HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-19 Commissioner MinutesTUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2019
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, November 19, 2019, with the
following members present: David S. Keller 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 David S. Keller; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda. Chairman Keller announced that Commissioner Thomas
will not be in attendance today.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the November 12, 2019 and November 14, 2019 meetings were
reviewed. These will be decided upon on Thursday, November 21, 2019.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Chairman Keller
asked for more information on item board action item #1 agreement with TH Minit
Markets. Carrie Gray, County Administrator, explained that this agreement is for the
sale of land on Franklin Farm Lane between the Fish Hatchery and the land that has
been excavated along Route 30. She continued that the letter of intent was approved by
the Board a couple of months ago. John Hart, Project Manager, explained board action
item #3, change order from Lobar for $230,414.01. He said there are unforeseen items
that can happen when digging in a town area. They did the core boring and hit solid
stone on all five sites and came back at 6,000 pounds per square foot. With that the
engineer calculates how many pounds per square foot and came back at 8,000 pounds.
He said the whole site is solid stone which is unusual. They tested the areas again.
They came back with 2,500 to 3,000 per square feet so they have to increase the size of
the footers due to this new information. Mr. Hart said that we have money in
contingency for the change orders. He said that we have five projects going on right
now and are well below the amount of change orders for projects of this scope. He said
we will always run into change orders. Steve Nevada, Assistant County Administrator
explained board action item #11 is a passenger wagon for custodial staff who use the
vehicle for driving from building to building and also for transporting supply items. He
continued that their old vehicle needs replaced. The items will be approved Thursday,
November 21, 2019.
The Board reviewed information regarding World Aids Day. Diane Morrow, HIV
Program Director for Keystone Health, thanked the Commissioners for considering the
proclamation today. She explained that they are a publicly funded program for
individuals and the community in Franklin County. They provide medical care, care
management and support services to individuals with HIV. They also provide a testing
program that allows them to go out to other organizations in the community for education
and testing services. She said the goal for everyone is to prevent HIV. Ms. Morrow
continued that they serve 150-170 individuals a year in medical care, care management
and support services. She provided the following statistics: 80% of individuals are male
and 20% are female; 25% are over the age of 60, 50% are between the ages of 18-60
and 1 individual is under age 18 but she explained that they do not provide services for
children and adolescents with HIV because they are referred to Hershey Medical Center
for pediatric treatment. She continued that half of the individuals are below the poverty
level but Keystone does not turn anyone away for inability to pay or lack of insurance.
Keystone has been providing these services since the mid 90's, which is far ahead of
other rural communities in the nation. Chairman Keller asked what the trend is
worldwide and locally. Is it going up or down for individuals diagnosed with HIV? Ms.
Morrow responded that generally they had seven to eight newly diagnosed individuals
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who test positive for HIV per year but for the past two years they have not had anyone
test positive with a new diagnosis. The hope is that the treatment that they are providing
is helping. In our area there is a trend going downward but worldwide it's a different
story. In Pennsylvania we are fortunate to have these programs. Ms. Morrow said that
now most patients are dying from other diseases like heart disease or diabetes. As long
as patients are treated they are not dying from HIV. David Grant, Keystone Chief
Operations Officer, explained the history of HIV since the 1980's and in 1990 Congress
enacted the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (CARE) which
funds Franklin County programs. He continued that the Trump Administration, through
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), recently awarded funds in Ryan
White HIV/AIDS program grants to counties to strengthen efforts to end the HIV
epidemic in the United States. Mr. Grant said we must remain vigilant. He explained
how Ryan White contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion at the age of 13 and how
the doctors only gave him a 6 month chance to live but he died five years later one
month before his high school graduation. Joanne Cochran, Keystone President and
CEO, explained that Keystone has had a long history in our community. She said the
frontline staff deserve a lot of credit. Chairman Keller responded that he appreciates
their service and thanked everyone for attending today. He read the proclamation. On
a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by David S. Keller; unanimously approved
Proclamation 2019-26 proclaiming December 1, 2019 as World Aids Day and that the
attached proclamation be made a part of these minutes.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by David S. Keller.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
David S. Keller
Robert G. Ziobrowski
World AIDS Day 2019
Proclamation #2019 - 26
WHEREAS, World AIDS Day was established on December 1, 1988 to increase
awareness, raise funds, fight prejudice, and improve education about Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); and
WHEREAS, World AIDS Day continues to be an important way to celebrate the
extraordinary advances made in the battle against HIV/AIDS, remember those that have lost
their lives to the disease, and remind people that there is still much more that needs to be done
to end the epidemic; and
WHEREAS, according to UNAIDS there are approximately 36.9 million people worldwide
living with HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there are more
than 1.2 million Americans 13 years and older living with HIV; and
WHEREAS, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology
there are over 36,000 people living with HIV in Pennsylvania and in Franklin County 36 of every
100,000 people are living with HIV; and
WHEREAS, while scientific advances and expanded access to HIV testing, diagnosis, and
treatment can help reduce transmission and increase life expectancy, it is still vital to educate
the public on how they can protect themselves and others from this preventable disease; and
WHEREAS, Keystone Health began providing HIV/AIDS services in 1995, at a time when
HIV medical care was virtually non-existent in the area. Today, Keystone is the sole provider of
publicly funded HIV services in Franklin County. Services are tailored to meet the needs of each
patient, and include medical evaluation, clinical care, medical case management, financial
assistance and support services. All services are provided regardless of the individual's ability
to pay.
NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Commissioners of Franklin County, do hereby proclaim:
December 1, 2019 as World AIDS Day and we encourage all residents to take part in activities
and observances designed to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and to join in the effort to
prevent further spread of the disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have hereunto set our hand and seal of Franklin County to
be fixed this 19`h day of November, 2019.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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David S. Keller, Chairman
Robert L. Thomas
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Robert G. Ziobr