Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

I've been there, you know.

I want to start the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Were there any exact mentions? There are none. We have three proclamations today. One is for foster care, one for exclusion down in May 20, 2076. Whereas Schuylkill County knows children are the most cherished population and valued resource and hope for the future. And whereas we have responsibility as individuals, neighbors, community members, and citizens of Schuylkill County to recognize that all children need love, support, security, and a place to call home. Schuylkill County foster parents are caring for and nurturing more than 70 children in the foster care today. Whereas local foster parents allow children to remain within their community, their schools, and near their support And whereas foster parents require and serve respected support from the community and from social service agencies to work with them. And whereas we must continue together as a community to recognize the important roles foster parents play in caring for children and youth who experience abuse and neglect, supporting family reunification and building strong communities. And whereas we're a national foster care month to celebrate all those who have invited their child in need into their hearts and into their homes and express our profound appreciation for all to help make foster care possible, not for their authority to get resolved, that Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim May 2026 Foster Care Month in Schuylkill County and recognize the hard work, love, time that foster parents give to the children and youth in their care. It's a very important thing to be able to help children that need it in their most desperate need. So we really appreciate everything that you do and what the children need to help with those situations. So I don't know if we need

morning everyone today i have amanda kowalski with me sorry uh who has uh is one of our foster care coordinators works with the families that we work with to get them licensed up by care many of whom are members of our community family members of the children involved proud to report that we have about 70 kids right now receiving care here in Schuylkill or neighboring counties. The unfortunate reality is of all those children who came into care last year, only about half were able to make it into our local foster care program. And so there is still a need for more help on that front. and I would like Amanda to describe because she's got an event planned at the end of this month and arranged for some funding to come in to make that possible and got a great partner in the community to help sponsor the event at Bocop just here in the county.

So every year we have the ability to write into SWAN which is an agency for adoption to help us appreciate our local for our local foster families in the area. So I was able to get some funding to show our appreciation, but not only show our appreciation for our foster families here, but also to try to recruit new foster families. So May 23rd, we're going to be doing a bowling thing up in Holmetown at spare times. It's May 23rd. Anybody's welcome because we are trying to recruit Stapp, New foster families and there's going to be some of our now foster families that are going to be there to talk and see Stapp, Like tell people about the experience that they have. And some of the kids are going to be there to to, you know, show to show their experience and talk about their experience as well in foster care.

Stapp, The event is free to the public only will be on the house for two hours. So there will be food and

All the refreshments. May 23rd, 11-1-1, full cab spare time, fully varied. Thank you.

Yeah, I'm very proud of this young man. He's a neighbor, a friend, worked at my farm in high school and college. Every once in a while, we get a shorthand, and he's full of day on a Saturday or Sunday. But the fact that we listened last week to Jay Whirl talk about that age where the children are at preschool, not having enough to eat, nutrition defends their minds. I'd like to go to home life and be able to either. And the fact that you can be self Carl and Amanda and your whole staff are trying to invest and get the kids in the right atmosphere. Having to get foster parents out of the county doesn't work. Having the kids in their local area with relative friends is just to me is a huge, huge, huge humanitarian effort. I appreciate all you're doing, what you're doing, your staff and all the volunteers. So God bless you all.

Thank you.

Thank you, Carl.

I know the service comes again at a time when Children are definitely affected that they need to leave their born parents, but hopefully go into foster care. I know at the end it's hopefully unification. Absolutely. To work that through the program on the other side. But again, the foster parents are something that it changes to do love, compassion for that child, like to fix their health. So it's a great program. We appreciate what you do to help the children because again, hopefully when they get older and they have children that things doesn't progress you know the same way and i know that's what he's also trying to do to make sure that the children are kept very productive and hopefully they live full lives and have a great family of their own thank you

I need my glasses for the next one. We have another part of the nation for National Drinking Water Week. Whereas 2026 National Drinking Water Week was celebrated from May 3rd to May 9th, 2026, itself a safe and reliable water supply is critical to the success of any community. Great jobs, tracks industries, investments, and provides health and welfare for citizens, in ways ranging from disease prevention to virus suppression, and whereas for more than 40 years, the American Water Works Association, AWWA, and its members, including the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, have celebrated Drinking Water Week, and whereas on April 11, 2026, the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, one of the possible water companies, celebrated its 192nd year of providing an abundant clean source of drinking water since 1834. Whereas we rely upon the basic human right to have access to clean, safe and abundant supply of affordable water. Whereas this celebration is a unique opportunity for both water professionals and communities that join together to recognize the fundamental role that water plays in our daily lives. And whereas the quality and cost of water we drain continues to be deeply affected by how we guard our precious watershed, rivers, oxfords and regiments. Whereas as we are reminded of the essential role we play in respecting and protecting our drinking water supply, and share the benefits of our drinking water that is among the cleanest and safest in the world. Each citizen is called upon to help protect the source of water from pollution, practice water conservation, and get along with local water issues. We are stewards of water infrastructure upon the future generations to come. Therefore, let it be known to all that we, the Board of Schools County Commissioners, hereby recognize the week of May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as National Drinking Water Week. So I think we're going to find out. Are you here for that, Stuart?

I need to turn to Water Authority, OK?

Good morning, everyone. On behalf of Super Bowl County Municipal Authority, I'd like to thank the commissioners for recognizing this often overlooked important resource. The Super Bowl County Municipal Authority tree over 5 million gallons of water a day is to be through 195 miles of underground transmission lines it's great pleasure to serve the area again thank you very good water is life yes we need it i know this is it yeah i know and i'm trying to leave don and matt has stayed in a meeting sponsor of the of irathon yes they were having many years uh for that program which yesterday was held

last Wednesday. So again, thank you for that and your contributions.

I've always put the story that you don't have infrastructure, things won't come to the county. And again, during COVID times, that is when they extended to Deer Lake. I always give that success story of the extension of water and sewage up into past Deer Lake where the St. Luke's and Geisinger Hospital is now. If that wasn't there, That hospital wouldn't be there. So again, if you build it, they will come. And again, that's the biggest thing that they look for. And again, the School Board of Municipal Authority has been a great partner throughout the county building that infrastructure and making sure clean water is there and also on the exit way out to make sure it's safe and so forth for all its citizens.

But thank you. There's an old Dutch expression, which I can't say in Dutch or English, which is never risk the water until the well runs dry. one more proclamation you might as well say that

So today's proclamation is Correction Employee Week, whereas Pennsylvania's correctional system is the oldest in the nation, evolving from the establishment of the Philadelphia Walnut Street Journal in 1773 and the East Ridge Penitentiary in 1829. And whereas the Pennsylvania system as it became known was leading influence, leading influence in the development of prisons throughout the 19th century and the forerunner of the modern corrections. And whereas today, Pennsylvania faces continued difficult challenges in corrections with 22 state correctional institutions, one motivational wound camp, one training academy, two central office buildings, seven community correction centers, 22 contract facilities, 63 county prisons and jails. Our county correctional facility houses approximately 22,640 incarcerated people. and whereas the secure and safe operation and management of these facilities rest in the hands of nearly 30,000 trained, skilled, and dedicated corrections officers. They are the corrections administrations, corrections officers, counselors, treatment specialists, educators, clerical support, staff, business administration, and purchasing agents, personal and labor relations specialists, reentry specialists, social workers, clergy, medical professionals, food service specialists, computer technicians, role agents role supervisors administrative positions planners and research analysis skill craftspeople upon whose skills efficiency and professionalism the function of the Pennsylvania correctional system depends on. Whereas although each of these dedicated professionals work in different fields and specialize in specific areas are often the common goal to secure safe and humane operation of our Commonwealth correctional facilities. where employees work to reduce future crime through delivery of programs to change an individual's criminal behavior. Now that are before, let it be resolved that we four commissioners be hereby proclaim the week of May 3rd through tonight of 2026 as correction employees do. And then also we have a proclamation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the governor to present also, which I am not going to read this because it is very small and I can't even see it. Is it who's here for the correction office?

