HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-09 Commissioner Minutes THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017
The Franklin County Commissioners met Thursday, March 9, 2017, 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 recognized the Board's colleagues from Fulton County,
Commissioners Stuart Ulsh, Rodney McCray and Pete Lynch. Also attending is District
Attorney Travis Kendall. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
Chairman Keller said at a recent Prison Board meeting, the Commissioners were
told a recommendation would be made by staff to no longer house Fulton County
inmates at the Jail due to the overcrowding. Warden Bechtold was present to explain
the background of what got us to where we are today. He said the population figures in
April 2015 at the jail was 381 and currently we are at 500. This is a significant increase.
He explained how Franklin County utilizes other counties to house inmates and there are
16 in Indiana County, 10 in Butler and 6 in Clinton. He was informed these jails will no
longer accept female inmates due to being in the same situation with an increased
female inmate population. Warden Bechtold said there are some issues that they have
to deal with, including increased workload to include transports back and forth for court
from the other facilities along with issues with coordination of court dates. The Jail has
had to fill two vacant post positions in the morning due to the jail population. There have
been an increase in incidents and drugs and they have done a very aggressive
campaign on drug testing inmates to combat that issue. He said they have had to do
emergency orders for bunks and mattresses. He said overcrowding has forced them to
use housing units for other than what they were originally designed. For example, the
restricted housing unit is no longer big enough and they have moved some of the
inmates into the general population. He said the booking area is to house temporary
inmates but is now for general population. There are a lot of juveniles in the medical
unit. There is not enough space for attorneys to meet with their clients. Warden
Bechtold said the population level is an issue for both staff and inmates. There is an
increase in complaints from inmates and families of inmates due to some inmates being
moved to other facilities so far away. They also have to be mindful of toilet and shower
ratio. He said he has seen no decline in the population since he has been here. He said
the only solution at this point is to remove all Fulton County inmates and stop taking
Federal inmates to allow those beds to be used by Franklin County inmates.
Commissioner Thomas asked the Warden about the financial picture when we
send people away since there is a cost along with the risk to Jail staff. The Warden
responded that the cost is $141 per inmate per day for a total of$567,220 from June
2016— July 2017. He budgeted $1.2 M but he expects he will have to request$1.7 M to
house our inmates in other counties.
Commissioner Ziobrowski asked about the cost to house Fulton County inmates.
Warden Bechtold responded we charge Fulton County $71 per inmate per day.
Commissioner Ziobrowski responded that it would be $70 difference or $1,400 per day
or $40,000 a month in extra costs by sending inmates out of county. This is costing tax
payers $40,000 a month.
Continued on page 2
Commissioner Thomas said that the Warden claimed that since he's been here,
the population has gone up and you could say it's because of him but it's not. We can't
put people in jail and not use other practices. We are doing our absolute best and
encouraging Day Reporting Center participation but the population at the DRC is down
to 50 from 150. The Warden wanted to mention that the Jail is tracking inmates going
out and coming in and making sure separation cases are not housed together. This has
increased jail staff duties and he has a truly great staff and they do not complain.
Chairman Keller said that he values our relationship with Fulton County and he
knows that this recommendation puts them in a tough spot and he welcomed their
thoughts on this issue. The Warden responded that Fulton County has been great
partners and in the two years he's been here, they have worked with us but this truly has
to do with the population. Chairman Stuart Ulsh, Fulton County Commissioner, said he
has concerns with the prison contract and concerns in relation with the Franklin/Fulton
Courts and Drug &Alcohol programs. He said District Attorney Travis Kendall has a
recommendation. District Attorney Kendall said that we need to look at the history of the
jail and start out with before the jail was built in the early 2000's. Franklin County
commissioned a study to what sort of a jail facility was needed. When the study was
completed, the recommendation was a 700 bed facility but a jail half that size was built
and there was a plan to use the Day Reporting Center. He said the jail cost$37 M.
Fulton County has housed their inmates there since 2007. From 2011 —2017 Fulton
County has paid $3 M for their inmates, which is 10% of the total cost of building the jail.
He said expelling Fulton County prisoners will not fix Franklin County Jail's overcrowding
and we will lose '/2 million a year in revenue that they provide for jail costs. He said they
have always paid their bill on time and attempted to be good customers. Fulton County
is very careful about how many people they incarcerate. He said there are strings
attached in our county by expelling Fulton County prisoners. Franklin/Fulton Drug &
Alcohol assessments are done in the Jail for Fulton County inmates. They don't know
going forward where these assessments would be done. DA Kendall said since their
inmates are provided work release and the weekender program, they will become
jobless and not be able to keep them employed. He said it's a crisis for them. They
don't know where they will house their prisoners.
Commissioner Thomas said that Franklin County spent a lot of money and effort
into the design and construction of the jail. He said there were two studies done and
they had a discussion with the District Attorney and the Judges to come up with
alternatives to incarceration and it sounds like Fulton County is doing a good job. He
said we put in those other programs and it worked. He said the 700 bed build was an
option if we didn't have those other programs. He said drugs are a big piece of this but
now we are not using programs that were put in place back then.
Chairman Keller asked Steve Nevada, Assistant County Administrator and Acting
Human Services Administrator, to respond to the drug and alcohol assessments raised
by DA Kendall. Mr. Nevada responded that we are researching ways to get the
assessments completed if Fulton inmates were housed at other county jails, including
contracting with the local Drug &Alcohol agency to do the assessments. Chairman
Keller said that the points Fulton County raised are hard to dispute but we are facing the
same crisis and trying to factor in the revenue received from Fulton County which we
appreciate and the good customer service we have. These are hard facts to face as we
acknowledge it's a crisis for them and for us also. But we still may have to house our
inmates elsewhere. He will take their comments under advisement and would like to
discuss further next week.
Continued on page 3
Commissioner McCray said this will put a tremendous crisis on their county, not
just financially but otherwise. Chairman Keller said that usually 10% of Human Services
are provided to Fulton County residents and 90% for Franklin County; however, Fulton
County residents currently only account for 5% of the jail population. He asked what
they are doing that we may not be doing. DA Kendall responded that he would be happy
to be a part of these discussions but in Fulton County they have a history of
collaboration and they get along. They join together and solve problems and act as a
team. They recognize the cost of incarceration and right now they have their own crisis
of what they are going to do with their prisoners.
Commissioner Ziobrowski said that we get$600,000 from Fulton County but it
costs twice as much to send people out of county. What Fulton is asking us to pay is
$1.2 M to get $600,000 from them. He said we have to look at our tax payers and ask if
$600,000 is worth it. He asked if we should have Fulton County pay the amount we pay
when sending people away. Would their tax payers be happy about that?
Commissioner Thomas mentioned some of the programs Franklin County is starting to
help with getting treatment for consumers with serious mental illness and heroin addicts
instead of incarceration. DA Kendall pointed out that the grant for the Vivitrol program
for heroin addicts is a joint effort with Fulton County. How will this happen if their
inmates are going to be scattered to other areas? Chairman Keller responded that we
will have to figure out a way to address those things with grants and commitments we
have made. Commissioner Thomas said he hopes it can lead to something that can be
a positive situation.
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 February 28, 2017 and March 2, 2017
meetings.
The Board reviewed Day Reporting Center matters. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement
between the County of Franklin and the County of Fulton to provide Day Reporting
Services to Fulton County offenders referred to the program by Fulton County Adult
Probation, for the period of February 1, 2017 through January 31, 2020. Fulton County
will pay Franklin County $8.58 per participant, for each calendar day, in the program.
