November 1, 2006 Minutes
- Gun Shot Detection Supplemental Funding ($80,000)
- Criminal Justice Enhancement Project (3rd Year - Continuation of Subgrant #14467 - $65,308)
- Authorize the purchase of the following items at the Schaffner Center:
- Purchase of 2 Automated External Defibrillators (AED's).
- Walk-through metal detector for lobby/courtroom.
- Purchase automated key control system to improve security and provide detailed information on door activity.
- Authorize the establishment of the County of Dauphin G.O. Bonds Series B of 2005 Escrow Account and the County of Dauphin G.O. Notes Series C of 2004 Escrow Account at M&T Trust Company.
- Authorize the investment of Spring Creek sale proceeds in a money market account at M&T Trust Company until such time that these funds can be transferred into the escrow accounts for the Series B of 2005 and Series C of 2004.
- Authorize Budget Director, Michael J. Yohe, to sign the paperwork associated with the establishment of these accounts at M&T Trust on behalf of Dauphin County.
- Execution of contracts for the renovations to the Dauphin County Prison. (VOTE REQUESTED 11/01/06.)
- East Coast Contracting
- Shannon A. Smith
- Leer Electric, Inc.
DAUPHIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORKSHOP MEETING
November 1, 2006 10:00 A.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Jeff Haste, Chairman
Dominic D. DiFrancesco, II, Vice Chairman
George P. Hartwick, III, Secretary
STAFF PRESENT
Chad Saylor, Chief Clerk; Marie Rebuck, Controller; Robert F. Dick, Treasurer; William Tully, Esq., Solicitor; Steve Libhart, District Attorney's Office; Dan Robinson, Director of Community Economic and Development; Leila McAdoo, Solicitor's Office; Gary Serhan, Deputy Controller; Diane McNaughton, Commissioners' Office; Randy Baratucci, Director of Purchasing; Tom Guenther, Director of IT; Mike Yohe, Director of Budget & Finance; Carolyn Thompson, Court Administrator; Bob Hawley, Court Administrator's Office; Kay Sinner, Personnel; Elke Moyer, Human Services Director's Office; Sharon Chatman, Human Services Director's Office; Lena Martinez-Fure; Jena Wolgemuth, Commissioners' Office and Richie-Ann Martz, Commissioners' Office
GUESTS PRESENT
Robb Wentzel, Steve Boyer and Garry Lenton
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Haste, Chairman of the Board, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Everyone observed a moment of silence.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Haste: We have six Meeting Minutes that will be considered at next week's meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Haste: We are at the point in time in the meeting for public participation. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to address the Board? (There was none.)
DIRECTORS/GUESTS
Stephen Libhart, District Attorney's Office
Mr. Libhart: I have two grants to propose for consideration to you.
The first one is supplemental funding for the Gun Shot Detection System that we are on the verge of installing in Harrisburg. It is going to be somewhere between Cameron, 14th, Berryhill and Market Streets. The exact location is going to be determined using some crime data from both the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the County Detective's Agency. The reason that we are requesting supplemental funding, it has already been approved to be given to the DA's Office from the U.S. Attorney's Office. It is not so much a grant that requires any kind of reporting. They are just giving us the funding in order to offset the cost of owning the system as opposed to leasing it, which was the original plan. We figured out that within two years time under the lease agreement that would have been in place, we would have spent more than this amount just to lease it. So, the U.S. Attorney's Office offered to give us the funding to purchase it out right.
Mr. DiFrancesco: Which areas again?
Mr. Libhart: The center will probably be 15th & Derry, but it will end up being between Berryhill, Cameron, 14th and Market Streets.
We estimate a completion date of March 1st. We have already done a preliminary site survey with the vendor. We have to have a meeting with Verizon in order to work out some safety concerns, as far as attaching these sensors to the phone poles that are throughout the City, since Verizon owns the poles themselves. Things have already been coordinated with the City. There may be one or two buildings that are privately owned that they will have to coordinate for sensor location, but that will all be determined by a GPS layout done by the vendor.
The second grant I have for your consideration is a continuation of the Criminal Justice Enhancement Project. This is basically funding for the CJAB's full-time staffing member's travel, benefits, salary and various equipment. This is the third year grant. It is a 50/50 match. The 50%, I believe, has already been allocated from the DA's budget as it was two previous years for the County's portion of the match. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them.
Mr. Saylor: About the Verizon thing, have you heard back from them?
Mr. Libhart: I received a message and returned the call. I haven't spoken to him. He did say in his message that he just wants to iron out some safety concerns. I'm going to set up a date with him to meet directly with the vendors so that they get into the technical specifics.