Good morning. I have here Officer Joseph Katoulas, Officer Cassandra Comfort, and Deputy Warden Bowman. First, I want to thank the commissioners for recognizing all the hard work they do. And as a warden at the jail, I just want to express the deep appreciation of them. It's not an easy job. oftentimes it's underappreciated. If you've never worked inside the facility, you can't really understand what these guys go through every day. And I just want to thank the commissioners again. Appreciate everything.

Just what the warden said, it is a very tough job and very much appreciated that you have permission to take the time to recognize versions. It's two of our final officers, many more that are across the street, and they are responsible for the care, custody, and control of those that are incarcerated. Again, thank you.

We appreciate the job that you do. It's a necessary thing in today's society that we need. Hopefully, one day we get to the point where they're not needed. I don't know criminal behavior, but until we get to that point, we need them, and they do a great job.

We appreciate everything they do. Yeah, I've got this. share one story i mean this is like it's that difficult job give an idea um harley was glad we don't get a email from uh word to canada some situation occurred and the one was during the pregnancy urine test and then they threw it in the face of a ceo and i said how does he take it it might better i would so you can imagine that going to work and having someone throw the urine in your face on your face maybe that was just like horrible but this is what they did Have to put up every day. Right. I appreciate that. I could not do it. I could not, I could not do it. I'm not, not negative. I can say, we don't hear about it in front of people. You mentioned in those emails each week about somebody getting taken out of prison, in and out of the hospital, a person that won't take medical treatment. They go to the hospital, back to the prison, won't take their drugs, back to the hospital. So this is a, and there's days when they're, when they have people in the hospital, they take two guards in order to take care of them. So this guy wind up having the weekend duty because he's showing that source. He has two CEOs going to a hospital. So it's not an easy job. I can say that. I'm so happy that they're there. And the other thing that's been nice about it is we don't hear about things in the newspaper. We hear about it in the warden. Okay. He's very, very good about being straight with what's going on and keeping it ahead of time. So we appreciate that. Thank you, sir.

Again, I appreciate everything that you and your entire staff does. Do over there 24 seven also making sure that they're incarcerated and so forth to actually they're there for a reason, and again to make sure that the public is safe. To do that, the biggest thing that we are concerned about as Commissioners was to make sure you get home to your family safe and. So again, we know that sometimes you're in harm's way over there, once in a while, and you have to deal with difficult situation. And we definitely appreciate all the work and stuff that you do. So thank you very much. Thanks, sir.

I wish I could switch in.

Thank you. All right. Thank you.

Let's move on to the meeting. We can call a comment.

Good. I don't want Dave starting the clock if you want to pay attention.

Jeff Dalton, Palo Alto, real quick. Six elected officials not here at 9.30. Delayed the meeting, coming in late. Not being here, getting paid that salary. Ms. Gaffney's not here to explain her FMLA claim. Ms. Stevens is still in a right-to-know debacle. Also, you have an appointment today on the tax assessment, another backdoor deal. That position was promised to myself. As we move on, now it's given to someone else, a And it was given to someone else on top of that as someone else was removed from the agenda prior. Finding out there was at least four people promised this position by multiple people. Larry, you stated that Boots wouldn't vote for me. That's why you had to move on from that.

I said you wouldn't have to.

But you never also asked Gary at that time either. That was confirmed. Heisler's opening day, as of that day when you told me, he was not asked. Then I was also told it was a political appointment and it goes by who the party is, what party you're in. Well, that's what I was told by multiple people. You, Chrissy, Mr. Perdente all promised a position. Again, Chrissy in text messages apologized and said, I'll make it right. It was then tabled. The next person was then taken off of it. Another person put on with it. Larry, you also said it's Chrissy's decision in the office to do what she wants, but now it's political.

I don't know, Jeff.

There's more to come on that. Hold on. Okay. Stop the clock.

So back to Chrissy, those two appointments, Mr. Geers, I know. And the other person, I don't even know. I just go by what Chrissy wants to, what she wants to appoint. And that's what I do. Okay. That's who she came up with. And those three appointments to the board. Not a problem. We offered you to stay on the auxiliary board. You declined that.

Correct.

Okay. And I'm sorry, but.

Because you, because you were one of the people that stated to me, go on as an alternate. Yes, you did. When one opens, we will put you in there. So it is what it is.

Trust me.

You will not get too much.

You're not?

Okay. I'm just telling you.

I don't care. I don't care. So we'll just move on. I just want to expose the shadiness and the corruption. Okay. So we'll move on because I have a little proclamation here I want to present to you guys. I think it was pretty tone deaf to do a proclamation for National Drinking Water Week when, in fact, we're gonna be in a crisis here in the county pretty soon. So on behalf of the people of Schuylkill County, I'd like to read this proclamation off. Schuylkill County is afraid to drink their water week, May 6th, 2026. Whereas on the sixth day of May, 2026, the citizens hereby proclaim that Schuylkill County is afraid to drink their water week because turning on the tap should not feel like a gamble. Whereas multiple municipalities rely on the Wolf Creek Reservoir as their primary water source, And those residents now face legitimate concerns over the impact of a proposed landfill expansion threatening their supply. And whereas the commissioners of School County continue to hold meetings week after week while refusing to directly address the very real concerns of their constituents, offering silence where leadership is required. Whereas residents of the western end of the county are now left questioning not only the safety of their drinking water, but also the quality of their air they breathe on a daily basis. Whereas School County is increasingly being treated as a dumping ground, a place where waste is welcome, but the voices of the residents are not. Whereas to certain biosolid companies and billion-dollar corporations, School County has become nothing more than a sacrifice zone, which has been mentioned in multiple times and paperwork, a label that is offensive as it is dangerous to the health, safety, dignity of this community. Whereas some elected officials appear more comfortable accepting support from industries contributing to these concerns and standing up for the very people that come to these meetings and the people that elected you. Therefore, be it proclaimed that on the sixth day of May, 2026, the citizens of School County command their elected officials Stop ignoring the issue. Publicly address the concerns surrounding the Wolf Creek Reservoir. Put the health and safety of the residents ahead of outside interest and political convenience. Use their positions as placeholders, not as a platform to actively defend the community they serve. Be it further proclaimed that the clean drinking water is not negotiable, not optional, and not something that should ever be compromised for profit, political gain, or donations. In witness whereof, the citizens of School County issued this proclamation in celebration, not in celebration, but in frustration, calling attention to a growing crisis I demand accountability before it's too late. So in speaking of that, OK. So stay tuned for the salary board comments because I'll show how they receive donations from their dumping grounds. Thanks.

Hello, Chairman Padura. Hello. Emily Sivanon of Pottsville. of Schuylkill County and the Visitor Co-Chair. And at the risk of sounding on a broken record, I want to review my request for Commissioners Padora and Hetherington to oppose the ICE Concentration Camp at Trebon.

Ms. Bonham, when you compare this to the Holocaust, you are doing a disservice to the Jewish community Eight million to nine million people were exterminated and killed, and you compare this to what Germany did during the Holocaust. No, no. It is a disservice for the Jewish community to compare this to the Holocaust. It is not the Holocaust.

I thought we weren't going to argue about that.

You come in and you say you compare it to the Holocaust, and I do believe that is offensive to the Jewish community Because I think if the 8 or 9 million Jewish people that were killed would have rather been deported than killed, their entire families, men, women, and children. So I understand you're against DHS. You have a right to be against DHS. I don't agree with everything DHS is doing. But to compare it to the Holocaust is a disservice to the Holocaust. I mean, sorry, but week after week you've been saying that, and it just strikes a nerve on me. Because of what the Holocaust actually was.

It is a concentration camp. It is not a concentration camp. It is not a death camp yet, but it is a concentration camp. Well, it is not. It is not. It is not a Holocaust. And we can disagree on that. It is not a Holocaust. We can disagree on that. And I'm sorry, and I'm disappointed that you interrupted me. I didn't even tell you. You will have to tell me. I understand all three of your disbelief that such a facility would ever be placed where the water supply and sewer services are already inadequate. But DHS does not seem to be backing down anyway. The Trump administration has already blindsided your inquiries, as well as those from state and local officials, including, according to him, Congressman Dan Muser, who is, instead of fighting for his constituents, trying to basically sell or soften this abomination. And this administration regime really is notorious for not keeping its word and for negotiating with bad faith. So why would this case be any different? If this concentration camp, and I stand by that term, if it opens, the best case scenario would be after all the disruptions to the community, it would be left vacant when all the worst of the worst immigrants are gone, even though now Um, even now, um, they're going after people who are not violent criminals or even criminals at all. Um, the worst case scenario would be turning these human warehouses into political prisons for anyone who dissents from this regime's horrific policies. Um, and this isn't from me. This is from Miles Taylor, former DHS chief of staff during Trump's first term. He said, my former department does not need that much detention space to go arrest violent criminal folks who are in this country undocumented. The math only adds up if you're trying to build a police state. The location for this concentration camp is unworkable. I think you all agree with that. But I hope that there will also continue to be objections to it no matter where it may be. That's it.

Thank you. Good morning, gentlemen. Good morning, sir.

Chris Malochny, Norwegian Township. I politely ask that any comments or replies are held till after my three minutes. I just wanted to briefly follow up on my prior comments regarding remote and hybrid public participation in county meetings. Technology already exists to make these meetings more accessible and transparent, inclusive platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Counties across Pennsylvania are already using these systems successfully. This can be done and controlled in a professional manner. The county can require residents to sign up 24 hours in advance, verify identification, and enforce the three-minute speaking limit, mute microphones, and remove disruptive participants when necessary. The county maintains full control of these meetings at all times. This isn't about losing order or control, guys. It's about expanding access to the very people who elected you. Right now, many residents are effectively silenced because they cannot physically attend meetings due to work schedules, disabilities, transportation issues, caregiving responsibilities, illness or age. a resident shouldn't lose their voice in county government simply because they cannot sit in the room during these weekly business hours i've been i'm sorry hybrid participation encourages more involvement from constituents increases transparency and builds greater public trust in government other counties municipalities and school districts along with state agencies already provide these options successfully Schuylkill County should not be behind the times on public accessibility and participation. So I respectfully ask this board to seriously consider adopting a formal hybrid public comment policy that allows both in-person and remote participation while maintaining structure, order, and decorum. The public's voice should be expanded, not restricted. Thanks gentlemen for your time.

are looking into the plan that's our id purpose thank you because i know there was issues with coven people fake email addresses and all that stuff so we're i could ask our team partners again i think it's just super important so that we can get that reach out there to all of them in the community especially the west end what's going on there saint claire with what's going on in saint claire and data centers just made it to do it well again i spoke about that last time

Well, keep on working. I appreciate it. We look forward to it.

Thank you. Thank you. Good morning.

Good morning. Lauer, Wiscount, Tremont. Given the three-minute time limit, I respectfully request that I be permitted to complete my remarks without interruption. Back on Wednesday, March 18th, Cheryl Mack presented each of you with a resolution stating opposition to the establishment of the ICE Detention Center in Tremont. This resolution carries no legal obligation. Two more weeks have passed and it still remains unsigned. Mr. Pedora and Mr. Hetherington have not stated that they oppose the ICE Detention Center. That is a simple fact. Fraley Township passed a resolution opposing the center back on March 3rd without hesitation. I've already submitted a copy for record. And Tremont Borough also passed a resolution opposing the detention center on March 10th. I've already submitted a copy for the record. Since there continues to be a clear disconnect between the commissioners and the people that elected you to be representative of them, the people who will be directly impacted by this decision, I will use the remainder of my time to introduce you to some more good people of Tremont and Schuylkill County, your constituents. These people represent Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We're out talking to them. They're not happy. They don't know who you are. Here's Rick. He's lived in Tremont for 37 years. He's 66 years old. This is unique in that he worked at the Big Lots Detention Center for 15 years. First-hand knowledge of what that place is. The reason he's living in Tremont is he loves the scenery, He loves sitting on the porch and watching the people. He does it many times a day. He's our neighbor. His concerns about the ICE detention center, the water, which we were celebrating today, the sewage, no police protection, safety. He states he worked at the warehouse for 15 years. It is not suitable for thousands of people. It's not going to benefit anyone that lives in town and he has serious concerns about the fire and ambulance. Lane, 83, Tremont. He's lived here 83 years. Things he loves about living in this town. It's a small town atmosphere where I always felt safe. His concerns about the ICE detention center. Health issues, 7,500. Detainees. Safety issues. No police. Humane issues. Packing a building intended to house 800 employees. Alyssa. She's 29. She's lived in Tremont 29 years with a smiling face. Things she loves about living in her town. Her family lives here. Small town, slow living. And nature, outdoors, and mountains. Her concerns about the detention center. Inhumane treatment of detainees. Environmental concerns with lack of water. Environmental concerns with lack of waste management. And unsafe for residents. EMS, fire, the personnel, they don't have the capacity. I need the one. We expect our elected officials to stand with us and advocate for our health and our safety. From data centers, we come, we hear it every week, same people, same concerns. Data centers, landfill expansion, biosolids, detention center, I'm guessing none of these are next to your homes. They're next to ours. And when it comes time to vote, and again, we're talking to people, We will remember who stood with this community and protected us and who didn't.

Good morning. Thank you very much. If one thing I've learned during my 34 years as a Magisterial District Judge, it's how important it is for kids at risk or the youth to have a support system. So the work that the foster care system is doing in Schuylkill County is incredibly important and incredibly difficult. Pat is correct, water is life. Water is important, but water must be protected. We have companies coming in here that are putting our water under threat and that has to be stopped. And as far as the corrections officers go, the heads of some of these companies should be locked up. I appreciate the work of all of you people. This county is mobilizing. The last 10 days, last two weeks have been incredibly eye-opening for me. from Ryan Township and their natural resources being under threat, to dozens of people yesterday from Fractful opposing the data center, St. Clair appealing to the Environmental Hearing Board, and all points north, south, east, and west. I'd like to say from Arntz Addition to Zions Grove, the people are mobilizing, their voices are going to be heard, and I hope you hear them. It's getting loud out there.

Thank you. Mr. Plattman, too, I want to give you this. your objection then this was from our solicitor's office about the injections about standing okay i'm aware thank you well do you do realize that yeah what the injection was you asked i i don't want to i don't want to take up any more it's time it's time to move on but you keep on casting right no no no well this is my three minutes this is my three minutes i don't know i don't expect i spoke like 30 seconds hold on but i will i promise You make statements about Earth Day and everything about the county. The county has been opposed to the Brad's little landfill. Your words mean nothing.

We need action. We need action.

What action, Mr. Plattsburgh, would you want the county to do? One legal action. You misled people after 33 years on the bench. You misled people by saying... You better watch yourself, Larry.

You better watch yourself.

...to a private landscape.

A private land sale. That land, those people got $10 million to reclaim that land. $10 million of taxpayer money that they're not flipping. They're flipping for $2 million plus tipping fees. Larry, I didn't come here to argue. I came here for my public comment, not to listen to your empty words.

Only you have the solutions. We are meeting with DEP. about these issues. We have DEP, the DEP secretary.

I spoke to the DEP this morning for a half hour.

Well, we have DEP secretary. I spoke to him this morning. The secretary. You did not speak to the secretary. The regional director. That's right. We're going to have the secretary coming here and we are going to address. Can I go to that meeting? Mrs. Porter, Portland gave us the information in an actual intelligent forum to present to them. And we are going to present that to them. And as the West ended account, We have been addressing this with DEP and West End Accounting for how long it's been here.

What? It took you three years to get to here.

Well, that's, the problem is, Jeff, and Shirley knows this. We have no authority over DEP. No, it's not an excuse.

That is the law.

This place, this place opposed, the county opposed the Bradstown landfill from the very beginning, along with St. Clair. Cheap words. They're not cheap words. We have no authority to stop the date. When? And why do you know that? Because we're trying to. We're actually trying to. It's on a state level. We're actually trying to do something for it. We actually got them here. We took an opportunity when we were with the governor's office to ask the governor to have them come here. So hopefully we can address these issues out of NSP. NSP, I'm completely against. It is not fair that the people of the west end of the county cannot use their property, can't go outside, can't do anything. The Brax landfill, As far as I know, there's no plans for expansion. We called the DEP and asked. Boots, talk to them. There's no plans for an expansion. This land sale was signed, I believe, 10 years ago, because they leased the property. They leased the property, and it's a private land sale. It's no different than you selling your home. You can't object. Now, the DEP... You're only the preacher. Hold on. I'm not watching you. When they put in for a permit for DEP, if they do eventually try to do something, that was the time to object... and fight it the county commissioners are trying to do everything we possibly can within our power that is invested by harrisburg because that's where it comes from so the amount of money it costs to fight something like that they spent a million dollars and say yeah they're fighting it yeah are they successful with that million dollar fight days with the million dollar fight were they successful the fight continues but what i'm just saying is you act like we're not doing nothing we're We're doing stuff that's outside of our realm by getting DEP here and addressing this. It's just that we have a meeting every week that people can come and make statements on everything that's going on with every level of government. We should be badgering them after they come. I am not badgering them. But if you're going to come and you're going to make statements that we don't care, that we don't do nothing, that's not true. I don't think I said that at all. Yes, you did. Can we move on? If this is not your courtroom, this is not your courtroom, what's your policy? I'm retiring. Okay. If this is not your courtroom, this commissioner's wrong. Any other public comment?

Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

Joe Wiskamp, Tremont. Um, there seems to be an ongoing theme here and all these issues. We had a proclamation today, publicly acknowledging the importance of water. We've been asking for a public proclamation against the ice detention center. Um, six months in after purchasing the building, they still have no plan. And we have not publicly from a county level, as long as we're willing to accept this, it's going to keep coming. We're going to keep seeing more of the same. And I know last meeting was a little offensive. Somebody was told that all we do is come up and complain about everything. We complain about the detention center. We complain about the death. We complain about the landfill. All these things have a commonality. They may provide jobs, but at the expense of our water, which we praise today, at the expense of our air, of our quality of life, and we sit here up front and don't really dig in and fight, and being told there's nothing we can do about it again and again and again, then why are you here? We are tribes. We're not against everything. There's a Texas Roadhouse being built. I don't see anyone coming up here speaking against Texas roads. Bring a Chick-fil-A to Schuylkill County. You'll be a hero. Now, what this thing was about was the one person

in housing developments against housing developments, against warehouses. I know data centers are, we're working on trying to get somebody to come in and give a presentation. I'm not saying a hundred data centers in Schuylkill County, but you have to look at it. They produce their own electricity and the newer style data centers don't use a ton of water. Three data centers in Schuylkill County will mean the difference of almost one bill of taxes.

So we are lucky enough in Schuylkill County

have abundant coal lands. Data centers do not need to be on a main highway. They don't have to be next to a housing place. There's enough coal land. They can be off the beaten path completely. But three data centers would mean that it would stabilize the tax revenue to this county that you wouldn't see a tax increase for multiple, multiple, multiple years. It'll generate one million taxes that you wouldn't have to tax the homeowner on. So you've got to look at all viable things. warehouses in the right location, they can buy jobs, they can get taxes. You want a Chick-fil-A? You want that stuff? Those kinds of businesses help change Schuylkill County's demographic, so we get that. That Texas Roadhouse is coming to that area because the son of Schuylkill County, that demographic is starting to shift. And it's a simple analysis. It's accountants. They sit down and they say, is there this medium in town? Can this area support this business coming in? And they make that decision that that can. So that means that demographic is starting to shift. You have to look at everything that you possibly can so we can get increased tax revenue. Because honestly, Harrisburg doesn't give us anything. We get a standard amount for our services and have to keep providing them. And the only resource the county has is property tax. That's it. That's the only resource we have is property tax. We have no EIT tax. We have no LST tax. We have no sales tax. Philadelphia and Allegheny County, they reap the benefit of an 8% sales tax. 2% of their sales tax goes into their general fund at Philadelphia County. Allegheny County, 7%. 1% goes into their fund. But the other 65 counties don't have that same benefit. So you've got to look at every option. If they're done responsibly, like I said, we're trying to get somebody from Penn State Extension that's a non-biased person to give a presentation on the newest generations of data centers. And if they're located in the right areas and they do, they don't have water consumption and provide no power and they're not an impact on the grid. How does the county say, we don't want one mill, whole mill of taxation that I don't have to tax on every homeowner in Schuylkill County. If they're done with it and they provide jobs.

If they're done.

And that's right. If things don't break. Well, and listen, I agree with NSP completely and with Brad's landfill, we report every time I drive by that we go to, not the value for something, I report the smell. If they can't contain their smell and their stuff on their property, DEP should go after them.

And that's what- That's the best current contract we're putting out. They asked for an increase, and we think they're going to oppose it.

