HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-18 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 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 June 11, 2019 and June 13, 2019 meetings were reviewed.
These will be decided upon on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. John Thierwechter,
Emergency Services Director, was present to provide more information on action item
#4, Change Order from CenturyLink for VESTA hardware/software upgrade. Mr.
Thierwechter explained that his department originally thought they wanted two features
that had to do with abandoned calls or random dials but after review they require that
someone on the other end of the phone has to determine they need the help. He is not
a person in trouble. There is a RapidSOS product that provides very accurate location
data. This is the same way that Uber finds people. This change order is to remove the
two mentioned features and add the RapidSOS product. He said it will save the county
$11,000.00. John Hart, Project Manager, was present to explain action item #3, various
documents to vacate various streets and alleyways near the courthouse. Mr. Hart
explained that these documents are to establish easements and finish the
abandonments, vacating the lots and finish the land development plan downtown.
These documents establish easements for utilities so we can provide utilities into the
buildings and down the street. Attorney AJ Benchoff was present to provide more
details and explained that a few months back President Judge Van Horn entered into
court to allow reuse on certain property owned by the Borough. These documents will
finalize that project. He continued that the Borough will abandon Central Avenue and
Montgomery Avenue in exchange the County will receive the ability to own those
properties. Mr. Benchoff said this is finalizing the vacation and abandoning the areas
mentioned in the court order. He continued that the County is being asked to sign the
eight documents and they will be presented to the Borough. These will then be put on
the next Borough Council agenda. Chairman Keller explained that King Street Church
will continue to own from Montgomery Avenue up to King Street and on the east side of
Central Avenue this will be shared by us and the church and the west wide will be totally
owned by us. Mr. Hart said that we will enter into a maintenance agreement for
Montgomery Avenue since the alleyway will be split down the middle with us and the
Church. There will no longer be public alleyways. The Board decided to sign these
documents today. The following items were approved today while the remaining items
will be approved Thursday, June 20, 2019.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the various
documents consisting of the following: Vacation Agreement; Easement Agreement -
Courthouse Plaza; Easement Agreement Montgomery Avenue and North Central
Avenue; Easement Agreement North Central Avenue; Agreement to Extinguish
Easement 1; Agreement to Extinguish Easement 2; Agreement to Extinguish Easement
3; and Deed of Dedication. These documents are required to be approved and executed
by the Board of Commissions to vacate various streets and alleyways and to establish
utility easements to facilitate the Court Facility Improvement Project.
Continued on page 2
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 9:49 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review real estate matters and also a request from the Solicitor for an
executive session to discuss pending litigation on Re: West Penn Power v. Franklin
County Board of Assessment & Revision of Taxes Docket No. 2011- 5142 and pending
litigation on Re: Opioid Lawsuit. No action will be required after the executive session
for the real estate matters but there will be action on the pending litigation matters. The
Board reconvened into regular session at 10:46 a.m.
Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor, met with the Board of Commissioners to
recommend settlement of the Appeal of West Penn Power Company tax assessment
appeal, No. 2011-5142. The property is located at 600 North Grant Street in
Waynesboro, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The original assessment is $407,450 with
an implied market value of $3,110,305. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded
by Robert L. Thomas, the Board unanimously approved an assessment of $163,750 with
an implied market value of $1,250,000. The settlement was previously approved by all
parties and intervenors, including the taxpayer, Borough of Waynesboro, Waynesboro
Area School District, and Franklin County Board of Assessment.
Mary Beth Shank, County Solicitor, asked the Board to ratify the action taken on
Friday to authorize a firm to handle the litigation matter related to the opioid crisis. On a
motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved
The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
Steve A. Nevada
Assistant County Administrator
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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David S. Keller, Chairman
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Robert L. Thomas
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Robert G. Ziobrowski