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March 14, 2007 Minutes

March 14, 2007 Minutes

    DAUPHIN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
    WORKSHOP MEETING
    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2007 (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; Bill Tully, Solicitor; Marie E. Rebuck, Controller; Robert F. Dick, Treasurer; Jena Wolgemuth, Commissioners' Office; Diane McNaughton, Commissioners' Office; Lena Martinez-Fure, Commissioners' Office; John Orr, Director of the Conservation District; Jenna Shickley, Children & Youth; Currin Haines, Children & Youth; Nancy Stephens, Children & Youth; Carrie Dowd, Children & Youth; Karen Reed, Children & Youth; Jennifer Bachman, Children & Youth; Anne Marie Minium, Children & Youth; Rodney Brooks, Children & Youth; Liz Tobin, Children & Youth; Lindsey Miller, Children & Youth; Dan Gemmer, AAA; Cori Garcia, AAA; Elizabeth Nichols, Prison; Michele Jeszenka, Prison; Tom Fox, Prison; Bob Christoff, Conservation District; Dan Robinson, Director of Community & Economic Development; Carl Dickson, Parks & Recreation; Randy Baratucci, Director of Purchasing; Mike Yohe, Budget Director; Leila McAdoo, Solicitor's Office; Kay Sinner, Personnel; Kacey Truax, Commissioners' Office; Scott Burford, Commissioners' Office; Debora Sebalusky, Commissioners' Office; Gary Serhan, Controller's Office; Elke Moyer, Human Services and Sharon Chatman, Human Services.

    GUESTS PRESENT

    Dave Twaddell, Jay Wenger, Doug Keener, Garry Lenton, Gary Bixler, James Watson, Randy Greider and Steve Zeller.

    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 two sets of Meeting Minutes that will be taken up at next week's meeting.

    PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

    Mr. Haste: We are at the time in the Meeting for public participation. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to address the Board? (There was none.)

    DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS/GUESTS

    1. Commissioners
      1. Proclamation - Social Worker Month (Children & Youth: Jenna Shickley, Currin Haines, Nancy Stephens, Carrie Dowd, Karen Reed, Jennifer Bachman, Anne Marie Minium, Rodney Brooks, Liz Tobin and Lindsey Miller; A.A.A.: Dan Gemmer and Cori Garcia; Prison: Deputy Warden Nichols, Michele Jeszenka and Tom Fox)

    Mr. Hartwick: For all of you that know me and this Board I know that we have said that you do the job everyday you are the ones that make or break the organization. You have probably heard me say that a hundred times, especially in the area of social work from all the County agencies. We have been faced with probably one of the worst times for a domestic agenda and for funding for people that need help the most. Our staff has been encouraged to try to think about new ways to solve problems without additional monies. I couldn't be prouder of the staff that we have in Dauphin County who have come to the table and who do very difficult jobs every day. These employees are under paid and over stressed because of the clientele that they deal with. You are truly heroes with the community in keeping kids safe, taking care of those that have no where else to turn, taking care of our aging, mental health population and mental retardation. We have a great group in Dauphin County. We spend a lot of time trying to get folks to collaborate and cooperate in Dauphin County. As a representative and on behalf of the Human Services Policy Committee at the State, Dauphin County was recognized for our unbelievable employees, great performance and often times is selected as models for a lot of the State programs, because they know that we get it done right and that we care.

    Mr. Hartwick read the Proclamation.