We oppose their last permit renewal. It wasn't an increase, it was a permit renewal. We oppose that. If they go for anything else, we're going to oppose it again when we're out. 100% we are. And the same with NSP. been trying to fight with them for how long i keep telling dp if you don't want to fix the problem give us the power to fix it i have asked them numerous times let us take one of our solid waste guys that we have let him get trained so when they have a call and even for other brands and for there if you get a phone call that hey it smells this guy is only 15 minutes away not an hour and a half away by the time they get there it smells out there we have proposed so much to them to try to expedite excuse me, the reporting process, they won't allow us. So I am going to bring these concerns all up. We have a whole list of concerns from the west end of the county that we're going to present to the DEP secretary when she comes here. We have a whole list on grads that was provided by Dr. I can't say her last name, Erin Portland. She has a whole thing, all the violations, all their things, all the traffic violations, everything. We're going to present that to them. We're trying to do something about it. But Tarasco won't give us the power to actually fix the situation. And that's what we're trying to do. But we're looking at all options. We can't have a beef return reaction, no to data centers, no to warehouses, no to housing developments, because that's how you keep your taxes down. That's how you don't have to be... Well, the detention center... We're connecting 10,000... and these are all these are all concerns and it's he said that there's no water there's no sewage all your concerns that you're bringing up we have presented to tp now i i talked to congressman user last time i saw is trying to schedule a meeting with bradley mullen actually nobody knows where it is right now what's going on with this we did send an email about uh the county's taxes this year not being paid we got a response that they're sending it to the right uh appropriate person to see about that. And we said, what about all of our questions that we have? We need all this stuff addressed. But as of right now, everything's in a holding pattern. From what I've been told, and I know our Congressman is trying to get a meeting with Mark Wingwald, the new head of DHS, to try to find out what's actually going on. Because nobody knows. The first standing one or this one's just in a holding pattern. And we're not getting any more information. And we're trying to. And we will address, we will keep addressing the concerns on the water, the sewage, the police protection, the health system, everything that is spelled out. We want answers for this. How are they going to do this? Maybe they'll look at it and say it's too cumbersome. I don't know. So we get to that point where we can sit down with people that actually make a decision and tell us what they're going to do. And that's what we're trying to work towards. So we're trying to do the best we can with everything. People might not believe that, but we are. We talk about NSP. Gary and I talk about NSP. Luke and I talk about NSP. Every time Gary goes out there, I go out there. Yep. But you've got to direct your anger with us.

Do we just have a problemation? Do we have piece of paper or something? But we agree, fresh water is important.

Well, I agree fresh water is important. I don't know why we brought that up. How are we going to put in 10,000 people on a water system that can supply the water and hasn't had it? How can you, how are they going to do that? Because they can't. We have stated publicly that SMA has. They can't hold on to it.

But we have.

We have sent all the stuff that I've shared with the papers, Brianna, everybody. We have sent them numerous documentation. Here's water capacities. Here's sewer capacities. How do you plan to fix this? Here's the roads, routes. We don't want people being transported through 209. What routes are you going to take? Everything.

We're waiting. We got to wait until we get the answers. All right. I think what they want is something on writing saying the commissioners stand together with the people. We got to do these questions or answer it. You guys, you guys oppose it. You want to do these questions or answer it.

I am. Because you're getting dragged. No, that's not true. You're getting dragged into a political thing on it. And a lot of what I want to do is get an answer. I'm sorry. Is there any other public comment so I can move on with the meeting? OK, thank you.

What does the meeting postpone to May 28?

The DEP secretary called and had to reschedule. I don't know. They were supposed to come the 27th. And then they called and said there was a conflict that they were going to do the 28th. I have no answer to that. That's all I have. We're available. I told them we're available anytime. They asked if we would come to Harrisburg. I want them to come here. I want them to come to Stouffville County. I was going to Harrisburg. know they asked that just the dep secretary wants it to be the commissioner's car and the attorneys from the gdp office got our councils the regional director regional director and roger fellas so that's under their request i'm just happy i'm getting looking at it go ahead

I just wanted to say, I told the last week, and I talked to Jessica Durley's office, and they didn't know nothing about a meeting.

We haven't scheduled. It's on our schedule, and they contacted us. Her schedule is the one that set it up, Shirley. So if they're lying to us, and they don't show up, then you'll hear about it in the meeting, because I'll be really angry.

That's part of the problem. Everybody's lying. We're not. I'll tell you our email and our schedule.

Did you send an email to the PDP?

I talked to Jessica Shirley's office last week. And I called your office. And I called the Commissioner's office. Why the meeting was cancelled.

It wasn't cancelled. It was a meeting. I got a call from Joe Brzezinski. He was sending a letter. I'm going to say it.

And why isn't the public useful?

Because that's what I mean. We get DEP here. We got to go through the steps. Maybe after I meet with her the first time, maybe I can get them into a public meeting. But what we did, what you want us to do is you do what we tell you to do. And do you know what they do? We won't meet with you. We won't come here. We won't talk to you. So what I got to do is get her here, explain the situation to her, and then maybe try to get them to do the next step. Everybody wants to go right from this, right to 100. And it's not the way it works. I'm sorry, Shirley. I have to do what the secretary wants. We're commissioners. We're not the governor. We're not senators or state representatives. We're commissioners. So if she says, this is what I want to meet, and this is the time I want to meet, and this is the way I want it, they don't have to meet with us because we have no authority over the union. This is a courtesy. We're going to take that opportunity to try to get some answers and try to get some resolve or some stuff but this is a courtesy they don't have to meet with us it's they don't sure they don't we're trying to get them here now getting a little bit on the vice facility with phil aren't you compensated with with the build organization aren't you compensated as the founding for taxes and no

You're not getting three years of now.

I was told no if they they intended a verbal agreement which we stated here in the media is that if they do proceed with the facility, we will get three years of taxes upfront for the school district, the municipality and the county. But as of right now, the only people that have been made whole because of the purchase price, the school district got $600,000. So they were made whole for this whole year for 2025. 2026, sorry, 2026. The municipality, the township got $600,000. So they're made whole for three years on their budget. The county, I think we got $35,000 in processing to deed out of it. We got about $35,000 in processing to deed. And what my email to them has been that our solicitor's office has sent is, well, I don't care if the building sits there indefinitely. The government owns it. You need to make us whole. If it just sits there, they still have to make the township poll, the municipality poll, and the school district poll. So that's what we're, that's one of our emails that we send to them. We want that now. It doesn't matter to me if they let it sit there for the next 20 years. As long as those municipalities, school districts, and townships are made a poll, it doesn't matter to me right now. So that's what we're trying to get. That's what we're trying to get clarification on. But we, I don't know what it means with Hill.

Okay. If you don't know about Hill, you can look it up.

Yeah. Okay. Sorry. I know it's paid with a little tax, that's what they call it, but I don't call it PIL. It's called PILIN. It's PILIN, not PIL. That's why. Well, the information I get is PIL. It's called a PILIN. It's called a PILIN. That's why I didn't know what PIL was.

Yeah.

Bill, there's one question and an answer. Why?

Will the county get the money and they disperse it to the school district?

I believe that's how, that's the way DHS wants to just write however they structure this, which I don't know how they structure it. I don't have all those details yet. The county would get one lump sum payment for the entire three years of the PAC revenue, and then we would give the school district, the municipality, and then us. That's what we were told. Because I asked them. He asked them.

What?

What? There's nothing in writing. This is all verbal, so we're still waiting to see what goes on. Like I said, right now it's just a whole new pattern. Just find out. And every week I, you know, whenever I see Dan, I bring it up. I talk to him, I bring it up. Try it again, I answer him, try to figure out what's going on. I don't know. I don't know what the new secretary's doing. I don't know what his direction is. You know, I don't know.

Thank you.

Okay? So I'm going to move on from here. No probation.

Mayor Mrakas, One season more.

Mayor Mrakas, See if you began to live adult probation we're asking the board of Commissioners to approve a contract with governor. Mayor Mrakas, Gov Ai software solutions llc to provide adult probation case management software services for getting January one 2026 and automatically renewing each year unless cancelled within 90 days or to notice the cost. Annually, it will be $14,056 and will be paid using offender supervision fees. The contract is backdated, but that's only for continuation of service. Payment has not been paid.