The Board reviewed Jail/Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the agreement between the
County of Franklin and PeerStar, LLC to provide mental health support services to
individuals who are participants of the County Jail Diversion Program or inmates at the
Franklin County Jail with a maximum encumbrance of$20,000.00, for the period of
January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
The Board reviewed Grants/Fiscal matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the Pass-Through
Agreement between the County of Franklin and Women in Need (WIN) allowing the
county to act as the liaison between the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency (PCCD) and WIN, in applying for PCCD STOP grant funds in the amount of
$86,250.00, for the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
Continued on page 4
The Board reviewed Planning Office matters. On a motion by Robert L. Thomas,
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved the amendment to the
original agreement between the County of Franklin and the Waynesboro Historical
Society to extend the Franklin County Tourism and Quality of Life Enhancement grant
end date to December 31, 2017.
The Board reviewed information regarding a Proclamation for Intellectual
Disabilities Awareness Month. Marian Rowe, ID Program Specialist, was present to
receive the proclamation and explained that the main focus is that Intellectual Disabilities
consumers have a choice to make decisions like we all do. On a motion by Robert L.
Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign Franklin
County Proclamation #2017-01 proclaiming the month of March as Intellectual
Disabilities Awareness Month and that the attached proclamation be made a part of
these minutes.
The Board reviewed information regarding DeMolay month. Commissioner
Thomas explained that DeMolay is an organization that is a cousin of the Masonic
Fraternity and helps build character, citizenship and respect in young men. On a motion
by Robert L. Thomas, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; unanimously approved to sign
Franklin County Proclamation #2017-02 proclaiming the month of March as DeMolay
month and that the attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m. with a motion by Robert L. Thomas;
seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Intellectual Disabilities Awarenesst - March
Proclamation #2017 - 01
Whereas: Individuals with an intellectual disability are of all racial, ethnic, educational,
social and economic backgrounds, yet all are valued members of society who find
fulfillment living everyday lives; and
Whereas: Individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors, and
co-workers encourage everyone to focus on the abilities of all people; and
Whereas: the most effective way to increase this awareness is through everyone's
active participation in community activities and the openness to learn and acknowledge
each individual's contribution; and
Whereas: policies must be developed, attitudes shaped, and opportunities offered for
citizens with intellectual disabilities to live as independently and productively as possible
in our community; and
Whereas: we encourage all citizens to support opportunities for people with disabilities
that include full access to education, housing, employment, and recreational activities;
and
Now, therefore, we, the Franklin County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim March
2017 as
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH
and offer full support to efforts that assist people with intellectual disabilities to make
choices that enable them to live successful lives and realize their potential;
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have hereunto set our hand and caused our seal this 9th
day of March, two thousand and seven`s--i .
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
l� m David S. Keller, Chairman
Robert L. Thomas
i9
Robert G. Zi owski
PROC'LAM'ATION 2017 - 02
DEM"OLA Y MONTH
WHEREAS the Order of DeMolay is a character building organization of young men from twelve to
twenty-one years of age; and
WHEREAS these young men are seeking to prepare themselves to become better citizens and leaders
for tomorrow; and
WHEREAS DeMolay helps develop those traits of character which have strengthened good men in all
ages, and
WHEREAS the organization has carried out the aforementioned goals for ninety-seven years through
programs of athletic competition, social activity, civic service and charitable projects; and
WHERAS the members of George Washington DeMolay Chapter will observe the year of 2017 as the
98th Anniversary of the Order of DeMolay
So as to exemplify to all citizenslhere and everywhere their many activities, and to tender recognition to
their millions of Senior DeMolays, now,
THEREFORE, by the authority vested in us, we the Commissioners of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, do
hereby proclaim that March 2017 be observed as DEMOLAY MONTH and call upon all our citizens to join
in saluting the young men of the Order of DeMolay, and in expressing our grateful appreciation for the
fine example set by them, in contributing to the welfare of our community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have hereunto set our hand and caused our seal this 91h day of March,two
thousand and seventeen.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
David S. Keil r, Chairman
1 IY J'
Robert L.Thomas
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Robert browski