Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COMMITTEE MINUTES March 2, 2021 Ambler Borough Committees held their scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 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 – 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, Public Works Supervisor Marco Resente, Code Enforcement Officer Glenn Kucher and Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Russell also were in attendance. Mr. DeRuosi was absent. Ms. Hertz called the meeting to order. 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 March 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. 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. Discussion ensued. Solicitor Bresnan 1 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 2, 2021  stated the Harrisburg attorney has prepared bullet points for the Townships to consider. Some issues that might arise would require a super majority vote. The response is due to the PUC April 1st. Mr. Bresnan stated the litigation window is closing if the Borough is going to need to apply to the PUC for a rate increase. 3. Consider authorization for the WWTP trickling filter ET5 to be rebuilt and award contract to low quote Zimmerman at $12,500. Other quotes were obtained from Derstine at $52,000 and Blooming Glen at $23,275. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Siskind and Ms. Welch commented on the disparity in the bids. Manager Aversa stated this item was not specifically budgeted by the WWTP but would be paid from their maintenance budget. 4. Quotes are being requested by the Water Department for the Phase II piping replacement project at the Whitemarsh facility. 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. Discussion ensued. Ms. Endicott restated her preference for a larger increment reduction. She stated her understanding that the County wanted future broader ordinances to be more consistent in the Watershed but noted that a further reduction would still be consistent. Mrs. Siskind also stated her preference for a further reduction which she stated would result in a more meaningful change. Ms. Hertz recalled that Council had reached a consensus on reducing square footage. 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. Montgomery County has prepared a contract to work with the County Planner. The Planning Commission will be providing input on future projects. 2 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 2, 2021 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 this spring. Ms. Henderson announced that Burpee Seeds has donated seed. She stated a meeting of Community Garden would be scheduled for Sunday, March 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Knight Park. She stated a Steering Committee would be established. She added that while the Committee currently seeks grant money, the project would move forward this year with some raised beds and planters. 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 a ZOOM workshops on Tuesday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Jean Thompson Park, Wahl Playground, Locust Street Park and Ambler Square to solicit resident input and participation in this process. Discussion ensued. Ms. Sheedy asked about the process for Council to receive recommendations. Code Officer Kucher stated the Planning Commission would be preparing a matrix and an App and that a capital cost plan would be prepared for each site with estimates presented before the 2022 Budget process. 3. A grant application was submitted to obtain $43,000 from the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program to provide funding for the Knight Park Community Garden Project. Consider ratification of Resolution 2021-02 in support of the grant application. 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 is soliciting resumes for the Assistant Water Supervisor position which will be vacated later this year. Staff is soliciting resumes for the Assistant Highway Supervisor position. 2. An offer of employment was made for the vacant Water Operator I position. 3. One seat for a five-year term on the Water Authority Board representing Whitpain Township remains vacant. Vanessa A. Williams has submitted her credentials for the position. 4. Executive Sessions were held February 18 and 25, 2021 to discuss a personnel matter. 3 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 2, 2021 5. Chief Hoffman announced his planned retirement in April 2021. He stated he has served with the police force for 25 years and has appreciated seeing Ambler prosper over the course of his career. He recommended that Council hire Sgt. Jeff Borkowski as the new Police Chief. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Deininger thanked Chief Hoffman for his service, noting that he had been a gift to the Borough, having moved us into the 21st Century. Public Comments: Ed Curtis of 357 Rosemary Avenue congratulated the Chief on his planned retirement and thanked him for his years of professional service. He stated that the Chief’s recommendation for his replacement was excellent. Sal Boccuti of 300 Rosemary Avenue echoed these sentiments and offered his congratulations. Terri Williams, Ambler PD Administrative Assistant, stated it has been a pleasure working with Chief Hoffman and she thanked Council for putting their trust in him. 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 March. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Public Utilities Committee – The committee recommends and Mrs. Siskind moves: Consider award of the WWTP trickling filter ET5 rebuild to Zimmerman for the low quote of $12,500. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Parks & Recreation Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. Endicott moves: Consider ratifying Resolution 2021-02 supporting the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant application for the Knight Park Community Garden Project. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD There was no public comment this evening. There being no further public comment or other business, Ms. Hertz moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Russell Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler 4 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MARCH 2, 2021