Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COMMITTEE MINUTES June 1, 2021 Ambler Borough Committees held their scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 1, 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 Borkowski, Solicitor Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also were in attendance. Water Superintendent Steve Smallberger, Public Works Supervisor Marco Resente, 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. 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 June 2021, empowering the Borough to manage its emergency response was received. Consider adoption of the proposed Declaration. Discussion ensued. In response to an inquiry by Ms. Endicott regarding continuing these Declarations, Manager Aversa stated she was following the County’s lead and timeframe. 3. Staff is requesting quotes for the Library Crosswalk Upgrade at Race & Lindenwold. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Deininger asked whether there was sufficient crosswalk signage at the Public Library. Engineer Dougherty stated that pedestrian crossing signs would be 1 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 1, 2021 installed with the new crosswalk and curb ramps. Ms. Endicott asked the Police Chief whether temporary electronic signs could be installed. Chief Borkowski stated he would comply. Public Works Supervisor stated he was in the process of obtaining a third quote. Public Comment – Kris Hart of 15 N. Ridge Avenue, 2nd floor spoke about public safety and needs of the Wissahickon Fire Department. He stated the department was beginning their fundraising drive. He added that the department could use more support in recruiting. Manager Aversa stated the Borough has a good relationship with the fire company. 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 he would be speaking with our Harrisburg attorney later this week regarding Township testimony received. 3. The Bid Document for the MIRIA 2021 Grant for Wells 6 & 7 is being prepared. An estimated timetable for the project: advertisement for bids (late June); award contract and execute Agreements (July-August 2021); pre-construction meeting, submittal review (September 2021), piping construction (October-November 2021). 4. PFAS sampling and analysis was completed April 5, 2021. Sampling will again be taken in July. All samples continue to be below the EPA health advisory threshold of 70 ppt (parts per trillion). Range in % of 70 ppt was between 13% and 37%. Discussion ensued. It was noted that temperature and rainfall can influence results. PFAS resampling is scheduled in July. Finance & Planning Committee - Ms. Nellie DiPietro, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Endicott, Ms. Welch, Ms. Sheedy The Committee report was read by Ms. DiPietro. 2 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 1, 2021 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. Endicott asked that Council reach out to realtors and homeowners before moving forward with an Ordinance change. Manager Aversa stated the age of the Borough makes these proposed measures important. She stated other municipalities repair sidewalks and the Borough does not and that we have different areas of public concern. Engineer Dougherty stated inspection of sewer laterals would not directly affect our MS4, but that any water quality improvements achieved would reflect in the water quality in the stream. He stated the Borough should routinely conduct discharge inspections every five years. Code Officer Kucher stated that presently the Borough requires a letter stating address signage is 3” high, smoke detectors function; that a CO unit is on site; and a backflow preventor is installed. Manager Aversa stated the Borough could notify realtors whenever a property is sold so that they can become familiar with Borough requirements. Public Comment: Anita Pieri of 22 E. Church Street requested that the Borough be more proactive in dealing with sewer lines so as not to wait for the time of sale of a property. Solicitor Bresnan stated a sewer lateral is private property and as such the Borough may not ‘camera’ a lateral as it chooses; resale gives the Borough an opportunity for inspection of the laterals. Madge Monser of 372 Forest Avenue requested that Council turn this agenda item over to the Planning Commission for further analysis. Jennifer Gallagher of 402 Edgewood Drive stated that as a realtor, she would ask the Borough to take its time in drafting an Ordinance. She stated checking for illegal hookups was good, however the proposed inspection list was quite a jump from what we currently have. 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. 