HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-30 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 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 G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the January 23, 2018 and January 25, 2018 meetings were
reviewed. These will be decided upon on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Carrie Gray, County
Administrator, provided further information on the interpreter contract at Commissioner
Thomas's request. Ms. Gray explained that in 2015 AOPC started to require a certified
interpreter for formal court proceedings. Since then we have contracted with Ms.
Souders and she has agreed to reduce her rate for the first 16 hours a week. This works
well to have this agreement in place. It is more efficient for scheduling purposes. The
following item was approved today while the remaining items will be approved Thursday,
February 1, 2018.
The Board reviewed Court Administration matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the agreement
between the County of Franklin and Josephina C. Souders to provide English-Spanish
interpreter services for the Franklin County Court System at a rate of$45.00 per hour for
a minimum of 16 hours per week. Services over 16 hours will incur a rate of$50.00 per
hour. This agreement is for the period of January 29, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Ms. Souders is certified by the Administrative Offices of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC),
and each county is required to utilize an APOC certified translator during formal court
proceedings.
Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources Director, and members of the Special Thanks
and Recognition Committee (STAR) were present to honor the Employee of the Month
for January. Emily Hutton, Correctional Treatment Specialist at the Franklin County Jail,
was chosen from 13 employees nominated. Ms. Bloyer said the selection for the
January 2018 Employee of the Month was determined by the STAR Committee based
on the numerous votes she received. Ms. Hutton was selected based in part on the
following comments on the nomination form: "Emily is dedicated to assisting inmates in
being successful when returning to the community. She recently helped an inmate with
serious medical needs in obtaining housing, utilities, medical equipment and services.
Without her intervention, this inmate would still be housed at the jail without an adequate
home plan. But instead, with Ms. Hutton's diligence, he was given a fresh start in 2018!"
"In addition to her regular CTS (Correctional Treatment Specialist) duties, Emily also
serves as an integral member of the Franklin Together's Case Review Task Force. She
works tirelessly in advocating for inmates' needs and assisting them in their transition
back to the community." Ms. Hutton's outstanding characteristics are attributes that
have not gone unnoticed by her peers. The nomination forms described her as
dedicated, compassionate, diligent, innovative and motivated, all of which are notable
traits and serves her well as a Correctional Treatment Specialist. We are grateful to Ms.
Emily Hutton as she exudes a high standard of customer service, excellence and
respect to the employees and residents of Franklin County. Ms. Hutton spoke and took
the opportunity to thank the agencies that aided her to help the client she was working
with. She explained that the client had a lot of medical issues and there were a lot of
steps to get him out of Jail plus he had to have an oxygen tank set up. She thanked
Adult Probation for approving him to be released since he didn't have any other options,
SCCAP provided food to him, Noah's House gave him a bed and Maranatha industries
provided him a whole shopping cart of food. She also thanked Jen Wenzel from the
Mental Health Housing Program and Veterans' Affairs Director Justin Slep who were
also a big help in getting the client where he needed to be. She continued that it was an
amazing effort from county agencies and she is so thankful to work for a great county.
Chairman Keller responded that it says a lot about her character that she would point out
the agencies and individuals that helped her and how it was a team effort. Today is all
about her and he is truly grateful for the fine work she does and going above the call of
duty. Commissioner Thomas said that dealing with these clients in the jail are not a
slam dunk process; it takes a lot of people which is the coordination Ms. Hutton referred
to. It's more than providing service, it is dedication to getting the job done. He
continued that there is evidence that the best program in the world won't work if we don't
have dedicated people. She is another example of this and he is very proud of her.
Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that as a society we haven't done a good job of
keeping people from reoffending, but a smooth and safe landing is one of the things that
can help reduce recidivism. It's good for everyone and he thanked Ms. Hutton for her
efforts. Warden Bechtold added that the client is a veteran who served our country and
if not for the efforts of Emily, he would still be in jail. Most jails would not have gone into
the effort of making his successful reentry into society. He is proud of the jail staff and
Emily is a great representative of the jail staff.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS