HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-21 Commissioner Minutes
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020
The Franklin County Commissioners met Wednesday, October 21, 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.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
There was no public comment.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved all bills presented and ordered paid.
The minutes of the October 14, 2020 meeting were reviewed. These will be
decided upon in the afternoon approval session.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. John Hart, Project
Manager, was present to explain the change orders from Lobar, Inc. Change order #21
is to change the landscaping currently occurring at the Administration Building from
mulch to stone due to landscaping stone requiring little maintenance compared to mulch
that would need replaced occasionally. This will save in labor and material; change
order #22 is to modify door hardware at the administration building. As they move
through the building and look at security there will be adjustments. This is one
adjustment being made through Risk Management and the Security Consultant; change
order #29 is needed due to being missed during the bid process. Mr. Hart explained that
there are shafts coming up through the building with various ductwork, plumbing and
between floors that have to have a fire barrier which is required by code that was not put
in the bid. They will be in five different locations. He negotiated a cheaper price since
the labor was too high. The items will be approved in the afternoon approval session.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved to enter an executive session at 11:18 a.m. this date for the
purpose to review personnel matters. Ms. Gray announced that action will be required
after the executive session. The Board reconvened into regular session at 11:41 a.m.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved to continue with Highmark which will include an 8% increase for
following: Delta Dental with a $500 increase to the maximum benefit, changing from
$1,000 to $1,500 along with a 9% increase; for vision insurance there is a 7% increase;
the spousal surcharge will be reduced to $45 instead of $55; the Health Savings Account
(HSA) will receive a $500 up front contribution at the beginning of the year and the
contribution program will remain the same for 2121 for all employees that have the
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.
There was no public comment.
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On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery;
unanimously approved the minutes of the October 14, 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 #21 from Lobar, Inc. to provide revisions to the
landscaping design at the Administration Building project for an additional cost of
$12,656.82.
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 #22 from Lobar, Inc. to modify door
hardware at Door 100 in the Administration Building at an additional cost of $2,247.29.
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 #29 from Lobar, Inc. to provide
horizontal shaft closures at five locations to close floor openings at the Judicial Center
Project for an increased cost of $9,027.11.
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 Renewal agreement between the County of Franklin
and The Zigmund Co., Ltd. for insurance consulting services at a cost of $5,000.00
charged annually, plus an hourly fee of $100.00 for consultation and $50.00 for clerical
support time; federal mileage rate per travel mile and other expenses incurred, for the
period of November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021.
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 Contract Change Order No. 1 for the 2020 Bridge
Maintenance Program Contract No. 1 with Lobar Associates Inc. in the amount of -
$550.00 for adjustments in the field due to site conditions and coordination with local
municipalities. The total contract price decreases from $219,759.50 to $219,209.50 and
the contract duration does not change.
The Board reviewed Department of Emergency Services matters. On a motion
by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the order form from Emergency Reporting dba
Backdraft OpCo, LLC in the amount of $1,995.00 to pull data from the current Tritech
CAD software into the new Motorola CAD software. This is a one-time cost.
The Board reviewed Information Technology Services matters. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the
Chairman of the Board to execute the quote from Candoris to allow the county to
inventory computer operating systems and software applications at a cost of $64,229.76.
Additionally, it allows us to apply patches as well as security updates and gives staff the
option to download and install applications and updates themselves. This appliance
reduces our time exposure to repetitive manual tasks that need to be performed on over
800 workstations and servers.
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The Board reviewed Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of the Board to
execute the agreement between the County of Franklin and David H. Martin Excavating,
Inc. to provide snow removal of parking lots, driveways and any additional paved areas
.00
to $147.00 per hour. De-ice treatment is extra per contract rates. This is a back-up
agreement if snow is too demanding or a situation occurs that additional snow removal is
needed. There is no annual cost for this agreement.
The Board reviewed additional Jail matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved for the Chairman of
the Board to execute the maintenance agreement between the County of Franklin and
Modern Group Power Sy
generator, at a cost of $3,999.00, for the period of November 1, 2020 through October
31, 2022. This is required by state regulations.
The Board reviewed Juvenile Probation matters. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the agreement
between the County of Franklin and the Waynesboro School District for the School-
Based Probation program. The school district agrees to provide $19,084.50 for services
during the 2020-2021 school year. Franklin County will carry liability insurance for its
employees and the program.
In accordance with PA Act notifications, Suez-FCGA notified the County of a
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection General Renewal NPDES
Renewal Permit being applied for Franklin County General Authority/United Water for
the treatment plant located in Letterkenny Township.
Chairman Keller explained that this is the date for the Board to provide guidance
and direction to staff on the preliminary budget that was presented to them last
Wednesday by Teresa Beckner, Fiscal Director and Carrie Gray, County Administrator.
He continued that the Board has had a week to ponde
them to provide feedback and instruction to staff so they can finalize the preparation of
the budget. Ms. Gray confirmed the information is the same as what was presented last
week. Chairman Keller said that his suggested approach is similar to the direction he
has given in the past. We are projecting to finish 2020 with approximately $12M in
that we like to be in the 60-90 day range to sustain operations. But obviously the capital
and personnel expansion requests exceed what we expect to bring in 2021 and if
granted, all requests would bring us down well below 30 days in reserves. He suggests
being consistent with past direction to balance the budget without a tax increase, making
prudent use of unrestricted cash reserves but not below the 60-90 day threshold and
make reasonable use of funds 40 & 41. If he recalls correctly, we are anticipating to end
the year with approximately $2M in fund 40 and $1M in fund 41 so if we can utilize those
state budget so we need to be selective on what we use in funds 40 & 41. In the past
we have utilized existing cash reserves between $1-3.5M and if we take the same
approach we should end up again in 2021 in that 60-90 day range of cash reserve. He
mentioned a priority is to invest prudently in technology which has saved taxpayer
dollars in the past. As far as the positions requested he will defer to staff on what each
operation priorities are but money invested in terms of customer satisfaction would be
the programmer position which is worthy of consideration. He serves on the Drug &
Alcohol (D&A) Board so he is aware of the positions requested in D&A which should also
be worthy of consideration. We can achieve a balanced budget which we are required
to do by law and still make reasonable use of our reserves. Chairman Keller continued
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that the budget for construction projects are on time and on budget but he wants to be
selective in using funds 40 & 41 just in case there are any construction related projects
that may need additional resources down the road. Commissioner Flannery said this is
t want a
surplus because taxpayers question why we are holding those funds. We never like to
dip into the funds and reserves but there are so many moving parts and with COVID-19
nfident we
can balance a budget through 2021. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that we anticipate
budgeting in such a way that we can put things in contingency and save another million
the long run we
will eventually have to raise taxes because our tax revenue each year gets lower. He
would be more comfortable raising taxes by one mill this year rather than waiting until
later and raising them a lot. Chairman Keller responded that from a policy point of view
we need to invest in IT and to continue to make sure our folks have competitive pay and
benefits and to make sure they have what they need to do their jobs. But he is not in
favor of raising the millage rate this year. He continue
concern about the deficit is well noted but we can make reasonable use of our reserves.
Commissioner Ziobrowski said he would like to see what staff comes up with no tax
increase and use of reserves before deciding on raising or not raising the millage rate.
Commissioner Flannery said he does not agree with raising the millage rate. We have to
be diligent on spending taxpayer funds. Commissioner Ziobrowski said that no county in
the last 20 years has not increased their millage, we have fixed assessments in the
vine.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:24 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
____________________________________
David S. Keller, Chairman
____________________________________
John T. Flannery
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Robert G. Ziobrowski