing for all contracts and addendums for Fiscal Year 2015/2016 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.
The Board reviewed Domestic Relations matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the
Board to execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and Atlantic
Tomorrow's Office to convert the current LaserFiche system in Domestic Relations
Section (DRS) to PACSES state-wide imaging at a cost of$8,292.54. Atlantic Tomorrow
is Franklin County DRS's vendor. The County will pay up front costs but will be
reimbursed 100%. This agreement will replace the agreement with Full Circle signed by
the Board on January 14, 2016.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the Housing Trust Fund Grant
agreement between the County of Franklin and Maranatha Ministries to provide Housing
Trust Funds in the amount of$15,000.00 towards a match to a U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development Grant that assists Maranatha Ministries' Total Person
Transitional Housing Program. This agreement is for the period July 28,2016 through
December 31, 2017.
The Board reviewed Tax Assessments matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved the agreement between
the County of Franklin and Andrew J. Benchoff, Esquire, to provide solicitorship for the
Franklin County Board of Assessment Appeals Board to attend assessment appeals and
provide legal counsel to the Board of Assessment in hearings and appeals at a rate of
$155.00 per hour for the period of July 15, 2016 through December 31, 2018.
Continued on page 2
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 Joint Permit application
being applied for repair of a structurally deficient bridge, located in Letterkenny and
Lurgan Townships.
In accordance with PA Acts 14, 67, 68 and 127 notifications, Highway Materials,
Inc. notified the County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Air
Quality permit application being applied by St. Thomas Development for a nonmetallic
mineral processing plant and a General permit for diesel and no.2 fired internal
combustion engines at the St. Thomas Quarry, located in St. Thomas Township.
The Veterans Affairs Director was present to provide staff recommendations on
the Piatt Trust Endowment to help local veterans. Chairman Keller provided the history
of the recipients and their generous gift to the veterans in Franklin County. He said the
Board asked staff to recommend how the money should be spent and work with Elaine
Meyers, who is the sister of Carl Piatt. Justin Slep, Veterans Affairs Director, wanted to
take a moment to thank Ms. Meyers and her family for the amazing gift. He provided the
following recommendations: $10,000 to be used for emergency assistance for veterans
with a priority on mental health diagnosis. He would develop an application and the
veterans would receive $1,000 per year and he would work with SCCAP who would
administer the funds; $20,000 to be used for Operation Save-A-Vet/Save-A-Pet for
equipment and supplies and also to expand the kennel of the trainer to help with the
program; $20,000 to be used for an activity section, he is in the process of hiring an
Events Community Outreach position. It could be used for a Therapeutic Riding Center
Program, agricultural and outdoor opportunities, gardening and greenhouse or other
outdoor gardens, fishing, chartered fishing tours at the Bay or Raystown or fly fishing,
hiking or hunting programs, and promote health and wellness, morale events by working
with minor league teams in taking Franklin County veterans to a game with locker room
passes and to be honored on the field. He also would like to team up with nonprofits in
particular with Two Top Adaptive Sports in Mercersburg who help amputee's participate
in sports. Another possibility is family movie nights. Mr. Slep said his focus will be on
the mental health aspect first since there are approximately 22 veterans committing
suicide a day and he would like to help them. Elaine Meyers said this is a trust from
three people that are no longer with us, her mother, father and brother. Her father was a
World War 2 veteran, her brother Carl was a Vietnam veteran and her mother was the
bride of a soldier. She said she has great faith in our community. She said what Mr.
Slep described is in keeping with the values of her family and the trust. Her daughter
participated in a Therapeutic Riding Center in Maryland so she was happy to hear about
the possibility of a Therapeutic Riding Program. She knows the trust will be used well in
this community. Her mother had an expression and as she became older she would
always say "I will always send you a hug in the air". The community gave her the hug in
the air today. She thanked Mary Beth Shank for coordinating this and thanked Justin
again. Chairman Keller said the Board deals with a budget of hundreds of millions of
dollars and this amount of money is still a lot of money to them. They will monitor these
funds and we will get the most bang for the dollar. He said it is great timing for the
request, when we have focused our attention on veteran programs. It helps take what
they are doing to the next level to focus on veterans who are most deserving.
Commissioner Thomas said there will be others helped because of their gift. He said we
are getting donations already but this could be the first of many gifts to continue. He
continued that people are coming back after fighting wars where they don't know who
the bad guys are and how it makes you think and when they come home how do they
adapt. He thinks the gift is wonderful and it will be the gift that keeps on giving. Ms.
Meyers said Mr. Slep is a wonderful spokesman. She said she loves the nature part of
it, since her brother was comforted by nature.
Continued on page 3
Ms. Shank said it would be appropriate to take action on Mr. Slep's
recommendations. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller;
unanimously approved to accept the plan and the recommendations from Mr. Slep and
that it be implemented as soon as possible.
The Board recessed until they receive clarification on the vouchers.
The Board reconvened at 11:50 a.m.
The Board received the voucher documentation that was requested. On a
motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved all
bills presented and ordered paid.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:51 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by David S. Keller.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS