AGENDA - COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025 - 10:00 AM THE PUBLIC MAY JOIN TODAY'S MEETING THROUGH ZOOM (NO VIDEO) PHONE: 1 - 301 = 715 - 8592; MEETING ID: 504-721-7678 #; PASSCODE: 428960 1. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD 2. PROCLAMATIONS DONATE LIFE MONTH DUCK MONTH (AVENUES) 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: 4. PRISON APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH MCCLURE COMPANY, WILKES-BARRE, PA, TO PERFORM SPRING PLANNED MAINTENANCE FOR THE FOLLOWING: COOLER/FREEZER, MAKE-UP AIR UNIT, PACKAGED UNIT (RTU), AND SPLIT SYSTEM FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $3,662.00. THE TERM IS APRIL 1, 2025 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2026. 5. CHILDREN & YOUTH APPROVAL OF AN ADDENDUM TO THE AGREEMENT WITH CHOR YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, INC., READING, PA, DATED AUGUST 14, 2024, TO ADD STRUCTURED TRANSITIONAL LIVING SERVICES WITHA PER DIEM OF $609.98. APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH DELAWARE COUNTY EMERGENCY YOUTH ACADEMY, CHESTER, PA, FOR COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENTIAL SHELTER CARE AT A PER DIEM OF $246.86 WITH A TERM OF MARCH 18, 2025 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025. 6. ELECTION BUREAU REQUEST APPROVAL FOR NAME CHANGE DUE TO A CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OF PORT CARBON 2 ND POLLING SITE, PRECINCT 056: SAME LOCATION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS: TO: FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PORT CARBON RED CHURCH 211 WASHINGTON ST. 211 WASHINGTON ST. PORT CARBON, PA PORT CARBON, PA APPROVAL FOR TEMPORARY POLLING SITE CHANGE IN SHENANDOAH 2ND POLLING SITE, PRECINCT 065, DUE TO RENOVATIONS: CURRENTLY: TO: DISTRICT COURT 21-3-05 SHENANDOAH HIGH RISE 33 S. MAIN ST. 100 S. Main St. SHENANDOAH, PA SHENANDOAH, PA 7. OFFICE OF SENIOR SERVICES APPROVAL TO ADVERTISE FOR THE REQUEST OF A PRICE QUOTE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS, CAPACITY ASSESSMENTS, AND COURT TESTIMONY SERVICES NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTIVE SERVICE PROGRAM. APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING REAPPOINTMENTS AS MEMBERS OF THE OFFICE OF SENIOR SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD. THE NEW TERM IS JANUARY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2027. JUDGE JAMES REILEY, POTTSVILLE MARY LABERT, MCADOO APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING REAPPOINTMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE OFFICE OF SENIOR SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD. THE TERM IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 TO AUGUST 31, 2027. DR. MANISH MISHRA, POTTSVILLE, PA APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENT AS A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD. THE TERM IS JANAURY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2027. SUSAN KOST, POTTSVILLE, PA APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING REAPPOINTMENTS AS MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD. THE TERM IS JANUARY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2027. JOAN GUERS, POTTSVILLE DEBRA HERRING, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN CATHY CLOUSER, ASHLAND RAE THOMPSON, POTTSVILLE SANDRA SIPPEL, POTTSVILLE 8. TAX CLAIM BUREAU APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING 7 REPOSITORY SALES PURSUANT TO 72 P.S. S 5860.625. REPOSITORY SALES Parcel Number Owner(s) of Record Description Bid Amount Bidder(s) 44-05-0108.000 Jose Benitez 1428 Main St. $1,528.00 Rosalia Hernandez Gilberton Borough Diaz 44-06-0003.000 Jarrad E. Osenbach 210 Growler Street $1,582.00 Rosalia Hernandez Gilberton Borough Diaz 48-07-0044.000 John E. Kessler & 601 W. Market Street $2,948.00 Esmerarlyn Sanchez Peggy A. Kessler Mahanoy City Boro. Gomez 48-08-0605.000 Marie M. Dorestant 224 W. Spruce St. $2,191.00 Esmerarlyn Sanchez Mahanoy City Boro. Gomez 64-08-0430.001 James Breslin ET. AL 301 Rear Ferguson St. $500.00 EVV: Real Estate Shenandoah Borough LLC All parcels were previously approved by municipalities and school districts. The bids are. less than the repository price and approved by municipalities and school districts. APPROVAL OF THE ATTACHED LIST OF PRIVATE SALE BIDS PURSUANT TO 72 P.S. S 5860.613. 9. CORONER'S OFFICE APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A GRANT REQUEST TO THE FY 2023 COVERDELL FORENSIC SCIENCE IMPROVEMENT GRANTS PROGRAM THROUGH THE COMMONWEALTR OF PENNSYLVANIA, PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY (PCCD). THE GRANT REQUEST IS FOR A $93,000 RANDOX MULTISTAT TOXICOLOGY MACHINE. THE TOXICOLOGY MACHINE WILL ENABLE THE CORONER'S OFFICE TO PERFORM IN-HOUSE TOXICOLOGY TESTS, WHICH IT'S ESTIMATED TO SAVE ABOUT 80% OF CURRENT TOXICOLOGY TESTING COSTS. IT ALSO INCLUDES TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF THREE (3) STAFF MEMBERS AS TECHNICIANS AND AN EXTENDED 4-YEAR SERVICE CONTRACT INCLUDING SOFTWARE UPGRADES. IMMEDIATE APPROVAL REQUESTED 10. SOLICITOR'S OFFICE ON MARCH 11, 2024, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA CONDUCTED A PRETRIAL CONFERENCE IN UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:21-CV-00477. AT