Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COMMITTEE MINUTES February 2, 2021 Ambler Borough Committees held their scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 2, 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. 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. Finance Manager Gail Gordon, Code Enforcement Officer Glenn Kucher and Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Russell also were in attendance. Borough Engineer Jim Dougherty was 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 and Code Enforcement reports were received. 2. A Declaration of Disaster Emergency for Ambler Borough for the month of February 2021, empowering the Borough to manage its emergency response was received. Consider adoption of the proposed Declaration. 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. 1 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2, 2021 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. 3. Gilmore Engineers are working on pipeline design for the Loch Alsh cluster of wells as part of the Borough’s PFAS/MIRIA project process. Gilmore has suggested we step up testing for PFAS from semi-annual to quarterly assessments. Testing was conducted January 2021 and the Water Dept. is awaiting lab results. 4. The Butler Pike Bridge pipeline replacement project is underway. No road closure is planned, but a travel lane will be restricted at times. Traffic control will be provided per highway opening permit requirement. Water main construction is anticipated to be completed by mid-April. It turns out the turtle at the Wissahickon Creek whose safety the DEP was concerned about is a Northern Red-Bellied Cooter Turtle. It becomes active April 15th through October 15th. 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. The Solicitor has prepared a draft Ordinance amendment to stormwater requirements, specifically the area calculation that triggers stormwater requirements. The Ordinance amendment has been sent 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. A presentation was made for the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan to redevelop the existing gas station with a bank at 90 W. Butler Avenue. [AMBGOOD, LLC]. Revised plans were submitted by the applicant to reflect the Commission’s recommendations as well as the Borough engineer and Montgomery County Planning Commission comments. AMBGOOD, LLC Solicitor Robert Iannozzi stated the developer would comply with all requirements set forth as it seeks Preliminary/Final Land Development approval. He stated the developer would be seeking five waivers. Developer Principal Bruce Goodman provided an overview of the project. He stated that the site would be constructed as a Chase Bank. He stated the bank would be 3,352 2 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2, 2021  square feet plus a drive-through kiosk, would entail one curb cutout on Butler (right turn to right turn only) and one on Maple (two-way). The site would have 20 parking spaces and would feature a reduction in impermeable coverage. The building would be constructed of fluted block, metal, and niche wood, and would be similar to their new bank locations in Doylestown and Warrington. Ms. Hertz asked about stormwater management on the lot. John Hornick of Bohler Engineers stated the site would feature two rain gardens, reduced impervious coverage, and would include underground piping to control the rate of release. Ms Sheedy asked about the number of proposed signs, which total three locations. Code Officer Kucher stated the developer had not yet received a permit for signage. Ms. Sheedy asked about the disposition of the underground gas tanks since this was the former site of Liberty Gas. Mr. Goodman stated they would remove the underground gas tanks and would deal with the soil impact. Ms. Welch asked about what appeared to be a wall between the site and the SEPTA station. Mr. Goodman explained that they would extend decorate fencing along the boundary line of the train station. Mr. Matt Hammond set forth the plan for right in-right out turning from Butler Avenue. He noted the Butler turn cutout had been moved further from the train tracks. The Mayor asked further about stormwater reduction measures. Mr. Iannozzi stated the Developer would comply with all requirements and further he noted the project would undertake a 13% (or 3,210 square foot) removal of impervious surfaces. He then stated the Developer would request five waivers and that the Borough Engineer had no problem with their requests. Solicitor Bresnan explained that this project falls under the category of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and as such waivers can be granted by Council. Public Comment -- Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue stated her concern for pedestrian safety at the Butler cutout. Mr. Hammond responded that the Developer had considered balancing the need for access and improving the pedestrian experience. He stated that the proposed plan exceeded standards and enhanced safety. Ms. Endicott stated this appeared to be a high risk intersection for pedestrians. Ms. Sheedy suggested the erection of “Please Watch For Pedestrians” sign. Chief Hoffman stated the visibility looked improved. Ms. Monser asked about the reasoning for installing a fence between the property and SEPTA. Manager Aversa stated this provided a layer of protection. Code Officer Kucher stated they did not want pedestrians to cut-through the lot by crossing into the kiosk lane. Ms. Monser asked about crosswalks. Engineer Dougherty stated new traffic signals at Maple and Butler with crosswalks had improved the intersection. Ms. Monser asked about landscape trees and she was pleased to learn that native trees will be planted. Ms. Monser asked about rain gardens. It was explained the parking lot would be pitched towards them and that there would be an inlet drainage structure within the rain gardens. 5. The Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission has prepared a revised Resolution and Procedures for Act 101 Violations to include new language for the enforcement of Act 101 and enforcement against violations by haulers, businesses, and 3 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2, 2021  residents of its member municipalities. Council is asked to authorize the Borough’s representative on the NMCRC to vote for adoption of the proposed Resolution and Procedures. Ms. DiPietro highlighted the fact the revised Resolution and Procedures included consideration of violations by haulers, businesses, and residents. She questioned how the Borough would benefit from the Resolution and whether this would be an added burden coordinating with a separate and distinct legal team. Ms. Russell noted that community privacy might also be an issue. Ms. DiPietro suggested Council wait until the NMCRC meets in April to receive feedback on adoption from other member municipalities. Public Comment – Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue asked that the Resolution and Procedures also include mention of “institutions.” 6. Authorization was requested this evening to adopt Resolution 2021-01 revising and clarifying the rates to be charged by the Borough Tax Collector for certifying paid and outstanding real estate taxes. 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. Ms. Henderson announced that Burpee Seeds has donated seed. She stated a second meeting for Community Garden would be scheduled for later in the month. 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. The next meeting will focus on Borough Park and will be held February 23rd. Salary & Personnel Committee - Mrs. Nancy Deininger, Chairperson Committee Members: Mrs. Siskind, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Henderson The Committee report was read by Mrs. Deininger. 1. Staff will be conducting interviews for the vacant Water Operator I position. Council is asked to authorize advertising for the Assistant Water Supervisor position which will be vacated later this year due to a planned retirement. 4 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2, 2021 2. One seat for a five-year term on the Water Authority Board representing Whitpain Township remains vacant. Whitpain Township has been contacted and no applicants have come forward. 3. An Executive Session was held January 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss employee issues and contract negotiations. 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 February. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Finance and Planning – The committee recommends and Ms. DiPietro moves: Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-01 revising and clarifying the rates to be charged by the Borough Tax Collector for certifying paid and outstanding real estate taxes. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Salary & Personnel Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Deininger moves: Consider offering Steve Smallberger the position of Water Superintendent. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Katie Kennedy of 207 Rosemary Avenue spoke about the potential restructuring of the Environmental Advisory Council. She reflected on the positive impact Madge Monser has made on the EAC and stated her concern about the removal of her from her former leadership position. Mr. DeRuosi stated the EAC would be holding their reorganization meeting soon. There being no further public comment or other business, Mr. DeRuosi moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Russell Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler 5 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 2, 2021