Morning, Commissioners.

Carl Rumble, Children and Youth.

It's about time of year. Starting to get renewals taken care of.

First item, we are looking for approval of an agreement with Nexstar Media Incorporated doing business as WBRE WYOU at Boston for Foster Care Awareness Month advertising. This is a specific timeframe based under total cost $5,750. This would have a term May 1st. through June 30th, 2026. Second, we are looking at an agreement with UPMC and their Child Advocacy Center of Central Pennsylvania in Harrisburg to conduct forensic interviews and per unit fee of $525, medical consults and exams and a per unit fee of $285, physician case consults at a rate of $138 per hour. And this would be with the term July 1st, 2025, June 30th, 2026. looking for approval of agreeing with child first Philadelphia for community based residential per diem rates are for concentrated care $794.58 collaborative care $917.74. Should have the term April 14th, 2026, June 30th, 2026. Looking for a renewal agreement with L bill properties, LLC puts down this release of apartment unit D, located at 1251, Mount Hope Avenue in Potsville for temporary transitional housing needs monthly rent. 1,100 dollars and a term June 1st, 2026, May 31st, 2028. agreement with visiting nurse association of st luke's home health hospice of bethlehem for visiting nurse services with a per hour rate 132 dollars and nine cents until june 30th of this year and thereafter increasing to 136 dollars and three cents With the total term, April 29th, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. We have 2 renewal agreements with term period July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027 versus with Jewish family services of greater Harrisburg incorporated for foster care services per DM rates for children age 0 to 5 is 117 dollars. 52 cents. youth 16 and older is $121.79, medical needs $130.07, intensive foster care at $157.33. They're also offering out-of-county independent living services for one youth in particular, the rate of $50 per 50 minutes of direct service. They also offer out-of-state social summaries, unit cost of $2,300. Pennsylvania Counseling Services Incorporated of Lebanon offers us psychosexual evaluations at per unit cost of $755, individual or family therapy sessions at a per unit cost of $130, polygraphs per unit cost of $450. Finally, we have two addenda, both of which extend the term period under current rates and terms. First, we're looking to extend the agreement with Keystone Adolescent Center, contract number 2025-256, and that would be extended to June 30th, 2027. Second will be Yarls Incorporated doing business as service master ACPA out of Reading. That's contract number 2025-398, and it's being extended to June 30th, 2028.

The Wayne Controller's Office has to request an approval to purchase ADP Workforce Now for payroll solution software. The cost for the three-year promotional period is $79,647.50 per year. Cost after the promotional period is $143,613.50 per year. Implementation cost on this is $8,300. Total cost for a project 2026 is $87,947.50. My second one is to enter into an agreement with Foster and Foster Actuarial Services, design and implementation of the pension administration system for $18,500 to be invoiced after the system is live. Annual pension and administrative and administrative system maintenance and support fee of twenty thousand five hundred the county will pay thirty four thousand six hundred and fifty six dollars for the twelve month period beginning june first for actuarial services that's what we are currently paying the fee will be increased by three percent for each first first future year while the agreement is in place total cost of this project is seventy three thousand six hundred and fifty six dollars And I'm not speeding again.

That's right now.

Donnery drug and alcohol requesting approval of an agreement with North Schuylkill School District for the period of May 1st, 2026 through June 30th of 2026 to provide a prevention alternative activity event. The North Schuylkill School District will be hosting a pre-graduation lunch for their senior class with a contract cap of $2,000. Second item is requesting approval of an addendum for Guardian Angel Recovery House to extend the expiration date of the contract from December 31st of 2025 to April 21st of 2026, as well as increase the total contract cap from $19,850 to $26,786. Thank you. Very nice.

Good morning, Commissioners. Chair Oplos, on behalf of Grant Riders, approval to advertise for 2026 CDBG hearings for Butler Township, Minersville, Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill Haven, Shenandoah, Tamaqua, Wayne Township, West Penn Township, and Schuylkill County. Approval of a contract in the amount of $127,320 to M&J Excavation Incorporation for CDBG stormwater project in McAdoo. Proval of a revision to the 2022 program, moving a total of 20,501 dollars and 22 cents from the carbon line item. Um, 8129 dollars and 94 cents. We'll go to the Matthew stormwater or I'm sorry to the demolition line item and 12,371 dollars and 28 cents. We'll move to the Matthew stormwater line item. Approval of change order number one for $6,900 to a contract with Robert Guzik Demo for our demo at 211 Washington Street, Fort Carbon. This will increase the contract from $28,812 to $35,712. This is for repairs to an open wall enclosure discovered during demolition. This one I am requesting immediate approval.

Okay, final motion to approve for the change order number one.

Yeah, I have a motion to approve the change order with Robert Guzik.

Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second.

Second. Second. Second. Second. This is due to radioactive isotope levels discovered at the time of disposal. Approval of a resolution to apply for a grant in the amount of 500,000 for the Home Investment Partnership Program on behalf of Schuylkill Community Action. An approval of two resolutions to adopt updated plans as required for the Schuylkill County CDBG program. That would be the 504 Grievance Procedure and the Fair Housing Resolution.

Well, I have to know what it's about, The isotope thing was some guy worked at a plant somewhere, brought stuff home, painted it with iridium. And so it had to be disposed of, not permanently set off the alarms. It was just in a basement of the house of the right of the director.

Yes.

What was it?

That's what I was told.

Yeah, we were told it was in the basement of the house previous owner to have to be brought down and something to be brought home. And when they took the dump and some of the alarms and had to be disposed of probably. But it was something that was there for years.

So I guess from like the 50s. So they took it to the proper school. What was the question?

No, I don't think so. The question of JV.

Yeah, JV. Love to ask you because I think they Yes. Yes.

Again, I know a number of years ago we ran a hazardous waste disposal and probably it's going back eight years, Gary, maybe. Again, I know that comes under a cost, but I know there's some grants out there that we've already talked about. This again, residents storing different things that they just can't throw in the trash. It's maybe something again that we should look into. Maybe not this year, but maybe get it on the planning board to try to run one again to help dispose. I remember it was up at the Schuylkill Mall and they had, I forget how many trailers loaded of stuff that they got rid of what people were keeping in their house. So again, it's getting that timeframe that maybe we ought to look at that again. Just a little bit, anyway. Thank you. Can we just say that again?

Incidentally, Kyle looks at that every year, right? We try and move that forward every year. I know he does. in any event i'm seeking approval of a supplement of five thousand dollars with alfred bennish and company for county bridge 24 line street over good spring creek the supplement is for construction administration and needed due to the extended duration of the construction uh the total contract cost will be 262 thousand nine hundred dollars good morning good morning

John Bowman, on behalf of the prison, the prison is seeking approval of two contracts for maintenance-related items, the first being a contract with H&H Service Company and Mechanicsburg, PA to provide planned maintenance of five Reed-Heck RTU rooftop units ventilation system at a cost of $13,576.15. Term is May 1, 2026 through December 30, 2026. And the second is an approval of a contract McClure Company Wilkes-Barre to perform plan maintenance on the cooler, freezer, and make-a-bear package RTU split system for the amount of $3,772. The term is April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. David Rice, Assistant Solicitor on behalf of the Assessment Bureau.