It was moved by Mr. Hartwick and seconded by Mr. DiFrancesco that the Board approve the following grant submissions: Gun Shot Detection Supplemental Funding ($80,000) and the Criminal Justice Enhancement Project (3rd Year - Continuation of Subgrant #14467 - $65,308); motion carried.
Dan Robinson, Director of DCED and Steve Boyer, Upper Dauphin EMS, Inc.
Intergovernmental Grant in the Amount of $12,500 to Upper Dauphin Emergency Services Inc. (Includes Halifax, Washington and Reed)
Mr. Robinson: I have with me today Steve Boyer of the Upper Dauphin County Emergency Medical Services, Inc. We are here to briefly talk about an Intergovernmental Grant in the amount of $12,500. It would be a 21 municipality consortium in the upper part of the County. The actual match would be provided by Halifax Township, Washington Township and Reed Township. I will indicate that we did also meet with Steve Shaver, the Director of Emergency Management and traded some emails with our IT Director, Mr. Guenther. I'll turn it over to Steve Boyer.
Mr. Boyer: I'm Director of Services at the Upper Dauphin Emergency Services. We do cover upper Dauphin County. We are the only advance life support ambulance service covering 21 municipalities of upper Dauphin. The problem that we are running into right now is our IT Department is essentially falling apart. We are trying to upgrade the computers and technology as soon as possible. The problem that we are running into is the funding, seeing that we are a 501C3 non-profit organization. Part of the IT department consists of our billing and this upgrade would also help us enhance our billing services. We spoke with Mr. Robinson and Commissioner Hartwick.
Mr. Hartwick: We also spoke with Tom Guenther and as instructed on all the economic development grants, from now on, when they involve EMA or IT, we want to make sure that we get a clearance from Tom to make sure it is not in any kind of competition with any of the other programs that the County is currently running. I believe in the conversations you have had so far that this has no interference with what is currently going on and basically wanted to recommend that this grant be considered by the County.
Mr. Haste: My understanding is that it is going to be housed at Medic 6?
Mr. Boyer: Yes.
It was moved by Mr. Hartwick and seconded by Mr. DiFrancesco that the Board approve an Intergovernmental Grant in the amount of $12,500 to Upper Dauphin Emergency Services, Inc.; motion carried.
PERSONNEL
Ms. Sinner: The first two items in the Personnel Packet are the Salary Board requests. Are there any questions on those two items?
Mr. Haste: Since we are in Salary Board, as a heads-up, on the position that George joked about with Steve about the Drug and Alcohol Counselor out at the jail. They are still gathering some information. I have asked to have that position be here next week for vote.
(There were no questions.)
Mr. Hartwick: Is this the week for the window?
Ms. Sinner: No, that is actually on the 15th.
Mr. Hartwick: I understand the correctional officers. That is not an issue. I see a significant number of increases, merit increases and a number of other things that are recommended within this week's packet. Is there any particular reason why?
Ms. Sinner: I thought they had the go ahead to put that through this week.
Mr. Haste: I didn't get a chance to look at it yet.
Ms. Sinner: There are some from the DA.
Mr. Hartwick: The Controller's Office talked to us about her changes.
Mr. Haste: The DA did too.
Mr. Hartwick: We have the DA's.
Mr. Haste: I was aware of those.
Mr. Hartwick: IT is job title changes.
Mr. Haste: He talked about taking the additional money we were getting from the State for his salary and distributing to other employees.
Ms. Sinner: Some of the other positions they are not effective until December 4th, which is really the same timeframe they would be effective if they went through the window.
Mr. Haste: Are you talking about the DA's?
Ms. Sinner: No, I'm talking about the changes in the Controller's Office. They are effective December 4th.
Mr. Hartwick: Just to MDJ changes for Solomon's Office?
Ms. Sinner: In fact, we need a vote on those, because it is just in the best interest of this one person to get this change done.
Mr. Haste: What items do you want voted on now?
Ms. Sinner: They are Items #10, #11, #12, #13, #44, #45 and #46.
It was moved by Mr. DiFrancesco and seconded by Mr. Hartwick that the Board approve Items #10, #11 and #12 under Vacancies Approved by President Judge, Item #13 under New Hires and Items #44, #45 and #46 under Personnel Changes; motion carried.
PURCHASE ORDERS
Mr. Baratucci: You should have all received your report yesterday. There are no additions at this point. There are a number of budget issues that will be resolved. If you have any questions, I'll answer them, otherwise it is there for your review and approval next week.
TRAINING PACKET
Mr. Saylor: There was a late submission, but that can wait until next week for approval.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Mr. Haste: We have several items, but there is only one that needs approval and that is Item E. This is for the bid awards for the renovations at the Prison so we can get that construction started while there is still good weather.
It was moved by Mr. Hartwick and seconded by Mr. DiFrancesco that the Board approve Item E under the Items for Discussion, which is the execution of the following Contracts for the renovation project at the Dauphin County Prison: East Coast Contracting, Shannon A. Smith and Leer Electric, Inc.; motion carried.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT - WILLIAM TULLY, ESQ.
Mr. Tully: I have nothing to add to the report, but happy to answer any questions you might have. (There were none.)
Mr. Saylor: I would draw your attention to Item #11, just so you are aware that is on there.
Mr. Hartwick: Does anyone need an explanation to that?
Mr. Haste: I saw it.
CHIEF CLERK'S REPORT - CHAD SAYLOR
Mr. Saylor: I have two items. Unfortunately I was not able to make last week's meeting because you punished me by appointing me to the SARAA Board and the meeting went long because of the expected announcement of Fred Testa's retirement. I think it is important to report and that it be reflected in the minutes that Mr. Testa's long tenure at the airport and specifically his impact that he had not only in Dauphin County but the region with the things he has done at HIA. While it was also noted that it was not without problems that we encountered, but with every meeting you are going to have pluses and minuses. I just wanted to note for the record that Mr. Testa did retire. The Deputy Director, Kim Edwards, was appointed Acting Director. We are engaging in a search to find a replacement. The Board had a private farewell dinner for Mr. Testa last night and a Proclamation that the three of you signed was presented to him along with other good tidings from other elected officials.
The other item that I would like to draw attention to is this is a very special week, we have an important milestone that we are acknowledging. This week, in fact tomorrow, for a person of great importance not only to us here in Dauphin County, but certainly to many Americans important birth date to a leader and of course you know I'm speaking of President Polk, whose birthday is tomorrow and also other dignitaries celebrating a birthday tomorrow include Daniel Boone, Ricky Martin, Marie Antoinette and our own Commissioner Hartwick, who happens to turn 35.
Mr. Hartwick: I'm so proud to be in that list.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Mr. DiFrancesco: We are on the verge and if all goes according to plan we will be closing on Spring Creek next Thursday, November 9th. That is the plan at this point. Certainly we will remain flexible. We are expecting to close next Thursday. Accordingly what that means to the County in terms of this year's budget, we were on track this year to just about hit the $6 million that we had projected to spend out there and if in fact we do close next week on the 9th, we will be looking at coming in about $100,000 less than what we had budgeted from the General Fund to Spring Creek. What that really means is that going into 2007 the $6 million that we would have normally allotted for Spring Creek will no longer be a part of the 2007 Budget. When all is said and done this will be as we knew it would be a very significant event for the citizens of Dauphin County. Again, from a fiscal standpoint it has been a tough year, actually it has been a tough three years. We have gone down a very long road and I just wanted to let everyone know that the end is nearly in sight. From a fiscal standpoint, outside of all the other discussion that takes place for a nursing home, this is a very significant event for the people of Dauphin County. It will bring significant stability to our budget and again I feel we have served the taxpayers very well in this decision. Next Thursday is looking to be the closing.
Mr. Hartwick: Through the budget process I'm happy to report that although there was a little bit of blood shed no one has actually died or perished as a result. Preliminarily we have a lot to be proud of from directors and staff in the County in understanding the fiscal constraints we placed on three years ago and coming into those expectations. I just wanted to commend the Commissioners and the Directors for continuing to be very tough with the line of questioning.
The other item is the Executive Commission on Drugs and Alcohol Board meeting that occurred this past week. While I remain less than optimistic that we will see a significant plan from the Executive Committee to significantly change leadership and change the direction of that organization, we are giving them the benefit of the doubt. By Friday, they are supposed to be submitting a plan of action that talks about the changes that they are going to implement in order to make changes that the Commissioners are calling for. Understand clearly I don't think there is any doubt that Sandy Moore represented us very well at that meeting and made it very clear what the Commissioners' priorities are related to the Executive Commission. Regardless of what other counties do and regardless of where their numbers are, we have a higher expectation related to this issue and we are not going to stop until we see those expectations being met. To that end, I have asked Sandy Moore and Fred Lighty to prepare for our next Workshop Meeting the options to try to bring in the Executive Commission back under complete County management. We are going to be taking a look at all options. We are going to determine our course of action in order to make sure that the Executive Commission either becomes accountable or we have employees in this county in a health and human services, you heard today a little bit about privatization may work in some cases in County government, which is a perfect example of where privatization has absolutely failed the residents of Dauphin County. We need to figure out a way to make sure Drug and Alcohol is part of human services and we are prepared to take steps in order to do that.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Haste: We are again at the point in time for public participation. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to address the Board? (There was none.)
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. DiFrancesco and seconded by Mr. Hartwick that the Board adjourn.
