COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 22, 2010

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1 COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 22, 2010 The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, July 22, 2010, 10:00 am, Commissioners Hearing Room, Courthouse, Carlisle, PA. Present were Commissioners Eichelberger, Rovegno and Cross; Dennis Marion, Chief Clerk; Al Whitcomb, Controller; Ed Schorpp, Solicitor; Steve Tiley, Assistant Solicitor; Joanne Burkhart, Deputy Chief Clerk; Janet Walter, Paralegal; Kathy Barley, Human Resources; Dana Best, Sherry Byers, Ron Snow, Finance; Jerry Wilkes, IMTO; Bonnie Mahoney, Tax Assessment; Mike Clapsadl, Controller s Office; Chris Sechrist, Administrative Services; Pat Slattery, Capital Projects; Wendy Hoverter, Jason Sullivan, Children & Youth Services; Omar Shute, Economic Development; Ed Baker, HRG Engineering; Jason Scott, The Sentinel; and Elizabeth Gibson, The Patriot. Chief Clerk Marion welcomed everyone to the Workshop meeting and asked if there was any public comment. There was none. Chief Clerk Marion reported on the Budget Watch. At the Human Services Policy Team meeting this week, there was discussion on the $850 million FMAP funding. The departments are remaining cautious, vigilant, and watching information they are receiving from their State Associations. A number of departments have already chosen to leave positions vacant anticipating that this money is not going to be replaced. In talking with the group, they are expecting update letters over the coming weeks, but there is no single deadline that all the State agencies issue their notices out to departments. Historically, the MH/MR department doesn t receive their allocation letters until months into the fiscal year. Chief Clerk Marion stated the County will continue monitoring the State budget and report back to the Board next week. Wendy Hoverter, Children and Youth Services, stated that last August, Children & Youth Services was selected to be a part of Phase Two of the Supreme Court Permanency Practice Initiative. As part of that, they were required to implement four practices (see attached). Along with implementation of these practices, a team was formed within the agency which included three case workers, specifically assigned to Family Group Decision-Making, Family Finding, and Judicial Conferences. The group of three surround the family whenever a placement is imminent. Jason Sullivan, C&Y Caseworker, was moved full-time into the Family Finding Position and reported on some examples of his work with finding relatives of the children. The team was able to be formed without additional staff resources or funding. Commissioner Rovegno asked Ms. Hoverter about reductions of placements and any quantification for taxpayers by having this team. Ms. Hoverter stated that she would bring that information to the August 4 Workshop Meeting when their budget summary is presented. Jerry Wilkes, IMTO Director, announced that the County has been recognized with a second place finish in the national 2010 Digital Counties survey of counties with populations of 150, ,000 for its efficient use of technology in meeting local needs amid the challenges of the current economic situation. Cumberland County is the only Pennsylvania county to be recognized in this year s survey (see attached). 1