    Office of County Commissioner
    Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

    Proclamation

    We, the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners, join communities across the nation in honoring the social workers who have dedicated their lives to helping others, and we welcome this opportunity to applaud their passion for enhancing the welfare of individuals, families and the community;

    Whereas, social workers possess the right education and experience to assist individuals, families and communities with finding available resources to guide them through the most complex of issues and choices every day;

    Whereas, more than one-half million social workers serve in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, government agencies and other venues throughout the United States, and are dedicated to improving the society in which we live, one person at a time;

    Whereas, with their positive outlook and compassion for others, social workers challenge the system to advocate social and political change, giving voice to those who thought they had none, regardless of race, creed, age or socioeconomic status;

    Whereas, social workers have been the driving force behind many important social movements across the nation, and in Dauphin County, social workers have increased adoptions in the county by 300 percent, implemented Family Group Conferencing-a first for the state— expanded efforts to prevent juvenile delinquency, developed intergenerational programs for children and seniors, and compiled a long list of other life-altering achievements;

    Therefore, we join the 253,300 residents of Dauphin County in commending and thanking all of Dauphin County's dedicated social workers; and in their honor, we do hereby formally proclaim March 2007 to be "Professional Social Work Month" in Dauphin County; and we urge all citizens to follow the inspirational lead of our social workers in reaching out to everyone with healing and compassion.

    (Applause was given and pictures were taken.)

    1. Dave Twaddell and Jay Wenger
      1. Termination of Swap Options

    Mr. Twaddell: I have with me Doug Keener from Susquehanna Group Advisors. We are here to address the issue of the termination of the two remaining Swap Transactions that the County entered into in 2004. This is identical to part of the action that the Board took at its last meeting in connection with the escrows that were established for 2005 Bonds. In 2004, the County entered into two Swaption Agreements with the Royal Bank of Canada. Given the current market conditions, a recommendation was made that the County could terminate those Swaption Agreements, retain the net benefits of those Swaps and eliminate the risk of converting debt in the future from fixed to variable rate. The Board has retained the firm of Susquehanna Group Advisors to advise as an independent financial advisor consistent with the requirements of the Local Government Unit Debt Act. The expectation is that should you adopt the Resolution that I placed before you authorizing the termination of those two Swaps. There will be a teleconference this afternoon at which point the final pricing for the termination would be determined. We spoke with the Royal Bank of Canada this morning. Their expectation is consistent with I think the numbers that have been presented to you prior to this meeting of approximately $500,000 net benefit will be obtained from each of the two Swaps. The Resolution would authorize the Budget Director, Mr. Yohe, to be authorized on that call to accept the termination value with the advice of Counsel from Susquehanna Group Advisors to ensure that the price that is being quoted by the bank is on market. The Resolution is similar to the one previously adopted. This authorizes the execution of the termination agreements with the bank and make the necessary filings with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

    Mr. Haste: So, the total net would be about $1,000,000.

    Mr. Twaddell: $1 million together with about $500,000 on another one. So, the total net benefit is about $1.5 million.

    It was moved by Mr. Hartwick and seconded by Mr. DiFrancesco that the Board adopt Resolution #8-2007, which termintes the 2005C Swap Agreement and the 2002A Swap Agreement; motion carried.

    (The entire Resolution is on file in the Commissioners' Office.)

    1. John Orr & Bob Christoff, Conservation District; Dan Robinson, Economic Development and Carl Dickson, Parks & Recreation
      1. Growing Greener County Environmental Initiative Projects

    Mr. Orr: As you are aware through the State Growing Greener Initiative, the County was given the environmental initiative program in the amount of $1,750,000. There was $1,750,000 that the County has the right to designate how those funds should be appropriated to various programs. We recommended as a committee that the County follow the same breakdown of funds that was used for the State allocation formula. That gave breakdowns between funds from the Department of Environmental Protection in the amount of $842,932; Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in the amount of $430,628; Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through the Agricultural Land Preservation Program $293,194 and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in the amount of $183,246. I will address the four projects that are before you for the Department of Environmental Protection.

    The first project is Bear Creek Abandoned Mine Drainage. I believe all of the Commissioners have been there and seen the effects of that stream. Currently we have under contract Phase I improvement, which should be done in June of 2007. These funds in the amount of $610,432 will be used for the construction for Phase 2. We do have a 319 EPA Grant for the design of that in the amount of $77,000. That is currently under way. This will be a good portion of the construction cost of that project. The remaining funds we believe we will get from another 319 Grant for the balance of the construction. So, this should almost assure that we will have the construction funds for the Phase 2 work, which will pick up the other remaining large discharges in the Bear Creek Mine Drainage.

