Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COMMITTEE MINUTES May 4, 2021 Ambler Borough Committees held their scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 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, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Endicott, Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch, and Ms. Sheedy. Mayor Sorg, Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also 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. Borough Engineers Terry Funk and Jim Dougherty were in attendance. Ms. Hertz was absent. Mr. DeRuosi 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 May 2021, empowering the Borough to manage its emergency response was received. Consider adoption of the proposed Declaration. 3. The next Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday, June 3rd from 2-7 p.m. in the Borough Hall Gym. To make an appointment to give go to www.redcrossblood.org (keyword: ambler) or call 1-800-Red Cross. 4. The Committee discussed the potential for making a grant application for a Complete Streets Policy through the PA Dept. of Health/Pennsylvania Downtown Center: PA WalkWorks. 1 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MAY 4, 2021 Discussion ensued. Borough Engineer Jim Dougherty stated the Borough seeks targeted improvements and does not require a master plan. He pointed out that the cost to the Borough to have the engineer write a grant application would equal the actual grant amount of $5,000 accessible for a Complete Streets grant. Ms. Endicott stated the Committee would look in making application to Safe Routes to Schools or Safe Routes to Parks later this year. 5. Staff is requesting quotes for the Library Crosswalk Upgrade at Race & Lindenwold. Public Comment - Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue requested that Council look into creating avenues with greater emphasis on biking, noting that safe biking is needed in the Borough. Ms. Endicott stated she would look to Lower Gwynedd Township and the Wissahickon School District for safe biking opportunities. 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 stated Manager Aversa had undergone a Q&A Testimony Format response which had been submitted. The attorneys are awaiting Township responses. It was Solicitor Bresnan’s understanding that the Office of Consumer Advocate will not assert a position if the municipalities can resolve this issue. Mrs. Siskind asked about a timeline for the process. Solicitor Bresnan stated the current process of exchanging testimony, and close out of Discovery would proceed without time limitations. Manager Aversa stated that Finance Manager Gordon would attend the May Council Meeting to discuss the Water Department’s financial status. She stated at present the Water Department could not undertake new capital projects and that hopefully by October or November it would be determined whether an emergency rate increase request or a bridge loan would be needed. 3. Water Department is conducting routine system hydrant flushing. A daily flushing schedule will be posted on the Borough’s website. 2 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MAY 4, 2021 4. Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-04 authorizing application to MIRIA (Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority) specifically for the Wells 12 or 14 PFAS Treatment Project with a Local Effort contribution in the amount not to exceed $250,000 for the purpose of submitting the aforementioned grant application. 5. Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-05 authorizing execution of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between Lower Gwynedd Township and Ambler Borough wherein Lower Gwynedd Township will provide a Local Effort contribution to Ambler Borough in the amount of $250,000 in correlation with Ambler Borough’s submission to MIRIA of a Grant Application for the Wells 12 or 14 PFAS Treatment Project. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Siskind summarized that neither Lower Gwynedd Township nor Ambler Borough would lose money if the MIRIA does not move forward this year. Public Comment - Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue asked about the composition of the Water Authority Board. Solicitor Bresnan stated that Ambler Borough owns the system and will not give up majority control of the Board. Further, he noted that in some circumstances a super majority vote of the Board would be needed. 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. Code Enforcement Officer has prepared a memorandum detailing the recommended process and scope for initiation of a residential inspection program for resale properties. Discussion ensued. Ms. Welch asked about anticipated inspection fees and the cost to the seller. Code Officer Kucher stated the Borough inspection would cost $150 and there would be private 3rd party fees associated with electrical inspection and sewer later inspections. Solicitor Bresnan stated that property maintenance code focuses on safety and should not be considered in lieu of a complete home inspection. Mr. Kucher stated he would work with the Borough Solicitor to prepare a draft ordinance to be advertised for adoption. 3. The Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission has prepared a draft of a revised Protocol for Act 101 Violations and a 2021 Protocol Resolution. The Commission seeks to receive all comments from Council prior to the NMCRC’s scheduled July 15, 2021 meeting. 3 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MAY 4, 2021 4. Ms. DiPietro stated that the Borough’s Auditors will attend the next Council Meeting. Public Comment Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue asked that the Borough include inspection of downspouts as part of the resale inspection process. Parks & Recreation Committee - Ms. Sara Hertz, Chairperson Committee members: Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Endicott, Ms. DiPietro The Committee report was read by Mrs. Deininger. 1. A park clean-up day – “Team Up to Clean Up Ambler Borough Parks – will be held May 8, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until noon. 2. YMCA Knight Park Summery Day Camp registration will be held May 5, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. in the Borough Hall Lobby. Camp will run June 21 to July 30. Cost is $50 per week per child. Public Comment - Anita Pieri of 32 E. Church Street asked about the Community Garden, noting that it was not listed on this evening’s agenda. Ms. Endicott stated a meeting had been held on May 2 at Knight Park to discuss the contemplated Community Garden. She stated the meeting was attended by 10-15 residents and that a good conversation had been held. Salary & Personnel Committee - Mrs. Nancy Deininger, Chairperson Committee Members: Mrs. Siskind, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Henderson The Committee report was read by Mrs. Deininger. 1. Ambler’s Public Works Department seeks college students (or those over 18 years of age) interested in summer employment. The Borough offers flexible start and end dates. Those interested are asked to stop by Borough Hall to complete an application or download an application from the Borough’s website. 4 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – MAY 4, 2021  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 May. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Public Utilities Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Siskind moves: Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-04 authorizing application to MIRIA (Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority) specifically for the Wells 12 or 14 PFAS Treatment Project with a Local Effort contribution in the amount not to exceed $250,000 for the purpose of submitting the aforementioned grant application. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-05 authorizing a cooperative effort between the Borough of Ambler and Lower Gwynedd Township to submit a MIRIA grant application with Lower Gwynedd Township paying approximately $250,000 in support of the application and Ambler applying for the grant to improve either Well 12 or 14, both of which supply Lower Gwynedd Township. This Resolution also authorizes the execution of the Cooperative Agreement attached to this Application process in further detail. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Anita Pieri of 32 E. Church Street asked what to do about the disrepair at the Melagrano Property in Upper Dublin Township that was on the other side of her Church Street property. Solicitor Bresnan suggested she attend Upper Dublin Township meetings since there is nothing the Borough can do about it. He suggested that she try to contact their Code Enforcement Department. Manager Aversa suggested she email Upper Dublin’s Commissioners. There was no public comment this evening. 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 – MAY 4, 2021