HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-09 Commissioner Minutes
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2019
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, July 9, 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 July 2, 2019 meeting was reviewed. These will be decided
upon on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Thomas asked for more information on board action item #2, grant application to the US
Department of Justice. Glenda Helman, Director of Grants Management, explained that
this grant is a new federal grant program that would start October 1, 2019. Our current
th
PCCD Grant for the Get Back Up Program ends September 30. She continued that
there is a six month planning period and during that time they would continue to work
with the folks in the program. She hopes to get notice of the award in September. All
participants of the program have mental health and substance use issues. It was
reported in Prison Board that there are 287 out of the 450 inmates at the Jail who have
mental health issues. Chairman Keller mentioned that these programs are worthwhile
programs that are grant funded so this helps with funding them and use the general fund
as the payer of last resort. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked for more information on
board action item #5, agreement with Frey Lutz for HVAC maintenance at the Jail.
Warden Bill Bechtold said the Frey Lutz agreement is a renewal that was put out to bid
but only two bids were received. This agreement is for all systems at the jail. The
equipment is approaching 14 years old so they are seeing more breakdowns. The
Warden said that they do not want to replace the equipment for several more years. He
continued that there are not a lot of vendors that provide this type of service and given
the age of the current equipment, this will ensure the HVAC systems run efficiently. The
following item was approved today while the remaining items will be approved Thursday,
July 11, 2019.
The Board reviewed Tax Services maters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas; unanimously approved the proposal from Government
Software Services, Inc. for printing and postage for tax sale notices with postage for a
total cost of $51,900.00 for a three year period from July 1, 2019 through July 31, 2021.
The amount of $16,425.00 is to be paid up front for the postage each year.
Bonnie Zehler, Executive Director of Valley Community Housing Corporation,
provided a presentation on a Main Street mixed use project in Chambersburg. She
explained that they are a 501C3 corporation and their mission is to provide affordable
housing to Franklin County residents. They are dedicated to building stronger affordable
homes. She mentioned that they are working hard to change their name and an email
will be sent to everyone in September with the name change. Ms. Zehler provided an
overview of affordable housing in Franklin County for families, seniors and low income
residents. The median income for a family of four is $66,700. They serve mainly folks
who are working in the community and have some sort of income. Ms. Zehler provided
some slides on the mixed use project on Main Street, Chambersburg that currently
houses the Chambersburg Hispanic American Center (CHAC). They will demolish two
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buildings and then rebuild one building that will house the Hispanic Center, First Start
Partnerships for Children & Families and 6 one-bedroom units and 2 two-bedroom units.
She continued that the rent for all units will be affordable. She also mentioned that they
will work with two county programs, 811 vouchers where there is assistance with rent for
people who qualify for disabilities that are seriously mentally ill and also with Dr. Eaton
and the Intensive Reentry Case Management Program. Ms. Zehler is requesting
$35,000 a year for three years for a total of $105,000 of Housing Trust Fund money.
Steve Thomas, Planning Director, said that this is a great use of the Housing Trust Fund
money. He said we need more affordable housing not only for the programs she
Residents are wanting to stay where they are, so this is a good initiative to support.
Commissioner Thomas said the new construction will blend with the streetscape. He
asked why there is a need for a ramp and Ms. Zehler responded that there is a huge
rock under the building so the buildings need built on top of it, th
are raised now. They are trying to avoid rock as much as possible. Commissioner
Ziobrowski stated that he had some concerns but she has addressed them. One of his
concerns is the future of CHAC and the other was that they are obligating future
Housing Trust Funds he is ok with that. Chairman Keller said he appreciates Ms. Zehler
working with our Mental Health program and Jail for this type of housing and he knows
$105,000 will be money well spent since it costs taxpayers $65 per day to keep
offenders in the jail. He continued that he appreciates all that she tries to do around the
county and if she will do this type of project in Waynesboro he would be happy to
welcome her back. He likes what he has heard and he supports the project.
Chairman Keller explained that Brad Graham, Antrim Township Manager,
attended a board meeting a few weeks ago to present a proposed modified Local
Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) zone in Antrim Township. The
Greencastle School District said they will continue to participate in the LERTA and he
asked the Commissioners to
the original zone but a significant portion is undeveloped land. The nature of the zone is
traditional participation of LERTA zones, this does not fall into the definition that we
Ziobrowski said he agrees with Chairman Keller and that the idea behind the LERTA
zone is to fix blighted properties. He is supportive of that idea and there are properties
in previous and new zones that he can support for some tax relief for those properties.
His understanding is the municipality in the location of the zone, we have no flexibility of
picking and choosing within the district. We cannot pick and choose so there are
giving flexibility on which ones to support or not support. They took out some properties
like Manitowoc and a number of industrial properties on Route 11 and what they added
was raw land. Antrim Township has used the LERTA law as a development tool for raw
tax so it makes no difference for them. He is not supportive of the county supporting this
request. Chairman Keller said it is confusing that some commercial or industrial
were removed from this LERTA. He might be more likely to participate if they include
the commercial and industrial properties. Commissioner Thomas said there is not much
more to add but he stated that LERTA is not intended for raw land. He continued that
the property on Wharf road was challenged raw land so that was different. He cannot
support this request. Chairman Keller said the Township would like to implement this
this evening so he asked Carrie Gray to contact Mr. Graham and inform him of this
conversation. Commissioner Ziobrowski said his understanding after talking to DCED
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about this is we cannot cherry pick the projects to support if there is evidence to the
the door is
always open and they are ready to talk, but given the understanding of the law and legal
advice we are not interested in participating at this time.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 10:24 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review real estate matters. The Board reconvened into regular session at
10:55 a.m. No action was required after executive session.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:56 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
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