    The second project is the Spring Creek Erosion Remediation. On several of the County facilities there is storm water drainage going into Spring Creek and there are erosion problems around those discharge points. This grant will help to correct that. I believe the County has to put in 15% of the cost of the work between in-kind services and cash contribution. But, this will take care of those problems on Spring Creek, which will help the water quality there.

    The third project is the Loyalton Wetland Waste Water Treatment System in the amount of $100,000. The Washington Township Authority has started an upgrade to the sewage treatment behind Loyalton in a series of wetlands. As the construction proceeded they had a shortfall in the amount of $100,000 for that work. This will allow that work to be completed, which will result in reduced nutrient discharges and improved water conditions in the Wiconisco Creek. We do have three representatives here from the Authority and the Township. We have Gary Bixler, who is the Vice Chairman of the Washington Township Authority; James Watson, who is a Washington Township Supervisor and we have Steve Zeller from Brinjac Engineers, the engineering firm that has done the design work for that.

    The fourth project is Wildwood Lake Restoration in the amount of $95,000. This project will help to reduce the amount of storm water discharge in the Morning Glory area of Wildwood Lake and divert more of the storm water to the northern discharge of the lake. That will result in reduced flooding down the Cameron Street corridor where Paxton Creek goes down through the City.

    Those are the four projects that I have under the Environmental Protection.

    Mr. Dickson: We looked at projects that were not funded through DCNR's recent cycle, but were eligible for funding and spoke with them. They recommended Royalton Borough for a small park development, which will require a minimum match of about $5,000.

    They also told us about the Highspire Reservoir Park March Trail Development, which is a large project. We felt that if we could give them a challenge grant that we could get them going. They would have three years to raise funds to do the whole project.

    We also looked at home with Wildwood Park. We need to raise awareness of that park with some major signage on the surrounding highways. It would be tastefully done. It would increase the awareness of that park along with an ongoing program of updating the exhibits. We found, especially during the ice storm, you can't plow gravel. So, we are looking at some water permeable paving in a few areas of that park.

    The last project is at Fort Hunter, which is an acquisition that is under discussion and negotiation. This will be development funds towards that project, not purchase funds.

    Mr. Orr: I'm going to go over the Agricultural Land Preservation proposals. We have a representative of the Dauphin County Agricultural Land Preservation Board with us this morning, Randy Greider, Vice Chairman.

    The County Ag Land Preservation Board is proposing to use $293,000 of the Growing Greener Funds for the purchase of three agricultural conservation easements. There is a sixty-one acre farm in Upper Paxton Township, 80 acre farm in Jackson Township and a farm in Conewago Township, which is 78 acres. These three agricultural conservation easements would be purchased for approximately 80% using the Growing Greener Initiative Funds and the remaining 20% would come from the normal funds allocated for the program.

    Mr. Haste: It is a total of 220 acres. Good! Those are really only the two areas that we have where we can start preserving.

    Mr. Robinson: We had several projects apply under the criteria of being rejected at the State first. The one that we are recommending first is the project entitled "Urban Meadows". It is an anchor project in the City developed with the Redevelopment Authority and the long time vacant Evangelical Press Building, which is located at Third & Reilly Streets. It is a 125,000 square foot building and when completed it will house Harrisburg Area Community College, which will create a campus atmosphere. There will be programs that will include carpentry, home building remodeling and industrial maintenance. The specifics of this project that we are funding would create a walkway of pedestrian linkage between HACC's campus and the facility throughout the complex. The total project is over $500,000 and our piece would be $184,000

    Mr. Saylor: Some of the directors brought some guests with them who are involved with some of these projects. It may be worthwhile for them to be recognized.

    Mr. Orr: I think the representatives from Washington Township may have a few things to say.

