HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-15 Commissioner Minutes
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, April 15, 2020, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery 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.
The Commissioners meeting was held remotely and everyone participated by
phone or video conferencing including commissioners, staff, public and press. The
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A roll call vote was taken and individuals participating in the meeting remotely
identified themselves.
Carrie Gray, County Administrator, asked to amend the agenda to delete the
special salary board off the agenda today and reschedule it for next week. On a motion
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to adopt
the amended agenda.
There was no public comment.
The minutes of the April 8, 2020 meeting were reviewed. These will be decided
upon in the afternoon session.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. The items will be
approved in the afternoon session.
John Hart, Project Manager, wanted to discuss reopening the court facility
-down all nonessential
a municipal entity the commissioners have the authority to say whether our facility
nonessential business directive. The commissioners are able to determine what
operations are critical. Mr. Hart is asking the Commissioners to authorize the sites as
critical and start the projects back up as soon as possible. He said this needs to be
noted in the minutes and a letter needs sent to the contractors authorizing them to
proceed but that they need to follow the PA Department of Health and Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for mitigating the risk of COVID-19
transmission. Chairman Keller said he fully supports this request and considers the
mandate. Mr. Hart responded that the State Police and local law enforcement enforce
the mandate. He continued that the contractors need to follow CDC and Department of
Health recommendations. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that these folks are outdoors
with no interaction with the public so the transmission is limited. He continued that the
school districts are continuing to do their repairs and construction so they must follow the
same category so the risk of any policed action or anyone saying we should not move
ahead would be limited. The Board was unanimous with moving forward with the
construction projects.
Continued on page 2
Chairman Keller said that last week the Board discussed interest in considering
delaying the deadlines related to county property tax payments. He continued that staff
has been researching this and a resolution has been developed for their consideration
but the decision is in limbo due to the state passing legislation which is waiting for the
sked Carrie Gray to provide more information. Ms. Gray said
that John Thierwechter, Assistant County Administrator, drafted a resolution to extend
the deadlines for the face period but depending on what the governor approves the
resolution could be changed. Mr. Thierwechter said pending approval of Senate Bill 841
he believes the discount period could be
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extended to August 31. Chairman Keller said that historically 85% of tax revenue
comes in during the discount period. So by extending the discount period, and if the
legislation is signed by the governor, that would not significantly reduce the amount of
revenue we receive this year it would just be more spread out. Ms. Gray responded
that she received up
compared to 2019 is just under 600 bills so if we would extend the discount period it
would just be extended throughout the year versus by the end of April. Chairman Keller
explained that the resolution prepared for their consideration is based on existing
legislation not the pending legislation so based on the law that the resolution was crafted
under it will not extend the discount period however it is proposed to extend the face
period through the end of October 2020. Commissioner Ziobrowski wanted to explain
that there are two modes of thought and they are not mutually exclusive. One is a
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convenience issue which is why the income tax has been extended through July 15.
People are putting out fires. The other issue is the overall impact of taxes on businesses
and the convenience issue. He doesn't think we need to do anything about face period
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because we have time to talk about that but moving the discount from April 30 to June
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30 would greatly help people put out the fires in their personal and business affairs. He
understands that the solicitor is reviewing the law as it is now and if we wait another
week until the governor signs the bill he is fine with that. Chairman Keller said the
House and Senate passed the bill by a large margin and asked if anyone has a sense
from Harrisburg when the bill will be approved by the governor? Ms. Gray responded
governor to approve. Chairman Keller clarified that he suggests the discount period be
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extended through August 31 and the Board will approve the resolution next week to
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extend the discount period through August 31 and the face period through October 31
with the hope that the governor approves the legislation. Commissioners Flannery and
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 11:31 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review pending litigation matters. No action will be required after the
executive session. The Board reconvened into regular session at 12:10 p.m.
The Board recessed and will reconvene at 1:00 p.m. for final approval of the
items that were reviewed.
The Board reconvened at 1:00 p.m.
A roll call vote was taken and individuals identified themselves that were
participating in the meeting remotely.
There was no public comment.
On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
Continued on page 3
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved the minutes of the April 15, 2020 meeting.
The Board reviewed Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute change order #02 from Mann Plumbing to revise a drinking
fountain to add a bottle filler, at a cost of $1,672.69 for the Administrative Annex building.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute change order #02 from Stouffer Mechanical to add a
sink and associated plumbing in the Lactation room, at a cost of $3,955.00 for the New
and Historic Courthouse project.
The Board reviewed additional Commissioners Office matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute change order #03 from Stouffer Mechanical to revise
the drinking fountain model on the first and second floor, to add a bottle filler, at a cost of
$7,474.36 for the New and Historic Courthouse project.
The Board reviewed Coroner matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the purchase of a cooler from
Funeral Source One Supply & Equipment Co., Inc. at a cost of $19,493.45. Quotes
were received and this was the lowest qualified quote.
The Board reviewed Grants matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Project Modification Request
to the Department of Community and Economic Development to revise South Central
rant. SCCAP is
requesting to move $10,000 from Rapid Rehousing to Emergency Shelter operations.
This funding will be used for hotel stays and food for homeless individuals who are
unable to be housed at the shelter due to COVID-19.
The Board reviewed additional Grants matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the Project
Modification Request to the Department of Community and Economic Development to
revise Maranatha Ministries budget for the 2018 ESG grant. Maranatha is requesting to
move $17,284.00 from Rapid Rehousing to Homelessness Prevention category. This
funding will be used to assist households experiencing financial hardships with back rent
and utility arrearages to prevent homelessness due to COVID-19.
The Board reviewed Planning matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the amendment to the
original agreement (signed September 10, 2015) between the County of Franklin and
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the 2014
Community Development Block Grant to extend the termination date from August 4,
2020 to December 31, 2020. All other terms and conditions of the original agreement
will remain in full force and effect.
In accordance with PA Act notifications, EPP Service Company notified the
County of a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Title V Permit
Renewal being applied by EPP Renewable Energy LLC for continued operations of four
Caterpillar engines to combust landfill gas generated from Blue Ridge Landfill, located in
Greene Township.
Continued on page 4
The meeting was adjourned at 1:08 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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David S. Keller, Chairman
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John T. Flannery
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Robert G. Ziobrowski