Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COMMITTEE MINUTES May 5, 2020 Ambler Borough Committees held their scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via Internet vehicle ZOOM. Consistent with Council President’s and the Mayor’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency executed April 7, 2020, this action was taken to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our community and to promote our commitment to maintain social distancing in our community. As such, the meeting was not held at Borough Hall as previously advertised. A public copy of the meeting agenda was posted on the Borough website and the public was invited to forward questions or comments to the Council President by 4:00 p.m. this evening. In Attendance - Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Endicott, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch and Ms. Marshall. Mayor Sorg, Chief Hoffman, Solicitor Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also were in attendance. Finance Manager Gail Gordon, Code Enforcement Officer Glenn Kucher and Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Russell also were in attendance. Committee Meeting Reports - Public Safety Committee - Ms. Erin Endicott, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Mrs. Siskind 1. Public Works & Code Enforcement reports were received. 2. A Declaration of Disaster Emergency for Ambler Borough, empowering the Borough to manage its emergency response was reviewed. The Declaration would be effective for 30 days from the proposed date of adoption which is May 5, 2020. 3. The advertised June 2, 2020 Committee Meeting now conflicts with the Pennsylvania State Primary date. It is suggested the meeting date be changed to June 3, 2020. This will be advertised. 4. A Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled on June 1, 2020 from 2-7 p.m. at the Borough Hall Gym. Public Utilities Committee - Mrs. Glynnis Siskind, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Welch, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Marshall 1. The WWTP report will be provided to the Committee. 2. MIRIA (Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority) is a municipal authority formed by Horsham Township in conjunction with passage of PA 2019 Act 101. The legislation by statute provides for the utilization of PA State Tax Revenue generated from certain parcels in Horsham Township to be available to MIRIA to reimburse municipalities or municipal water authorities and their customers for surcharges and the costs related to remediation of PFAS contamination in drinking water as a result of the presence of a former military installation. Authorization is requested to adopt Resolution 2020-04 for participation and approval of a grant application including the $90,000 Local Effort match to be submitted by May 15, 2020. Discussion ensued. Ms. Haley asked why wells 6 and 7 were considered first since their PFAS numbers were not the highest. Ms. Siskind replied that the Borough would be receiving grant monies for Well 2 which is situated in the same location, and that wells 6 and 7 are located near each other, so this project would complete that section. She anticipated that if this grant moves forward the Water Department would apply for additional grants in subsequent years. 3. The WWTP is working with Tradition Energy for the Demand Response Program. They will provide certain energy procurement advisory services and obtain quotes for our energy needs. They have communicated they will adjust the split from 75% to 77%. Manager Aversa noted we receive $25,000 to $30,000 income from this program which functions at no cost to us. The current contract expires May 30, 2020 but entry into the program must be made by May 14. Authorization is requested to participate and work with Tradition Energy for the Demand Response Program. 4. It was noted that it is not appropriate to flush hair down a sanitary sewer line. This will clog individual and community sewer lines. Finance & Planning Committee - Ms. Nellie DiPietro, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Endicott, Ms. Welch, Ms. Marshall 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. 2. Staff is preparing and will advertise for the trash and recycling collection bid contract. The current contract expires September 30,2020. 3. The Borough Planning Commission is working to create a preliminary energy transition plan in line with the Ambler Borough Ready for 100 Renewable Energy Resolution adopted by Council in March 2019. Ms. DiPietro stated she had sent a copy of the draft to Mr. Kucher. Mr. Kucher stated that at present the County is  backlogged and is focusing on small business loans. Ms. DiPietro stated the Borough is ahead of the game, with other municipalities focused on general sustainability and the Borough focused on renewable energy specifics. She stated the $10,000 budgeted for a consultant may not be needed this year. 4. The Borough is considering purchasing 106 Poplar Street for the purpose of making downtown parking improvements. Authorization to purchase the parcel in the amount of $350,000 is requested at this evening’s meeting. Mr. DeRuosi asked as to the cost of demolition and redevelopment. Mr. Kucher replied that demolition costs for a property on Tennis Avenue were approximately $28,000. Manager Aversa stated that after demolition the Borough would hope to apply for a pervious pavement grant. 5. The Planning Commissions have advised a Zoning Map change for 24 North Ridge Avenue from Institutional to R3. Parks & Recreation Committee - Ms. Sara Hertz, Chairperson Committee members: Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Endicott, Ms. DiPietro 1. All Ambler Borough events have been cancelled until further notice. Salary & Personnel Committee - Mrs. Nancy Deininger, Chairperson 1. The vacant position of Equipment Operator has been advertised. Interviews will be scheduled. RECOMMENDATIONS Public Safety Committee Recommend adoption of a Declaration of Disaster Emergency commencing May 5, 2020. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Recommend that Council’s Committee Meeting for June be advertised and changed to June 3, 2020. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Public Utilities Committee Recommend adoption of Resolution 2020-04 for participation and approval of a grant application to MIRIA (Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority) including the $90,000 Local Effort match to be submitted by May 15, 2020. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Recommend participation and work with Tradition Energy for the Demand Response Program. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Finance and Planning Committee Recommend purchasing the 106 Poplar Street parcel for the purpose of downtown parking improvements at a cost of $350,000. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. There was not public comment at the conclusion of the meeting. There being no further business, Mr. DeRuosi moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Russell Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler