Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES November 16, 2021 The regular monthly meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania, 19002. The meeting was preceded by a scheduled 2022 Municipal Budget Meeting held at 6:00 p.m. 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. Welch, Ms. Henderson and Ms. Sheedy. Mayor Sorg, Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Joe Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also were in attendance. Mr. DeRuosi and Ms. Endicott were absent. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Hertz made a motion to approve the Minutes of the October 19, 2021 Council Meeting. Motion Seconded. All Aye. Carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Committees of Ambler Borough Council met Wednesday, November 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. Endicott, Ms. Welch, Ms. Henderson, and Ms. Sheedy. Mayor Sorg, Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa were present. 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 October 2021 invoices in the amount of $779,984.13 be paid as follows: General ($180,008.07); Street Lights ($4,704.08); Fire ($0.00); Refuse ($59,585.95); Parks & Rec. ($8,281.41); Water ($158,797.51); Sewer ($187,893.73); WWTP ($180,380.78); Debt Fund ($0.00); Water Capital ($0.00); Liquid Fuels ($332.60). 2. Consider authorizing advertising for adoption an Ordinance Fixing the Real Estate Tax for the Year 2022. A public hearing to consider adoption will be scheduled for the MINUTES: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 1  December 21 Council Meeting. The proposed budget has been posted on the Borough website. 3. Consider authorizing advertising the proposed 2022 Public Meeting Calendar for Council’s Committee and Council Meetings. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Resolution 2021-13 designating the Borough Manager as Agent for Ambler Borough to execute all required forms and documents to obtain financial assistance from FEMA/PEMA for damages which occurred to municipal property as a result of Tropical Depression Ida. (9-Aye). 2. Authorization to advertise Special Public Budget Meetings on the proposed 2022 Municipal Budget to be held 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16 and December 7 as well as at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 2. Council will consider adoption of the proposed 2022 Budget at the December 21 Council Meeting. (9-Aye). In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. 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. 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 Mrs. Siskind. The Committee will consider no actions this evening. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Police and Community Ambulance reports were received. 2. The Public Works and Code Enforcement reports were received. 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. MINUTES: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 2 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 adoption of Resolution 2021-14 for Revision to Official Sewage Facilities Plan. In accordance with the requirements of PA Code Title 25 Chapter 71.31(c), Upper Dublin Township and the Borough of Ambler are accepting comments for the next thirty (30) days on a proposed revision to their respective Official Sewage Facility Act 537 Plans. This Plan amendment proposes the demolition of the UDWWTP and the construction of a new sewage pumping station, to be located on the Ambler treatment plant property, and associated force main to connect directly to the Ambler Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will be upgraded. The Act 537 amendment was advertised on October 14, 2021. 2. Consider award of the WWTP Pump Station #1 Control Panel replacement to Paone for the low quote of $29,550.00. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Authorization was approved to participate in the PFAS Litigation with Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. (9-Aye) In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The WWTP engineer’s report will be provided. 2. The Water Department is performing routine system hydrant flushing. The daily flushing schedule will be posted on the Borough website. 3. The awarded contractor is beginning the MIRIA Grant project for Wells 2, 6 & 7 (Loch Alsh Wells) pipeline replacement. 4. The water main replacement on Knight Road is underway. 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. 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 Mrs. Deininger. MINUTES: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 3  The Committee will consider no actions this evening. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Community Garden Committee will be scheduling its next meeting. 2. A dedication event for Ambler Square was held November 6th. 3. The proposed Single Use Plastics Ordinance will be advertised for adoption at the December 21 Council Meeting. 4. The EAC provided an update to Borough Council. Mrs. Deininger 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. Executive Session: An Executive Session was held on a personnel matter regarding a candidate for the Finance Manager position. The Committee will consider the following actions this evening: 1. Consider hiring Jose Quinterro for the Mechanic I position at the WWTP. 2. Consider hiring Britania McPeak for the Water Account Clerk position. Ruth Serianni will be promoted to the soon-to-be-vacant Water Account Billing Clerk position. In other business the following was reviewed: VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE & BOARD SEATS Several volunteer Committee & Board positions will expire at the end of the year. Incumbents have been notified and have been asked to submit credentials if they seek reappointment. Borough residents are invited to submit their credentials as well by forwarding a letter of interest/resume by December 10th to the Borough Manager at manager@borough.ambler.pa.us. Appointments will be made by Council at their January 2022 meeting and include: MINUTES: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 4  • Appeals Board (3 year term) – 1 seat • Environmental Advisory Council (3 year term and term expiring 2023) – 2 seats • Human Relations Commission (vacancies – terms expiring 2022) – 1 seat & 1 Alternate seat • Planning Commission (4 year term) – 3 seats • Vacancy Board (1 year term) – 1 seat • Zoning Hearing Board (3 year term) – 1 seat • Zoning Hearing Board Alternates (3 year term and term ending 2022) – 2 seats CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT One Civil Service Commission seat (6 year term) will expire at the end of the year. One Alternate seat (term expiring 2024) also remains vacant. The Commission Bylaws require the Commission to hold their Reorganizational Meeting the first Monday in January in even-numbered years. Therefore Council is asked to consider appointment to the CSC seat at their December Council meeting so that the Commission is fully seated for their January meeting. Interested candidates are asked to send a letter of interest/resume to the Borough Manager by December 10th. 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 Finance & Planning Committee – The Committee recommends and Ms. DiPietro moves: Consider that October 2021 invoices in the amount of $779,984.13 be paid. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider authorizing advertising for adoption an Ordinance Fixing the Real Estate Tax for the Year 2022. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider authorizing advertising the proposed 2022 Public Meeting Calendar for Council’s Committee and Council Meetings. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Approved at Committee Meeting: Resolution 2021-13 designating the Borough Manager as Agent for Ambler Borough to execute all required forms and documents to obtain financial assistance from FEMA/PEMA for damages which occurred to municipal property as a result of Tropical Depression Ida. (9-Aye). Authorization to advertise Special Public Budget Meetings on the proposed 2022 Municipal Budget. (9-Aye). MINUTES: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 5 Public Utilities Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Siskind moves: Consider adoption of Resolution 2021-14 for Revision to Official Sewage Facilities Plan. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider award of the WWTP Pump Station #1 Control Panel replacement to Paone for the low quote of $29,550.00. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Approved at Committee Meeting: Authorization was approved to participate in the PFAS Litigation with Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. (9-Aye) Salary & Personnel Committee – The Committee recommends and Mrs. Deininger moves: Consider hiring Jose Quinterro for the Mechanic I position at the WWTP. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider hiring Britania McPeak for the Water Account Clerk position. Ruth Serianni will be promoted to the soon-to-be-vacant Water Account Billing Clerk position. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Consider hiring the candidate discussed in Executive Session for the Finance Manager position. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT 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 MINUTES: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 6