2 Omar Shute, Economic Development, reported that the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation met their goal of becoming a certified State agency certified in ALO this past January, and will be closing on their first small business loan soon. The decision was made by the Board of Directors and the Commissioners to form an independent Cumberland County Industrial Development Corporation that has members. Once the corporation is formed, they would be able to apply to the State for PEDA loans to support industrial enterprise throughout the County. To be in compliance with the by-laws of the Economic Development Corporation, they need authorization from the Commissioners for the creation of the IDC of Cumberland County and there would be no impact to the County s General Fund. Commissioner Rovegno moved to approve the formation of Cumberland County Industrial Development Corporation. Commissioner Cross seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. Commissioner Rovegno moved to approve the following contracts: Renewal Contracts: Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries West Shore Senior Center; Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries Big Spring Senior Center; Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries Mechanicsburg Senior Center; Southampton Township Shippensburg Senior Center; Lifeline Systems Co. Personal Emergency Response System; The Nutrition Group, dba Pittsburgh Companies North, Inc. Food Service Contract; Senior Helpers HSDF Homemaker Service; Christopher Royer, Psy.D Psychological Services; Maxim Healthcare Services Personal Care; Maxim Healthcare Services Home Support; Alert One Services, Inc. Personal Emergency Response System; Capital Care UCP Central PA, Inc. HSDF Homemaker Service; Capital Care UCP Central PA, Inc. HSDF Adult Services Case Management Service; East Pennsboro Senior Center; Salvation Army Senior Center; Domestic Violence Services Emergency Shelter Service; American Red Cross Emergency Shelter Service; Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. Emergency Shelter Service; State Food Purchase Plan for PA Department of Agriculture; Agreement between Aging & Community Services and PA Department of Public Welfare for the Homeless Assistance Program Pre-Expenditure Plan; Service Agreement with Herre Consulting for Lektriever Filing System for Bureau of Elections; Agreements for Children & Youth Services: Prospectus; Centre County Youth Service Bureau; Catholic Charities of the Harrisburg Diocese, Inc.; MH/MR Amendments to Agreements: Emily Player, MS Early Intervention (Base); Gail Rawlings, BS, ED Early Intervention (Waiver); Jennifer Snyder, MPT Early Intervention (Base); Leanne Broadbent, MS Early Intervention (Base); Megan Lesko, MA Early Intervention (Base); Merle Crawford, MS Early Intervention (Base); Nicole Custer, OTR/L Early Intervention (Base); Gregory Knox, MSW Mental Health Emergency Services; Thomas James, MS Mental Health Outpatient Services; Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement with PEMA; and Grant Submission by Planning Department to Appalachian Trail Conservancy to Develop and Distribute a Trail Guide. Commissioner Cross seconded the motion and the motion carried. Commissioner Cross moved to approve the following contracts: Renewal Contracts: Addus Health Care, Inc. HSDF Homemaker Service; and Adelphoi Village, Inc. Commissioner Eichelberger seconded the motion with Commissioner Rovegno abstaining and the motion carried. Commissioner Cross moved to reappoint the following to the Children & Youth Citizens Advisory Board: Tracy Stellino Polovick and Lucille Johnston-Walsh with terms expiring on June 30, 2013; and a new appointment to Elizabeth Rushong for a term expiring on June 30, Commissioner Rovegno seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. 2

3 Commissioner Eichelberger moved to appoint Kevin McCardle to the Recycling & Waste Authority to fill an unexpired term until December 31, Commissioner Cross seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. Commissioner Rovegno moved to authorize advertising for the purchase of four copiers, and Relocation of High Density Shelving. Commissioner Cross seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. Solicitor Schorpp reported on the bid opening which was held at 9:00 a.m. today for Repair of Bridge C-11 (Wolf s Bridge Road Bridge). Three bids were received and the low bid was from Bill Anskis Company, Elysburg, for $207,100 (see attached bid sheet). The repairs are necessary due to an accident involving a driver under the influence, and because of the inconvenience to residents that live in the vicinity of the bridge, it was requested the process of repairs be expedited. Ed Baker, the engineer with Herbert, Towland & Grubic, Inc., has reviewed the low bid and Solicitor Schorpp reviewed it for legal requirements. There was discussion on the insurance limits and how to recover the money if insurance does not cover the total amount. Commissioner Cross moved to accept and award the bid for Repair of Bridge C-11 to Bill Anskis Company for $207,100. Commissioner Rovegno seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. Ed Baker, Herbert, Towland & Grubic, Inc., reported that on July 12, bids were opened for the 2010 Bridge Maintenance Project. The bids have been reviewed, and it is recommended the contract be awarded to Doug Lamb Construction, Inc., Elizabethtown, for the amount of $87, (see attached). Commissioner Rovegno moved to award the bid to Doug Lamb Construction, Inc. for $87, Commissioner Cross seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. Commissioner Update Reports: Commissioner Eichelberger reported he was unable to attend the COG Meeting, but will gather information and report back to the Board. He attended the Library System Board Meeting held on July 19, and reported on the following highlights: Jonelle Darr, Executive Director, reported that the State amount of support lost in 2010 was $732,712 and over the last three years, there is a total loss in State revenue of about 34% of the System s direct State cash payments; Ms. Darr is chairing the Pennsylvania Library Association working with the Joint State Government Commission to review the 50-year old Pennsylvania Library Code; The Foundation Board is currently working on board member job descriptions, an investment policy and fund development action plans; and a Fall Cumberland County Library System Library Tour will be held October 1, The MH/MR Board Meeting is this week and a considerable amount of discussion will be regarding changes that the State has made in respite care regulations, and it will be reported back to the Board with any financial impacts to the central services organization. There are one or two more steps to finalize the Workforce Investment Board reorganization. The Tri-County Planning Commission has completed their interview process for their new Executive Director and will make a decision soon. The Planning Commission discussed the Hempt Farms issue and potential impacts to the County re the Harrisburg City debt situation. Commissioner Eichelberger asked that Finance prepare a summary for all three Commissioners in regard to potential impacts on Cumberland County, what impact that could be for the County s bond rating and partnership with the transit issue with CAT. 3

