Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES March 15, 2022 The regular monthly meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania, 19002. Council President Siskind called the Council Meeting to order. Mayor Sorg led the public in the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Welch, Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Forst, Ms. Endicott, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Auerbach and Ms. Hughes. Mayor Sorg, Police Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Joe Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also were in attendance. Approval of Minutes: Mrs. Siskind made a motion to approve the Minutes of the February 15, 2022 Council Meeting. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Committees of Ambler Borough Council met Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue, Ambler, Pennsylvania, 19002. Present: Mrs. Siskind, Ms. Welch, Ms. Forst, Ms. Endicott, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Auerbach and Ms. Hughes. Mayor Sorg, Police Chief Borkowski, Solicitor Joe Bresnan and Borough Manager Aversa also were in attendance. Mr. DeRuosi was absent. Finance and Planning Committee – Ms. Nellie Forst, Chairperson Committee Members: Mr. DeRuosi, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Auerbach The Finance and Planning Committee report was given this evening by Ms. Forst: The Committee will consider the following actions this evening: 1. Authorization is requested to approve payment of the February 2022 bills in the amount of $952,507.15 as follows: General ($110,933.48); Street Lights ($5,497.83); Fire ($1,000.00); Refuse ($55,118.17); Parks & Rec. ($12,954.88); Water ($147,855.60); Sewer ($150,069.95); WWTP ($384,712.77); Debt Fund ($0.00); Liquid Fuels ($2,344.28); Water Capital ($82,020.19). Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Adoption of Resolution 2022-05 for a Grant for Safe Routes which will be applied for through the Local Share Account Grant Program. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. MINUTES: MARCH 15, 2022 1 2. Adoption of Resolution 2022-03 Authorizing and Approving Ambler Theater’s Grant Proposal for a Montco 2040 Grant. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. 3. Authorization to purchase a new Ford W Pickup replacing a 2002 Pickup. Purchasing through CoStars with plow package of $5,750 and CoStars discount of $7,800, totalling $48,242 purchase cost, budgeted. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. 4. Authorization to purchase a snow and leaf machine from Lawn & Golf at a cost of $33,000, purchased through the PA State Contract, budgeted. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was provided. 2. The Zoning Hearing Board meeting is scheduled for March 24 at 6:30 p.m. relevant to 100-112 W. Butler Avenue. Ms. Forst asked if there were further comments or questions from the Committee, 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. Jennifer Henderson, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Endicott, Ms. Forst, Ms. Hughes The Committee will consider no actions this evening. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Adoption of Resolution 2022-04 to suspend Ordinance 748 for persons attending the Arts & Music Festival (June 17 & 18) and Oktoberfest (October 7 & 8). Seconded. 8- Aye. Carried. In other business the following was reviewed: 3. The Fire, Police and Community Ambulance reports were received. 4. The Public Works and Code Enforcement reports were received. Ms. Henderson asked if there were further comments or questions from the Committee, Council or the public. There being nothing further, it was moved the Committee’s report be accepted as filed. Seconded. Carried. Public Utilities Committee – Ms. Haley Welch, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Endicott, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Hughes MINUTES: MARCH 15, 2022 2 The Public Utilities Committee report was given this evening by Ms. Welch. The Committee will consider no actions this evening. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Authorization of advertise for bids for the construction of the Wells 2, 6 & 7 PFAS Treatment System Project. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. In other business the following was reviewed: 1. Engineer’s Report - The WWTP engineer’s report will be provided. Ms. Welch asked if there were further comments or questions from the Committee, 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. Erin Endicott, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch, Ms. Auerbach The Parks and Recreation Committee report was given this evening by Ms. Endicott. The Committee will consider no actions this evening. Approved at Committee Meeting: 1. Tasking the EAC with researching Single Use Plastics Ordinances and suggesting sample language to be reviewed by Council early spring. Seconded. 8-Aye. Carried. In In other business the following was reviewed: 1. The Community Garden Committee will provide an update to Council at a future meeting. 2. EAC Events - Team-Up to Clean-Up is scheduled May 21 (10-noon). Council Members and EAC members will undertake spring clean-up at the parks. The public is welcome to join in with the community beautification effort. 3. EAC Events – EarthFest is back after a two-year hiatus. This year’s theme is “Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference.” Event is scheduled April 30 (10-2). More information is available at www.amblereac.org/earth-fest . Ms. Endicott asked if there were further comments or questions from the Committee, Council or the public. There being nothing further, it was moved the Committee’s report be accepted as filed. Seconded. Carried. MINUTES: MARCH 15, 2022 3 Salary and Personnel Committee – Mr. Frank DeRuosi, Chairperson Committee members: Ms. Forst, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Welch The Salary and Personnel Committee report was given this evening by Mr. DeRuosi. The Committee will consider the following action this evening: 1. Consider authorization for staff to advertise the vacant water department position. Mr. DeRuosi asked if there were further comments or questions from the Committee, Council or the public. 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. Forst moves: Consider approval of payment of the February 2022 bills in the amount of $952,507.15. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. Salary & Personnel Committee – The Committee recommends and Mr DeRuosi moves: Consider authorization to advertise the vacant water department position. Seconded. All Aye. Carried. PUBLIC COMMENT There being no further public comment or other business, Mrs. Siskind moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded, motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Russell Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler MINUTES: MARCH 15, 2022 4