Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES April 20, 2021 Ambler Borough Council held their scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 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. 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. Roll Call – Present: Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. DiPietro, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Endicott, Ms. Welch, Ms. Henderson, and Ms. Sheedy. Mayor Sorg, Interim Police Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Joe 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. Approval of Minutes: Mr. DeRuosi made a motion to approve the Minutes of the March 16, 2021 Zoom Council Meeting and the April 6, 2021 Zoom Committee Meeting. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Committees of Ambler Borough Council met via Internet vehicle ZOOM on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Endicott, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch, and Ms. Sheedy. Mayor Sorg, Chief Hoffman, Borough Manager Aversa and Solicitor Joe Bresnan were in attendance. Water Superintendent Steve Smallberger, Public Works Supervisor Marco Resente, Code Enforcement Officer Glenn Kucher, and Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Russell also were in attendance. At the Council Meeting this evening, the Committees conducted business as follows: 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. MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2021 1  Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Consider adoption of the Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 for the month of April 2021. Seconded. (9-Aye). Carried. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Police, Fire Department and Community Ambulance reports were received. 2. The Public Works and Code Enforcement reports were received. 3. Staff is soliciting quotes for the Library Crosswalk Upgrade at Race & Lindenwold. Discussion ensued. Engineer Jim Dougherty stated he would be forwarding some information to Public Works Supervisor Resente so that he could obtain quotes. Public Comment: Kristen Reese, a business owner at 11 Lindenwold Avenue asked what styling of crosswalk was being considered. Manager Aversa stated the crosswalk would be painted. 4. The Committee would like to discuss the potential of preparing a grant application for a complete street policy through the PA Dept. of Health/Pennsylvania Downtown Center: PA Walk Works. Discussion ensued. Ms. Endicott explained that the grant would be for developing a policy or plan, and not for infrastructure improvement. She stated the County has a complete streets policy in their Comprehensive Plan and that the Borough could use that in our grant application. She envisioned the plan would provide for streets that are safe for all who use them from wheeling to walking. She stated the application could include Safe Routes to Schools and Safe Routes to Parks. Engineer Dougherty stated the grant opportunity would allow for $10,000-$20,000 for a plan and $3,000-$5,000 for a policy. The grant application is due May 14th and will require Council to pass an authorizing Resolution and that staff should contact the County Planning Commission for support. Mr. DeRuosi asked whether traffic calming measures could be incorporated and was informed that they could. Ms. Hertz asked whether grant money could be used to hire a consultant. Ms. Endicott stated the County has a list of consultants. The grant could also be used for street studies and public outreach. Ms. Endicott asked if there were further 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. Sheedy MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2021 2 The Public Utilities Committee report was given this evening by Mrs. Siskind. The Committee will consider no actions this evening. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The WWTP engineer’s report will be provided. 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 has been advertised. Formal protests and petitions were received. 3. Quotes are being obtained for the Phase II piping replacement project at Whitemarsh. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Siskind asked about the status of quotes being obtained and noted that the project originally was to have been undertaken during the winter. Manager Aversa stated the quotes were higher than budgeted and were prohibitive. She stated the Water Dept. would like to defer undertaking the project until the winter of 2022. 4. Water Department is conducting routine system hydrant flushing. The flushing schedule is posted daily on the Borough’s website. 5. A MIRIA (Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority) Grant application is being prepared for the Well 14 PFAS upgrades. Mrs. Siskind asked if there were further 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. Sheedy The Finance and Planning Committee report was given this evening by Ms. DiPietro: The Committee will consider the following actions this evening: 1. Consider that March 2021 invoices in the amount of $649,080.09 be paid as follows: General ($223,519.91); Street Lights ($3,175.22); Fire ($786.18); Refuse ($55,080.58); Parks & Rec. ($1,613.44); Water ($159,625.77); Sewer ($18,521.68); WWTP ($181,143.86); Debt Fund ($0.00); Water Capital ($0.00); Liquid Fuels ($5,613.45). 2. Consider adoption the Ordinance 1119 to define Mural Language. A Public Hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. Court reporter Thomas Cororan transcribed the hearing. MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2021 3 The Public Hearing proceeded with an overview by Solicitor Bresnan. Exhibits were incorporated into the record. With no questions or comments it was moved the Ordinance be adopted. Seconded. All Aye. Motion carried. 3. Consider adoption of Ordinance 1120 to revise Stormwater Requirements Reducing the Surface Threshold to 750 sq ft. A Public Hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. Court reporter Thomas Cororan transcribed the hearing. The Public Hearing proceeded with an overview by Solicitor Bresnan. Exhibits were incorporated into the record. Public Comment: Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue stated that Council was not reducing the threshold sufficiently and encouraged Council to consider a reduction to 250 sq ft. Solicitor Bresnan stated that Council could not amend the proposed Ordinance at this hearing and that such action would require a new hearing. Anita Pieri of 32 E. Church Street asked how the average homeowner would be affected by the Ordinance. She stated she was not familiar with the proposed Ordinance. Solicitor Bresnan stated the Ordinance had been discussed at least at four prior Council meetings. Code Officer Kucher stated that this would affect additions or garages and involved infiltration standards across the watershed. Originally the standard was 5,000 sq ft and which was reduced to 1,000 sq ft with Council being more proactive considering a further reduction to 750 sq ft. Ms. Pieri stated she was more concerned about resident uses of pesticides and fertilizers and about potential runoff threshold. After the public and Council had been given the opportunity to comment, Solicitor Bresnan asked Ms. DiPietro to call for a vote. Motion to adopt. Seconded. 