4. Review of the Preliminary / Final Major Subdivision Plan to create two separate parcels each containing an existing building at 34 & 38 E. Butler Avenue – Simono Properties, LLC (no development is proposed). The Applicant’s engineer Benjamin Barland of Holmes Cunningham Engineering made a brief presentation. He stated this was a subdivision at the location of El Limon and Gypsy 3 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 1, 2021 Blu. He added there would be no land development or change of use or expansion or construction. Ms. DiPietro asked about placement of new trees. Mr. Barland stated the applicant would probably be looking for ‘fee in lieu of trees’. Solicitor Bresnan stated this is a common process when asking for waivers and that tree improvements could be sited at other locations. Mr. Barland stated Applicant could install a privacy fence around dumpsters. Mrs. Siskind questioned the one-way directions to be put into place and she requested that Applicant consider making Spring Garden Street the exit since the entrance should be on Butler Avenue because that is the address of these establishments. Much discussion ensued on directional and signage at the location given heavy pedestrian traffic on Butler Avenue. Solicitor Bresnan reiterated that this is a ‘by right’ subdivision and not a land development application. Public Comment: Kris Hart of 15 N. Ridge Avenue, 2nd floor stated that the people’s public safety is more important than inconveniencing traffic to wait to pull into the parking lot. Madge Monser commented on pedestrian traffic on Butler Avenue. She asked that one tree be planted in front of Gypsy Blue noting the importance of tree canopies and vegetation. Solicitor Bresnan stated Council cannot instruct the Applicant to remove the Butler Avenue access/egress. 5. The Zoning Hearing Board will hold a ZOOM meeting for 327 Lindenwold Avenue on June 14 at 6:30 p.m. 6. Authorization is requested to adopt Resolution 2021-06 authorizing the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) application by the Library. This Resolution will ratify the September 17, 2019 Council vote. Parks & Recreation Committee - Ms. Sara Hertz, Chairperson Committee members: Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Endicott, Ms. DiPietro The Committee report was read by Mrs. Deininger. 1. YMCA Knight Park Summery Day Camp camp will run June 21 to July 30. Cost is $50 per week per child. 2. The Community Garden has been awarded a $43,000 grant. Staff awaits contracts for the project. 4 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 1, 2021 3. The next Community Garden meeting will be held June 6 at 3:30 p.m. at Knight Park. Public Comment: Anita Pieri of 22 E. Church Street asked that Council provide meeting minutes and detail the content of Community Garden meetings on their agenda. Ms. Endicott stated there was no quorum among Council participants and that there was no violation of the Sunshine Law. Mr. DeRuosi stated Council could provide the public with a brief summary after Community Garden meetings are held. Kris Hart of 15 N. Ridge Avenue, 2nd floor offered to help with communications and other public relations assistance. 4. The Ambler Community Cupboard would like use of the Borough Gym during the school year to continue the After School Program. Salary & Personnel Committee - Mrs. Nancy Deininger, Chairperson Committee Members: Mrs. Siskind, Ms. DiPietro, Ms. Henderson The Committee report was read by Mrs. Deininger. 1. Consider approval of the AFSCME Union Contract. 2. The vacant Highway position will be advertised and resumes are being accepted. 3. Resumes were received for the Planning Commission vacancy. Council is asked to consider nomination of Anthony Giannetti (Ward 2) or Francine Tomlinson (Ward 1). 4. Staff is researching options for holding future Public Meetings. Discussion ensued. Council considered returning to the old format where meetings are videoed and uploaded the following day; live video; live video with sound system for call- in questions; a hybrid of both in chamber meetings and ZOOM. Solicitor Bresnan stated there are not legal obligations or restriction and that Council should decide as good government how they wish to proceed. After much discussion Council stated that Borough Hall meetings could probably resume July or August using the old meeting format and that upgrades could be phased in at a later time. 5 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 1, 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 June. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Finance and Planning – The committee recommends and Ms. DiPietro moves: Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-06 authorizing the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) application for the Library. This Resolution will ratify the September 17, 2019 Council vote. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Salary and Personnel – The committee recommends and Mrs. Deininger moves: Consider approval of the AFSCME Union Contract. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider appointment of Anthony Giannetti to the vacant seat on the Planning Commission. Motion Seconded. 7-Aye; 2-Nay (Mr. DeRuosi & Ms.. Endicott). Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mary Spross of 366 Forest Avenue stated her patio permit was denied due to the statement from Code Enforcement that new pervious surfaces might not be maintained in the future thus, becoming impervious. Solicitor Bresnan stated he would speak with Code Officer Kucher to find some middle ground. 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 6 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 1, 2021