Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Do you understand what he's saying? Do you want to call him into order and pledge 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.

Do we have any exact interceptions now?

I'm sorry, there were none.

None? Give it back in the swimming pool? So we have a proclamation for National Telecommunicator Week. Schuylkill County enjoys the highest standard of emergency 911 dispatch and service within the Congress, whereas we owe a great debt to the men and women who, by applying their expertise to telecommunications, law enforcement, emergency medical, and fire dispatch services, helped to make this achievement possible. Whereas the United States Congress, along with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association, have reclaimed April 12th through April 18th, 2026 as national telecommunicator. Schuylkill County Communication Center has answered and dispatched over 146,000 calls for service for the residents and visitors of Schuylkill County in 2025. You know, the telecommunications are 24 hours, seven days a week, and receive emergency calls from residents and visitors of Schuylkill County. The residents, visitors of Schuylkill County benefit daily from the knowledge, skill, and highly trained individuals in Schuylkill County. Now, therefore, we have resolved that we, the Board of County Commissioners, do hereby honor the staff of the Schuylkill County Communication Center for their extraordinary devotion to the ideals and goals of public safety. Our 911 does a great job. They're always there to answer the call. I know during COVID, during everything, our 911 has never once skipped a beat with anything that I know of or my fellow commissioners know of. Scott and your whole team was doing a great job down there. And in an emergency, you're the first calling voice to people here. And that means a lot to me. And so that's a very important thing to consider. So you want to come down a little bit?

A lot of the language said these guys do a great job. At one point, we had a short staffing. And there was times when some of these people were double shifts, sometimes extra $30 a week.

at no point was a call not taken.

We've been able to get that situation with the two hires taken care of, and like Valerie said, at no point was anyone ever left hanging with other than the problem. So we do appreciate all these guys' thoughts. So appreciate it.

Thank you. Yeah, I mean, other than what my colleagues have just said, again, it's a great resource and a great agency that's been there for many, many years. And the thing is, is when you're looking for, you're in that distressed, I think you're hoping that you call that number 911 as someone else is on the other line, like Larry said, in a calming manner to help. There's many times that they've helped save lives through the telephone until emergency responders got there. We have the most professional and active telecommunicators that I know of anyway that I've worked with over the years and they do a professional job. So again, from the bottom of our hearts and all the citizens Stucco County. Thank you for what you do day in and day out, 24-7, but make sure it's always there in the time of call, whether it's police, EMS, fire, or whatever it's there. So again, thank you very much and tell the rest of your team we appreciate all that they do. Thank you.

Thank you guys. Yeah, let's move on. Public comment, please.

Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. My name is Roseanne Weinrich, and I live in Butler Township, Schuylkill County. I'm a retired science teacher. The reason I'm here this morning instead of the hometown farmers market is to discuss the alarming increase in data centers being proposed and constructed throughout our Commonwealth and particularly in Schuylkill County. This is concerning because there has been little public input regarding these centers until permits are approved. Permits are being fast-tracked and discussions held between elected officials and data center companies become non-disclosure agreements. The public has been purposely shut out of the process, leading many residents to believe there must be something to hide. Rural communities, some traditionally underserved, have become a target for hyperscale data centers. Some municipalities have been identified as environmental justice areas due to low socioeconomic status, poor health care options, or total lack of health care, undereducation, underemployment, low paying jobs, decaying infrastructures, and have no means to take on large corporate entities whose main goal is profit over people. It's especially insulting that we are being shielded from the truth. There is no doubt that Schuylkill County could use more high-paying jobs, but are hyperscale data centers the answer? Most of the arguments for them have been heard throughout the state by college salespeople for big tech who claim to be good community partners. Nobody is anti-progress, but data centers are not what they claim to be. What they bring to communities is a strain on the power grid and our decaying infrastructures, excuse me, and water consumption issues, water pollution, noise pollution, land pollution, heat islands, overinflated job numbers, potential health problems for citizens, especially those more vulnerable, unknown impacts on humans and wildlife, and a host of other valid concerns. If data centers were vital, profitable, and foolproof moneymakers, they wouldn't need tax breaks or nondisclosure agreements. If data centers don't cause purported harm to surrounding communities, then they should welcome independent studies proving that claim. That being said, we the people are asking our state and local officials to support an immediate statewide moratorium on data centers until studies are completed investigating potential personal and environmental harm. We, the people, are concerned that fast-track permitting and nondisclosure agreements between elected officials and data center companies are a violation of our rights as taxpayers and citizens of Pennsylvania. We, the people, are concerned that we have no voice in these decisions, which will affect us for generations to come. We, the people, are aware that we are protected from personal and environmental harm by Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania State Constitution. We the people are concerned that our voices are not being heard by entities who stand to profit from this potential assault on our constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms. We the people will not succumb quietly to becoming a sacrifice zone to power the global internet at the expense of permanent irreversible damage to our state. We the people will not sit in silence while our guaranteed constitutional rights are being violated. We the people are asking our elected officials, whatever political party, to honor their commitment to serve Pennsylvania citizens by initiating a statewide moratorium on data center permits and construction until the data center industry can prove that our constitutional rights are not being violated. That being said, will you sign this petition to take a step back to examine what we are really undertaking to use prudent judgment to ensure that we are making the right decisions for our children and future generations.

Would you sign the petition?

Sorry, there it goes, right here. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other comments? Good morning.

Brianna DelVal, Warrensburg. Any updates on the accessibility Zoom step for the media?

We looked at what they did during COVID. The problem was when we let people in, they would use a fake ID and fake addresses, fake email accounts. So that's an issue. Overall, though, our county is, our buildings have county-town accessibility. We can get into the building. Now, we're looking into if there's something else we can do. The problem is, they're in technology. It's very easy to make a fake email account. and email stuff, because that's what happened during COVID.

Even if they're, like, on Zoom?

Well, the Zoom thing that we didn't want to do.

Okay.

They did Zoom, I think. I think they did during COVID. Yeah, that's true. Yeah, they were not using their thing.

Oh, I think you can set up. Yeah, you can set it up.

I just want to... I asked questions when we did go to COVID.

Okay. And any updates on AHS?

No, there's no updates other than... It's a lot too... to the user or else that we're trying to get a meeting and dhs i guess everybody's seen it in the paper that now they're countering it's what the epsad done so other than that now i know our solicitor uh paul dottie has been in contact with them about getting some of the yellow news and some of the writing stuff and said even if you're briefing people we still want the separation so we want to get it to them So that's what we're working on. As soon as we get it, we share it.

Side, like unrelated, well, it's related. In Maryland, did you know that the county there requested $300 million to expand their interstate and $30 million to expand their local municipal airport?

Trust me. Okay, good. We are going to ask for everything we possibly can. If it comes, you know, even if it doesn't, You sent an email to them that even though it's in a holding pattern, we still want the Luba taxes. I don't care if it sits there for 10 years. I want the Luba taxes. I want that now. So we're pushing for that no matter what happens.

And there was a bill a couple years ago in the State House, I believe, looking to kind of help counties and municipalities that have large amounts of federally owned land. Just want to urge anybody here to start thinking about that, because this is this is obviously like a big problem here and state own lands as well.

Thanks. Don't think too many federal. Well, yeah, the first federal person. Any other public comment?

I just have a question. There was a question asked about that petition. Do you have any comment to that?

My comment has been all along that if data centers do come to Cooper County in the right location, if they provide their own power, they are a benefit. If it's in the right location, we have a abundance of foal land. We don't want to see them on pristine farmland. We don't want to see them right up next to residential areas. But if they don't come here, they're going to go somewhere else. So if we have the right locations that we're looking at for that, because we do have an abundant amount of land that's in the middle of nowhere. We have, we've done research on it. I have talked to, honestly, there are some companies interested in coming. There's one proposed in Klein. There's one proposed in High Ridge. And from what we're getting from them, they use a water system now. They don't use the amount of water they have. I guess there was some provision put on in Washington, I believe, that they have to provide their own power, or do like they did at Homer City, where they re-fired a coal generation power plant. They bought a coal generation power plant, but they fired it off propane, or sorry, not propane, natural gas. They fired it on natural gas, and they're pumping 25% excess energy into the grid. So as long as those stipulations are made and they're in the right locations, they are a benefit. Three data centers in Schuylkill County would mean probably you won't have a tax increase for eight to 10 years just off of the revenue that they would generate. To generate that type of tax revenue, you would have to build on half your farmland's residential properties. You would take all your farmlands and build it all. So we're not saying no to the idea. We want to know where they're going to go, how they're going to provide electricity, how they're getting the lines there, because PPNL is expanding lines in Segal County. There's a 300 KV line and a 500 KV line that's going to be being ran in the county. And that's one of the reasons why some data centers are interested to be here, because PPNL is expanding their infrastructure and putting in more substations. So we're trying to see that, because we've got to balance. New revenue means taxes don't run. If everything stays stagnant and the cost of running the county goes up, that means taxes have to go up. So it's a balancing act.

So I understand that. I was listening very carefully to the points. And it sounds like the same points that you're making are in that petition. So maybe take a look at it, maybe sign it and get some independent study. Because I think the independent study is key. That's all I wanted to say.

Okay, thank you. Any other public comment? If not, I'm gonna move on to meeting, be sure. No probation?

C.J. C.J. Beganski with Adult Probation. We are looking for your approval for submission of a grant application, the PCCD, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Innocency, for the JRI-2 funding. And I'm going to use that for a dedicated transfer officer to manage the office's 200-plus active transfer cases that are currently handled by staff. It would be a 24-month grant. award would be $152,529. It will reduce the field officer caseloads from approximately $150,000 to $120,000. With that money, I'd also pay for benefits. So it'd be salary and benefits for two years. Thank you. Thanks again.

Children and youth?

We have one item. present today, requesting approval of an addendum to the agreement with Jewish Family Services of Greater Harrisburg Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. That agreement was stated June 25th, 2025, and this addendum would add pre-adoption social summary services with a unit rate of $2,300 and does not affect the end date, currently June 30th, 2026.

Thank you very much. We just received a notice from the State Department of Children and Youth Your agency passed a policy sent to investigate, not investigation, but the plan was put into place.

A worker forgot to fill out a section of a risk assessment that they came in and made us come up with a plan and it was approved.

Congratulations. Good work. Drunk and Alcohol?

Good morning. John Reed, Drunk and Alcohol. Requesting approval of three agreements. First agreement is with Monterrey Area School District for the period of May 1st, 2026 through June 30th of 2026. Providing prevention alternative activity event. The SAD Club and the MAD APC will be hosting a kickoff to graduation event with a contract cap of $2,000. Second agreement is with Tumaco Area School District for the period of April 15th of 2026 through June 30th of 2026 to provide a prevention alternative activity event. The Raiders Step Up Club will be hosting a pre-prom awareness of field flick event with a contract cap of $2,000. And the third agreement is with Williams Valley School District for the period of May 1st, 2026 through June 30th of 2026 to provide a prevention alternative activity event. The Williams Valley School District will be holding a graduation luncheon for their senior students with a contract cap of $1,200. Thank you.

Grant writers.

Morning, Robert. Welcome for approval of a change order number two for $12,382.63 to a contract with Arthur Pat Unst Incorporated for a demolition at 26 South Main Street, Shenandoah. This will increase the contract from $53,777 to $66,159.63. This is to ensure that the remaining attached structures are weather sealed after demolition and also approval to advertise for a CDBG ADA improvement project in Wayne Township. Bids will be done via PENBID and must be submitted by 9 AM on Wednesday, May 20th.

Office of Senior Services. Good morning, commissioners.