8-Aye; 1-Nay (Mrs. Siskind). Carried. 4. Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-03 for the Intermunicipal Collaboration Resolution to extend the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Development of a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Wissahickon Watershed. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Siskind asked about the WQIP status. Manager Aversa stated the 16 municipalities and WWTPs met once a month over the last 3 to 3-1/2 years. Public Comment: Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue inquired as to whether the WQIP involved sediment, nutrient and/or phosphorus. She asked to be informed as to when future public meetings would be held. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2021 4 2. The County Planning Assistance contract will be submitted to the County. The County Planning Commission will be authorized to provide input on future projects. 3. Staff would like Council to consider initiating a residential resale properties inspection program. Code Officer Kucher will prepare a memo to Council on inspection categories and any ordinance change required will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Ms. DiPietro asked if there were further 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. A recommendation is requested to share the purchase cost of flags for graduating high school seniors with Ambler Main Street. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. Team Up to Clean Up Ambler Borough Parks will meet to clean up on May 8 from 10 a.m. until Noon. For information on specific park locations and volunteer jobs the public should go to https://www.facebook.com/events/85683987800441/ 2. The Community Garden Committee met at Knight Park on Sunday, April 18. For further information on the project residents should email Councilperson Jen Henderson at Jhenderson@borough.ambler.pa.us or go to AmblerGarden@gmail.com . The next meeting is schedule for Sunday, May 2 (raindate May 8) at 3:30 p.m. Discussion ensued. Ms. Welch asked about the timeline for installation of the garden. Ms. Endicott stated the County grant committee was evaluating the application. She stated that outreach and planning would be undertaken this summer and that planting would proceed next summer. She stated the Committee had met with Church Street residents. This summer, she envisioned beautifying the shed area, planting perennials, and installing informative signage for future plantings for next summer. Mr. DeRuosi asked the Committee to put together some renderings of what the space will look like. Public Comment: Anita Pieri of 32 E. Church Street stated the Committee was disingenuous and that there was no inclusivity. She noted that the flyers of the meeting intended to be held with MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2021 5 residents of Church Street to voice their concerns conflicted with the advertised ‘3:30 start time.’ Abigail Epps of 20 E. Church Street stated that while she appreciated the hard work Council puts into its efforts, the process has been a mess leading her to the conclusion that residents don’t matter. She cited problems of flooding, parking and truck traffic and stated Council would be taking away space used by the residents. 3. The Environmental Advisory Council made a presentation on EAC Goals for 2021. Co-chairperson Wes Pipitone introduced EAC Council members, stating the EAC meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Council members gave an overview on Adopt-a-Tree, Growing Ambler Greener, Ambler Clean-ups, Pollinator Program and Website/Social Media Revamp. Ms. Hertz asked if there were further 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. 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 reaffirming the hiring of Phillip Barreca for the Public Works/Highway Assistant Supervisor position. Mrs. Deininger asked if there were further comments or questions from Council. There being nothing further, it was moved the Committee’s report be accepted as filed. Seconded. Carried. RECOMMENDATIONS Public Safety Committee – The Committee will make no recommendations this evening. Public Utilities Committee – The Committee will make no recommendations this evening. Finance & Planning Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. DiPietro moves: Consider that March 2021 invoices in the amount of $649,080.09 be paid. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2021 6 Consider adoption the Ordinance 1119 to define Mural Language. With no questions or comments it was moved the Ordinance be adopted. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider adoption of Ordinance 1120 to revise Stormwater Requirements Reducing the Surface Threshold to 750 sq ft. After the public and Council had been given the opportunity to comment, a Motion to adopt. Seconded. 8-Aye; 1-Nay (Mrs. Siskind). Carried. Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-03 for the Intermunicipal Collaboration Resolution to extend the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for the Development of a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Wissahickon Watershed. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Parks & Recreation Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. Hertz moves: Consider sharing the purchase cost of flags for graduating high school seniors with Ambler Main Street. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Salary & Personnel Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Deininger moves: Consider reaffirming the hiring of Phillip Barreca for the Public Works/Highway Assistant Supervisor position. Seconded. (9-Aye). Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT 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 MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2021 7