THAT TIME, THE SITTING JUDGE ALSO DIRECTED THE PARTIES TO MEDIATE THE DISPUTES WITH ANOTHER FEDERAL JUDGE SERVINGS AS MEDIATOR. AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF () THE FINANCIAL RISK TO THE COUNTY OF AN ADVERSE OUTCOME IN THAT CASE AND UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION NO.3:24- CV-00386, (II) THE CONTINUED EROSION OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE COUNTY'S INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THE CASE ASSOCIATED WITH ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS OF THE LAWFIRMS REPRESENTING THE COUNTY AND CERTAIN COUNTY DEFENDANTS WHICH IS APPROACHING $2,000,000.00, (III) THE SPECTACLE OF A PROTRACTED TRIAL AND ITS IMPACT ON THE COUNTY, ITS CITIZENS AND EMPLOYEES; AND (IV) THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FEDERAL JUDGE MEDIATING THE DISPUTES, THE ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY SOLICITORS' OFFICE, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AGREED TO SETTLE BOTH CASES AND THE SOLICITORS OFFICE IS SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS: MOTION TO APPROVE A SETTLEMENT AMONG SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AND MELISSA GOODMAN, ANGELA TOOMEY AND DENISE GERCHAK IN RELATION TO THEIR CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY AND ALL COUNTY DEFENDANTS INCLUDING THE CLAIMS RAISED IN UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:21-CV-00477 AND UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:24-CV-00386, TO INCLUDE MUTUAL RELEASES, NON-ADMISSION OF ANY LIABILITY BY THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTY DEFENDANTS AND THE PAYMENT TO THE PLAINTIFFS OF $3,200,000.00 AS FOLLOWS: MELISSA GOODMAN: $1,066,666.67, CONSISTING OF $157,134.56 TO MS. GOODMAN AND $122,211.05 TO HER ATTORNEYS, CATHERINE W. LOWRY, ESQUIRE, AND DEREK SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC, FOR. ATTORNEYSFEES AND COSTS, UNDER CIVIL ACTION NO. 321-CV-00477,AND $472,392.64 TO MS. GOODMAN AND $314,928.42 TO HER ATTORNEYS, CATHERINE W. LOWRY, ESQUIRE, AND DEREK SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC, FOR ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS, UNDER CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:24-CV-00386; AND ANGELA TOOMEY: $1,066,666.66 WITH $629,659.05 TO MS. TOOMEY AND $437,007.61 TO HER ATTORNEYS, CATHERINE W. LOWRY, ESQUIRE, AND DEREK SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC, FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS; AND DENISE GERCHAK: $1,066,666.67 WITH $629,659.06 TO MS. GERCHAK AND $437,007.61 TO HER ATTORNEYS, CATHERINE W. LOWRY, ESQUIRE, AND DEREK SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC, FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS. THE SOURCES OF THE SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $1,550,000 WILL BE PAID BY THE COUNTY'S INSURANCE CARRIERS, $100,000.00 WILL BE PAID BY HUBRIC RESOURCES AND $1,550,000 WILL BE PAID BY THE COUNTY OF WHICHS1,302,607.36 WILL BE. ALLOCABLE AND PAID TO CATHERINE W. LOWRY, ESQUIRE, AND DEREK SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC, TOWARD PLAINTIFFS ATTORNEYS FEES AND COSTS, AND $247,302.94 WILL BE ALLOCABLE AND PAID TO MELISSA GOODMAN, AND THOSE COUNTY PAYMENTS ARE HEREBY APPROVED. IMMEDIATE APPROVAL REQUESTED MOTION TO ADJUST BUDGETARY AUTHORITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,550,000.00 TO COVER THE ANTICIPATED PAYMENTS AS A TIME SENSITIVE MATTER, IF THE FOREGOING MOTION IS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. IMMEDIATE APPROVAL REQUESTED 11. FINANCE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION ONLY - BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR PRIOR YEAR: OFFICE / DEPARTMENT AMOUNT COURTS $ 3,200 FOR INFORMATION ONLY - BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS FOR CURRENT YEAR: OFFICE / DEPARTMENT AMOUNT ENGINEERING / REAL ESTATE $ 5,490 ON BEHALF OF THE SOLICITOR'S OFFICE APPROVAL OF SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION FOR CURRENT YEAR #2025-03 FOR $1,550,000. IMMEDIATE APPROVAL REQUESTED 12. GARY BENDER - COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ON BEHALF OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION APPROVAL REQUESTED TO APPLY TO DCED (DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) FOR A $20,000 GRANT TO REPLACE THIRTY (30) DETERIORATED PARK BENCHES AT SWEET ARROW LAKE PARK. THE 15% REQUIRED MATCH WILL BE PROVIDED BY SWEET ARROW LAKE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION (SALCA). 13. ANTHONY KERN - HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH MARSH & MCLENNAN AGENCY LLC FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACILITATING A STRATEGIC PLAN AND REVIEW OF THE COUNTY'S HEALTH & WELFARE PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNTY FOR A THREE- YEAR PERIOD AT A TOTAL COST OF $151,000 PER YEAR. PERSONNEL ACTIONS & INFORMATION 14. NEW BUSINESS 15. ADJOURNMENT SALARY BOARD WORK SESSION MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 1. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SESSIONS 2. PUBLIC COMMENT 3. HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE - PERSONNEL ACTIONS 4. NEW BUSINESS 5. ADJOURNMENT