    Mr. Zeller: I'm Steve Zeller with Brinjac Engineering. We are pleased to be here on behalf of Washington Township Authority and also the Township. I definitely also want to say the Township, because the Authority when they started were handed a project that was already overburdened and over cost and the local municipality of Loyalton was faced with increased sewage rates right from the go. They were told that they would be lower, but construction costs went up. In a sense, the Authority also knew with the construction that some work had to be done to it in order to make it operate properly. They had no money. PennVest would not allow them to refinance, because they were in the red. They had no financing capacity. The long and short of this is that they have been able to receive several grants from both the State and now the Commissioners. This last piece is going to finish off work that we started. The wetlands, when it is finished, is going to be the largest constructive wetlands in Pennsylvania removing nutrients. It is a landmark. It is a passive wetlands. Unlike other wetlands that are used just for kind of like filtering or cleaning up the wastewater when it comes out of the treatment plant. This is actually treating the wastewater. It is also a fly away. It has also created tremendous wetlands. There are a whole number of issues drawn into this. Carbon sequestration is a major term right now that Fortune 500 companies are looking at because of the air emissions. This is a carbon sequestration facility, which draws in the CO2 out of the atmosphere and turns it into energy and plant material. The bottom line is DEP in the past has never supported wetlands, because they can't in their history and their purview they have not been able to achieve nutrient removal. We had an opportunity because the Township brought us in. We had some background in some wetlands and we were able to recommend, but without the grant funding we were unable to implement changes that were necessary. There were odor problems and a number of other problems with it that were necessary in order to make it work properly and begin to achieve nutrients. Now we are going to be able to do that. This will be a role model for the State. I believe the Commissioners should be very proud and we are very thankful because we were stuck in a position where construction problems lead to this overrun. We didn't know it until we got into it. You folks have bailed us out and we appreciate it very much. The Township could not afford it. The Authority certainly couldn't and the people couldn't. Rate increases were not an issue. People couldn't afford it. You will be seeing more of it in the news. It will attract attention across not just this State but nationally. We've already had visitors from other countries want to visit the site, because of the performance and it is achieving nutrient removal. It is a landmark in process.

    Mr. Haste: Any questions of the Board?

    Mr. DiFrancesco: What kind of signage are you looking at for Wildwood?

    Mr. Dickson: We haven't gotten directly into the design phase.

    Mr. DiFrancesco: Would they be located on property facing the highway?

    Mr. Dickson: One would be on Linglestown Road, one on 22/322 and another one would be on 81. There used to be a sign in the lake about a duck program. Everyone noticed it, but it really wasn't reflecting the information about the park.

    Mr. Haste: We will bring these up for final vote next week. Thank you for your work.

    PERSONNEL

    Ms. Sinner: There are two Salary Board items. Are there any questions of those? (There was none.)

    Are there any questions on the Personnel Packet?

    Mr. Haste: No actions needed this week?

    Ms. Sinner: There is on Personnel Changes Item #13, I would like to request a vote on that today.

    It was moved by Mr. Hartwick and seconded by Mr. DiFrancesco that the Board approve Item #13 under the Personnel Changes; motion carried.

    PURCHASE ORDERS

    Mr. Baratucci: You should have received your Purchase Order Packet yesterday. There were some items that need budget adjustments which will be taken care of between now and next week. If you have any questions on the Packet I will be happy to answer them.

    In addition, I just handed you a proposal that didn't make it for the Packet, but will be in next week for approval. This is something that I think you are aware of. At least I know Commissioner Haste is, he was copied on the letter from the AOPC. It has to do with a grant that AOPC is providing the Courts to upgrade the security areas as noted - Courthouse, Chestnut Street, Human Services Building and out at Adult Probation with panic alarms. The grant is up to $30,000 and the proposal came in here at a little over $22,000. It will be included in next week's packet because Carolyn Thompson has already sent a letter to AOPC telling them that we were going to take them up on their offer. We want to approve that at next week's meeting with the Packet. (There was no problem with adding it to the Packet.)

