Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES August 17, 2021 The regular monthly meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania, 19002. Council Vice President Hertz called the Council Meeting to order. Mayor Sorg led the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call – Present: Ms. Hertz, Ms. DiPietro, Mrs. Siskind, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Endicott, Ms. Welch, Ms. Henderson, and Ms. Sheedy. Mayor Sorg, Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Joe Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also were in attendance. Mr. DeRuosi was absent. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Hertz made a motion to approve the Minutes of the July 20, 2021 Council Meeting. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Committees of Ambler Borough Council met Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania, 19002. Present: Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Hertz, Ms. DiPietro, Mrs. Siskind, Mrs. Deininger, Ms. Welch, Ms. Henderson, and Ms. Sheedy. Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa were present. Mayor Sorg and Ms. Endicott were absent. 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 the following actions this evening: 1. Consider advertising for adoption an Ordinance to address the 2-Hour Parking Limit / Parking Permit Program for Borough residents. 2. Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-08 suspending enforcement of Ordinance 748 for persons attending the Oktoberfest / Music Festival events. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Police, Fire and Community Ambulance reports were received. MINUTES: AUGUST 17, 2021 1 2. The Public Works and Code Enforcement reports were received. 3. The Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Borough Hall Gym on September 3rd from 2 – 7 p.m. To make an appointment go online to www.redcrossblood.org Keyword “Ambler” or call 1-800-Red Cross. Walk-ins are welcome. 4. The start of a Five-Year Review (FYR) process for the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site will begin. The purpose of an FYR is to evaluate the implementation and performance of a cleanup to determine if the cleanup is and will continue to be protective of human health and the environment. Over the coming year, EPA will be conducting this evaluation for BoRit site. 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 The Public Utilities Committee report was given this evening by Mrs. Siskind. The Committee will consider the following action this evening: 1. Consider authorizing award the Well 2, 6 and 7 Water Mains Project (MIRIA 2021 Grant Funds) to KBC Construction LLC for the low bid of $417,280.60. 2. Consider approval of the updated WWTP Jointure Agreement for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. A Motion was approved to initiate the steps necessary to dissolve the Water Authority. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. 2. A Motion was approved to initiate a rate application with the Public Utilities Commission and to retain Ade Bakare of McNees Wallace to represent the Borough in connection therewith and to appoint Gannett Fleming as consultants on the filing. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The WWTP engineer’s report will be provided. MINUTES: AUGUST 17, 2021 2 2. PFAS sampling was completed July 9. Analysis results continue to be below the EPA health advisory threshold of 70 ppt (parts per trillion). Results are posted on the Borough website. 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 July 2021 invoices in the amount of $527,220.32 be paid as follows: General ($163,969.22); Street Lights ($3,129.74); Fire ($0.00); Refuse ($54,326.44); Parks & Rec. ($2,103.07); Water ($92,979.58); Sewer ($42,638.13); WWTP ($167,587.49); Debt Fund ($0.00); Water Capital ($0.00); Liquid Fuels ($486.65). 2. Consider adoption of Ordinance 1122 modifying the municipal retirement benefit in the Pension Ordinance. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. A Motion was made to change the pension interest rate to 6.50%. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. 2. A Motion was made to advertise an Ordinance amending the Municipal Employee Pension. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried 3. A Motion was made to approve Ordinance 1121 for Bond refinance for Water and General Funds. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. 4. A Motion was made to approve the agreement for Borough auditors Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC to manage American Rescue Funds made available to the Borough. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. 5. A Motion was made to approve the SEPTA lease agreement for the Farmers’ Market. Seconded. 8-Aye Carried. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. MINUTES: AUGUST 17, 2021 3 2. Joe Duda of Joe Duda Actuarial and Scott Repke of Alliance Bernstein made a pension presentation at the August Committee Meeting. 3. An Executive Session was held prior to the Committee Meeting. 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. Endicott. The Committee will consider no actions this evening. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Community Garden Committee will hold a meeting at Knight Park on Sunday, August 22 at 3:30 p.m. Flowers have been planted on the Church Street side of the park and at the bocci court. For further information send an email to amblergarden@gmail.com or go to the Ambler Community Garden’s Facebook page. 2. Ambler Square construction is almost complete, with punch list items currently under review. A park dedication will be planned. 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. 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 action this evening: 1. Consider authorizing advertising for the vacant WWTP Mechanic position. Ms. Endicott 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. MINUTES: AUGUST 17, 2021 4  RECOMMENDATIONS Public Safety Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. Endicott moves: Consider advertising for adoption an Ordinance to address the 2-Hour Parking Limit / Parking Permit Program for Borough residents. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-08 suspending enforcement of Ordinance 748 for persons attending the Oktoberfest / Music Festival events. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. Public Utilities Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Siskind moves: Consider authorizing award the Well 2, 6 and 7 Water Mains Project (MIRIA 2021 Grant Funds) to KBC Construction LLC for the low bid of $417,280.60. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. Consider approval of the updated WWTP Jointure Agreement for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. Approved at Committee Meeting: A Motion was approved to initiate the steps necessary to dissolve the Water Authority. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. A Motion was approved to initiate a rate application with the Public Utilities Commission and to retain Ade Bakare of McNees Wallace to represent the Borough in connection therewith and to appoint Gannett Fleming as consultants on the filing. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. Finance & Planning Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. DiPietro moves: Consider that July 2021 invoices in the amount of $527,220.32 be paid. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried Consider adoption of Ordinance 1122 modifying the municipal retirement benefit in the Pension Ordinance. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. Approved at Committee Meeting: A Motion was made to change the pension interest rate to 6.50%. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. MINUTES: AUGUST 17, 2021 5 A Motion was made to advertise an Ordinance amending the Municipal Employee Pension. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried A Motion was made to approve Ordinance 1121 for Bond refinance for Water and General Funds. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. A Motion was made to approve the agreement for Borough auditors Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC to manage American Rescue Funds made available to the Borough. Seconded. 8- Aye. Carried. A Motion was made to approve the SEPTA lease agreement for the Farmers’ Market. Seconded. 8-Aye Carried. Parks & Recreation Committee – The Committee will make no recommendations this evening. Salary & Personnel Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Deininger moves: Consider advertising for the vacant WWTP Mechanic. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Rosen of 665 Pinetown Road, Abington, introduced himself as a representative of the Community Ambulance Association of Ambler. Anna Lee Lapinski of 136 Rosemary Avenue asked Council to use their microphones and speak louder during discussion. Councilperson Sheedy asked about the repair status of the all-purpose courts at Ricciardi Park. Manager Aversa stated the fixup had been accomplished the day prior to this evening’s meeting. 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 MINUTES: AUGUST 17, 2021 6