4 Commissioner Cross reported that at a previous workshop, she mentioned classes and opportunities for training that took place this month in regards to the Stop Violence Against Women Task Force, in which 62 Law Enforcement personnel were trained in stalking and technology. About 65 International Fellows from the War College took a tour of the Prison, spent time with the President Judge, toured other row offices, and the 911 Center. Earlier today, the Cumberland County Task Force deployed personnel from Carlisle, West Shore EMS and Perry County to assist in Lebanon County with an incident at the Lebanon Veterans Hospital involving problems with the air conditioning. AHEC is anticipating their Foundation Board Dinner will be held in September. Commissioner Cross responded to earlier statements about Harrisburg by stating she attended the breakfast that was held by Martin Luther King Institute in Harrisburg. Chief Clerk Marion reported that at a recent meeting there was discussion about the work between the community and the IPH group in looking at enhancing how the system manages DUI cases. Commissioner Cross stated that the first PFA hearing was held on Wednesday with Judge Hess. This process will be an on-going one-day all PFA process and anticipates that it will provide relief for the court system, similar to Special Court with a designated Judge to handle PFAs. Chief Clerk Marion reported that at the Human Services Policy Team Meeting, preliminary conversations focused on budgetary impact. There were discussions on how to direct people to community centers and other places to get respite from the overwhelming heat wave that the County is experiencing. Commissioner Eichelberger noted that an Executive Session was held at 9:00 a.m. today to discuss Personnel Issues. Commissioner Eichelberger initiated discussion about calling for a third-party analysis in the form of a quality assurance review of the current reassessment. He stated that it is time to really address the issue in which he expressed serious concerns about the complaints voiced by property owners over the past several months. He stated that the reassessment needs to be credible to the public regarding accuracy to complete this process. Commissioner Eichelberger proposed that the County undertake a quality assurance review that would assess the standard of quality to directly address some of the questions regarding accuracy. He would like to see senior management provide the Commissioners with some type of recommendation as to how to achieve that quality assurance review in the time available. It is anticipated that more questions can be answered at the Public Reassessment Meeting to be held tonight. Commissioner Rovegno stated that he has no problem with a review of the reassessment process and he has complete faith in the work done by County staff who have done an outstanding job. He stated that before an educated opinion can be made, he suggested the Commissioners sit in on the appeals appointments and observe how staff works with concerned property owners on their assessment issues. Commissioner Cross stated that she felt demeanors change when a Commissioner walks into an office. She expressed hearing a lack of confidence from the public in the documents produced, either from the company that we contracted with or the informal appeals process. The homeowners felt that they have no recourse and the only solution is to get an appraisal that they have to produce. Commissioner Cross stated that she does not believe the homeowner should have to pay for an appraisal to be done. She stated that in 2000 and 2004, when the last two reassessments were done, the County had not seen the economy that we re seeing now. She would support an independent review of where we are right now in regards to the actual fair market values of the homes. 4

5 Chief Clerk Marion reported that what he heard from some of the participants in last night s meeting is that there is such a degree of belief that the market is moving in a different direction from what the values established have indicated. This process has been used three times now, so the methodology that goes in is consistent with the standards, but the market is a different thing. The County pushed back a year, hoping the market would stabilize and the 2009 data was used for that dataset. There was discussion held on who would be best situated to do a third-party review and have individuals with knowledge and experience in those areas. Chief Clerk Marion stated that he will meet with senior administrative staff and report back Monday to the Commissioners with a recommendation on how to conduct the review. In the meantime, he stated that it is important to reiterate to the property owners, particularly in the eastern region, to contact the Tax Assessment Office or look at the web site to see what potential impacts there could be based on their notices. Commissioner Eichelberger expressed that there is a tool available on the County website, the tax estimator, and the County needs to make sure that tool is understood. This information will be delivered at the Tax Assessment Meeting to be held tonight. Commissioner Rovegno moved to approve Personnel Actions (see attached). Commissioner Cross seconded the motion and it unanimously carried. There being no further business to come before the Board, the Commissioners went into Executive Session at 11:50 am to discuss Personnel Issues and Potential Litigation. The Board came out of Executive Session at 12:15 am and adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Ann Ciecierski Administrative Assistant 5