Approval of a contract with PeopleShare Professional LLC in Northbrook, Illinois in the amount of $93,510.30 for the period of April 12th, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 to assist the agency in employment needs through a direct higher fee agreement hybrid kind of contract of agent care manager positions. and a client services agreement for temporary clerical position. The hourly rates are established by the rates in the AFSCME union contract. This will help us with desperately needing positions held at our office.

Thank you.

In planning and zoning, we're requesting approval to add Denise Donmoyer to the study committee due to the county receiving a comment from DCNR regarding the composition of the committee and recommending the inclusion of a representative from a group associated with the lake and or frog hollow. Next item is approval to reorganize the membership of the study committee for the Schuylkill County Comprehensive Park Recreation and Open Space Plan to include the following individuals, John Bondora, Mandy Fitzpatrick, Regina Gargano, Jennifer Silko, Kent Himmerleit, Mary Linkovich, Kate McMahon, Craig Morgan, Jessica Siders, John Simanko, Susan Smith, Frank Snyder, Tom Yashinsky, and then also a staff representative from the Chamber and a representative from Common Ground Community Gardeners and a representative from the City of Pottsville. Then in engineering real estate, approval is requested to assign the lease for 33 South Main Street, Shenandoah, which is a location of Magisterial District 21-3-5. The property is being purchased by EVV Real Estate LLC, Nesquihoning. The lease will be assigned to EVV Real Estate and continue with the same lease provisions throughout the lease term. Next item is approval of an encroachment agreement with PPL to construct reconstruct, operate, and maintain its electric and communication facilities of poles, anchors, guides, and overhead facilities, and other wires, cables, fixtures, and apparatus within the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority easement and the right-of-way as shown on the plans for Keystone Boulevard. As you know, Keystone Boulevard is a county road, therefore our inclusion.

That's it. Lisa, on that study committee, didn't we do that before? Was there changes?

There may have been some changes in there.

Okay. Was there a reason?

I can't answer that for you.

So for today we have approval of the treasurer's report for the month of March 2026. Ending balance in all accounts $74,226,974.45. And then two additional items, approval to enter into an internet processing professional services agreement with Hammer Enterprises for processing of credit card payments for the County of Schuylkill with a convenience fee of 2.75%, which is passed on to the payee. The agreement is subject to the solicitor review and approval. This agreement provides a savings to the payee from the current vendor rate of 2.95% to 2.75%. And then the appointment of the following deputy tax collectors. We had a couple of missing from my last presentation. So we have Karen Tobash, deputy tax director for Pete Tobash and North Mannheim Township. Haley Malloy for Dev Malloy and Gilbertson Borough. There is no deputy tax collector for Nicole Bender, Tremont Township. And myself as school county treasurer serving as Ashland Borough tax director, so no deputy tax collector.

Finance Office?

That would be good, Commissioner.

Thank you. Deputy Administrator? On behalf of the Board of Administrators, approval of a contract with Charlovie.co, Esquire, to serve as Conflicts Counsel for clients requiring representation of proceedings in which the public defender's office is conflicted. Determine the contract May 1st, 2026, for December 31st, 2027, at thought at $4,500. Vermont Attorney Barf is here for any questions. Move the item. And the next item, I think Mr. Martin-Hines is here if he wants to present these items.

Good morning, Christians.

Good morning, Eric. Good morning, Eric. So I am here today. I have two items on for the agenda. On behalf of the Schuylkill County Transportation Authority, I am requesting the Board of Commissioners approve a motion to adopt a resolution that certifies the provision of local match funding in the amount of $195,000 to match state funds pursuant to section 1513 in fiscal year 2026-27. Dates and payments of this local match would coincide with the county's previous payment schedule. Item number two, on behalf of the Schuylkill County Transportation Authority, I'm requesting the Board of Commissioners approve a motion Capital local match funding in the amount of $15,000 to match state funds pursuant to section 1514 state discretionary trust funds in fiscal year 26-27. Dates of payments of local match would coincide with the county's previous payment schedule.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