We have four items. The first item is approval for Michael Magnata, Zion Grove, to complete the Assessors Association of Pennsylvania Module 3 at a cost of $20 to be reimbursed to him at the time of completion. The second item is approval to appoint Michael Magnata, Zion Grove, as an alternate to serve on the Primary Board of Tax Assessment Appeals during the year 2026 at a rate of $30 per hour while sitting on the Primary Board. The third item is approval for John Geers-Frackel to complete the Assessor's Association of Pennsylvania Module 3 at a cost of $20 to be reimbursed to him at the time of completion. And the fourth and final item is approval to appoint John Geers-Frackel to serve on the primary board of appeals during year 2026 at a rate of $30 per hour while sitting on the primary board.

Thank you. Passed. We're approving the following two repository sales, uh, which is there, and both in the, uh, borough of Gilbertson.

And, uh, possibly we'll see a move by a host of municipalities.

Finance office.

Yeah.

Now, in the finance office, uh, there's two, uh, budget adjustments that are posted outside the door, like, it's supposed to be $5.00. There's a block grant program for about $100.00. You have, uh, supplemental budget appropriations for today for approval uh one is for the wellness court drug court and that's to increase the budgetary expense line item by seven thousand five hundred two dollars for the wellness score and three thousand one hundred thirty dollars for the carry line item for the drug industry and we'll set the supplemental budget twenty twenty six nationally

That motion to approve a project replacement. Second. No question. Commissioner Fedora?

Yes.

Commissioner Hetherington? Yes. Commissioner Hetherington.

Next is a supplemental budget appropriation for the, uh, Still County Records Improvement Fund and the important fence this year. So they're asking a transfer money over to the Secretary of Expenditure line item, uh, out of $3,666. I'm looking for a $1.6 million.

Motion to approve the Records Improvement Fund.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,

Yes. Yes. Yes.

And on behalf of the Agriculture Conservation, approval of an agreement of sale for the purchase of an agriculture conservation heat between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the County of Schuylkill journey in perpetuity for a total purchase price of $164,040 with the County of Schuylkill's contribution total $65,000. The agreement of sale is for Merlin J and 18 C High Farm. API number is 1006, total of 33. 10.06.34, 10.07.92.001, consisting of 82.02 acres in Eldridge Township. Next, approval of an agreement of sale for the purchase of an agriculture conservation agency from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the County School of County in perpetuity for a total purchase price of $36,360, with the County School contribution is $18,180. Agreement of sale. is for the fencing yard at all number two farm dpi number is 10.10 49.002 consisting of 18.18 a virgin elder chapter and lastly on behalf of the lutheran school works for development board approved with grant extension for the lucerne school global work for development grant agreement ending in june 30th 2025. i'll multiply the banking right in the extension

We're asking for a motion for two actions of children and youth, and these are for revised start dates for Raymond Margarino and Valerie Vickery. They work through for a start date of 4-20, which is being changed to 4-27. Also, in human resources, we have the promotion of Elaine Fuchy to senior benefits and demonstrator slot . We're requesting the appointment of Chloe Turner as a field advisor at a rate of 17%. 5, 7, 3, 6, effective 5, 26, 26. And the rate is per new contract.

And I welcome to review my start page. So moved, sir. Second. Second. Commissioner Fedora? Yes. Commissioner Hetherington? Yes. Commissioner? Yes.

Also, in the district attorney's office, you have the appointment of Michael Fiorillo as a part-time assistant district attorney, effective 5, 11, 26. Also, the appointment of Zoe Holden as a clerk, which is an intern, effective 5-26-26, and that will be for 14 weeks. And student attorney with a revised start date of Haley Chang as a guideline supervisor, which was approved at 4-27, being changed to 5-4-26. In the clerk reports, we also have a revised start date for Keisha Kimmel as a clerk three. It was approved for 4-20, being moved to 4-27. Coroner's Office, we have the appointment of Desmond Bailey as a per diem deputy coroner slash investigator, effective 5-11-26. Controller's Office, we have the appointment of Thomas Kerms, unpaid intern, 5-18-26, and that will end approximately 8-7. And in domestic relations, we have the promotion of Jenny Sadowski to a case officer aide, effective by 4-26, and she's transferring from a secretary with one, and the rate is toward your new primary. All appointments are pending drug tests and physical, and all actions involving salary reward or proposition being created are pending salary reward approval.

Thank you. Any revisions? Not in regard to the budget. Salary reward. Before the executive sessions. Not in our health. Call the call. Salary report. Good morning again, guys. Good morning, sir.

I looked at that before I came up here before. Double check, yeah. Again, good morning, Commissioners. Again, if I can ask you just to hold any response or comments until after the three minutes. Something I kind of just want to feed off of what Jeff had mentioned earlier about appointments to boards. And I spoke about it previously, so I want to revisit that issue with you guys regarding the county board appointments and transparency. Because quite frankly, I didn't see any or little progress or anything that's visible on the county website regarding current board vacancies, whether terms are staggered, what current members were appointed, or when their terms expire. That information should not be difficult to find. It should be readily accessible to the public at all times. Without it, the process lacks transparency. And it leaves the residents and your constituents questioning whether appointments are being handled fairly and openly. So I asked, do the boards operate under staggered terms? What is the start date and the expiration date of their terms for each current member? And why is the information not publicly posted? More importantly, where do things stand on a formal policy for board appointments? And at prior meetings, the need for transparent, consistent process was raised. So publicly advertising your vacancies, allowing any qualified citizen of the county to submit a letter of interest, establishing clear timelines and term limits. But yet today, we still do not see a policy adopted, a draft policy shared, or even a timeline for which one will be implemented. Residents should not have to guess when positions opened or rely on word of mouth to participate in local government. A simple solution exists. Post a centralized, up-to-date listing on the county website, showing each board and authority, the current members, the term starts and expiration of their terms, any upcoming vacancies, instructions on how to apply. This is standard practice in many municipalities and it builds trust. So right now, the lack of accessible information, it creates the appearance of a closed process, whether intended or not. So I urge the board today, again, to immediately publish all the current board membership or all the current board appointments and the term data. Provide a clear update on the status of a formal appointment policy. And this is the public deserves transparency, accountability, and a fair opportunity to serve in their local government. I thank you for your time, but one thing I do want to touch base on, I think it was, is that Cheryl, Ms. Cheryl? Shirley. When you speak of schedule and you say, well, we have it scheduled, and you have a quorum that is saying about schedule, that becomes public policy. So when public policy becomes under the Sunshine Act, it would almost be assumed that it would be open to the public.

As long as we're not deliberating or debating that it's not a Sunshine Act violation.

so in regards to you saying scheduling do you have something posted that says when the commissioners have certain things scheduled such as these meetings that the public um can provide any type of input um or at least know that it's happening or when things are being canceled because it seems like charlie had a comment regarding when this is going to happen and i know larry you said about this is what the dep wants and i get that i get that it's they're going to try to overrule but my comment is uh Where is this scheduled? And is it something that's published that's saying when you guys are meeting?

It's for us internally. Okay. Scheduled meetings for commissioners. But it's not a public meeting. So, you know, if we can advertise every meeting like that, it may cost us.

Well, I'm not saying in the paper. I'm saying is there something that's available that you could do on the website or something?

Well, that's why I announced it here. at the public meeting that we had that meeting.

And I think one thing that could be important, I'm sorry to go over, but I think one thing that could be important is we have all these boards that are appointed to certain things. I think we have some major things standing out to us. There's the Brad's Landfill, the West End, West NSP. We have the data centers going, et cetera. Maybe consider bringing the public for their input, maybe forming a subcommittee so that they could provide input to you guys and also serve as a committee member for those meetings that you're having with the committee That's going to build the trust between you guys and the constituents.