    TRAINING PACKET

    Mr. Haste: I see under the Training Packet that we will need to approve Item #1.

    Mr. Saylor: There is no cost involved.

    It was moved by Mr. DiFrancesco and seconded by Mr. Hartwick that the Board approve Item #1 on the Training Packet for Barbara Kleinfelter of the Prison to attend a Deal Sensitivity Training on March 20, 2007 at Middletown, PA at no cost; motion carried

    ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

    1. Renewal of funds for Prison's Adult Basic Education/GED Grant. (***A VOTE IS REQUESTED 3/14/07***)
    2. Appointment of Jim Szymborski as District Representative and August "Skip" Memmi as Commissioner Alternate to the Capital RC&D Board. (***A VOTE IS REQUESTED 3/14/07***)
    3. Authorization to waive penalty and interest for the following Harrisburg Redevelopment properties: 06-015-001 (1429 N. 3rd Street); 06-15-002 (1427 N. 3rd Street); 06-015-003 (1425 N. 3rd Street) for the total amount of $1,554.55.
    4. Approval to see the following parcels from the Repository List to Debra Stevens:
      1. Parcel #9-11-40, 42 N. 13th Street, in the amount of $500.00
      2. Parcel #9-16-41, 58 N. 16th Street, in the amount of $310.00
      3. Parcel #9-46-40, 101 Summit Street, in the amount of $500.00
    5. Approval to sell parcel #9-50-35, 18 S. 15th Street, from the Repository List to Janelle Evans in the amount of $300.00.
    6. Approval to sell parcel #9-92-14, 2033 Holly Street, from the Repository List to Trina Hardison in the amount of $500.00.
    7. Approve Revised Settlement Figure for Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC. (***A VOTE IS REQUESTED 3/14/07***)

    Mr. Haste: We have items for Board Action, Items A, B with a clarification the appointment by this Board would be for Skip, not for Jim. Jim is an appointment of the Conservation District. Is there any discussion on Items A, B, or G?

    It was moved by Mr. Hartwick and seconded by Mr. DiFrancesco that the Board approve Items A, B (only the appointment of August "Skip" Memmi) and G, as mentioned above; motion carrie

    REPORT FROM SOLICITOR - WILLIAM TULLY, ESQ.

    Mr. Tully: The report is up-to-date. I would be happy to answer any questions. (There was none.)

    REPORT FROM CHIEF CLERK/CHIEF OF STAFF - CHAD SAYLOR

    Mr. Saylor: I have nothing unless there are any questions of me.

    COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

    Mr. Hartwick: I just want to remind everybody that Thursday is our first public meeting for the R U Tired Campaign. There was a great article that appeared in the Patriot-News. Planning is going well. We are expecting a large turnout. We had 18 kids on Saturday from the Systems of Care Group that distributed over 12,000 flyers to each and every household in the uptown community of Harrisburg. Those kids will be rewarded thanks to a new cooperative relationship that we have with PNC Bank. They will all have their own bank account opened and for each time that they actually distribute the literature, which is going to happen on three separate occasions, they are going to be receiving $25 for their work. The idea is that they could be doing a lot of other things on a Saturday, but they are going to be part of the solution. They should be rewarded. The people need to stop complaining, get off your butt, it is time for people to take control of their own actions in life. We are excited about the participation and are looking forward to seeing any interested citizens. I also met with the interdenominational ministerial council, which is also having their public meetings with District Justice Bob Jennings. We met yesterday and we are going to cooperate fully with Bob Jennings. The County meetings we are actually going to plan a follow-up meeting that is going to be joint from both the Jennings' meetings and the County meetings for all individuals who want to be involved. I hope to see you there on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

    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 at this time? (There was none.)

    ADJOURNMENT

    There being no further business, it was moved by Mr. Hartwick and seconded by Mr. DiFrancesco that the Board adjourn.