In the main source office. Good morning, commissioners. In the prison, we had the transfer of Joseph Basunis to correction officer full-time from part-time rates for the contract. That's 26.4555, effective for 2026. Two items in children and youth. Both promotions to County Caseworker 2 from County Caseworker 1. That's for Tiffany Lewis and Haley Walton. The rate is 23.7476. The start date for Lewis is 4-20-26. The start date for Walton And there are two informational items. In the clerk of courts, the appointment of Keisha Kimmel as clerk three, effective 4-20-26, raised for the contract. In court administration, the appointment of George Uhler, law clerk, effective 4-27-26. All appointments pending drug test and physical were appropriate. All actions involving salary or court positions being graded are pending salary board approval. Is there a motion for the present transfer?

So moved and seconded. question commissioner pedora yes commissioner heatherington yes and commissioner hess yes a motion for the children and youth that's the motion second confession commissioner pedora yes commissioner heatherington yes and commissioner hess

I just have an announcement. On Monday, we'll be having our annual youth summit down at Penn State starting at 9 o'clock going through 2 o'clock, which includes all the school districts, the two parochial schools and the two vocational schools. So it's always a good day that we challenge our young people to say, hey, what could be changed in Schuylkill County? Hopefully that you would stay here after you go to college and come back here and to be successful. It's been a success over the years, and we look to have that now. Over the past year, the school year, we supplied a $250 mini grant, which they could go out into their own community school district. There's one thing we found out is some of the different issues and problems might be different here in Ponceville where it's different in Shenandoah or different in Tri-Valley area. So they can go out and do that and also tackle some other big issues that are lying out there into the future that might affect the county as a whole. So if anyone wants to sit in, you're more than welcome. It's again held down in Penn State from 9 to 2 and it's really a good day to to engage, equip, and support our future generation of young people and future leaders. So thank you. And hopefully the press, Monday. It's coming Monday the 20th.

And then today we were, this morning we were having a job fair for the school district we're participating in. We said they're going to have over a thousand school students there. Stapp, Looking at all the jobs that are available to counties. That's a real nice that we were there this morning and it's packed. Stapp, And it was a lot of vendors. There are companies companies from even outside of our area are now coming to these job fairs are she was there. So some people from outside of this area. Stapp, It's a good thing for the other people to be exposed to jobs.

Stapp, In addition, on the second level as a quality of life is where a lot of the nonprofits set up of opportunities where they can volunteer. Again, you've heard it said many times that the county government can only help so far. We count on a lot of our nonprofit groups to do a lot of things and naturally it takes volunteers. So again, they're always looking for assistance. So they were set up there also and that's going on all pretty well all day. So they'll have mostly all the students from around the county see the opportunities that it can stay right here of all the professions and stuff that's available.

Yeah, Thursday night at 4 p.m. is the grand opening of the Heisler's operation. Richard said last night we had a chance to meet the new couple that bought the place, the St. Zierman family from down in, excuse me, Berks County, who own a restaurant. They've been serving Heisler ice cream for several years now, and it was a nice commitment The Heisner family wanted to retire, so we went out Thursday at 4 o'clock for the grand opening for the, I said Heisner, how many folks recognize that? A nice tradition to have. I'm glad to see a next generation, another generation moving into that company ahead.

And I go home that way. I take the back roads home from here, so I drive by a lot. They made a ton of improvements. They put a big playground in. They put more seating areas in. They put more pavilions in. They did some changes. sacrilege because it's hard ice cream they have soft ice cream now they're something like soft ice cream but they have hard ice cream it's very it's it's a very nice they did a really good job hopefully everybody goes out there and continues to work nicer as i know my daughters in the summer we end up there at least once or twice a week playing miniature golf and eating something so again ice cream so it's a nice occasion to Don't forget the homemade soft pretzels now that they're out there for the pretzel hot. So really nice people. So anything else for this? Okay, salary boards. Report of executive sessions. We're done now. Public phone for salary board. Resource office.

One item, according to administration, set salary for George Euler as law clerk at $60,000, effective for $27.26. That is all. Thank you. Any new business?

No, sir. Thank you.