Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COMMITTEE MINUTES January 5, 2021 Ambler Borough Committees held their scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM Software Program. Consistent with Council President’s and the Mayor’s Declaration of Disaster Emergency, 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. A public copy of the meeting agenda was posted on the Borough website on Monday, January 4, 2020. The public was invited to access the ZOOM meeting and offer questions or comments. In Attendance this Evening – Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Endicott, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch, and Ms. Sheedy. Mayor Sorg, Chief Hoffman, Solicitor Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also were in attendance. Code Enforcement Officer Glenn Kucher and Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Russell also were in attendance. Interim Water Superintendent Steve Smallberger and Public Works Supervisor Marco Resente also were in attendance. COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS Public Safety Committee - Ms. Erin Endicott, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Mrs. Siskind The Committee Report was read by Ms. Endicott. 1. The Public Works report was received. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Siskind asked Code Officer Kucher about violation notices. Mr. Kucher explained that violators have 10 days to respond, if no response then a certified mailing is made and then after that a warrant can be issued. If violators owe fines and do not respond they can be arrested. He stated due to COVID, some violations have been put aside. Additionally, he stated that in the past at times the Borough has stepped in to fix a problem and that the Borough can at its discretion lien properties. 2. A Declaration of Disaster Emergency for Ambler Borough for the month of January 2021, empowering the Borough to manage its emergency response was received. Consider adoption of the proposed Declaration, 1 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 5, 2021 Public Utilities Committee - Mrs. Glynnis Siskind, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Welch, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Sheedy The Committee report was read by Mrs. Siskind. 1. The WWTP report will be provided to the Committee. 2. An application of the Borough of Ambler for approval of the abandonment of public water service to the public in Pennsylvania has been filed and a notice was advertised. Formal protests and petitions were received. An Executive Session was held this evening to discuss this matter. 3. The Borough’s MIRIA application has been modified to include additional work and quarterly PFAS sampling at all Borough wells. Finance & Planning Committee - Ms. Nellie DiPietro, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Endicott, Ms. Welch, Ms. Sheedy The Committee report was read by Ms. DiPietro. 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. 2. Council will consider ordinance amendments to stormwater requirements, specifically the area calculation that triggers stormwater requirements. The Committee had recommended the trigger for stormwater controls be lowered to 750 sq ft. Council will determine whether to have the Solicitor prepare an Ordinance amendment for review by the Planning Commissions. 3. The Borough Solicitor provided a draft ordinance, amending the Sign Ordinance, that places some limitations upon ‘Murals,’ differentiating them from Signs, and establishing criteria for murals. It has been sent to the Planning Commissions for review. 4. Preliminary/Final Land Development Plans to redevelop the existing gas station with a bank at 90 W. Butler Avenue have been reviewed by the Planning Commission. Revised plans will be submitted by the applicant to reflect the Commission’s recommendations as well as the Borough engineer and Montgomery County Planning Commission comments. Public Comment -- Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue asked about the review process, specifically when it would be appropriate for the Environmental Advisory Council to review and comment. Code Officer stated the 2 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 5, 2021  Planning Commission wants to receive revised plan based upon their recommendations. This would then go before Council to review based upon the Planning Commission’s recommendations and then before the public for comment. Solicitor Bresnan advised that Council would be required to amend the Land Development Ordinance if the EAC is given official review authority by Council during this formal process. Ms. Endicott stated she would welcome a formal review letter from the EAC which she stated has a critical eye towards environmental issues. Manager Aversa stated the EAC can always give Council a letter or speak publicly while not being part of the legal process. Parks & Recreation Committee - Ms. Sara Hertz, Chairperson Committee members: Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Endicott, Ms. DiPietro The Committee report was read by Ms. Endicott. 1. The Committee is moving forward with plans for creation of a Community Garden to be installed next spring. 2. Ambler Borough Planning Commission currently is working on a Parks Plan outlining the future of the Borough’s parks system. The Commission will hold ZOOM workshops in the coming months for each of the parks to solicit resident input and participation in this process. Meetings have already been held for Knights Park and Pickering Field. The next meeting will focus on Ricciardi Park and will be held January 26th. Discussion ensued. Ms. Endicott noted that there have been growing tensions around use of Ricciardi Park for pickleball. She stated that the court is for multi-purpose use and that the pickleball leagues should arrange for a rental of the court for use for an organized tournament. She suggested installation of signs stating basic court rules and encouraging sharing. Salary & Personnel Committee - Mrs. Nancy Deininger, Chairperson Committee Members: Mrs. Siskind, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Henderson The Committee report was read by Mrs. Deininger. 1. Several volunteer committee positions expire at the end of the year. Appointments will be made by Council at this evening’s meeting. Vacancies still exist for the following: Civil Service Commission – (Alternate – 4 year term balance); Human Relations 3 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 5, 2021  Commission – (Alternate – 2 year term balance); Zoning Hearing Board - (Alternate – 2 year term balance) 2. Terms for the 9-member Ambler Water Authority Board expiring the first Monday in January 2021 include: one seat from Ambler Borough and one seat from Whitpain Township. The Committee has received a letter of intent for reappointment to the Ambler Seat (5 year term) but has not heard back from Whitpain Township for their five year seat and no applicants have come forward. Appointment will be made by Council at this evening’s meeting. 3. Interviews were held for the Public Works Laborer positions. An Executive Session was held, and recommendations will be made at this evening’s meeting. 4. The vacant Water Operator I position has been advertised. RECOMMENDATIONS Public Safety Committee - The committee recommends and Ms. Endicott moves: Consider adoption of a Declaration of Disaster Emergency for COVID 19 for the month of January 2021. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Salary & Personnel Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Deininger moves: Consider offering Public Works Laborer positions to the two applicants discussed at the Executive Session. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider appointment of Ambler resident Salvatore Pasceri to a 5-year seat on the Ambler Water Authority Board. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider making the following appointments to volunteer committees, councils, and boards: APPEALS BOARD – 2 SEATS • William Lutz, Jr. (incumbent) - Appeals Board (3 year term) – SECONDED, ALL AYE, CARRIED. • Al Comly (incumbent) – Appeals Board (3 year term) SECONDED, ALL AYE, CARRIED. 4 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 5, 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL – 2 SEATS • Madge Monser (incumbent) - EAC (3 year term) SECONDED. POLL COUNCIL. 4-Aye (AYE: Ms. Endicott, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. DiPietro, and Ms. Sheedy); 5-Nay (NAY: Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Welch and Ms. Henderson). MOTION DENIED • Hannah Lloyd (applicant) – EAC (3 year term) SECONDED, ALL AYE, CARRIED. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION – 1 SEAT • Marilyn Frazier (applicant) - Human Relations Commission (2 year term balance) SECONDED, ALL AYE, CARRIED. PLANNING COMMISSION – 1 SEAT • David Kralle (incumbent) - Planning Commission (4 year term) SECONDED, 8-0 AYE; 1 ABSTAINED (Ms. Welsh). CARRIED. VACANCY BOARD – 1 SEAT • Karen Polesir (incumbent) -Vacancy Board (1 year term) SECONDED, ALL AYE, CARRIED. ZONING HEARING BOARD – 1 SEAT; 1 ALTERNATE SEAT • Michael Williams (incumbent) - Zoning Hearing Board (3 year term) SECONDED, ALL AYE, CARRIED. • Robert Foster (incumbent) - Zoning Hearing Board Alternate (3 year term) SECONDED, ALL AYE, CARRIED. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Manager Aversa stated the Water Superintendent Philip Benigno will be retiring this week. Due to COVID, a retirement celebration will be held at a future date. There was no further 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 5 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 5, 2021