Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES January 21, 2020 The regular monthly meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania, 19002. Council President DeRuosi called the Council Meeting to order. Mayor Sorg led the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call – Present: Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Endicott, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch and Ms. Marshall. Mayor Sorg, Chief Hoffman, Solicitor Joe Bresnan of Dischell, Bartle & Dooley and Borough Manager Aversa were present. Approval of Minutes: Mr. DeRuosi made a motion to approve the Minutes of the December 17, 2019 Council Meeting and of the January 6, 2020 Reorganization Meeting (as corrected). Seconded. Carried. A presentation was made by Ambler Rotary to the Community Ambulance Association of Ambler with a check for $5,600. Mr. Bob King of Ambler Rotary commented that Rotary presented CAAA with a check for the purchase of an ambulance during CAAA’s first established year in 1941. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Committees of Ambler Borough Council met Monday, January 6, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania, 19002. Present: Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Endicott, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch and Ms. Marshall. Mayor Sorg, Chief Hoffman, Solicitor Joe Bresnan of Dischell, Bartle & Dooley and Borough Manager Aversa were present. Public Safety Committee – Ms. Erin Endicott, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Mrs. Siskind The Public Safety Committee report was given this evening by Ms. Endicott. The Committee will consider no actions this evening. In other business the following was reviewed: MINUTES: JANUARY 21, 2020 1 1. The Police, Community Ambulance Association and Fire Department reports were received. 2. The Public Works and Code Enforcement reports were received. Ms. Endicott asked if there were comments or questions from Council or the public. There being nothing further, it was moved the Committee’s report be accepted as filed. Seconded. Carried. Public Utilities Committee – Mrs. Glynnis Siskind, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Welch, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Marshall The Public Utilities Committee report was given this evening by Mrs. Siskind. The Committee will consider the following action this evening: 1. Consider adoption of Resolution 2020-01 partnering with municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Wissahickon Creek Watershed to work cooperatively with each other and with the Water Quality Advisory Team (WQAT) on the preparation of a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Wissahickon Creek as an alternative to the May 2015 Draft Total Phosphorus TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) for the Wissahickon Creek. Discussion ensued. Solicitor Bresnan clarified that the resolution authorizes the continuation of an older agreement, noting that US EPA and PA DEP want to see municipal commitment. Manager Aversa stated that the additional funding amount of $23,500 had been budgeted. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Motion to consider adoption of Ordinance 1115 establishing the Ambler Water Authority. Seconded. 9-Aye. Carried. 2. Motion to set compensation for the Ambler Water Authority Board at $1,200 per year. Seconded. 9-Aye. Carried. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The WWTP Engineer’s report was received. 2. Authorization was granted to advertise for public bid for a general contractor to remove the existing digester covers and install the aeration piping. 3. An Organization Meeting of the Ambler Water Authority Board has been advertised and will be held January 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Ambler Borough Hall at which time the business of the Authority will be discussed and possibly voted upon. MINUTES: JANUARY 21, 2020 2 Mrs. Siskind asked if there were comments or questions from Council or the public. There being nothing further, it was moved the Committee’s report be accepted as filed. Seconded. Carried. Finance and Planning Committee – Ms. Nellie DiPietro, Chairperson Committee Members: Ms. Endicott, Ms. Welch, Ms. Marshall The Finance and Planning Committee report was given this evening by Ms. DiPietro: The Committee will consider the following actions this evening: 1. Consideration that December 2019 invoices in the amount of $1,279,477.07 be paid as follows: General ($302,046.53); Street Lights ($5,971.82); Fire ($12,347.49); Refuse ($36,021.76); Parks & Rec. ($4,322.16); Water ($169,136.30.); Sewer ($17,683.47); WWTP ($545,742.72); Debt Fund ($0.00); Water Capital ($0.00); Liquid Fuels ($186,204.82). 2. Consider authorization to prepare bid documents and advertise for the Borough’s Grass Cutting and Lawn & Grounds Maintenance at Ambler Borough Sites Contract. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. 2. The Planning Commission is preparing language to amend the Wireless Ordinance and fee schedule to comply with an FCC order as well as develop design. Presently tabled for clarification on recent legislation and challenges at the State/Federal levels. Discussion ensued. Solicitor Bresnan stated he would solicit clarification on further action needed. 3. A Town Hall Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th at 7:00 p.m. 4. The Planning Commission is working on the Ready-For-100 Project. 5. Mrs. Davoli was present to provide an update on the proposed Maida trip. Discussion ensued. Mr. Emilio Iuliano of Ambler Travel stated the travel dates are July 17- 24. He stated the travel package would include airfare (NYC to Rome), lodging and breakfast and dinner. He stated the St. Francis Celebration would be held in Maida July 18 and 19. He intended to circulate a sign-up sheet for interest in the trip so that he could prepare price packages. MINUTES: JANUARY 21, 2020 3 Ms. DiPietro asked if there were comments or questions from Council or the public. There being nothing further, it was moved the Committee’s report be accepted as filed. Seconded. Carried. Parks and Recreation Committee – Ms. Sara Hertz, Chairperson Committee members: Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Endicott, Ms. DiPietro The Parks and Recreation Committee report was given this evening by Ms. Hertz. The Committee will consider the following actions this evening: 1. Consider authorizing the contract agreement with Red Tail Restoration & Land Management LLC at an amount not to exceed $3,800 for work to be performed at Ambler Borough Park for the purpose of removing invasive plants. Discussion ensued. Council considered focusing on running bamboo removal in addition to removal of other invasive plants, however it was determined that that the Committee would solicit an assessment of work and costs involved in running bamboo removal for a future project. Additionally, it was stated that work on trees, including tree removal as needed, would not be part of this contract. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Ambler Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) would like to give homeowners a rain barrel and will assess residential property storm water needs to see if the property qualifies for a reduced-cost rain garden, downspout planter or permeable conversion. 2. Borough has received notification that a ‘2020 Frostbite 5 Miler’ will be held February 22, 2020. That organizing committee will notify neighbors along the course so that they are aware of the race. 3. An Ordinance placing limitations on the use of certain single-use plastics was recommended for advertisement once the State-wide ban on enacting local ordinances is lifted. 4. The Planning Commission is preparing a conceptual plan incorporating identified community needs and improvements for each park in the Borough to be used as part of a larger Master Park Plan. 5. The announced recycling program in partnership with Montgomery County formerly called “Curb My Clutter,” which picks up electronics and used clothes at your door, is now called “retrievr”. Ms. Hertz asked if there were comments or questions from Council or the public. There being nothing further, it was moved the Committee’s report be accepted as filed. Seconded. Carried. MINUTES: JANUARY 21, 2020 4 Salary and Personnel Committee – Mrs. Nancy Deininger, Chairperson Committee members: Mrs. Siskind, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Henderson The Salary and Personnel Committee report was given this evening by Mrs. Deininger. The Committee will consider the following actions this evening: 1. Consider appointment of Michele Brooker-Lee to the vacant seat on the Human Relations Commission. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. An Executive Session had been held prior to the Council Meeting regarding an employee contracting issue. Mrs. Deininger asked if there were questions or comments from Council or the public. There being nothing further, it was moved the report be accepted and filed. Seconded, carried. RECOMMENDATIONS Public Safety Committee – The Committee will make no recommendations this evening. Public Utilities Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Siskind moves: Consider adoption of Resolution 2020-01 partnering with municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Plants in the Wissahickon Creek Watershed to work cooperatively with each other and with the Water Quality Advisory Team (WQAT) on the preparation of a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Wissahickon Creek as an alternative to the May 2015 Draft Total Phosphorus TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) for the Wissahickon Creek. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Approved at Committee Meeting: Motion to consider adoption of Ordinance 1115 establishing the Ambler Water Authority. Seconded. 9-Aye. Carried. Motion to set compensation for the Ambler Water Authority Board at $1,200 per year. Seconded. 9-Aye. Carried. Finance & Planning Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. DiPietro moves: MINUTES: JANUARY 21, 2020 5 Consider that December 2019 invoices in the amount of $1,279,477.07 be paid. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider authorization to prepare bid documents and advertise for the Borough’s Grass Cutting and Lawn & Grounds Maintenance at Ambler Borough Sites Contract. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Parks & Recreation Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. Hertz moves: Consider authorizing the contract agreement with Red Tail Restoration & Land Management LLC at an amount not to exceed $3,800 for work to be performed at Ambler Borough Park for the purpose of removing invasive plants. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Salary & Personnel Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Deininger moves: Consider appointment of Michele Brooker-Lee to the vacant seat on the Human Relations Commission. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD At the conclusion of the public meeting, Council allows the public time to comment on matters of interest or concern. Comment is not limited to current agenda items. During the Public Comment Period, Council will not answer questions or engage in dialog with the speaker. Residents are asked to state their name and address. Comments regarding any and all employee issues are not entertained. Council may address items or questions raised at the next scheduled Committee or Council meeting, but reserves the right to determine agenda items. Council requests those in attendance refrain from engaging the speaker during public comments. There being no further business, Mr. DeRuosi moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Russell Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler MINUTES: JANUARY 21, 2020 6