What we're trying to do with the data centers, like I said, we're trying to find someone that's not affiliated with any program, not affiliated with any company, to come in and give an honest, and I'm actually trying to set up, take a tour of one of the newer, the newest generation of data centers down in Virginia. So I'm trying to get the information on it. But as a commissioner, like I said, you can't just overlook the tax benefit of it. So I don't have to tax people's homes.

I understand that, and one thing that you said is with that revenue that is coming in, that's going to help alleviate any tax increase for the couple years after that. I get that. So again, one comment would be the Penn State Extension. They offer some great support, and I've attended some of their online sessions, and it's a good, good avenue for you guys to look at.

That's what we're looking at, and we're just trying to figure out what we're going to do in a large public setting, or maybe possibly... The beginning phase we're trying to get because of so much information and there's so much real information that nobody will it's changing every day and they say that every time they have the meetings and so I just want all the information.

Thank you for your time guys. We are planning for our zoning board to be one thing that is advertising to reach opportunity for public comment.

Yeah, planning boards only more. They meet monthly and they public comment. People can participate in those meetings. They're advertised.

And then when the appointees, do we have a list of the appointees? So maybe that's something to kind of just look into. So I appreciate that we can spend the time with some public comment at those two boards. Thanks. Thanks, Larry.

Is that early yet?

Not yet. Maybe by the time I'm done. Jeff to Uncle Palo Alto. Regarding the board appointments, I had to put a right to know request in to get that information, and they requested a 30-day extension. So again, lack of transparency. Boots, you were shocked when people were mentioning about receiving donations from people that are making the county a dumping ground, and you were vehemently denying that. And as one person that watching my page, sent me a message yesterday or the day before. They said, you looked as shocked as you did at the recent chamber event when you were sleeping and you woke up and you were startled and you spilled a drink over a legislator. So I'm going to ask you and Larry, if you guys can inform the public on who are the members of Where America Started PAC. You guys can give me any information on who?

I don't know all of them.

Can you let me know who you know?

I'm not a member, so, you know, I know where my time is. I know where Tobacco is. I know where Ardell is. I think Austin might be. No. They come and go.

And it's registered to Christy Joy's address through the state. Okay. So just to bring that up, Boots, you accepted over $12,600 from that pack. Larry, you did nearly $15,000 jointly as did in your joint campaign, over $27,000 from that pack, which includes some of these people that are causing some problems for the county. Also, Boots, Mr. Kotler, you received $500 donation from Mr. Frank Kramas that spreads all the biosolids and terrorizes the West End. You received $1,500 for it. And half of your reports, Boots, are X'd out, voided, I mean, commissioners spelled wrong. It looks like a kindergarten kid does. I mean, look at his check statement. That's completely unacceptable. Larry, you also received a $10,000 donation from Brian Rich, and your joint account, you both received, or you received $10,000 together from Brian Rich. I just want to put that on, Larry. What's that?

I'm not sure. And if you bring it to John Rich, correct? Yeah. Did you bring up my primary donations?

I have everything printed out. I just brought up the ones that you look at my primary.

Your separate one, my primary when I ran.

I have the door for Commissioner and I had to for the primary back boots and then I had a primary.

I'm basically flooding my entire primary. So after I won the primary people to put it in.

Well, I get that, because they want to have pool. They want to get pool from who's going to win. I get that. That's exactly my point.

After I won the primary, then I funded myself.

That's exactly the point with that.

I funded myself.

OK, so let me finish, because you're cutting into my time here.

Jeff, I always let you go over. You're cutting my time. You're cutting my time. Let everybody go over. Dave's pretty strict over here.

OK, so that being said, time.

Yeah, time.

It's not even time. Anyway, one thing on your designated list, the drug and alcohol conference venue. I brought this up before, but this seems to be a different one. $12,255 for the hotel in Pottsville. Then there's another one for a vendor, $55,925. When I looked it up, it seems to be an event planner. Are we spending $6,000 on an event planner in West Palm Beach and a one-day conference for $12,000 in that hotel? I'm just curious on that. And speaking of that, the last two on the designee list.

oh this is drug alcohols having a conference now it's a one-day conference yeah and they're bringing in people from all over the state and it's funded it's it's funded through their the opioids so it's not taxpayer it's not county money and it's a conference for drug and alcohol because it's the first time ever that they're going to host the conference for uh drug and alcohol here in schuylkill county so usually go everywhere else but there's no big You can't get any other bigger than that.

So zero tax dollars for all of it.

As far as I know, it's OBO Inc.

Okay. Speaking of the hotel, I guess we can go on to that. Recently at the April 8th meeting, there was a cryptic thing put into the solicitor's office for a Keystone Communities Initiative Program, DCED, 1.5 million for acquisition, construction, renovation, demolition of blighted or underutilized buildings. I'm just curious, having one of the most historic buildings in the city, in the county, I'm just curious on how this money gets handed out, how I can access it. There's nothing online with your redevelopment authority. There's no link to it. There's no board members. There's no meeting dates that I can find. From what I understand, this was just put through like this, and correct me if I'm wrong, commissioners, but I believe 750,000 of that is already promised to Mr. Metzinger and his hotel project, and approximately 200,000 to Coke Lenox for their expansion. without the public knowing anything. I'm curious, as a property owner, with the remaining half a million dollars, if someone can get access to that. What is the process? Is there an application? I mean, I don't have a house in the Outer Banks or Costa Rica, but I am looking at one in Hilton Head, so these guys need to come down. Well, that seems to be the way it has to be. Outer Banks or Costa Rica, and you get any money you want.

Well, first off, this is stuff that came in through the Senator's office. to the redevelopment authority. The redevelopment authority then has to dispose of it.

So that money is through the senator's office?

Yes.

Okay. Through the ECD. So the senator that wined and dined that person in Costa Rica and also his finance report form here that is filled with money from Red Light Blue Auto and Metzinger and his wife. Okay, so it just funneled in that way through the county. And then the remaining 500,000, how can someone get access to them? Or when did the redevelopment meetings or who's on the board? I can't find anything.

Grant was received $1 million for acquisition and rehabilitation and $500,000 for template. That has not been part of the money.

So those figures, Gary, those two names aren't promised that money?

There have been decisions made on that, but I heard that it's THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSIONS ON THAT, A COUPLE ON IT.

LAST QUESTION. WHEN THAT MONEY IS GIVEN OUT, WILL THAT BE MADE PUBLIC WITH A VOTE? YES. IS THAT CORRECT? YES. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, GUESTS.

AND THEY HAVE TO INTERVENE TO MAKE REQUIREMENT.

OKAY.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE SALARY CARD? IN THE RESEARCH OFFICE?

ALL RIGHT. IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WE'RE SETTING THE SALARY OF MICHAEL FIORILLO, PART-TIME ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, $44,000. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. made in the district attorney we're setting the salary of zoe holden as the clerk intern at a rate of 18 per hour effective 5.6 human resources we're eliminating the position of senior benefits administrator effective 518 also creating the position of senior benefits administrator slash investigator effective 518 and setting the salary of the to the Senior Benefit Administrator-Investigator at a rate of $57,723.50, effective 518. Solicitor's Office, we have two wage adjustments for Shelby Hostetter and David Rice. Shelby's rate will be $45,714.95, both effective 518. David Rice will be at $86,052.26. Thank you. Is there any business or salary report?

I want you to approve it. I don't care.